HOW TO EARN MERIT BADGES
Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time as long as he has met the prerequisites for the badge. Scouts don’t need to have had rank advancement to be eligible. Here are the steps that all Scouts follow to earn merit badges, in or out of camp. It is important to understand these steps in order to successfully complete merit badge work.
PICK A SUBJECT:
Read the requirements of the merit badges you think might interest you. The merit badge requirements information can be found in the Boy Scout Requirements Book. A copy of the Boy Scout Requirements Book is available for viewing in the Troop 782 Library.
Select the merit badge subject(s) you want to start working on.
Visit the Troop 782 Library to checkout the Merit Badge Pamphlet(s). The troop library contains merit badge pamphlets for over 75 subjects.
OBTAIN A MERIT BADGE APPLICATION CARD (BLUE CARD):
Pick-up merit badge card(s) from the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster.
Write-in the following information on the application: applicant’s name, address, city, Troop No. 782, District – Pacific Coast, Council – Desert Pacific, and the name of the merit badge.
Present the Blue Card to the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster for his or her signature.
CONTACT THE MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR:
Locate a merit badge counselor for the specific merit badge you have chosen to work on. The Troop 782 Library contains a current year Merit Badge Counselor List. This pamphlet is available for viewing at the troop meetings. This pamphlet provides an alphabetical list by merit badge of approved counselors. The list contains the counselor’s name, city, zip, email address, and phone number. In addition, the Troop 782 Phone Roster lists the names of Merit Badge Counselors within Troop 782.
Get in touch with the merit badge counselor and tell the counselor that you want to earn the merit badge.
GET STARTED ON THE REQUIRMENTS OF THE MERIT BADGE:
When you know what is expected, start to learn and do the things required.
SHOW YOUR STUFF:
When you think you are ready, contact the merit badge counselor to set up an appointment to show what you have done to meet all the requirements of the merit badge.
Visit the merit badge counselor. When you go, take along the things you have made to meet the requirements. If they are too big to move, take pictures, have an adult tell in writing what you have done, or ask your counselor to come see it. The counselor will ask you to do each requirement to make sure that you know your stuff and have done or can do the things required. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements. You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated – no more and no less. Be prepared.
GET THE BADGE:
When the merit badge counselor is satisfied that you have met each requirement, they will sign your Merit Badge Application Card. The merit badge counselor will tear off and retain the Counselor’s Record section of the card.
Next, present the signed Merit Badge Application Card to your Scoutmaster for his signature.
After the merit badge counselor and the Scoutmaster have signed the Merit Badge Application Card, present the card to the Records Chairperson of Troop 782. The Records Chairperson will retain the Application for Merit Badge section of the card and return the Applicant’s Record section of the card to you. IMPORTANT…PLACE THE MERIT BADGE APPLICANT’S RECORD IN A PLASTIC SLEEVE DESIGNED FOR BASEBALL CARDS. The plastic sleeve will hold up to 9 merit badge cards. It is your responsibility to keep your merit badge cards in a safe place.
You will be awarded the merit badge emblem at the upcoming Court of Honor. Congratulations!