Merit Badges

Merit Badges 101

Scouts earn merit badges to develop skills for a lifetime. There are over 120 different merit badges to choose from; there’s something for everyone! Scouts must earn merit badges in order to advance through the ranks of Star, Life and  the ultimate goal of Eagle.

 

Eagle Required Merit Badges

There are currently twelve Eagle required merit badges. Boys must complete  these badges before they can become an Eagle Scout.

1. First Aid

2. Citizenship In The Community

3. Citizenship In The Nation

4. Citizenship In The World

5. Communications

6. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving

7. Environmental Science

8. Personal Management

9. Personal Fitness

10. Swimming OR Cycling OR Hiking

11. Camping

12. Family Life

 

An additional 9 other merit badges are required to make a total of 21.

 

TROOP 479 - Poway, California  USA

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

How Do I Earn Merit Badges?

Choose one of the 12 Eagle required merit badges, or simply one that interests you. Talk to our Scoutmaster Mr. Sullivan and ask him for a Merit Badge application, also known as a Blue Card.

Print your name, address, city, unit number (Troop 479), district name (Black Mountain) and council name (San Diego-Imperial) on the Blue Card. Have Mr. Sullivan sign and date it. Make sure that you fill out your name and the title of the merit badge in all 3 places on the Blue Card!

Your next step is to find a merit badge counselor. First check to see if any of our troop leadership is certified to act as your counselor (see the list of who our approved counselors are at the bottom of this page). If not, an online list of San Diego-Imperial Council merit badge counselors is available here.

Get the merit badge booklet from the Troop Librarian, or purchase one from the Scout Shop. Read all of the requirements - make sure that you can demonstrate the skills that are required!

With your parent’s permission, contact the counselor and let them know that you would like to earn the merit badge. The counselor should be able to explain to you what the specific requirements are and how you can fulfill them. Be sure to ask if there is any work you should bring with you to your first appointment.

Meet with the counselor at a time and date convenient to both of you. DO NOT GO ALONE - make sure you have a parent or friend go with you! Show your counselor your completed Blue Card.

Now the fun part begins… start learning and complete your merit badge requirements! When you have completed your work, meet with the counselor again to demonstrate your knowledge and show them all that you have accomplished. When the counselor is satisfied that you have met all of the requirements, they will sign off your Blue Card.

Give the signed Blue Card to Mr. Sullivan so that your merit badge patch can be awarded to you. Be sure to keep the Applicant Record portion of the Blue Card in a safe place, preferably in your Scout binder. This is your proof that you have successfully completed the merit badge.

 

Online Help For Merit Badges

The MeritBadge.com website is a great tool to help you earn merit badges! There is current information and a list of the requirements for all of the current BSA merit badges.

 

 

The Ultimate Goal!