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How to Earn Merit Badges

There are more than 100 merit badges that Scouts can earn. Merit badge subjects and skills cover many areas including science, business, crafts, sport, careers and trades. Any Scout can work toward any merit badge. There is no special rank that has to be reached first, although gaining merit badges are requirements for later advancement to Star, Life and Eagle ranks. Earning merit badges gives Scouts useful life skills and teaches knowledge that they may not learn in standard formal education.

Instructions

- 1
  Choose which merit badge you want to earn. Your Scoutmaster can make suggestions if you talk to him about your particular interests. When you have a few ideas, read the relevant Merit Badge Pamphlets to find out the specific requirements for each badge. These pamphlets are often kept in public, school or troop libraries, or can be bought from the Boy Scouts of America. Using this information, narrow down your selections and pick a badge to start working toward.
- 2
  Tell your Scoutmaster which badge you want to earn. She will give you the contact details for a merit badge counselor trained and approved in your chosen subject or skill.
- 3
  Pick someone to be your "buddy" throughout your badge-earning experience. This can be a friend, relative or another Scout. Make sure he is happy to help you. He will come to the meetings with your merit badge counselor, according to the safe Scouting guidelines.
- 4
  Ask your Scoutmaster for a merit badge application form. You will also need her to sign it for you when it is completed.
- 5
  Contact the merit badge counselor and explain that you want to take the badge. He will help you to understand exactly what you need to do to earn your badge and will help you decide what projects to do, learning to undertake and timescales to work toward. Counselors are there for your assistance, so don't be afraid to ask for guidance or make use of his expertise.
- 6
  Call your counselor when you have completed the requirements. She will certify that you have fulfilled the necessary requirements when you have demonstrated your new-found abilities or explain your subject knowledge. For some badges, you might need to show your counselor written letters from other adults or photographic evidence.

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