Is your Scout a Complete Angler? Are you a Certified Angling Instructor?

complete-angler-patchIf a Boy Scout you know loves fishing, here’s his chance to prove it.

The BSA Complete Angler Recognition honors Boy Scouts who earn all three fishing-related merit badges: Fishing, Fly-Fishing and Fish and Wildlife Management.

The recognition was developed by the BSA National Fishing Task Force and replaces the Certified Angler Award. Unlike that previous award, the Complete Angler Recognition doesn’t require an online test. Once a boy earns the three merit badges, he’s eligible to receive the patch.

The program is supported by the BSA Supply Group, which will deliver the newly designed, controlled-access patch to Scout Shops. (Controlled-access means you can’t buy it online because you’ll need to prove a boy is eligible to earn it.)

Adults, there’s a new fishing patch for you, too. The BSA Certified Angling Instructor courses help you deliver a fishing experience Scouts won’t forget.

Read on for more details about these patches. And if you’re a fan of fishing, don’t miss this month’s Boys’ Life. April is the magazine’s special Fishing issue!

BSA Complete Angler Recognition

The Complete Angler patch may be worn by Boy Scouts who earn all three fishing-related merit badges. Those are:

Fishing

The Fishing merit badge (Angler merit badge) was one of the original 57 merit badges offered. More than 2 million Scouts have earned the Angling or Fishing Merit Badge. In a recent Boys’ Life survey, fishing placed fourth on the list of preferred Scout unit outdoor activities, surpassed only by camping, swimming and bicycling.

Fly-Fishing

The Fly-Fishing merit badge, the BSA’s newest angling badge, was introduced in 2002 and has earned attention within National Outdoor Programs. Major efforts to present this skill were made at the last three national Scout jamborees with great success.

Fish and Wildlife Management

Originally called Wildlife Management when it was introduced in 1972, the Fish and Wildlife Management merit badge is the most challenging of the three fishing-related badges because of its required conservation projects. The purpose of the Fish and Wildlife Management merit badge is to encourage healthy fish and wildlife populations while preventing lost populations.

Certified-Angling-Instructor-patchBSA Certified Angling Instructor

The BSA National Fishing Task Force provides leadership and guidance for all BSA fishing programs to ensure that Scouts have the best opportunities and resources to learn and enjoy the sport of fishing.

The task force is charged with encouraging and fostering a progressive learning experience for Scouts and Scouters through education, programs, literature, advancement, and other methods to teach and support fishing and conservation in the Boy Scouts of America.

Three Certified Angling Instructor (CAI) courses have been developed to build well trained instructors that can provide quality angling programs.

1. National Fishing Camping Schools

Fishing Camp Schools are designed as the primary fishing and fly-fishing training course to develop a national cadre of CAIs to bring quality fishing and fly-fishing instruction and programs to all BSA youth.  Courses include full coverage of skills development, resource awareness and improvement, merit badge counselor instruction, fly-fishing instruction with focus on teaching others, how to improve the council camp’s fishing programs, plus opportunities for a council to offer fishing opportunities year around — ideal for those wishing to enhance fishing program emphasis within their Scouting world and lead Scouts into the wonderful world of fishing and fly-fishing.

Camp Schools are planned for at least one per region providing four to six courses per year.  A Fishing Camp School will be a minimum of three days, with 22 hours of instruction.

For more information, click here.

2. Council-Run CAI Training Courses

The Council CAI Course is designed to help ensure councils offer successful fishing opportunities for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers. A team of dedicated and qualified adults can create huge opportunities for making fishing important within councils and districts.

CAI Course Directors should have attended a National Fishing Camp School.

Several Councils are adding a Scout Fishing/Fly-Fishing merit badge clinic as a one-day follow-up. This idea has been very successful, offering Scouts the opportunity to earn both the Fishing and Fly-Fishing merit badges.

3. High Adventure Base  “Train the Trainer” Courses

This CAI Course is developed for high-adventure staff running Scout fishing programs. The objective is to prepare the staff with the basic fishing and fly-fishing knowledge and skills — and how to teach them — thus improving the chances for Scouts to have successful fishing experiences.

For more info, go here.


Hat tip: Thanks to Ben Jelsema, chairman of the BSA’s National Fishing Committee, for the details.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.