MERIT BADGE INFORMATION and Resources
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Here is some information our Troop and its Scouts have learned over the years to help you and your scout get started on the right track.
TRADITIONAL PROCESS
Generally, a scout must research the various merit badges available. A good place to start is to review the Official Boy Scout Merit Badge Listing and Requirements. Then the scout should speak with his Scoutmaster to discuss the scout's choice of merit badge study and receive a "blue card" signed by the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster can assist the scout in locating a counselor to assist in completing the merit badge requirements. In addition, the district council puts out a listing of merit badge counselors for each merit badge in the local area.
Once the scout has the "blue card" from their Scoutmaster, it is a good idea to get a copy of the current merit badge pamphlet and briefly read through it. These can be purchased from the Scout Shop at Camp Miakonda. Troop 104 has a limited number of various pamphlets in its library that can be borrowed and returned when finished. The scout should then contact the merit badge counselor and discuss a plan for completing the requirements. Most counselors will require the scout to compete the workbook for the merit badge. The process for completing the requirements will vary depending upon each badge and each counselor. However, once the requirements are completed, the counselor will "sign off" on the "blue card" for each requirement and the merit badge in total.
When the "blue card" is completely filled out and signed, the scout will need to return the troop portion of the "blue card" to the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair, and wait until the next Court of Honor to receive their badge.
Official Merit Badge Listing and Requirements
Workbooks
Erie Shores Council's Current Merit Badge Counselor List
WORKSHOP PROCESS
In addition to the traditional method of completing a merit badge, many troops, councils, or other organizations host merit badge workshops. These workshops offer a one-stop-shop approach to completing a merit badge. Usually these workshops publish a list of prerequisites or work that must be completed prior to the workshop, for the Scouts to walk away with a completed "blue card" at the end. However, more and more workshops are now requiring homework, which needs to be completed after the workshop meeting(s) that must be checked and then reviewed with a counselor at a later dated before the "blue card" is completed. Just note which method is being used for the workshop you are signing up for.
Toledo Metroparks - Workshops are Organized by Kim Kaseman, a friend of Troop 104. Just search "scout" or "merit" in the keyword search field on the left-hand side.
Erie Shores Council - Our Troop's Council offers merit badge opportunities from time to time. These will usually be emailed to you as the Troop is provided information. Here are some up coming opportunities: Other groups and organizations also host merit badge workshops throughout the year. Some that Troop members have participated in the past have been hosted by the following:
SUMMER CAMP PROCESS
The summer camp merit badge process is very similar to the merit badge workshop process, but it occurs during summer camp at PSR. When signing up up for merit badges at camp in the spring, pay attention to the listing of prerequisites that accompanies the listing. The only way for the scout to complete the merit badge process by the end of summer camp, the scout must have completed the prerequisites prior to arriving at camp. Don't worry if the prerequisites are not completed prior to camp, the scout can always finish the requirements after camp, and meet with a counselor of their choosing to "sign off" on the remaining requirement and the merit badge. Although, not the preferred method, because it takes over a year to complete, the scout can also complete the requirements after summer camp ends and bring their incomplete sheet with them to camp next summer and have a counselor "sign off" the following summer.
Here is some information our Troop and its Scouts have learned over the years to help you and your scout get started on the right track.
TRADITIONAL PROCESS
Generally, a scout must research the various merit badges available. A good place to start is to review the Official Boy Scout Merit Badge Listing and Requirements. Then the scout should speak with his Scoutmaster to discuss the scout's choice of merit badge study and receive a "blue card" signed by the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster can assist the scout in locating a counselor to assist in completing the merit badge requirements. In addition, the district council puts out a listing of merit badge counselors for each merit badge in the local area.
Once the scout has the "blue card" from their Scoutmaster, it is a good idea to get a copy of the current merit badge pamphlet and briefly read through it. These can be purchased from the Scout Shop at Camp Miakonda. Troop 104 has a limited number of various pamphlets in its library that can be borrowed and returned when finished. The scout should then contact the merit badge counselor and discuss a plan for completing the requirements. Most counselors will require the scout to compete the workbook for the merit badge. The process for completing the requirements will vary depending upon each badge and each counselor. However, once the requirements are completed, the counselor will "sign off" on the "blue card" for each requirement and the merit badge in total.
When the "blue card" is completely filled out and signed, the scout will need to return the troop portion of the "blue card" to the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair, and wait until the next Court of Honor to receive their badge.
Official Merit Badge Listing and Requirements
Workbooks
Erie Shores Council's Current Merit Badge Counselor List
WORKSHOP PROCESS
In addition to the traditional method of completing a merit badge, many troops, councils, or other organizations host merit badge workshops. These workshops offer a one-stop-shop approach to completing a merit badge. Usually these workshops publish a list of prerequisites or work that must be completed prior to the workshop, for the Scouts to walk away with a completed "blue card" at the end. However, more and more workshops are now requiring homework, which needs to be completed after the workshop meeting(s) that must be checked and then reviewed with a counselor at a later dated before the "blue card" is completed. Just note which method is being used for the workshop you are signing up for.
Toledo Metroparks - Workshops are Organized by Kim Kaseman, a friend of Troop 104. Just search "scout" or "merit" in the keyword search field on the left-hand side.
Erie Shores Council - Our Troop's Council offers merit badge opportunities from time to time. These will usually be emailed to you as the Troop is provided information. Here are some up coming opportunities: Other groups and organizations also host merit badge workshops throughout the year. Some that Troop members have participated in the past have been hosted by the following:
- The Michigan Science Center
- Michigan Museum of Natural History
- Michigan Crossroads Council - Scout-O-Rama
- Cabela's
- Bass Pro
- Merit Badge Super Saturday
SUMMER CAMP PROCESS
The summer camp merit badge process is very similar to the merit badge workshop process, but it occurs during summer camp at PSR. When signing up up for merit badges at camp in the spring, pay attention to the listing of prerequisites that accompanies the listing. The only way for the scout to complete the merit badge process by the end of summer camp, the scout must have completed the prerequisites prior to arriving at camp. Don't worry if the prerequisites are not completed prior to camp, the scout can always finish the requirements after camp, and meet with a counselor of their choosing to "sign off" on the remaining requirement and the merit badge. Although, not the preferred method, because it takes over a year to complete, the scout can also complete the requirements after summer camp ends and bring their incomplete sheet with them to camp next summer and have a counselor "sign off" the following summer.