More than 130 merit badges in 14 subject areas
- Agribusiness
- Arts and crafts
- Business and industry
- Communications
- Conservation
- Hobbies
- Natural science
- Personal development
- Physical science
- Professions
- Public service
- Sports
- Trades
- Transportation
Benefits
- Contribution to the aims of Scouting: citizenship, character, and fitness
- Development of confidence, self-reliance, and social skills
- Physical fitness and healthy lifestyles
- Career and hobby choices may result
- Exposure to positive role models
Basics
- Two types of Merit Badges:
- General Interest
- Eagle Required or “White Ringer” (only 1 merit badge each from Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, Environmental Science OR Sustainability, and Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling count as a “white ringer”; if the other are earned the count towards the total of 21)
- Can be earned at any time, but required for:
- Star (2 general; 4 “white ringers”)
- Life (+2 general; 3 “white ringers”)
- Eagle (+3 general; 7 “white ringers”)
- Not just a Summer Camp Activity – can be earned year-round
- Part of the “4 Steps to Advancement”:
- The Scout learns
- The Scout is tested via the Merit Badge Counselor
- The Scout is reviewed via the Merit Badge Counselor
- The Scout is recognized by the Troop at the Court of Honor
Merit Badge Counselors
This table of Troop 123 Merit Badge Counselors can be sorted by Merit Badge Type (White Ringer vs. Regular), Merit Badge, and Counselor. If you do not have the counselor's contact information please contact the Advancement Chair via email dwnoonan.bsa@gmail.com OR you can search for them in ScoutBookMerit Badges and the “Blue Card”
The Scout must complete red highlighted sections; the get Scoutmaster approval (green highlighted section) and the submit to Merit Badge Counselor when starting merit badge.
The Merit Badge Counselor will hold onto the Blue Card while it is being worked on and will complete the requirements and approval section, as well as their contact information (yellow highlight).
When the scout has completed the Merit Badge the Counselor signs and dates appropriate sections (yellow highlight). The Scout returns Blue Card to Scoutmaster for signature (green highlight), and the Scoutmaster submits Blue Card to Advancement Chair.
Important Recordkeeping
It is the Scout’s responsibility to track:
- Merit Badges in Scout Handbook for Star, Life or Eagle rank requirement as appropriate
- At Court of Honor, the Scout will receive “Applicant Record” portion of Blue card along with a Merit Badge Card to be maintained in their Red Binder, and the Merit Badge (for their sash)
- Blue Cards and Merit Badge Cards will be needed when ranking to Eagle.
Resources
- Troop 123 Guide to Merit Badges (updated 2020)
- Troop 123 Advancement Guide
- US Scouting Service Project – This is a great resource for up-to-date information about merit badges and downloadable workbooks
- Getting schooled on rules for merit badge classes, fairs and universities (Scouting Magazine blog post)