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Boy Scout Troop 294
(Scappoose, Oregon)
 
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How to earn a merit badge



These 12 steps, taken from the Guide to Advancement, are how a Boy Scout earns one of the 136 currently available merit badges.
  1. The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and may begin working on the requirements.
  2. The Scout discusses his interest in the merit badge with his unit leader (i.e. scoutmaster).
  3. The unit leader signs a blue card and provides the Scout with at least one counselor contact.
  4. The Scout contacts the counselor. (SEE BELOW)
  5. The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the unit leader.
  6. The Scout, his buddy and the counselor meet (often several times).
  7. The Scout finishes the requirements.
  8. The counselor approves completion.
  9. The Scout returns the signed blue card to his unit leader, who who signs the applicant record section of the blue card.
  10. The unit leader gives the scout the applicant record.
  11. The unit reports the merit badge to the council office (in Portland).
  12. The Scout receives his merit badge (at a quarterly court of honor).
*Photo: Greg Memmott of Draper, Utah earned all 138 merit badges in 2014, KSL.com.

List of merit badges by popularity



Here is a list of all the merit badges available in 2014, ranked according to their popularity among scouts, that is, the number indicates the number of scouts who earned the merit badge in 2014. The most popular merit badges are typically either required for eagle or offered at summer camp. Scouts with badges from the bottom of the list should feel proud of having accomplished something that so few other scouts do. If you are up to the challenge and qualify, please consider becoming a counselor for one of these merit badges.
  1. Cooking*, (99,908), edged out first aid as the most polar merit badge for the first time in five years. In 2014, cooking returned to the list of merit badges required to earn the eagle rank. At the same time, the requirements were revised. During 2014, scouts could choose to complete the old requirements or the new requirements.
  2. First Aid*, (80,917)
  3. Swimming**, (72,503)
  4. Environmental Science****, (67,218)
  5. Citizenship in the World*, (61,303)
  6. Citizenship in the Nation*, (56,490)
  7. Camping*, (54,265)
  8. Communication*, (54,081)
  9. Citizenship in the Community*, (51,728)
  10. Personal Fitness*, (50,693)
  11. Family Life*, (49,516)
  12. Personal Management*, (48,299)
  13. Emergency Preparedness***, (46,069)
  14. Rifle Shooting, (45,839)
  15. Fingerprinting, (43,820)
  16. Archery, (43,238)
  17. Leatherwork, (42,565)
  18. Wilderness Survival, (40,395)
  19. Wood Carving, (38,749)
  20. Kayaking, (35,533)
  21. Canoeing, (31,833)
  22. Fishing, (28,119)
  23. Art, (25,438)
  24. Chess, (25,266)
  25. Lifesaving***, (24,474)
  26. Mammal Study, (24,060)
  27. Shotgun Shooting, (23,970)
  28. Climbing, (23,200)
  29. Indian Lore, (22,997)
  30. Space Exploration, (22,625)
  31. Geology, (21,282)
  32. Pioneering, (18,117)
  33. Photography, (17,804)
  34. Basketry, (17,531)
  35. Aviation, (17,522)
  36. Orienteering, (16,871)
  37. Geocaching, (16,785)
  38. Small Boat Sailing, (16,511)
  39. Weather, (15,846)
  40. Astronomy, (15,758)
  41. Nature, (15,046)
  42. Forestry, (14,465)
  43. Fish & Wildlife Management, (13,749)
  44. Robotics, (13,708)
  45. Computers, (12,973)
  46. Metalwork, (12,949)
  47. Music, (12,903)
  48. Fire Safety, (12,395)
  49. Search and Rescue, (12,359)
