Merit Badges are awards earned by Scouts for completing specific requirements in various areas of knowledge and skills. Each badge represents a unique subject, allowing Scouts to explore new interests and gain practical skills. Earning merit badges is essential for rank advancement and helps Scouts develop independence, discipline, and self-confidence. Through the process, Scouts often discover new passions and may even find inspiration for future careers, all while gaining valuable life skills that contribute to their growth as responsible, well-rounded individuals.
What kind of badges are offered?
Scouting America offers more than 135 Merit Badges for youth to earn, and are broken up into two categories:
- Eagle Required Merit Badges consist of ones like Personal Management, First Aid, or Citizenship in the Nation, as 14 of the 18 listed are needed to qualify for attaining the Eagle Scout rank… They can be identified by the sliver ring surrounding the badge
- Non-Eagle Required Merit Badges consist of all other interests and skills youth can learn, much like Fishing, Chess, Chemistry, Traffic Safety, and Golf, and can be identified by the green ring surrounding the badge
Who “teaches” Merit Badges?
Merit Badges are taught only by those with the training and approval of selected topics, otherwise known as Merit Badge Counselors!
Merit Badge Counselors are approved by their local council and can choose where to offer their badges, most commonly to:
- Individual Units
- Scouts within a District
- Scouts within the Council
- Summer camps
Merit Badge Counselors must be at least 18 years old and have completed Youth Protection Training and position-specific training, either in the classroom segment or through the BSA Learning Center
What is the process of earning a Merit Badge?
Step 1: Approval
A Scout must speak with their Scoutmaster/Unit Leader to express interest in attaining a specific Merit Badge. After the Scoutmaster/Unit Leader determines the Scout is ready to proceed, they will put the Scout in touch with a Merit Badge Counselor specific to their desired badge while also signing a Blue Card.
A Blue Card is an official record used by Scouts to track their progress in earning a merit badge. It’s a three-part card that includes the Scout’s information, the Merit Badge’s requirements, and spaces for signatures from both the Scoutmaster and the Merit Badge Counselor. The Scout keeps the Blue Card throughout the process, bringing it to meetings with the counselor to verify completed requirements.
Step 2: Requirements
Each Merit Badge is specific in its’ requirements, whether it’s 5 steps or 20 steps, and are detailed in their Merit Badge Pamphlets. These requirements cannot be substituted or replaced/altered with in any way.
Merit Bade Pamphlets can be bought through the Scout Shop or borrowed from the unit’s Librarian.
The Scout will meet with the Merit Badge Counselor and go over instruction/practice in order to satisfy the requirements for attaining the Merit Badge they want.
Some Merit Badges may require Prerequisites, which are specific requirements or tasks that a Scout must complete before starting. The Merit Badge Counselor will provide all the information a Scout needs, including if there are any Prerequisities.
Step 3: Completion
After the Scout completes all requirements and is approved by the Merit Badge Counselor, the Scout then takes their completed Blue Card back to their unit’s Scoutmaster and/or Advancement Coordinator. The Scout will keep part of the Blue Card for their own records and the unit will keep the other part for their records. The unit will award the Scout with their Merit Badge once it has been ordered. For Troop 354, Merit Badges are typically awarded at the Court of Awards, which happens every 4 months.
Your current Advancement Coordinators are: Brad Nygaard and Todd Hollen
What else should I know about Merit Badges?
Uniform Wear
Merit Badges are never to be put/worn on the uniform itself, but instead to be worn via Sash.
The Merit Badge Sash is worn over the right sholder and moves across the Scout’s left side:
Rank Advancement
The higher ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle Scout all require the Scout to earn a specific number of Merit Badges in order to advance.
Generally speaking, requirements used to complete a portion of a Merit Badge are NOT allowed to fulfil the requirements to a specific rank.
- known as “Double-Dipping”
Eagle Palms
Eagle Palms are awards that Scouts can earn after achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Each Palm represents additional merit badges earned beyond the 21 required for Eagle rank:
- 5 or more: Bronze
- 10 or more: Gold
- 15: Silver
Palms are awarded in this sequence, and Scouts can continue to earn them by completing additional Merit Badges, actively participating in the troop, and demonstrating Scout Spirit.
Please consult the Scout Handbook, Scoutmaster, or Advancement Coordinator for any questions or concerns.
