About Merit Badges
Scouting offers more than 135 merit badges that cover not only scout skills, but also sports, hobbies, science, trades, business, technology. They are great indtorductions to many different topics and maybe even future careers. Scouts looking to advance through the higher ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle will need to earn a certain number of merit badges, including some that are specifically required.
For the rank of Eagle Scout, a total of 21 merit badges must be earned, including 14 Eagle-required merit badges. The list of Eagle required merit badges can be seen here and the complete list of merit badges can be seen here.
For the rank of Eagle Scout, a total of 21 merit badges must be earned, including 14 Eagle-required merit badges. The list of Eagle required merit badges can be seen here and the complete list of merit badges can be seen here.
Merit Badge Process
When a scout wants to earn a merit badge, they should follow the below steps:
1. Pick a subject - Decide a merit badge you want to earn, and discuss it with the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster will then provide you with a signed "merit badge application" and help you find a registered merit badge counselor for the badge you would like to earn. A registered counselor will be knowledgeable in the badge's subject matter.
2. Contact the merit badge counselor - The scout will reach out to the merit badge counselor, and together they will put together a plan of action for completing the badge. Discuss any work already completed, and ask your counselor to help you learn what needs to be done. Obtain the merit badge pamphlet from the troop library or purchase one. Merit badge pamphlets contain information to help you complete the badge. Another option is to attend a merit badge class where a plan is already in place for the scouts that attend.
3. Complete the work - When you feel you have completed all the requirements, contact your merit badge counselor to make an appointment to review all the work you did for the badge. The counselor discuss with you the requirments you have completed and the work you did for each. The Scout should be prepared to provide evidence for any work done that cannot be shown directly to the counselor.
4. Be recognized - Your counselor will sign the merit badge application when satisfied you have completed all the requirements. Give the application to your Scoutmaster so you can be awarded your newly earned badge.
1. Pick a subject - Decide a merit badge you want to earn, and discuss it with the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster will then provide you with a signed "merit badge application" and help you find a registered merit badge counselor for the badge you would like to earn. A registered counselor will be knowledgeable in the badge's subject matter.
2. Contact the merit badge counselor - The scout will reach out to the merit badge counselor, and together they will put together a plan of action for completing the badge. Discuss any work already completed, and ask your counselor to help you learn what needs to be done. Obtain the merit badge pamphlet from the troop library or purchase one. Merit badge pamphlets contain information to help you complete the badge. Another option is to attend a merit badge class where a plan is already in place for the scouts that attend.
3. Complete the work - When you feel you have completed all the requirements, contact your merit badge counselor to make an appointment to review all the work you did for the badge. The counselor discuss with you the requirments you have completed and the work you did for each. The Scout should be prepared to provide evidence for any work done that cannot be shown directly to the counselor.
4. Be recognized - Your counselor will sign the merit badge application when satisfied you have completed all the requirements. Give the application to your Scoutmaster so you can be awarded your newly earned badge.
Scouts' Favorite Merit Badges!
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Cecilia: I took the Archaeology merit badge simply because it was availible, but I ended up really liking it! I thouroughly enjoyed the class and picked up a new hobby for my free time. I'm even considering minoring in archaeology in college.
Harper: So far, my favorite merit badge that I've taken is Nature. The class was really fun and we went on a nature walk to look at and learn about leaves. It was so cool! Lily: Weather is definitely my favorite merit badge. I love learning about weather because thre's so much to learn. I already knew most of what the merit badge covered but it was still so fun! Stella: My favorite is Oceanography because the ocean is just awesome. I learned a lot about waves and the different types of waves. Mariah: I took Movie Making at summer camp with a lot of my friends. The class was really fun and I even made a little film! Annabelle: The first merit badge I took was Leatherwork and I think that's my favorite. I made a little bag thing out of leather; that was really cool. Meghna: I really liked Swimming. Just because it was swimming. Swimming is so much fun... and I got to swim I guess? But yeah, I like swimming. A lot. Lily: Nature is my favorite because I like nature and we got to learn about nature. We talked a lot about plants and animals and it was pretty cool. |
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