Merit Badges

When can a scout start earning merit badges?
As soon as he earns the Scout rank, he can start earning merit badges. Most scouts concentrate on rank advancement until reaching 1st Class, but this does not preclude them from working on merit badges.

How do we start?
Look through the Boy Scout Requirements Handbook. Once he has found a merit badge that interests him, he can contact the Advancement Chair for a blue card, get a signature from his Patrol's Assistant Scout Master (ASM), and the name and phone number of a registered merit badge counselor for that badge.

He must find a buddy to earn the badge with him and contact the counselor for instructions. They will set up the time and activities together. THE SCOUT SHOULD NOT BEGIN THE MERIT BADGE PRIOR TO DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COUNSELOR.

The boy can check out a merit badge booklet from the troop or buy one at the Scout Office at Lucie Stern. There are some required merit badges for the Star, Life and Eagle ranks, but most are electives.

Once the scout has met all requirements, the counselor will sign the blue card. The scout than needs to have the blue card signed by the SM/ASM and turned it in to the Advancement Chair at least one week before a Court of Honor.

What is Merit Badge Midway?
Merit Badge Midway is offered by the Pacific Skyline Council on one Saturday in January and provides an opportunity for scouts to work on one or two merit badges during the day. Merit Badge Midway is a good opportunity to work on classroom style merit badges.

Are there other opportunities to earn Merit Badges?
Yes, each summer troop 5 attends Camp Oljato on Huntington Lake. Scouts can earn up to 7 merit badges in one week! Camp Oljato is a great opportunity to work on outdoors-oriented merit badges.

STEPS TO MERIT BADGE SUCCESS

1. Select badge

2. Find friend to do badge too

3. Get blue-card from Advancement Chairs

4. Get signature from your Patrol ASM

5. Contact Merit Badge Counselor (Advancement Chairs & ASMs have lists)

6. Meet with Counselor

7. Begin Merit Badge

8. Complete requirements

9. Meet with Counselor & get signature

10. Get ASM's signature

11. Turn in blue-card to Advancement Chairs

12. Receive Badge at next Court of Honor

Parents Needed
Become a Merit Badge Counselor. Everyone has a skill that can be shared with Scouts. Or learn about a new area of interest! You must take the Youth Protection Training and the Merit Badge Training to be a counselor. Youth Protection Training is offered on-line. Merit Badge Training is about one hour on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Lucie Stern.

Then find the merit badges that interest you or look through the booklets to see if you have the background to check the boy on his understanding of what he learns. Make sure you have two or more boys signed up at each time. Be supportive if you get a call from a boy from another troop needing that badge. Your name goes out to the council not just the troop. Enjoy being a volunteer.

Resources:

Merit Badge Midway

meritbadge.com