Longs Peak Council

Boy Scouts of America

Merit Badges

The merit badge program is one of Scouting's basic character-developing tools. Earning merit badges gives boys the kind of self-confidence that comes only with overcoming difficult obstacles to achieve a goal.

A Scout earns a merit badge by working with a council approved and registered adult counselor, an expert in the chosen subject, who is on a list provided by his troop. The Scout, along with a buddy, makes an appointment with the counselor and works on the merit badge with the counselor during one or more visits. When the counselor approves the Scout's application, the Scoutmaster submits it to the council service center and obtains the badge.

The buddy when working on a merit badge can be another Scout, parents, guardians, a brother or sister, a relative, or a friend.

Any registered Scout, regardless of rank, may work on any merit badge and receive the award when he earns it.

The first step to earn a merit badge is to pick a subject and get a signed Merit Badge Application (blue card) from your Scoutmaster. At that point you then get in touch with the merit badge counselor and discuss when you can get together so the counselor can explain what he expects and start helping you meet the requirements.

When you know what is expected, start to learn and do the things required. Ask your counselor to help you learn the things you need to know or do. You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject.

When you are ready, call the counselor again to make an appointment to meet the requirements. When you go 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 ask you to do each requirement to make sure that you know your stuff and have done or can do the things required.

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."

References:

Advancement Policies and Procedures Committee Guide
- Advancement in the Unit
Boy Scout Requirements

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Last Updated Thursday, 30-Jul-2009 12:43:29 MDT