Earning Merit Badges
Introduction to Merit Badges
Why Merit badges?
There is more to Merit Badges than simply providing opportunities to learn skills, introduce lifetime hobbies, or inspiring a career path—though these invaluable results occur regularly. It begins with a Scout’s interest and effort in a Merit Badge subject, followed by meaningful engagement with subject matter experts, culminating in advancement and recognition. Merit Badges give Scouts confidence, achieved through overcoming obstacles, improving social skills, developing self-reliance, and allowing Scouts access to fields of study and interest are explored beyond the limits of the school classroom.
Steps to Earning Merit Badges
Any registered Scout, or qualified Venturer or Sea Scout, may work on the requirements for any merit badge at any time. However, before working with a counselor or attending a group or virtual merit badge opportunity, a Scout must meet with their unit leader or their delegate. This is the leader’s opportunity to give guidance on the wisdom of pursuing a selected badge, to advise the Scout on how work might be approached and what may be encountered along the way. It is also the time to provide the names and contact information for one or more approved counselors. The best outcome, however, is that a growth-oriented, positive dialog occurs that provides inspiration and direction in a Scout’s life and even leads to conversations about talents and interests, goal setting, and the concept of “challenge by choice.”
The benefits can be much like those of a well-done Scoutmaster conference. It must be noted that this meeting is a required part of the merit badge process, and that it should be documented either by the unit leader’s signature (or their delegate’s) on the Application for Merit Badge (blue card) or in Scoutbook Plus or other method.
Even though a leader may voice concerns about a particular Scout pursuing a particular merit badge, it is the Scout’s decision whether or not to proceed. Units must not impose rank or age requirements for merit badge work (Guide to Advancement 7.0.0.3)
- Choose a subject and get a signed blue merit badge card from your Scoutmaster. They'll provide you with the name and contact information of counselors for that merit badge.
- Use the buddy system. Another person must be with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor: a Scout, parent, other relative, or friend.
- Call the merit badge counselor to set times to meet and work on requirements
- Read the merit badge pamphlet and create a plan with your counselor
- When you're ready, contact the counselor to set up a meeting where you'll show what you've done to complete the badge
- When your counselor is satisfied that you've met all requirements, they'll sign your blue card to give back to your Scoutmaster
- Your Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair will get the badges for you
Congratulations, you've just earned a merit badge!
Scoutmasters and Advancement Chairs
Your role is to ensure Scouts have the opportunity to earn merit badges by connecting Scouts to approved Merit Badge Counselors.
- We maintain lists of merit badge counselors by district, that are updated monthly. This information can be found in Scoutbook Plus, regardless if your unit uses Scoutbook Plus or not.
- If you are having difficulty accessing the counselor list in Scoutbook Plus, this article will walk you through how to complete the process: Where can I find a list of local Merit Badge Counselors?
- All merit badge lists are password protected for security. You will receive a password in a separate email from the Merit Badge list. These lists should not be posted on any website.
For Current Merit Badge Counselor Lists, Use the Contact Information Below