Earning merit badges allows you to explore many fields, helps you round out your skills, and introduces you to subjects that will perhaps become lifelong interests or a rewarding career.
There are more than 100 merit badges for you to choose from. You may earn any merit badge at any time, with Scoutmaster approval. Don’t wait for someone to tell you when and which merit badge to work on.
You don’t need to reach a certain rank in order to be eligible. However, you should concentrate on achieving the rank of First Class before devoting a lot time to working on merit badges.
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to complete too many badges at one time. It's recommended that you actively work on no more than two at one time until you reach the rank of First Class, and no more than five at one time thereafter. Every Scout's situation will be different; some may be able to devote more time to merit badges, some less. Find a level that is comfortable for
you. Some badges are more difficult or intricate than others. We recommend you begin with those that (a) interest you, and (b) reflect your level of education and maturity.
Mr. D's Review offers his opinion on the difficulty of each badge.
WAHomeschool has a list (in progress) that is similar.
You can find information about merit badge requirements online at
MeritBadge.com, in the appropriate merit badge pamphlets and in the current year’s Boy Scout Requirements book. Some of these should be available in your troop library. All of them are available from your Scout Shop or Council Trading Post, or a store which sells Scouting supplies in your area. If you are finished using merit badge pamphlets that you own, many troops encourage you to donate them to the troop library.
Timberland Regional Library also stocks many of them, though some are out of date.
Here are the steps to earning a merit badge:
1. Get a blue merit badge card from the Advancement Chairman (Mrs. Hansen), Scoutmaster Macaras, or Assistant Scoutmaster Burris, fill in your name, address, and the name of the badge, and ask the Scoutmaster to sign it. Then get the name and phone number of a qualified counselor from the Advancement Chairman or Scoutmaster.
You can find a list of Troop 220 counselors by using the link on the
Resources page. You will need a
password.
2. Call the counselor and set up an appointment. This can be at any place that is suitable to both of you. Along with a buddy (another Scout, a family member, or a friend), meet with the counselor. The counselor will explain the requirements for the merit badge and help you get started.
You must ALWAYS have a buddy with you. It's preferable that the buddy is another Scout, but a family member or friend is acceptable.
3. Work on the badge requirements until you complete them, meeting with the counselor (along with your buddy) whenever necessary. You must complete the stated requirements and satisfy the standards of each merit badge. YOU (not the counselor, Scoutmaster, or Advancement Chairperson) keep the merit badge card until you have completed the requirements and the counselor has signed the card. If you lose this card, you will have to start the badge over unless the counselor is willing and able to vouch for what you already completed.
If you change counselors for any reason, it is up to the new counselor whether or not he or she will accept the work you did with the previous counselor. Normally the new counselor will ask you a few questions, and if the counselor is satisfied that you actually did the work that was signed off, he or she will accept it.
4. After you complete the merit badge and the counselor signs your merit badge card, he or she will keep the counselor’s section and return the rest of the card to you. Bring the rest of the card to the Advancement Chairman, who will keep the troop section and return the Scout section to you.
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."
You will receive your merit badge at the next Court of Honor.
Source: adapted from The BSA Trainer (used by permission)
