Choose a Merit Badge
Choose a merit badge that interests you from the list on the Merit Badge page. You can find the official BSA requirements by clicking on the link for each badge or in the Merit Badge pamphlet for that badge (First Aid Merit Badge pamphlet pictured at right). Each pamphlet is specific to the individual Merit Badge.Merit Badge information and requirements can also be found online at MeritBadge.org along with the accompanying worksheets.
Meet with the Scoutmaster
Meet with the Scoutmaster to discuss your interest in working on a merit badge.
Obtain Blue Card
Before beginning work on your Merit Badge, you must make sure that you are issued a Blue Card (pictured at right) from the Troop Advancement Chair. Fill out all required fields on the Blue Card and have the Scoutmaster sign it.Merit Badge Counselor
The Advancement Chair will provide the name and phone number of a qualified counselor for that merit badge.Merit Badge Pamphlet
Obtain a current Merit Badge pamphlet from the troop library, buy one from the Scout Shop or online at www.scoutstuff.org. Read the pamphlet to become familiar with the Merit Badge requirements. It will have the information you need in order to earn the Badge.Contact & Meet with Your Merit Badge Counselor
It is a always a good idea to contact your Merit Badge Counselor before you start work on your Merit Badge. At your first meeting, your counselor will review all the requirements and help you plan ways to fulfill them so that he can get the most out of the experience. Remember to follow the Scout Buddy System when meeting with your counselor. A Scout's buddy can be another Scout, a parent or guardian, a brother or sister, or a relative or friend.Complete the Requirements
Complete the requirements as laid out in the Merit Badge pamphlet. The worksheets available at MeritBadge.org are a great aid in written requirements. Write down any necessary information and take pictures or notes when necessary as you do your work. The number of sessions between the Scout and counselor during this period depends on the difficulty of the subject and the preparation and ability of the Scout.Follow-up 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. Record your progress in Scoutbook. Remember to follow the Scout Buddy SystemObtain Counselor's Signature
The Counselor will sign and date the Blue Card for each requirement as they are completed. When all of the requirements have been completed, he/she will sign and date the "Applicant's Record" and the "Counselor's Record" sections of the Blue Card. The counselor keeps the Counselor's Record and gives the remaining two records ("Application for Merit Badge" and "Applicant's Record") to the Scout.Obtain Scoutmaster's Signature
Your next step is to have the Scoutmaster sign your Blue Card.Submit Blue Card at Least Three Weeks before Court of Honor
Return both remaining parts of the Blue Card. If you submit the Blue Card at least three week prior to the Court of Honor, you will receive your Merit Badge at the next Court of Honor.
