Introduction to Merit Badges

BSA Policy Statement – A vital part of the BSA’s advancement plan, the merit badge program is one of Scouting’s basic character-building tools.  Through participation in the program a Scout acquires the kind of self-confidence that comes only from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal and providing a young man with invaluable career, physical and interpersonal skills.

The Merit Badge program is an important part of the Boy Scout Advancement program.  At the present time there are over 131 badges covering vocational and advocational fields.  Many boys over the years have picked a professional field of interest or started a life long hobby through the Merit Badge program.  Merit Badges must be earned for Star, Life, and Eagle ranks.  Some badges are required while others are optional.

Procedures for Earning Merit Badges

1. The Scout contacts the Troop Committee Advancement Person.  He will receive a blue card and the name of an appropriate merit Badge Counselor.  If the counselor can’t help the Scout at that time, the Scout must return to the Troop Committee Advancement Person for a second Merit Badge Counselor.  This process helps the Troop Advancement Person with his/her future selections.  The Scout should not work on the Merit Badge until he contacts the counselor.
2. The Scout has the card initialized by the Scoutmaster.  This helps the Scoutmaster keep track of the Scouts advancement process.
3. The Scout then contacts the Merit Badge Counselor.  The Scout, not the parent, should make contact with the counselor.  The Scout needs to learn how to contact other people and set up meetings.
4. The Scout works with the Merit Badge Counselor until the counselor verifies completion. 
5. The Scout returns completed blue card to the Troop Committee Advancement Person.  The Scout should make sure the counselor has signed everything on his card.  The Advancement Person will process the Merit Badge and return to the scout his portion of the card.
6. The Merit Badge Patch and card will be awarded at the following Court of Honor.
7. Group Merit Badges will be announced at a Troop meeting after approval by the Troop Committee and the Scoutmaster. 

Special Notes on Merit Badges

§  Parents should never let a Scout meet with the counselor one-on-one (alone).  The Scout should always go with a buddy, relative, or friend.  If a counselor suggests meeting alone, immediately report this to the Troop Committee Advancement Person and the Scoutmaster.

§  Character building and self-confidence are an important process of the Merit Badge process, therefore the National Capital Area Council Advancement Committee and our Troop recommends that a Scout should not use a Merit Badge Counselor for more than three Merit Badges.

§  Our Troop prefers that parents should not counsel any Eagle Required Merit Badges for their son.

This website has the requirements for all of the current merit badge subjects. In addition, we have worksheets, which you can download and print, to facilitate working on each merit badge.

You can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers as you earn merit badges. There are more than 100 merit badges (Currently there are 131 available.). Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time. You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible.

Unless otherwise specified, work for a requirement can be started at any time. Ask your counselor to help you learn the things you need to know or do. You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject. Many troops and school or public libraries have them. (See the list of current merit badge pamphlets posted on this system.)

Show Your Stuff. When you are ready, call the counselor again to make an appointment to meet the requirements. When you go take along the things you have made to meet the requirements. If they are too big to move, take pictures or have an adult tell in writing what you have done. The counselor will ask you to do each requirement to make sure that you know your stuff and have done or can do the things required.

Requirements. You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated — no more and no less. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements. If it says "show or demonstrate," that is what you must do. Just telling about it isn't enough. The same thing holds true for such words as "make," "list," "in the field," and "collect," "identify," and "label."

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Note: There is NO DEADLINE for earning Merit Badges, except the Scout's 18th Birthday. Once a Scout has started working on a Merit Badge (i.e. obtained a signed "Blue Card" Application for Merit Badge from his Scoutmaster, had an initial discussion with a merit badge Counselor, and started working on the requirements), he may continue using those requirements until he completes the badge or turns 18.

THERE IS NO ONE YEAR LIMIT ON SO-CALLED "PARTIALS".

In contrast to the rule for rank advancements, which imposes a specific deadline for using the old requirements, The rule for Merit Badges is basically as follows:

If the requirements change while a Scout is working on the badge, he should continue to use the same merit badge pamphlet and fulfill the requirements therein to earn the badge. He need not start all over again with the new pamphlet and possibly revised requirements.  If he wishes, he may also decide to use the new requirements. It is HIS choice, and his alone.

The requirements listed in the current edition of Boy Scout Requirements (BSA Publication 33216)  are the official requirements of the Boy Scouts of America. However, the requirements on that publication might not match those in the Boy Scout Handbook and the merit badge pamphlets, because that publication is updated only on an annual basis.

If a Scout has already started working on a merit badge when a new edition of the pamphlet is introduced, he should continue to use the same merit badge pamphlet and fulfill the requirements therein to earn the badge. He need not start all over again with the new pamphlet and possibly revised requirements.

The requirements posted on this system might not match those in Boy Scout Requirements because a new edition of the pamphlet may have been issued since the most recent release of Boy Scout Requirements. Where they differ, and the Scout has already started work on the badge, see the instructions above. If the Scout is starting the badge, he may use either set of requirements rather than only those in Boy Scout Requirements.

If a Merit Badge is discontinued, Scouts working on the badge when it is removed from the Boy Scout Requirements booklet may continue to work toward completing the badge, and get credit for earning the badge, until they turn 18. However, it may not be possible to obtain an actual merit badge patch, once the local council's supply is exhausted.

If a Merit Badge that a Scout has already earned is discontinued and replaced with one or more other Merit Badges covering the same or similar topics (such as Rifle and Shotgun Shooting which was replaced by Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting, or Skiing which was replaced by Snow Sports), the Scout may also earn the new badge or badges. If the badge is simply renamed (such as Auto Mechanics which recently became Automotive Maintenance), Scouts may NOT earn the badge again. If the badge number in BSA's numbering system is the same before and after the change, it is a renaming. If a new number is assigned, it is a replacement.