Merit Badge Requirements
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THE MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR
Merit badges are a part of Scouting for two reasons. First, they encourage
a Scout to increase their skill in things they like to do. Second, they challenge
him to try out new activities that may result in fresh interests or hobbies. One of these may even start
him on the path of a career.
Picking a Merit Badge
Check the complete list of merit badges on pages 190 -193 in
the Boy Scout Handbook. Choose a subject you like. If it is a badge that is required for the Eagle rank,
you will find them listed on page 188-189. You can find out how to earn the badges by reading the Boy Scout Requirements book.
You may borrow the book from our troop library.
Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of the person who is serving as counselor for the badge you want to earn. The merit badge counselor knows the subject well and is interested in helping Scouts learn all they can about the badge.
Earning a Merit Badge
These are the steps:
Get a signed merit badge form
("blue card") from your Scoutmaster and find a buddy who is interested in working on the same merit badge.
Get the merit badge book on your subject. Your troop may have one you can borrow. You may also purchase
them from the Connecticut Rivers Council Service Center located at 60 Darlin Street, East Hartford, CT
06120. They are open M-T-W-F 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
and Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m.
Contact the merit badge counselor and explain that you would like to earn the badge. Along with your buddy, meet with the counselor and discuss how you can get the most out of the time you spend working on the badge.
Learn and do the things that the merit badge book explains. Go as far as you can to fulfill the requirements on your own.
When you are ready, you and your buddy make another appointment with your counselor.
The counselor will spend time with you going over the important points of the subject. A good counselor will also help you see beyond the requirements and discover ways to continue learning about the subject. If
your counselor is satisfied that you have completed the requirements,
you counselor will sign your merit badge form. It not,
your counselor will explain what you still must do.
The Scout is expected to meet the requirements as stated -- no more and no less -- Furthermore, he is to do exactly what is stated. If it says "show or demonstrate, " that is what he must do. Just telling about it isn't enough. The same holds true for words such as "make," "list," "in the field" and "collect, identify, and label."
Give the signed form to your Scoutmaster. He will get the badge for you and present it to you during a troop ceremony.
How long is a "Partial" good for? A partial merit badge completion is valid provided a Scout is not yet 18 years old and can satisfy the counselor that he is knowledgeable about the subject.
Qualifications of a Counselor
A merit badge counselor MUST be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. They must be men and women of good character, age 18 or older, and recognized as having the skills and education in the subjects for which they are to serve as merit badge counselors, as well as having the ability to work with Scout-age boys.
There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges an individual may be approved to counsel for.
There is no limit on the number of merit badges a Scout may earn from one counselor.
An approved merit badge counselor may counsel any Scout, including his or her own son, ward, or relative.
A counselor should be aware that they are assisting the Scoutmaster and the rest of the troop leadership in the program advancement which the Scoutmaster helps each Scout plan. The counselor should feel free to discuss the Scout's progress with the Scoutmaster at any time.
Questions and Answers
Question: We are studying American History and Government in school. Can my teacher be my Citizenship merit badge counselor?
Answer: Yes. In fact, we
have teachers who are registered merit badge counselors. Show your teacher the merit badge requirements and ask him or her if they will work with you. Tell your teacher that they must register with the Boy Scouts. Get the forms and an explanation sheet from your Scoutmaster. You may start work on the badge after the forms have been submitted.
Question: My mom is the world's best cook. Can she help me with my cooking merit badge.
Answer: Moms can always help, but unless she is a registered counselor, she cannot sign your "blue card." Ask mom to sign up. It's free and the best cook in the world could help you and your fellow Scouts.
Question: I thought I did all the requirements for my merit badge at summer camp, but my Scoutmaster said I still have work to do. How can he do that?
Answer: The final signature on your
"blue card" is your Scoutmaster's. It is his responsibility to assure you have met "all" the requirements. If there is a possibility that you may have "missed" something, you may be asked to prove satisfactory knowledge in the subject before you can be signed off.
List of Merit Badge Requirements