Homeschool Scouts: How to Count Boy Scout Badges as Business Curriculum

When homeschooling a high school student, it is important to make sure they have a well rounded portfolio. A Homeschool scout will naturally have a well rounded education due to the plethora of earned badges they can get. They can easily satisfy science, social studies and other requirements by completing badges. The same can be said for earning a business credit on their homeschool portfolio. The following badges can be combined or used independently for the student to earn homeschool credits in business.

While earning the American Business boyscout badge, a homeschooler will learn about free enterprise in the United States. They will learn about Industrial Revolution and modern industry. The student will learn about personal banking from interest rates to taxes and even government spending. Different types of business partnerships are explored as well as types of insurance and earning a profit. Investments, product and service analysis, and presentations are an important part of learning this badge.

Earning the Salesmanship Boy Scout Badge teaches the student not only how to conduct and score a sale, but also about the importance of salesmanship and the economic results of sales or lack of sales. Students will write a sales plan, keep a record cost sheet, and earn money through retailing.

While earning the Entrepreneurship Badge, the student will essentially learn to start and run a business. He may make some money while he is at it too. More importantly, he will research entrepreneurship and study someone who has started their own business. He will study a successful business before going through the process of planning a business for himself. Tasks include a feasibility study, identifying business goals, marketing, and financing the business, and more.

The American labor badge teaches the history of American workers and how they effected progress and change in the workforce and the world. Students will meet with business organizations, learn about labor unions, globalization, and news relevant to workers.

In addition, achieving the Eagle Scout distinction requires you to run a service project from proposal to finish including managing people and finances. This is a great unit to use to award the student a business credit.