Any Scout may earn any merit badge at any time as long as they have 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. 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 online or in the Merit Badge Requirements Book (available from the Scout Shop or another Scout).
- Select the merit badge subject(s) you want to start working on.
- Search online for a merit badge workbook, or acquire a current merit badge pamphlet from the Scout Shop or another Scout.
OBTAIN A MERIT BADGE APPLICATION CARD (BLUE CARD):
- Ask your Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster to sign your application (blue card) in Scoutbook. You can also download a manual blue card PDF to print (double-sided).
- Write-in all of the requested information written on the blue card, on both sides, and be sure to check the relevant boxes. Troop 782 is sufficient, 782B or 782G is optional; District is Rancho San Luis Rey; Council is San Diego-Imperial Council or SDIC.
- If you are using a manual blue card, 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. There is a list of Merit Badge Counselors in the sidebar menu on troop782.org.
- Get in touch with the merit badge counselor and tell the counselor that you want to earn the merit badge.
GET STARTED ON THE REQUIREMENTS 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 (follow all YPT requirements). When you go, take along the things you have made to meet the requirements. If they are too big to move, take pictures, and then write down what you have done, or ask your counselor to come and 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 (blue 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 (blue card) to your Scoutmaster for his or her signature.
- After the merit badge counselor and the Scoutmaster have signed the Merit Badge Application Card, email a photo of both sides of the card to the Advancement Chair (advancement@troop782.org). If you submit the physical card, The Advancement Chair retains the Application for Merit Badge section of the card and returns the Applicant’s Record section of the card to you. IMPORTANT! PLACE THE MERIT BADGE APPLICANT’S RECORD IN A PLASTIC SLEEVE DESIGNED FOR TRADING CARDS. The plastic sleeve holds up to nine merit badge cards. It is your responsibility to keep your merit badge cards in a safe place, such as a binder.
- You will be awarded the merit badge emblem at an upcoming Court of Honor. Congratulations!
Updated 27 June 2024.