Merit Badges

MBC List.xlsx

What are Merit Badges?

Merit badges are the markers of the activities, disciplines, professions, and skills that Scouts explore. Completing them helps them develop self-reliance, project management, communication, goal-setting skills. If a Scout is aiming to be an Eagle, he must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, 13 of which need to be Eagle-required, and the rest of which are guided only by the Scout's interests. Scouts may earn merit badges from the time they enter Scouts until they turn 18. There is no other time limit on how long they take to complete the badge.

Merit Badge Procedures: (for more info, see http://meritbadge.org or http://usscouts.org)

Here' are some specific instructions for those who need more detail than the above.

Merit Badge Pamphlet Library

These Merit Badge pamphlets are available from the troop librarian. (Click me)

You can also google some merit badge pamphlets that are available online. Here's how to download pamphlets as pdf's. (Click Me). Here is how to google merit badges. (Click me)

Here's a great list of pamphlets from Troop 109 in Randolph, NJ: https://www.troop109nj.com/merit-badge-library/ 

Merit Badge Resources

Consider starting your independent MB work at ScoutSmarts.com, a website that has guides and videos for many merit badges, as well as lots of other scout stuff like leadership, Eagle projects, etc.!


Merit Badge Colleges

Several times a year, local Boy Scout councils will offer a Merit Badge College--a weekend or two where Scouts can work intensively on earning a small handful of merit badges. Here are the Merit Badge Colleges in our area: