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Merit Badges: What are they and how are they earned?

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Merit badges give scouts the opportunity to investigate over 100 different areas of knowledge and skills. The merit badge program plays a major role in the scouting advancement program and participation can begin as soon as a scout registers with a troop. The merit badges are worn on the merit badge sash that is part of the Class A Tuxedo uniform that is worn at formal events, such as the Court of Honor and flag ceremonies.

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There is a booklet for each merit badge describing the requirements for the merit badge and the information you need to learn. Our Troop has a library of merit badge booklets you can borrow by checking them out from the Troop Librarian.  You can contact the Troop Librarian by emailing him.  An updated list of available merit badge booklets may be viewed here. You can also purchase the booklets for about $5 at the Smiser scout store in Pasadena.  A full list of available merit badges, their requirements, and worksheets may be found here, here and here.  Further information on merit badges can be found in Chapter 7 of your Boy Scout Handbook.

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Required Merit Badges: A scout can begin earning merit badges as soon as he joins the troop, but no merit badges are required for advancement until he receives his First Class rank. Advancement to Star, Life, and Eagle all require completion of merit badges, service, and demonstration of responsibility.

 

To reach Eagle rank, a scout must complete a total of at least 21 Boy Scout merit badges listing them in his handbook, 13 of which come from the Eagle-required badge list.  Requirement #3 for the Eagle Scout rank states you must earn a total of 21 merit badges, including the following: First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, Environmental Science OR Sustainability, Personal Management, Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, Camping, Cooking, and Family Life.

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Merit Badge Process:  Once a scout has determined that he wishes to earn a merit badge, there are several ways to obtain that badge:  (1) contact the Troop's merit badge counselor for that subject and work on the requirements on your own (see merit badge counselor list), (2) sign up for a merit badge program that is offered by the Troop, or (3) sign up for a merit badge program that is offered by another organization (there are many organizations that offer merit badge programs on nearly every topic - see the list below).  Before proceeding, you should speak with the Scoutmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster or other Troop adult leader to obtain a blue merit badge card, which you will need to have signed by the merit badge counselor when you complete the requirements for the merit badge.  You then turn in your completed and signed blue card to Ms. Sercel (advancement data input chair), and you will receive your merit badge at the next Court of Honor.

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Unless otherwise specified, you can begin work on a merit badge at any time.  However, there are certain merit badges that require you to get prior approval for certain requirements.  Before you start on any merit badge, you can check if the merit badge has any prior approval requirements by viewing this helpful chart.

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Troop 502 Merit Badge Resources:

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Other Good resources for merit badge programs:

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Additional Resources for specific merit badge programs:

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