New scouts should focus on Trail to First Class. Scouts can work on merit badges anytime, but none are required for advancement until First Class Rank has been achieved. Advancement to Star, Life, and Eagle all require completion of merit badges.
Pick a Subject. Talk to your unit leader (Scoutmaster) about your interest in earning a merit badge. Your unit leader will give you a signed merit badge application (blue card) and the name and contact information of a Merit Badge Counselor.
Scout Buddy System. Every scout must have another person with them at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. This person can be their parent or legal guardian, or another registered adult. There is no one-on-one contact allowed with Scouts and Counselors. Our weekly troop meetings are a great option to fulfill this safety guideline.
Merit Badge Booklets: A variety of merit badge booklets are available for scouts to borrow, ask our Librarian at a Troop Meeting.
Merit Badges & Requirements. Follow this link to the BSA website and "scroll down" to see all the Merit Badges and most current and official requirements.
Merit Badge Workbooks. Follow this link to usscouts.org and scroll down to see the merit badge workbooks. Follow this link to MeritBadge.org and "scroll down" to see all the Merit Badge Workbooks. You can download and print them, the workbooks help Scouts document their work and help them prepare for discussions with their Merit Badge Counselor.
Eagle Requirement (Earn 21 merit badges)
Required Merit Badges: CAMPING, CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY, CITIZENSHIP IN THE NATION, CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD, COMMUNICATION, COOKING, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OR LIFESAVING, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OR SUSTAINABILITY, FIRST AID, CYCLING OR HIKING OR SWIMMING, PERSONAL MANAGEMENT, PERSONAL FITNESS, FAMILY LIFE. Plus 8 additional Merit Badges of your choice.