Merit Badge Procedures (SCOUT)

Purpose:  To explain to scouts the procedures to identify, contact and complete a merit badge.

a.  Find a merit badge.  Review merit badge requirements and determine which merit badges interest you or are required for advancement.  A requirements list can be found in the current year Boy Scout Requirements book or on the Internet.  The merit badge coordinator has a Boy Scout Requirements book and the web site addresses. 

b.  Find a counselor.  You should identify a counselor who can help you with the merit badge.  A list of troop-only counselors is available from the troop Advancement Coordinator.  Adults who have specialized knowledge in a merit badge area can also serve as counselors.  These adults must write a note to the Scoutmaster or Merit Badge Coordinator outlining their expertise in the subject matter and complete a registration form prior to starting work on the merit badge.  Examples are a school teacher for Reading Merit Badge, firefighter for Firemanship, etc.

c.  Get a blue card.  The "blue card" is officially called "Application for Merit Badge".  You must get a blue card from the Advancement Coordinator and have the Scoutmaster sign the card.  Give the card to the counselor at the first meeting.

d.  Call the counselor and set up a meeting.  You should call or talk to the counselor and set up a meeting.  At the first meeting, discuss each of the requirements with the counselor and establish a time line to complete the merit badge.  If the merit badge seems to hard or you cannot complete the merit badge in a reasonable time, thank the counselor for their time and offer to start the merit badge sometime in the future.  Do not say you will work on a merit badge and do nothing for the several months.  This violates the Scout Law to be trustworthy.  Stick to original plan outlined at the first meeting or work with the counselor to change the plan.

e.  Complete the badge.  Work with the counselor and learn the required knowledge.  You should always give each requirement your best effort.  When the Scout Law says that a scout is courteous, this means not wasting a counselor's time with shoddy work.  If you are unsure of the work required, call the counselor for additional information.

f.  Return the blue card to Advancement Coordinator.  After the counselor signs each portion of the blue card, he/she will remove the Counselor's Record portion.  You will be asked to return the other 2 portions to Advancement Coordinator.  If he gets the card no later than 2 weeks before a Court of Honor, he will insure you get the badge at that Court of Honor.