You must be at least a Scout rank to earn a Merit Badge (MB). There are several ways of earning your MB. The Troop sometimes organizes a MB activity where we work on the requirements together. You may also enroll in various MB classes offered at local Boy Scout Councils. Another way to earn a bunch of MBs at once is to attend one of the Boys Scout Summer Camps. You begin by talking to the Scoutmaster about the MB you plan to earn. He will give you advice and a signed Blue Card. Once you have met all the requirements for the Badge, have a MB Counselor sign the Blue Card. Turn in your completed and signed Blue Card to the Scoutmaster. Once you finish reading the MB book, you will be awarded a MB patch.
To advance in rank, you must meet all the requirements specified in your Boy Scout Handbook. Once all of the requirements are signed off, arrange for a conference with the Scoutmaster. Once you've finished your Scoutmaster Conference, schedule a Board of Review. Make sure that your Notebook is up to date and organized before you come to the Board of Review, or you will be turned away.
Meet age requirements
Complete a Boy Scout application and health history signed by your parent or guardian
Find a scout troop near your home
Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance
Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake
Demonstrate tying the square knot
Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Law, motto, and slogan, and outdoor code
Describe the Scout badge
Complete the pamphlet exercises
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference
Present yourself to your leader, properly dressed, before going on an overnight camping trip. Show the right way to pack and carry it.
Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop camp out. Sleep in a tent that you helped pitch.
On the camp out, assist in preparing one of your patrol's meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together.
Demonstrate how to whip and fuse the end of a rope.
Demonstrate that you know how to tie the following knots and tell what there uses are: two half hitches and the taut-line hitch.
Explain the rules of safe hiking, both on the highway and crosscountry, during the day and night. Explain what to do if you are lost.
Demonstrate how to raise, lower, and fold the American flag.
Repeat from memory and explain in your own words the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan.
Know your patrol name, give the patrol yell, and describe your patrol flag.
Explain why we use the buddy system in Scouting.
Record your best in the following tests:
Current Results
Push-ups_________
Pull-ups__________
Sit-ups__________
Standing long jump(_____feet _____inches)
1/4-mile walk/run_________
30 days later
Push-ups_________
Pull-ups__________
Sit-ups__________
Standing long jump(_____feet _____inches)
1/4-mile walk/run_________
Show improvements in the activities listed in requirement above after practicing for 30 days.
Identify local poisonous plants; tell how to treat for exposure to them.
Demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver and tell when it is used.
Show first aid for the following; Simple cuts and scratches, Blisters on the hand and foot, Minor burns or scalds(first-degree)
Poisonous snake bite, Nosebleed, Frostbite and sunburn
Demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath(Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Complete your board of review.
Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Explain what map symbols mean.
Using a map and compass together, take a five mile hike(or ten miles by bike) approved by your adult leader and your parent or guardian.
Since joining, have participated in five separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), two of which include camping overnight.
On one of these camp outs, select your patrol site and sleep in a tent that you helped pitch.
On one camp out, demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of the knife, saw, and ax, and describe when they should be used.
Use the tool listed in the requirement above to prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel for a cooking fire.
Demonstrate how to light a fire and a lightweight stove.
On one camp out, plan and cook over an open fire one hot breakfast or lunch for yourself, selecting foods from the four basic food groups. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Tell how you transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.
Participate in a flag ceremony for your school, religious institute, charted organization, community, or troop activity.
Participate in an approved (minimum of 1 hour) service project.
Identify or show evidence of at least ten kinds of wild animals (birds, reptiles, fish, mollusks) found in your community.
Show what to do for "hurry" cases of stopped breathing, serious bleeding, and internal poisoning.
Prepare a personal first aid kit to take with you on a hike.
Demonstrate first aid for the following: Object in the eye; Bite of suspected rabid animal; Puncture wounds from a splinter, nail, and fishhook; Serious burns(second degree); Heat exhaustion; Shock; Heatstroke; dehydration; hypothermia; hyperventilation
Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.
Demonstrate your ability to jump feet first into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.
Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines or objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
Participate in a school, community, or troop program on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss your participation in the program with your family.
Demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Compete your board of review.
Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 4 months as a First Class Scout.
Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
Earn 6 merit badges, including any 4 from the required list for Eagle.
While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster.
While a First Class Scout, serve actively for 4 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop):
Boy Scout Troop- Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant scoutmaster, chaplain's aid, webmaster, or instructor.
Varsity Scout Team- Captain, co-captain, program manager, squad leader, team secretary, Order of the Arrow team representative, librarian, historian, quartermaster, chaplain aid, instructor, or den chief.
