2010 HISTORICAL MERIT BADGE PROGRAM
One hundred years ago the BSA first offered a merit badge for tracking or stalking as it was originally called. To honor Scouting's 100th anniversary they are offering four Historical Merit Badges during 2010, one of which is for tracking. The original objective for this Merit Badge was to develop those skills needed to find a missing person and while that is a very important skill and one still used by Search and Rescue teams today, there are many additional benefits to be gained by enhancing your knowledge as a tracker. Modern day biologists, land managers and other wildlife researchers still utilize many of the basic tracking skills taught on the pages of this website in developing their animal population and movement studies, often through the use of transects. Animal control agents and Fish and Wildlife agencies need to be able to interpret information left in the field by the animals. While acquiring tracking skills we often develop an enhanced awareness of the wildlife around us and consequently gain a respect for other living things.
Scouts and their counselors interested in learning more will find this website a valuable resource in developing their tracking and interpretive skills. Orange County Trackers congratulates the BSA on their 100th anniversary and looks forward to supporting them in their pursuit of acquiring new skills in tracking.
Dick Newell and Don Millar of OCTRACKERS are seen working with one successful candidate for the BSA 2010 Historical Tracking Merit Badge.
