For a limited time, Troop 279 will be conducting a troop-wide Social Distancing merit badge to have a little fun while we’re unable to meet in-person.

All troop leaders are honorary merit badge councilors for the Social Distancing merit badge. No blue cards are necessary for the Social Distancing merit badge, but all Youth Protection guidelines must still be followed while working with a councilor. To learn more about merit badges, please visit the Merit Badge page on the Troop’s website.

Upon successful completion, scouts will receive the Social Distancing merit badge patch to commemorate the activities, sacrifices and personal perseverance during these unique times.

Requirements

1. Do the following:
   1. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter when practicing Social Distancing, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
   2. Tell what you can do to prevent or reduce the occurrence of the following injuries or illnesses:
      • Irritability
      • Lethargy
      • Gaining weight
      • Cabin fever
   3. Define the following Social Distancing terms:
      • Flatten the curve
      • Self-quarantine
      • Incubation
      • R₀ (pronounced “R-naught”)
      • Binge-watching
      • Slow the spread
      • Do the five
2. List and explain at least 5 different ways to estimate a 6-foot distance. For example, “6 feet equals one Ryan Reynolds” or “the span between potholes in PA”.
3. Rank the following 20 popular sports from Best to Worst for Social Distancing appropriateness:
   • Football
   • Baseball
   • Basketball
   • Soccer
   • Hockey
   • Tennis
   • Golf
   • Boxing
   • car racing
   • wrestling
   • volleyball
   • swimming
   • skiing
   • bowling
   • horse racing
   • martial arts
   • weight lifting
   • ultimate
   • bicycling
   • speed skating
4. Do the following:
   1. Create a list of at least 5 common Social Distancing hashtags, for example #StayHome. Your list may not include #StayHome.
   2. Create a list of at least 5 new hashtags that you feel would help people understand, remember, or implement proper Social Distancing.
   3. Share your two lists with your counselor. Be prepared to explain your new hashtags to your counselor.
5. Using Discord (https://discordapp.com/), Zoom (https://zoom.us/) or other remote conferencing software approved by your counselor, do the following:
   1. Install and configure the conferencing software on your computer or handheld electronic device.
   2. Help another person install and configure the conferencing software.
   3. Schedule and run a meeting that lasts at least 5 minutes and includes at least 5 people. The people must include yourself, your counselor, and at least one other adult.
6. Demonstrate to your counselor your ability to socially distance yourself by doing at least 4 of the following Social Distancing activities:
   1. Wash your hands correctly
   2. Cough into your elbow
   3. Wave to another person
   4. Pass someone on a walking path
   5. Correctly put on and take off nitrile gloves
   6. Sew a face mask (https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/168194/neckerchief-face-mask/)
   7. Order a take-out meal for your family using a phone or the internet. You or your parent may pay for the meal.
7. Simulate Social Distancing by doing the following:
   1. Live in a simulated quarantine environment by not leaving your house or physically interacting with any other humans except your immediate family for 4 days. During this simulation, complete at least three of these tasks:
      • Complete 1 jigsaw puzzle of at least 500 pieces
      • Memorize lyrics to 3 songs
      • Play 12 games of solitaire
      • Play 10 games of Pandemic 2 (https://cdn2.addictinggames.com/addictinggames-content/ag-assets/content-items/html5-games/pandemic2/index.html) or similar symptoms simulator.
      • Watch 1 full season of any video series, totaling at least 6 hours and approved by your parent or guardian
      • Read 1 book of at least 300 pages
      • Watch at least 4 movies starring Tom Hanks (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/)
      • Make a Bucket List of at least 12 things you want to do once your quarantine is over
   2. Document what you did and present your accomplishments to your counselor, patrol, or troop in a 2-minute presentation
8. List two types of germs. Briefly describe each one, and tell how they differ, what they do and how you can protect yourself from these germs.
9. Find out about three career opportunities in the global health industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor and explain why this profession might interest you.
10. Do TWO of the following. Take pictures of your activities. Send or share your images with your counselor and scoutmaster.
    1. Take a family walk or hike
    2. Camp outside in your back yard
    3. Cook a meal for your family
    4. Take a bike ride
    5. Sew a patch on your uniform or merit badge sash
    6. Use lashings to make a useful gadget or structure
11. Show your counselor your current, up-to-date Cyber Chip.
    • Earn the Cyber Chip: Earning the Cyber Chip can help you learn how to stay safe while you are online and using social networks or the latest electronic gadgets. Topics include cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, cyberbullying, and identity theft. Find out more about the Cyber Chip at https://troop279.us/earning-your-cyber-chip/

Click here to download a copy of the Social Distancing merit badge pamphlet.