How To Help Your Boy Scout Troop Earn The Automotive Merit Badge

Are you involved in the Boy Scout program? If so, you are influencing boy's lives in a truly positive way. The Boy Scout program isn't just fun and adventurous. It also helps boys become strong men. Among other things, it builds strong ideals, it helps to strengthen families, it develops a love of God and country, and boys learn different skills. If you are in charge of helping the boys to earn their Automotive Maintenance Badge, you can have a great experience right along with them. Here are some ideas that might help you.

Send Invitations - Unfortunately, the spoken word doesn't always reach parent's ears, so just announcing that you'll be holding a workshop for the boys to earn their Automotive Maintenance Badge is probably not enough. Of course, you could email or phone all the parents, but a written invitation would be a great way to build interest and anticipation. Consider sending the information on a car-shaped piece of construction paper. Have each of the tires hold information like the date, the time, and the place of the event, and use the last tire to request RSVPs so you'll know how many boys to expect.

Secure An Instructor - If you are proficient enough to teach the class yourself, go for it.

• Even if you are not an expert mechanic yourself, you can help the boys fulfill the requirement of knowing how to clean the car.
• With the help of diagrams, you can probably also help the boys to identify the different parts of the car.
• If your knowledge and skills are limited, consider asking a trained mechanic to teach at least part of the class for you. It will be important for you to give the instructor a copy of the requirements to earn the badge.
• Be sure that you have found a good place to hold the event as you'll need space for the car and a place for all the tools and equipment that will be used.

Take The Class An Extra Mile - Are there boys who have shown an extra eagerness to learn more about cars? 

• Think about buying an old car, even a clunker, that you and the boys can rebuild. If the car costs more money than you can afford yourself, consider getting parents to help pay for it. When the car is finished, it could be auctioned off and the proceeds could be used for a Boy Scout adventure. Another idea would be to donate the car to a charity.
• Consider scheduling many sessions where parents and the boys can work on the old car.
• You might need to replace car parts. Not just brakes, engines and other huge parts, but also body parts may need to be purchased. Whether you need to find doors, window frames and windows, a new windshield, seats, and even fenders, those can be found.
• A good idea is to select a local business that sells used car parts because you can access them quickly. Also, the parts can be special ordered if they are not in stock. Consider using a used auto part dealership, like Cottman Used Auto Parts, that has an excellent inventory system, as that'll make your job a lot easier.

Have a wonderful time working with your Boy Scouts as they learn more about cars.