Earning a Merit Badge
Helpful Merit Badge Links
MeritBadge.org - find merit badge work books and helpful info on completing merit badges
stlbsa.org MB counselors - find merit badge counselors around the St. Louis area
Troop Merit Badge Counselors - find merit badge counselors right here in Troop 740
Scout Buddy System: Pick a buddy to work with you on the badge! You must have another person with you at your meetings with the merit badge counselor. Best if this person is another Scout, however it can be your parents or guardian, a brother or sister, a relative, or a friend.
Call the counselor. Get a signed merit badge card (application) from your Scoutmaster. Get in touch with the merit badge counselor and tell him or her that you want to earn the merit badge. The counselor may ask you to come and see him so he can explain what he expects and start helping you meet the requirements.
When you know what is expected, start to learn and do the things you need to know or do. You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject. Many troops and school or public libraries have them.
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've done. The counselor will ask you to do each requirement to make sure that you know your stuff and have done or can do the things required.
Get the Badge: When the counselor is satisfied that you've met each requirement, he or she will sign your application. Give the signed application to your Scoutmaster so that your merit badge emblem can be secured for you.
Requirements: You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated- no more and no less. You are expected to 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."
Save your cards!!!: The signed copy of the card is the official record of completion!!! The Advancement chairman will return your card to you when your patch is awarded to you. Do not lose this card! If you plan to ever get your Eagle rank it will be necessary to reproduce every one of your cards.
Is there any time limit on completing a merit badge? That depends on the merit badge. Most do not, but some, like personal fitness, have specific time requirements, so read the requirements of the badge. But if more than 12 month pass without an official appointment, the councilor is not required to keep any records. As with rank advancement, you may take as long as you need to finish the requirements. However, there are at least three good reasons to finish them as soon as you can and not procrastinate:
1. You’ll get it out of the way!
2. You may lose your meritbadge card or forget which requirements you’ve completed, and have to start all over again. Unfortunately, that’s happened. There may be that one community meeting you have to attend and you put it off. In the meantime, a year has gone by, and you can’t find your card. Agh!!!! Don’t put the advancement committee in the awkward position of taking your word that you finished the requirements when you have no proof.
3. The requirements may change. If different requirements are published in the next year’s Boy Scout Requirements book, you may be asked to complete these new requirements.