Merit Badges


Merit Badges
Merit Badges Requirements

Procedures and Requirements

Earning merit badges allows the Scout to explore many fields, helps him round out his skills, and introduces him to subjects that will perhaps become lifelong interests or a rewarding career. There are more than 100 merit badges for to choose from. You may earn any merit badge at any time, with Scoutmaster approval. Scouts should not wait for someone to tell them when and which merit badge to work on. Scouts don’t need to reach a certain rank in order to be eligible. However, Scouts should concentrate on achieving the rank of First Class before devoting a lot time to working on merit badges.

Here are the steps to earning a merit badge:

  1. Get a blue merit badge card from the Scoutmaster, fill in the Scout’s name, address, and the name of the badge, and ask the Scoutmaster to sign it. Then get the name and phone number of a qualified counselor from the Advancement Chairman or Scoutmaster.
  2. Call the counselor and set up an appointment. This can be at any place that is suitable to both of you. Along with a buddy (another Scout, a family member, or a friend), meet with the counselor. Scouts must not meet with a counselor alone. The counselor will explain the requirements for the merit badge and help the Scout get started.
  3. Work on the badge requirements until completing them, meeting with the counselor (along with a buddy) whenever necessary. The Scout must complete the stated requirements and satisfy the standards of each merit badge. The merit badge counselor may encourage the Scout to do more than the requirements state but he or she may not require it. The Scout (not the counselor, Scoutmaster, or Advancement Chairman) keeps the merit badge card until the requirements have been completed and the Counselor has signed the card. If this card is lost, the Scout will have to start the badge over unless the counselor is willing and able to vouch for what has already been completed. If the Scout changes counselors for any reason, it is up to the new counselor whether or not he or she will accept the work the Scout did with the previous counselor. Normally the new counselor will ask a few questions, and if the counselor is satisfied that the Scout actually did the work that was signed off, he or she will accept it.
  4. After the Scout completes the merit badge and the counselor signs the merit badge card, he or she will keep the Counselor's section and return the rest of the card to the Scout. The Scout must bring the rest of the card to the Advancement Chairman, who will keep the Troop section and return the Scout section to the Scout. The merit badge will be awarded shortly after the blue card is turned in (usually the next Troop meeting). The wallet-sized certificate card will be presented to the Scout at the next Court of Honor.