  50. Horsemanship, (11,905)
  51. Game Design, (11,853)
  52. Engineering, (11,624)
  53. Soil and Water Conservation, (11,296)
  54. Welding, (11,061)
  55. Motor Boating, (10,748)
  56. Chemistry, (10,594)
  57. Rowing, (10,557)
  58. Electricity, (10,460)
  59. Oceanography, (9,991)
  60. Sculpture, (9,887)
  61. Automotive Maintenance, (9,763)
  62. Pottery, (9,050)
  63. Electronics, (8,860)
  64. Archaeology, (8,652)
  65. Snow Sports, (8,227)
  66. Sports, (8,032)
  67. Reptile and Amphibian Study, (7,547)
  68. Hiking**, (7,344)
  69. Public Speaking, (7,091)
  70. Traffic Safety, (7,088)
  71. Crime Prevention, (6,917)
  72. Railroading, (6,694)
  73. Radio, (6,665)
  74. Nuclear Science, (6,657)
  75. Salesmanship, (6,648)
  76. Cycling**, (6,268)
  77. Pulp and Paper, (6,250)
  78. Disabilities Awareness, (6,204)
  79. Moviemaking, (6,195)
  80. Bird Study, (5,641)
  81. Scouting Heritage, (5,572)
  82. Genealogy, (5,474)
  83. Law, (5,463)
  84. Sustainability ****, (5,428)
  85. Scholarship, (5,362)
  86. American Heritage, (5,333)
  87. Coin Collecting, (5,303)
  88. Woodwork, (5,198)
  89. Plumbing, (4,982)
  90. Pets, (4,821)
  91. Reading, (4,712)
  92. Fly Fishing, (4,537)
  93. Painting, (4,346)
  94. Collections, (4,295)
  95. Backpacking, (4,169)
  96. Animal Science, (4,042)
  97. Cinematography, (4,026). this merit badge has been replaced with the movie making merit badge.
  98. Architecture, (4,019)
  99. Golf, (3,955)
  100. Home Repairs, (3,866)
  101. Safety, (3,778)
  102. Medicine, (3,725)
  103. Textile, (3,694)
  104. Energy, (3,669)
  105. Water Sports, (3,594)
  106. Whitewater, (3,565)
  107. Mining in Society, (3,519)
  108. Dentistry, (3,416)
  109. Athletics, (3,241)
  110. Graphic Arts, (3,189)
  111. Insect Study, (3,164)
  112. Digital Technology, (3,014)
  113. Programming, (2,970)
  114. Dog Care, (2,955)
  115. Inventing, (2,902)
  116. Veterinary Medicine, (2,875)
  117. Plant Science, (2,680)
  118. Model Design and Building, (2,612)
  119. Entrepreneurship, (2,496)
  120. Farm Mechanics, (2,486)
  121. Theater, (2,273)
  122. Truck Transportation, (2,182)
  123. American Cultures, (2,174)
  124. Skating, (2,010)
  125. Scuba Diving, (1,989)
  126. Public Health, (1,821)
  127. Gardening, (1,641)
  128. Composite Materials, (1,614)
  129. Landscape Architecture, (1,496)
  130. Drafting, (1,318)
  131. Surveying, (1,065)
  132. American Labor, (992)
  133. Journalism, (955)
  134. Stamp Collecting, (863)
  135. American Business, (650)
  136. Bugling, (606)
* On required list for Eagle Rank
** Required for Eagle (must complete Cycling, Hiking OR Swimming)
*** Required for Eagle (must complete Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving)
**** Required for Eagle (must complete Environmental Science OR Sustainability)

Merit Badge Counselor System


MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR SYSTEM
Authorized by:
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
CASCADE PACIFIC COUNCIL

Do you know who your BSA registered merit badge counselors are?
Do you know which merit badges they are willing to mentor?
Have you ever wondered when your counselor has b been approved?

Features
Free, secure, on-line portal
Counselors manage their own projects
View couselor BSA registration status
Leadership searches by merit badge
Counselor reports by counselor or by badge

Join us
register today at www.scoutcommunity.com

Contact: Shane Olvera
support @scoutcommunity.com

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This information copied from a flyer 07/13/17, Erin Howarth