Merit Badge Program

You can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers as you earn these merit badges. There are more than 100 merit badges. Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time upon registration in a troop. A Scout must complete 21 Merit Badges for rank of Eagle, 12 of which are “Eagle required Merit badges” and the other 9 are “elective merit badges”. Additional merit badges completed before age 18 can be used toward Eagle palms.

I. Pick a Subject.

  • Set goal for Merit badges, i.e. at least 1 Eagle MB and Elective MB by each Court of Honor (Jan/May/Sept)
  • Review list of Merit Badges in your Scout book.
  • Talk to your fellow Scouts or Scoutmaster about your interests.
  • Read the requirements of the merit badges you think might interest you:

1.

Scroll down to “merit badge resource links” and click on specific merit badge

Read merit badge requirements and review “external links” to help with completion of requirements.

2.

Scroll down to “merit badge pamphlets stock numbers and revision dates”. Click on specific merit badge

Scroll down to “worksheets for use in working on these requirements”. Print worksheet for use.

3.

Click on specific merit badge and helps.

  • Obtain Merit Badge booklet. Contact Troop Librarian to borrow TroopMB book or buy at Council Scout Store.
  • Ask Scoutmaster, adult leader, or Advancement Chair for name of MB Counselor unless completing MB at summer camp or Merit badge challenge.

II. 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.
  • Ask your fellow scouts if anyone is interested in completing the Merit Badge with you.

III. Call the Counselor.

  • Obtain a blue merit badge card from Advancement Chair, Diane Kunzelman.
  • Have the card signed by Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Adult Event Leader.
  • When you know what is expected, start to learn and do the things required. See “Pick a subject” above
  • You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject. Utilize “worksheets” offered on MB websites.
  • Call the merit badge counselor and tell him or her that you want to earn the merit badge. Each Scout interested in completing the merit badge must call the MB counselor.

IV. Show Your Stuff.

  • When you meet with your MB counselor, 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 review each requirement with you.

V. Get the Badge.

  • When the counselor is satisfied that you have met each requirement, he or she will sign your application, “Blue Card”. The Counselor will keep the “Counselor’s record”.
  • The Scout keeps the “Applicant’s record”. Keep these records in a binder or another safe place.
  • Give the signed “Application for Merit Badge” to Advancement Chair, Diane Kunzelman.
  • You will receive your merit badge emblem at the next Troop meeting.
  • A signed “Merit Badge Card” will be presented to you at the next Court of Honor. Keep these cards with your “Applicant’s record” in a binder or safe place.

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."
  • You may work on merit badges until age 18. Troop policy may differ.

Points to remember.

  • Avoid delays in completing Merit Badges. It is easy to forget what you have already learned.
  • Complete the Merit Badge within one year of starting. This is the easiest way to complete.
  • Merit Badge requirements change. You will need to keep up with the changes.
  • Use the most up to date Merit Badge books. Older Merit Badge books may be helpful as a resource.
  • Make a plan for completion of Merit Badges. Set aside 1-2 hours/week to work on requirements.
  • Pay attention to timelines for some merit badges. Some Eagle MB’s require 12 week tracking.
  • Example: Family Life requires 12 weeks of tracking chores. This is important when considering “pre-work” for Summer camp/Merit Badge Challenge

Scout

On upper 3 sections: Complete third section- “Application for Merit Badge”, Name through Council.

On lower 3 sections: First section- Write in name of Merit Badge

Second section- Write your name and name of Merit Badge

Third section- Write your name (“Applicant”), check “Troop”,

write “511” for “unit number”, and write in name of merit badge.

Websites helpful for working on Merit Badges:

There are worksheets available on the following websites:

You may purchase your merit badge pamphlets from the Scout Shop at DanBeardCouncilCenter

or check them out of the troop library. If you need a pamphlet, see the Troop Librarian for what is available

Merit Badge Procedures

1. Review the list of badges, keeping in mind those required for Eagle. Become familiar with the listed requirements. If you have any questions askother Scouts who have completed the badge, your parents or Scoutmaster.

2. Once you and a buddy have selected a badge, let the Scoutmaster know. Remember, you must visit the Merit Badge Counselor with a buddy or parent.

