# Choose Your Experience

Part of the Indian Lore Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/indian-lore/guide/index.md)

> **5.** Do ONE of the following:

You must choose exactly one option for this requirement. Both paths are good, but they teach different skills. One trains your eye for objects, materials, and interpretation. The other teaches you how to observe a living community event with good etiquette and attention.

## Your Options

- **[Req 5a — Museum Visit](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/indian-lore/guide/req5a/)**: Visit a museum in person or online, study at least two exhibitions, and identify artifacts by nation, shape, size, and use. This option strengthens close observation and note-taking.
- **[Req 5b — Contemporary Gathering](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/indian-lore/guide/req5b/)**: Attend a present-day Native gathering, learn proper etiquette, and discuss what you observed. This option strengthens respectful participation and live cultural observation.

## How to Choose

**Choosing your path** — Match the option to your time, access, and interests

- [ ] **If you have access to a good museum or virtual exhibit:** Option 5a may be easier to schedule and gives you time to study objects closely.
- [ ] **If you have access to a powwow, fair, festival, or community event open to guests:** Option 5b gives you a strong present-day experience.
- [ ] **If you like detailed notes and object study:** Option 5a helps you practice describing artifacts accurately.
- [ ] **If you like learning from live music, dance, vendors, announcers, and community interaction:** Option 5b may feel more vivid and memorable.
- [ ] **What you will gain:** Option 5a builds museum observation skills; Option 5b builds event etiquette and awareness of Native life today.

> **Tip**
>
> If you already completed [Req 2](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/indian-lore/guide/req2/) on a specific nation, choose the option that gives you the best chance to connect your research to real objects or a living event tied to that nation or region.

Video: [How To Get The Indian Lore Merit Badge — Eagle Scout Mac Guzman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxUIM84_Qnc)

Now pick one path and get ready to observe carefully.

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- Previous: [Influence and Exchange](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/indian-lore/guide/req4/index.md)
- Next: [Museum Visit](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/indian-lore/guide/req5a/index.md)