Boy Scout Troop 695: Merit Badge Instructions

When you start as a Boy Scout, you first want to focus on achieving the rank of Tenderfoot. As you work on the skills that are part of Second Class and First Class, you may want to look at the Merit Badges that are available in Scouting, though they are not required until Star rank. Your Boy Scout Handbook lists all of the Merit Badges on pages 188-191. When you are ready to begin working on a Merit Badge, follow these steps:

Choose a Merit Badge
	Look at the requirements for the Merit Badge and determine that they are age appropriate and that you could earn that Badge within a year, a good timeframe to stay within. You can find the requirements in the book Boy Scout Requirements (pictured at left) or in the Merit Badge pamphlet (pictured at right for the Cycling Merit Badge – each pamphlet is specific to the individual Merit Badge). The Boy Scout Requirements book and the Merit Badge pamphlets can be purchased at the Scout Shop or online at www.scoutstuff.org.
Register with the Advancement Chair
Sign up for the Badge in the Merit Badge Signup binder. This binder is located near the ships (file boxes) during meetings. If you want to begin working on a Merit Badge but do not have access to the binder, (as in the summer when we don’t have regular meetings) call the Advancement Chair or send him / her eMail to sign up for a Merit Badge. Be sure to include your name, the date, the name of the Merit Badge, and your phone number either in a voice message or eMail message.

Blue Card

Before beginning work on your Merit Badge, you must make sure that the Advancement Chair has issued a Blue Card (pictured at right) for you. You may pick up your Merit Badge Blue Card at the next meeting. The Advancement Chair will put it in the ship. Check to make sure that your name is on the Blue Card, the write your address on the front where indicated.

Merit Badge Counselor

You must also be given the Merit Badge Counselor’s name. Your Counselor’s name will be on the Blue Card.

Merit Badge Pamphlet

Obtain the Merit Badge pamphlet from the Troop library, or check it out from the public library. Of course, you may purchase it at the Scout Shop or online if you wish. To check out a pamphlet from the Troop library, fill out the “library” card in the pamphlet and put it in the card box. Read the pamphlet before completing your Merit Badge. It will have the information you need in order to earn the Badge. Be sure that you know when you need to talk to your Counselor before working on a requirement, such as some of the steps for Family Life.

Contact Merit Badge Counselor

It is a always a good idea to contact your Merit Badge Counselor before you start work on your Merit Badge. If you have questions about how to show that you have met certain requirements such as those for the Climbing, Water Skiing, or Camping Merit Badges, or if any of the requirements for the Merit Badge tell you to check with your Counselor first such as many of the requirements for the Family Life Merit Badge, call your Counselor.

Complete the Work

Complete the requirements as laid out in the Merit Badge pamphlet. Write down any necessary information and take pictures or notes when necessary as you do your work.

Meet with Your Merit Badge Counselor

When you have fulfilled the requirements for the Merit Badge, contact your Counselor to set up an appointment to show that you have completed the requirements and have learned about the subject. For some Badges, this may require several meetings. Make arrangements to meet in advance so that the Counselor can make time to meet with you. You may be able to come early or stay late at a Scout meeting, or you may arrange to meet elsewhere. Remember that in Scouts, you must always have another Scout or parent in attendance.

Obtain Counselor’s Signature

The Counselor will sign the Blue Card for each requirement that you have completed. When all of the requirements have been completed and the Blue Card signed for each, he / she will sign the Blue Card in two places.

Obtain Scoutmaster’s Signature

Your next step is to have the Scoutmaster sign your Blue Card.

Submit Blue Card at Least One Week before Court of Honor		Merit Badge Cards Completed
Return all three parts of the Blue Card to the red folder in the ship labeled “Merit Badge Cards Completed.” PLAN AHEAD!! If you submit the Blue Card at least one week prior to the Court of Honor, you will receive your Merit Badge at the next Court of Honor.
Receive Your Merit Badge
	When your Merit Badge is presented to you at the Court of Honor, it will be stapled to a green Merit Badge card and accompanied by one section of your Blue Card.

Safe Keeping of Merit Badge & Rank Advancement Cards

Keep your green and Blue Cards in a safe place! We recommend that you create an Advancement Binder. This is very helpful at your Eagle Scoutmaster’s Conference and Board of Review. Use plastic baseball card pages to keep your copy of the Merit Badge Blue Card along with the green Merit Badge card presented to you at the Court of Honor. This is also the place to keep the Rank Advancement Cards that you receive. Purchase a nice big binder so that you can also keep photos, reports, or written work that you complete.

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