How to Start a Merit Badge

Scouts you can start a merit badge at anytime...go to Merit Badge Worksheets for a list of all the merit badges currently available.  You may already be doing activities that would complete a merit badge.  Do you own pets? There is one for Dog Care and one for pets.  Do you like to read/forced to read in school?  There is a merit badge for reading.  You may already be doing something that would qualify you for a merit badge.  Do fish, collect coins, Collect stamps...there are many options.

How do you start a merit badge?   

Pick A Subject. Talk to your Scoutmaster about your interests. Read the requirements of the merit badges you think might interest you. Pick one to earn. Your Scoutmaster will give you the name of a person from a list of counselors. These counselors have special knowledge in their merit badge subjects and are interested in helping you.

Call The Counselor. Get a signed blue card 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 to meet you to explain what is expected of you and to start helping you meet the requirements. You should also discuss work that you have already started or possibly completed. Unless otherwise specified, work for a requirement can be started at any time. Ask your counselor to help you learn the things you need to know or do. You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject.

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 have 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 have 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." 

Are ready for advancement? 
Let a your Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, or a Scoutmaster know when you are ready for a Scoutmaster conference.  A meeting time and place will be scheduled. Remember It can you are required to be in uniform and you must bring your scout book.  After the your conference, a Board of Review will be scheduled.

Parents, we are always in need of Merit badge counselors; if you have any hobbies or job experience, please let me know.  Take a look at the requirements on the merit badge website or I can get a copy of the merit badge workbook from the scout library.   

Finally, if you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the info provided in this email.  Please fill free to contact me by e-mail or phone (286-5220).

Thanks. Kelvin Mauk