Our troop is planning a November Campout around the theme of “Cooking”. The dinner meal will be a Thanksgiving type meal where the Patrols will be providing dishes, etc. The Scoutmasters Corps will be providing the Turkey via a Propane Turkey fryer. As the theme was cooking, I went through all of the ranks and the current Cooking Merit Badge and provided a reference for the scouts to look at as they were planning. It’s kind of an all in one list that they can use to determine if what they are planning aligns with advancement opportunities.
Here’s a pdf of the list: Cooking Requirements 2013
Tenderfoot Requirement
3. On the campout, assist in preparing and cooking one of your patrol’s meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together.
Second Class Requirement
3e. Explain when it is appropriate to use a cooking fire. At an approved outdoor location and at an approved time, and using the tinder, kindling, and fuel wood from requirement 3d, demonstrate how to build a fire; light the fire, unless prohibited by local fire restrictions. After allowing the flames to burn safely for at least two minutes, safely extinguish the flames with minimal impact to the fire site.
3f. Explain when it is appropriate to use a lightweight stove or propane stove. Set up a lightweight stove or propane stove; light the stove, unless prohibited by local fire restrictions. Describe the safety procedures for using these types of stoves.
3g. On one campout, plan and cook one hot breakfast or lunch, selecting foods from the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Tell how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.
First Class
4a. Help plan a patrol menu for one campout that includes at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner, and that requires cooking at least two of the meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model and meets nutritional needs.
4b. Using the menu planned in requirement 4a, make a list showing the cost and food amounts needed to feed three or more boys and secure the ingredients.
4c. Tell which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.
4d. Explain the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage of fresh meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, and other perishable food products. Tell how to properly dispose of camp garbage, cans, plastic containers, and other rubbish.
4e. On one campout, serve as your patrol’s cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in requirement 4a. Lead your patrol in saying grace at the meals and supervise cleanup.
Cooking Merit Badge Requirements –
1. Do the following:
a. Review with your counselor the injuries that might arise from cooking, including burns and scalds, and the proper treatment.
b. Describe how meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy products, and fresh vegetables should be stored, transported, and properly prepared for cooking.
c. Describe the following food-related illnesses and tell what you can do to help prevent each from happening:
(1) Salmonella enteritis
(2) Staphylococcal enteritis
(3) Escherichia coli enteritis (E. coli)
(4) Botulism
(5) Trichinosis
(6) Hepatitis
2. Do the following:
a. Illustrate for your counselor the food pyramid that fits you.
Label the following food groups in the pyramid and how much of each you should eat each day:
(1) Grains
(2) Vegetables
(3) Fruits
(4) Milk, yogurt, cheese
(5) Meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, nuts
(6) Oils (fats) and sugars
b. Explain why you should limit your intake of oils and sugars.
c. Explain the number of servings recommended per day from each group.
d. Give your counselor examples from each food group.
e. Describe for your counselor the measurements of servings for each food group.
f. Describe to your counselor food preparation techniques that result in more healthful and nutritious meals.
3. Plan a menu for two straight days (six meals) of camping. Include the following:
a. A camp dinner with soup; meat, fish, poultry, or an appropriate substitute; two fresh vegetables; drink; and dessert. All are to be properly prepared. When preparing your menu, follow the nutritional guidelines set by the food pyramid.
b. A one-pot dinner. Use foods other than canned.
c. Using the menu planned for requirement 3, make a food list showing cost and amount needed to feed three or more boys.
d. List the utensils needed to cook and serve these meals.
4. Using the menu planned for requirement 3, do the following and discuss the process with your merit badge counselor:
a. Prepare and serve for yourself and two others, the two dinners, one lunch, and one breakfast. Time your cooking so that each course will be ready to serve at the proper time.*
b. For meals prepared in requirement 4a for which a fire is needed, use a lightweight stove or build a low-impact fire. Include support for your cooking utensils from rocks, logs, or like material.
The same fireplace may be used for more than one meal. Use a backpacking stove to cook at least one meal. (Where local regulations do not allow you to do this, the counselor may change the requirement to meet the law.)
c. For each meal prepared in requirement 4a, use safe food-handling practices. Dispose of garbage, cans, foil, paper, and other rubbish by packing them out and depositing them in a proper container.
After each meal, clean up the site thoroughly.
5. Plan a menu for one day (three meals) or for four meals over a two-day period of trail hiking or backpacking. Include the following:
a. A breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a trail or backpacking trip where light weight is important. You should be able to store all foods used for several days without refrigeration. When preparing your menu, follow the nutritional guidelines set by the food pyramid.
b. Using the menu planned for requirement 5, make a food list showing cost and amount needed to feed three or more boys.
c. List the utensils needed to cook and serve these meals.
d. Figure the weight of the foods in requirement 5a.
6. Using the menu planned for requirement 5, do the following:
a. Prepare and serve for yourself and two others the trail breakfast and dinner. Time your cooking so that each course will be ready to serve at the proper time.*
b. Use an approved trail stove (with proper supervision) or charcoal to prepare your meals.
c. For each meal prepared in requirement 6a, use safe food-handling practices. Dispose of garbage, cans, foil, paper, and other rubbish by packing them out and depositing them in a proper container.
After each meal, clean up the site thoroughly.
7. Plan a menu for three full days of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to be cooked at home.
a. When preparing your menu, follow the nutritional guidelines set by the food pyramid. All meals are to be cooked or properly prepared.
b. Using the menu planned for requirement 7, make a food list showing cost and amount needed to feed yourself and at least one adult (parent, family member, guardian, or other responsible adult).
c. Tell what utensils were needed to cook and serve these meals.
d. Prepare and serve a breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the menu you planned for requirement 7. Time your cooking to have each course ready to serve at the proper time. Have an adult verify the preparation of the meal to your counselor.
8. Find out about three career opportunities in cooking. 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.
An Hour a Week.... left over after Scouting 