Boy Scout Merit Badge Program

Background and Purposes

The Boy Scouts of America is dedicated to helping to educate youth. The merit badge program provides the opportunity for youth to explore more than 100 fields of skill and knowledge which plays a key role in the fulfillment of this educational commitment.

The merit badge program is one of Scouting's basic character-building tools and a vital part of the BSA advancement plan. Instruction which helps to develop a young man’s career, physical, and interpersonal skills is offered in many different subjects; available Merit Badges & requirements .

Merit Badge Pamphlets

Each merit badge subject is outlined and explained in a pamphlet that contains short, introductory information written for Boy Scouts by recognized authorities. These pamphlets are available for purchase at The Rainbow Council Service Center or at Chalkboard in Crest Hill. Troop 466 also keeps a library of some of the pamphlets that are available for Scouts to check out.

Merit Badge Worksheets

In addition to the pamphlets, there are worksheets available which are a good place to document the work on your merit badge. Some merit badge counselors will ask you to use these worksheets. If you need to get a worksheet, you can go to http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badge_Worksheets and find the link to the worksheet for your merit badge.

Procedure

When a Scout has an interest in earning a particular merit badge, he gets his Scoutmaster's approval. The Scoutmaster will issue a blank Merit Badge Application card with his signature in the appropriate place. The Scout is then directed to an appropriate merit badge counselor (this may be at Summer Camp, in a Troop Meeting, or outside of the Troop on the Scout’s own time). The counselor reviews the badge requirements with him and decides what projects should be undertaken and how they should be completed. After the Scout has completed all requirements, the Merit Badge Counselor returns the completed Merit Badge Card to the Scout. The Scout takes the card to his Scoutmaster, who signs it. Once signed, the Troop will turn it in with an advancement form to Rainbow Council. The merit badge is presented to the Scout at a Court of Honor.

Finding a Merit Badge Counselor

Of course, if you are going to Summer Camp, you will have Merit Badge Counselors available at camp to help you earn badges. Outside of Summer Camp you will need to contact a Merit Badge Counselor on your own. The Advancement Committee of Rainbow Council keeps a copy of all registered merit badge counselors in our council. If a Scout is interested in one of the available merit badges and wishes to earn it outside of a troop activity or summer camp, he can contact the Scoutmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster or any of the adults on the Troop 466 Committee for help in finding an available Merit Badge Counselor.

Badges for Eagle

To qualify for the Eagle Scout Award, Scouting's highest advancement rank, a Scout must—along with meeting five other requirements—earn a total of 21 merit badges, including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Camping, Hiking OR Cycling OR Swimming and Family Life.