Merit Badges

Merit Badges

As you earn merit badges you can learn things about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers. There are more than 130 merit badges. Any scout may earn any merit badge at any time. You do not need to have rank advancement to be eligible. More information on merit badges can be found at: http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/mbindex.asp.

Of the more than 130 merit badges, 14 are required to earn the Rank of Eagle

 

  1. First Aid
  2. Citizenship in the Community
  3. Citizenship in the Nation
  4. Citizenship in the World
  5. Citizenship in Society
  6. Communication
  7. Personal Fitness
  8. Emergency Preparedness
    OR Lifesaving
  9. Environmental Science
    OR Sustainability
  10. Personal Management
  11. Swimming OR Hiking
    OR Cycling
  12. Camping
  13. Cooking
  14. Family Life

 

The steps to earn a Merit Badge.

  1. Pick a subject (Merit Badge) and check out the Merit Badge book from the Troop library if available. (If you have any questions, please ask one of the Troop 47/5047 Librarians.)
    1. Online??In the Troop Library you will find a plastic box with an index card for all the books in the library. Choose the card that matches the book you would like to take out. Note: You may also be able to reserve and check out Merit Badge books from the local library.
    2. Put your name and date on index card and book number.
    3. When you have finished reading/reviewing the book. Return the Merit Badge Book back to the Troop Librarian to put in the library, and he will cross your name off the index card.
  2. Ask the Scoutmaster for the name(s) of a registered Merit Badge Counselor for the Merit Badge you’d like to work on. Ask for and get a signed merit badge card (blue card) from the Scoutmaster before you proceed to work on the Merit Badge or call a Merit Badge Counselor.
  3. Call and meet the counselor. A counselor is someone who has special knowledge in the merit badge you have selected.
    1. 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 parent(s) or guardian, a brother or sister, a relative, or a friend.
  4. Give the signed merit badge card (blue card) to your counselor and review what is expected to complete each requirement. Complete the requirements.
  5. Once you have completed the merit badge requirements arrange a meeting to meet with your counselor to demonstrate what you know about the Merit Badge.
    1. Know your work. Answer the counselor’s questions.
    2. Get the badge. When the counselor is satisfied that you have met the requirements, he or she will sign your application. Give the signed application to the Advancement Chairman (Tim Slaght).


IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RETURN THE SIGNED BLUE CARD. NO CARD MEANS, NO

MERIT BADGE. At the next Court of Honor, you will be given the actual Merit badge.

It is recommended that scouts who are working toward Eagle work on merit badges in a 1:1 ratio (meaning one Eagle required merit badge to one that is not required). This plan will keep the scout on track to earning the 21 badges required for Eagle in the most efficient amount of time. Of course, a scout can choose to work on any badge at any time.