WorldWide Drilling Resource

freeze in Alaska, or do both in the Texas Panhandle.” Minor revisions were made to the geology merit badge in 1957, and major revisions were made in 1985 with cooperation from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. The badge now has 13 requirements organized under five categories: 1. Earth minerals includes the collection and identification of rocks and min- erals. 2. Earth processes covers geomorphology, the hydrologic cycle, volcanoes, mountain building, and the ocean floor. 3. Earth history includes the geology time chart, fossils, and continental drift. 4. Geology and people covers environmental geology and energy courses with a field trip option. 5. Careers in geology gives boy scouts a closer look at specific geology professions. The merit badge counselor is a key player in the Boy Scout advancement program. Geologists in the drilling industry can play a vital part in stirring young men’s curiosity about a particular field. By serving as a merit badge coun- selor, you offer your time, knowledge, and other resources so Scouts can explore topics of interest to them. Through adult as- sociation, leadership development, and advancement, the Scouting program emphasizes helping young men develop character, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. Aside from parents and relatives, school teachers, religious leaders, and coaches, most Scout-age youth have little contact with other adults or professionals. A Scout’s association with merit badge counselors provides an excellent way for him to grow and gain confidence through exposure to positive adult role models and mentors. Working with people like business and com- munity leaders, a Scout can experience personal growth, along with a life-changing experience for the betterment of their future while earning a merit badge. With over 120 merit badges to choose from, opportunities abound for professionals to help Boy Scouts. For more information about becoming a merit badge counselor for geology or another profession, visit www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/GuideforMeritBadgeCounselors/MBCounselorGuide.aspx Comstock Mining in Virginia City, Nevada, led local Boy Scouts on a tour of their facility to help the boys earn geology merit badges. Photo courtesy of Comstock Mining, Inc. The Merit Badge cont’d from page 29. 58 MARCH 2017 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®