BSA TROOP 116

How Does the Merit Badge Process Work?

The following information is based on the National BSA Council website, and is tailored to reflect Troop 116's processes. In case of any inconsistencies, the National site has the final word.
 

Once You Pick a Subject.

Choose a counselor for that merit badge from the list we keep in the Band app. These individuals have special knowledge in their merit badge subjects and are interested in helping you. Ask a Scoutmaster to connect you with the counselor on Scoutbook.

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If the merit badge you want is not in the list on the Band app, please contact our Advancements Coordinator, and we will find a counselor for you from outside the Troop.

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​Scout Buddy System.

One option that often makes it easy to meet BSA Youth Protection guidelines is to meet in an open area at a Troop meeting, since other registered adults are readily available. However, sometimes you will need to meet outside of Troop meetings. Regardless, you must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. This person can be your parent or legal guardian, another Scout, or another registered adult.

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Call the Counselor.

Get a signed merit badge application (a.k.a "Blue Card") from your Scoutmaster (this could be a virtual Blue Card on Scoutbook). Note that while Scouts keep track of rank requirements in their Scout Handbook (and they are also tracked on Scoutbook), Blue Cards (on Scoutbook or paper form) are the official method for tracking their completed merit badge requirements.  

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Get in touch with the merit badge counselor and tell them that you want to earn the merit badge. The counselor may ask to meet you to explain what is expected of you and to start helping you meet the requirements. You should also discuss work that you have already started or possibly completed. ​At the first meeting, you and your merit badge counselor will review and may start working on the requirements. In some cases, you may share with your counselor the work that you have already started or accomplished.

Unless otherwise specified, work for a requirement can be started at any time. Ask your counselor to help you learn the things you need to know or do. You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject (not just the requirements). Many Troops and school or public libraries have them. You can also buy one at the Miami Valley Council Scout Shop or online from https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/.

 

Show Your Stuff.

 

When you are ready, call the counselor again to make an appointment to meet the requirements. When you go, take along the things you have made to meet the requirements. If they are too big to move, take pictures or have an adult tell in writing what you have done. The counselor will test you on each requirement to make sure that you know your stuff and have done or can do the things required.

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Get the Badge.

When the counselor is satisfied that you have met each requirement, they will sign your application. Give the signed application to your Scoutmaster so that your merit badge emblem can be secured for you.

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Must-know Information.

You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated -- no more and no less. You must 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.” Conversely, the counselor shouldn't require you to "show or demonstrate" if the requirement only says "tell."

The requirements listed on https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/ are the current and official requirements of the Boy Scouts of America. Occasionally, the requirements will not match those in the printed Scout Handbook, the annual Scouts BSA Requirements book, or some merit badge pamphlets because of the timing of their printing schedules.

If a new edition of a merit badge pamphlet is introduced with updated requirements after the Scouts BSA Requirements book has been released, a Scout who is starting the badge may choose to follow either set of requirements until the end of the year. At the start of the new year, Scouts who are beginning must use only the new requirements.

If a Scout has already started working on a merit badge when a new edition of the pamphlet is introduced, they may continue to use the same pamphlet and fulfill the requirements therein to earn the badge. They need not start over again with the new pamphlet and revised requirements.

There is no time limit for starting and completing a merit badge, but all work must be completed by the time a Scout turns 18.