Merit Badge Requirement Updates

The following merit badges have been updated as of January 1, 2021.

  • Archaeology (4b; requirements 8-11 reordered)
  • Collections (1, 5a, 5c, 5e, 5f; deleted 7; added 3d)
  • Digital Technology (5b)
  • Disability Awareness (1a, 1b)
  • Electricity (10)
  • Fish and Wildlife Management (3)
  • Fishing (10)
  • Fly-Fishing (10, 11)
  • Lifesaving (1, 2, 15, 16)
  • Motorboating (1a, 2a, 3a, 4, 5a, 5c)
  • Photography (1a, 1b)
  • Public Health (1)
  • Rowing (2)
  • Sports (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4)
  • Theater (5, added 3j)
  • Woodwork (7)




New Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

There is a new Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook available. Please make sure that your Life Scout is using the correct workbook when requesting a project review from the district. Download the new workbook. For more information and details contact your district advancement chairperson.




Headwaters January 2021 RT Powerpoint

Thank you to everyone that joined us on January 7, 2020 Roundtable!
We hope everyone had a good holiday season, happy new year to all, welcome back to what is going to be a great year of Scouting!

Below is the powerpoint from our Roundtable, please access it to see what we discussed and the points we discussed.

1.7.2021 Roundtable Powerpoint

There are also many helpful links below:

  • COVID-19 Updates to Advancement from the BSA:  Link Here
  • Bryan on Scouting – Getting ready for Pinewood Derby Events/Virtually – Link Here

Talk to you all soon! Thank you for everything you do!




Headwaters December 2020 RT Powerpoint

Thank you to everyone that joined us on December 3, 2020 Roundtable!
We hope everyone had a good holiday season, happy new year to all!

And a HUGE congrats to every unit that submitted their chartering paperwork on time!

Below is the powerpoint from our Roundtable, please access it to see what we discussed and the points we discussed.

12.3.2020 Roundtable Powerpoint

There are also many helpful links below:




Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath & Scout Jumuah 2021

Through a trio of faith-based celebrations known as Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath and Scout Jumuah, young people give back to the chartered organizations that give them so much.




Proposed Eagle Scout Merit Badge Delayed

January 7, 2021

The introduction of the proposed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion merit badge is being delayed to allow for the careful consideration and evaluation of feedback received from a wide variety of commenters on the draft requirements. Until further notice, all Scouts working on the Eagle Scout rank should continue to use current rank requirements. Once the Eagle-required Diversity, Equity and Inclusion merit badge is introduced, Scouts in the process of earning the rank of Eagle Scout will be given adequate time to earn it.

Specific questions are welcome via email at Officeof.ChiefDiversityOfficer@scouting.org.




Order of the Arrow Lodge Leadership Update

In the midst of uncertainty, turmoil, and change, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Strong leadership is essential in helping us navigate through rough waters and the Tantamous Lodge has been blessed with exceptional leadership! Several of our Lodge’s youth leaders have gone on to serve in key positions for our Area and at the National level of the Order of the Arrow. We are proud of these young leaders and all they have and will accomplish as they serve this great organization! In addition to our youth leaders, our adult advisors have played a significant role in developing the qualities in our young people that have led to their elevation to these esteemed positions. I want to personally thank Josh Paulin for serving as Tantamous’ first Lodge Advisor and setting us on a path toward greatness. For the past year, Candy Martel has served as our Lodge Advisor, through one of the most challenging years anyone can remember. The dedication, commitment, flexibility, and grace she has shown through this year is truly amazing! Her contributions will pay dividends for generations to come.

As we begin a new year, we have our third Lodge Advisor stepping up to assist in the development of the youth in Tantamous Lodge. Mark Vecchione will serve as our new Lodge Advisor and will guide our Lodge through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I am excited about our youth and adult leadership and look forward to seeing all they will do to serve the brotherhood in the coming months.

In Brotherhood,

Bryan Feather
Scout Executive
Supreme Chief of the Fire




2021 Virtual Merit Badge University

Due to overwhelming response, VMBU is no longer able to accept registrations. We are exploring ways to offer other virtual merit badge events in the future, be sure to subscribe to Mayflower Today, our Mayflower Council Facebook page and our website for details as they become available.

We are excited to announce our 1st ever Virtual Merit Badge University (VMBU).

The Virtual Merit Badge University offers Scouts the opportunity to earn merit badges, both eagle and non-eagle required with the help of our merit badge counselors.  The VMBU will run the entire month of March 2021 so there will be a variety of times to choose from.

Registration will open on February 1 at 8:00 AM and close February 19 at 11:55 PM.  All sessions will be through Google Classroom and Google Meet and links will be provided in the confirmation email, please keep this for your records.

VMBU will be by individual vs unit sign up. 

Individuals are urged to sign up as soon as possible as these classes will fill up fast.

The cost is $5.00 per registrant plus $10.00 per merit badge.

Scouts should review with and receive permission from their Scoutmaster before registering for any merit badge. Scouts are responsible to review the pre-class requirements and come prepared to the first VMBU class.

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Now that we have our Virtual Merit Badge University schedule finalized, we are recruiting for Assistant Counselors who will serve as part of the two deep leadership requirements for all virtual classrooms. If you were reluctant to lead a course but would be interested in assisting the lead in a class, please use the link below to view the badges, schedule, and to volunteer to assist. You will be put in contact with lead counselor to plan out how you will work together.  If you have any questions, please email:  mbu@mayflowerbsa.org

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Noteworthy Neighbor

This one comes courtesy of Partners in Patriotism, a nonprofit organization established by the Kraft Group as a community outreach group for the town of Foxborough.

This week’s #NoteworthyNeighbor is lifelong resident Joseph Gonsalves! An Eagle Scout, Joseph built the Storybook Trail behind the Lane Property for his Eagle Project in 2017. The Storybook Trail is a half-mile loop with 25 posts along the way, each featuring a page of a children’s book covered in plexiglass, so as people walk the trail, they read the book. Since he built the trail, it has been vandalized on four separate occasions, and Joseph has gone back to repair it each time. “Normally, once you complete an Eagle Project it is done and over with, but I couldn’t let that be true with my project,” Joseph said. “I saw how much the families in Foxboro enjoyed the trail. I was taught to give back to the community whenever you’re able to, no matter how big or how small the act. The community showed me so much support when they heard about the vandalism that I had to fix it for them, and I hope it is here for a long time for families to enjoy.”

Joseph, a senior in high school, continues to be involved with Troop 32, Foxborough where he currently serves as Troop Chaplain. Michael Gawronski served as Joseph’s Scoutmaster at the time of his Project. Troop 32’s current Scoutmaster is Jonathan Trudell.




Updated Charter Agreement

The BSA National Service Center has just released a new Charter Organization Agreement that must be signed by either the Institutional Head and/or Chartered Organization Representative.

We understand that a number of units have already submitted their charters to their unit commissioner or district recharter representative. If a unit has submitted their packet with the old form, your district executive or a member of the council staff will be reaching out to let you know that the unit must submit the new form. We understand this is an inconvenience, the importance of this updated agreement is critical to Chartered Organizations. The new form includes language directly addressing insurance and indemnification of the Chartered Organization.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may bring, the number one priority is always the safety and protection of our members and partners.