Boy Scout Merit Badges are available for purchase.
Boy Scout merit badges are a great way to introduce yourself to a variety of sports, crafts, sciences, trades, business, and future careers as you progress in rank.They are meant to teach you a variety of skills that will be useful to you in the future.A small group of Scouts have achieved the goal of earning merit badges.You can begin filling up your sash once you start planning how to work on these badges.
Step 1: How much time do you need?
The amount of time you need to complete all of the merit badges is included in the requirements.Some badges can be completed in an afternoon while others take months to complete.Personal Management requires you to track your income, expenses, and savings for 13 weeks, which is about 3 months.Discuss a merit badge schedule with your parents or Scoutmaster.They will be able to help you figure out when is the best time to do certain badges.
Step 2: You should build a schedule.
Giving yourself a schedule is the best way to achieve any goal.Rather than thinking about all the badges at once, focus on earning a couple at a time.If you break your quest into smaller, more manageable goals, you will be able to chip away at it.When setting a schedule, think about the equipment and settings you will need to complete the badges.Water Sports will need to be completed in warmer months when you can be on the water, while winter might be better for a badge that involves more indoor work.Badges like Personal Management don't require you to spend a lot of time on them.You can work on multiple badges at the same time, so look for other badges that are shorter.There are 136 merit badges offered by the Boy Scouts.You can complete all badges in a little more than three years if you work at a pace of 5 badges per month.
Step 3: Make sure you check the prerequisites.
Some badges require you to have completed other requirements before you can work on them.Look for badges that require you to know information from other ranks, and wait to start working on those badges until you have achieved that rank.First Aid requires you to have knowledge of all first aid requirements for ranks up through First Class.It is possible to check off one of the requirements once you get started, but you don't necessarily need to be First Class to get it.
Step 4: There are badges that your troop isn't working on.
Most troops will work on badges to help Scouts.If your troop is going to be working on specific badges, it would be best not to spend time on yourself.The top 13 merit badges were Eagle-required.Other high-ranking badges were rifle shooting, archery, leatherwork, and wilderness survival.Your troop will probably work on these badges at summer camp or as a group.
Step 5: Every day, do a little badge work.
It will take some time to earn every merit badge.Set aside some time to help you get through it.Establishing a daily routine will help you push through the days when you don't feel like working, and will make it more likely that you will accomplish your goals.It's possible to be flexible with how much time you spend.Some requirements are more time consuming than others.You have to get into the habit of carving out some time every day.Badge work can get in the way of important things like school and family time.
Step 6: Finish requirements at the same time.
There are requirements that are similar between badges.If there is significant overlap, many requirements and regulations allow you to double count.There are subtle differences between requirements.Communication and Citizenship in the Community require you to attend a local public meeting and listen to different opinions on an issue.Communication and Citizenship in the Community both ask you to report on each point of view.The same meeting can start both requirements, but they need different results.A number of badges have something written to them.It is a great way to check off requirements while also getting your schoolwork done if you can find ways to make your school assignments fit into your requirements.The Scout Guide wants you to think about why you are double-counting.Checking off requirements is important, but you should also consider the possibility that the extra effort may make a difference in the lives of others.It is a personal decision, but you should think about it.
Step 7: Attend jamborees.
Scouting events offer the chance to earn several merit badges quickly.Badges can be earned in a variety of classes at camps and jamborees.If you want to earn badges, look for things you can't do at home.An outdoor camp can be used for something like Wilderness Survival or Pioneering.You may find more unique opportunities to work with people in specific areas like Nuclear Science or Pottery that you won't meet at home or through your troop.Before you go to the camp, make sure you do the prerequisites for any merit badges you want to take.You should keep an eye out for the course requirements after camp is over.Talk to your Scoutmaster if your troop doesn't go to a regular summer camp.Even if you and the other scouts don't earn merit badges, summer camp is a great time for building troop spirit and doing other fun activities.
Step 8: You can read the pamphlet.
Every merit badge has a pamphlet with the requirements and a number of resources you can use to learn more.Make sure the badge is something you want to do.You can get pamphlets for the badges you want to earn by talking to your Scoutmaster.Changes to the requirements for badges will be made by the national organization.It's important that you have the most up-to-date requirements when you're trying to earn the Badge.
Step 9: There is a merit badge counselor.
You will need someone who is trained or experienced in the field to teach you the skills of the badge.The counselor will try to figure out what you do and teach you the skills you need.He will sign off on the badges you have earned.The counselor should have access to the equipment and a place to use it if you are trying to earn a badge that requires it.You may need to find counselors for some of your badges if you don't have a lot of qualified people to help.
Step 10: Work with someone else.
It's possible to be a family member, friend, relative, or better yet, another scout.There is no requirement to have another scout with you according to the 2015 BSA Guide to advancement.It is always a good idea to have someone else watch you do your work.It can be more fun if you have a larger group.Getting a few Scouts together to learn a new skill or earn a merit badge can be a fun activity for a troop.
Step 11: Comply with the requirements.
Get to work after you have read the requirements.Show your work to the merit badge counselor if you complete all the required steps.If you have already completed several steps, bring them with you to the meeting so the counselor can decide if it counts.You may need to get approval from the counselor before you start your project, or you may have to explain how something works to him.Before you start taking pictures, your counselor must approve the story you want to tell.You want to do everything you can to make sure it won't count.Your merit badge counselor will sign off on your application once you are finished.The merit badge will be earned if you turn that in to your Scoutmaster.Thank you!