Merit Badges are the second main area of the Boy Scout advancement program. Unlike ranks, there is a degree of choice in the merit badge program. A sub-group of merit badges are known as Eagle required merit badges. These are specific badges that must be earned in order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Boy Scouts may work on merit badges from they time they join a Scout troop until they turn 18 years old. There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18.
Each badge has specific requirements that must be met by the scout. They often include some research on the topic as well as practical experience. You will find a complete set of merit badges and their requirements on MeritBadge.org. The Boy Scouts of America publish handbooks for scouts on each of the badges. They are available from the Scout Store in East Hartford or online from ScoutStuff.com.
Also helpful are merit badge workbooks that are available online that break down the requirements and give the scouts a easy to follow format to follow to meet the requirements.
Once a scout has completed all of the requirements, they can find a merit badge councilor who can sign off on the "blue card" or official BSA form that is submitted to the district. A list of merit badge councilor is available from the troop Google group or my contacting Mr. Rice, the merit badge coordinator.
Summer Camp is a great way to earn merit badges and a list of classes will be provided when it is time to sign up for camp.
Another way scouts earn merit badges is with the troop. Sometimes special speakers are invited to troop meetings to cover merit badge requirements. Recently we had Channel 30 TV weatherman Bob Maxon teach the weather badge and Hunter Neal, a local professional photographer, taught the photography badge.
Eagle required badges are generally taught as a separate class, usually held prior to the troop meeting. Each badge is taught every few years so all scouts have the opportunity to participate throughout their scouting experience.
Reposted from March, 2009
