Introduction to Merit Badges

You can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers as you earn Merit Badges. There are currently (as of 2009) 121 merit badges. Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time after he joins the Boy Scouts. You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible.

It is very important to read through all the rank requirements and subsequently the required Merit Badges right after you join the Boy Scouts, because you must have a Merit Badge "Blue Card" (Merit Badge Application, BSA #34124) signed by your Scoutmaster before you do any activities you want to get Merit Badge credit for. The Camping Merit Badge is a good example - if you go on two or three campouts during your first six months in Scouting, but did not have a Blue Card for the Camping Merit Badge dated and signed by your Scoutmaster before your first campout, you will not be able to get credit toward the Camping Merit Badge.

Pick a Subject. Talk to your Scoutmaster about your interests. Read the requirements of the merit badges you think might interest you. Pick one to earn. Tell your Scoutmaster you want a Blue Card for that Merit Badge. Your Scoutmaster will give you a signed Blue Card with the name of the Merit Badge & date. The Scoutmaster will also give you the name and phone number of a person from a list of Merit Badge Counselors. These counselors have special knowledge in their Merit Badge subjects and are interested in helping you.

Scout Buddy System. You must have another person with you at each meeting with the Merit Badge counselor. This person can be another Scout, your parents or guardian, a brother or sister, a relative, or a friend.

Call the Counselor. Make sure you have a signed merit badge application (Blue Card) from your Scoutmaster. Get in touch with the Merit Badge Counselor and tell him or her that you want to earn the Merit Badge. The counselor may ask to meet you to explain what is expected of you and to start helping you meet the requirements.

When you know what is expected, start to learn and do the things required. 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.

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.

Get the Badge. When the counselor is satisfied that you have met each requirement, he or she will sign your application (Blue Card). Give the signed application to your Scoutmaster so that your Merit Badge emblem can be secured for you.

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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Source of information on this page was kindly provided by: Introduction to Merit Badges The Boy Scouts of America, National Council Website

Last revision was made on: August 1, 2009 by David Exter.