public speaking

I spent 4 hours teaching 2 sessions of a merit badge clinic on Public Speaking yesterday. I think it went well although I only had 2 scouts in each session (too bad they weren't combined). None of the merit badge classes had very many attendees. The Citizenship series had the most with about 7-9 in those. Some clinics had no one (so the instructor got to go home - lucky them!). I do hope we can work out combining the two sessions in a couple weeks when we finish the merit badge clinic. It would be nice to teach 4 scouts for 2 hours and then be done rather than 2 scouts for 4 hours.

I do feel that Public Speaking is an important merit badge even though it is not required. It is certainly something the boys will use their entire lives. You need it for class presentations at school, church talks, church callings (lessons, conducting meetings, etc), job interviews, job duties, missions, etc. A few basic skills in Public Speaking can go a long ways.