3. Your Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair will give you names of Merit Badge Counselors to contact. You will also receive a blue card authorizing you to proceed. Next, begin work on merit badge. Contact the Counselor to review questions and badge requirements. Your Counselor must approve your plan.

4. It is your responsibility to pursue the badge not the Counselor's. The Merit Badge Counselor will provide instruction, support materials where possible, and advice regarding completion of the requirements.

5. Keep your finished merit badge cards in a binder (baseball card sleeves work well). When you apply for your Eagle badge, you may be asked for records of your badges if there are any problems with the Council's records. Be Prepared.

6. A large part of the troop may work toward an Eagle badge during the year. In some cases, meeting time may be devoted to these badges. Typically however, troop meetings are not for the specific purpose of earning merit badges.

7. Some badge requirements coincide with everyday school, scout, or sporting activities. You should take advantage of this.

8. The Scout Shop has books for each of the badges. Books associated with the Eagle badges and many others are worthwhile reference books that you might find useful to own. Also, make sure to check the troop library to see if it has a book you need that you can borrow.

9. Remember, some badges take time to finish the requirements. Family Life, Personal Fitness, Personal Management merit badges take a minimum of three months to completed. Camping requires 20 “nights out” and normally takes at least one year of active Troop overnight participation to complete.

10. Some merit badges are listed in groups such as “swimming or hiking or biking". This means only one of these badges can be used as a required merit badge towards the Eagle rank. For example, if you earn swimming and hiking then one counts as a required merit badge while the other counts as an optional merit badge.

The Merit Badge Process

  1. A Scout is guided to the requirements for a Merit Badge.
  2. The Scout finds the requirements in:
  1. Boy Scout Requirements

B.Merit Badge Pamphlet, at:

(1) Troop Library

(2) Friend (peer)

(3) Scout store or trading post

C. Internet- see “Websites helpful for working on Merit Badges” on page 3

  1. The Scout looks at the requirements and decides he wants to pursue the Merit Badge.
  1. The Scout indicates his interest in a particular Merit Badge to his Scoutmaster, or Assistant Scoutmaster who:

A.Interviews him to determine interest, enthusiasm, and preparedness

  1. Signs his “blue card” or Application for Merit Badge (obtained from Advancement Chair)
  1. Scout uses “Troop 511 MB Counselor List” obtained from Advancement Chair or list of District

counselors found on danbeard.org website to locate the name and phone number of an

approved Merit Badge Counselor

  1. The Scout telephones the Merit Badge Counselor and makes an appointment.

7. Scout wears his Class A uniform when he visits the counselor with his buddy or Adult

8. The Merit Badge Counselor sets the date and time for the Scout and his buddy. The Scout:

  1. bring the Merit Badge Pamphlet
  1. bring the Application (blue card) for Merit Badge
  2. prepare by reading over the requirements and completing work
  3. bring the work he has started or completed
  4. bring any other materials he may need
  5. bring any other documentation he may have
  1. The Merit Badge Counselor verifies the current requirements for the Merit Badge.
  1. The number of counseling sessions depends on the difficulty of the Merit Badge requirements and the preparation and ability of the Scout.
  1. The Scout is expected to meet the requirements for the Merit Badge as stated--no more and no less.
  1. The Scout is coached and encouraged with a buddy present. The Merit Badge Counselor may expand on the information in the Merit Badge Pamphlet based on his knowledge, experience and expertise in the subject. He is encouraged to tell about his own experiences that reinforce the subject matter of the MB requirements.
  1. The Merit Badge Counselor assists the Scout to meet the requirements.
  1. The Scout is always tested individually, but with a buddy present, and as each requirement is completed the Merit Badge Counselor marks it on the application.

If the Three Aims of Scouting are Character, Citizenship, and Fitness, Where are the scouts supposed to learn them? Advancement is where all of that gets done!

  • Character is developed through scouts performing in a “Position of Responsibility” and other troop duties and activities.
  • Citizenship is developed through the Citizenship MBs and through service hours to the community.
  • Fitness is developed through numerous related merit badges and troop activities. (Personal Fitness merit badge is required!)