Merit Badges
THE VARIOUS PATHS TO A MERIT BADGE
By Rank
Tenderfoot and Second Class Scouts should start pursuing non-Eagle-required merit badges. Work on only one at a time.
First Class, Star and Life Scouts should start on Eagle-required badges as well as continue to get non-Eagle ones. Unless you’re at camp, don’t try to do more than two at a time.
The more difficult Eagle merit badges (Citizenship in the World and Personal Management) should be completed by older scouts.
Troop 915 Merit Badge Night: third Wednesday of every month
Our own merit badge counselors plan classes to be conducted once a month, perhaps with follow-ups at Monday troop meetings. The most common classes are: Citizenship in the Community/Nation/World, Communication, Family Life, Personal Fitness and Personal Management. Other non-Eagle merit badge classes might also be offered on occasion.
Although some of these classes are offered at summer camp, it makes more sense to get it done at “home” rather than paying for a class when you could be doing other fun badge work at camp.
If you are not free on Wednesdays, contact the merit badge counselor to see if they can work with you on a personalized schedule.
Troop 915 Campouts
It makes sense that you can check off requirements for camping, cooking, hiking, fishing, and backpacking by participating in these weekends.
Summer Camp
In one week you can earn 4 or 5 merit badges! Common Eagle-required offerings include: swimming, hiking, first aid, and life saving. Then there will be a lot of craft and adventure classes.
If you cannot attend camp with Troop 915, consult the Scout Master about options to join in on a different camp or to attend merit badge classes with another troop or Cabrillo Youth Center. Take advantage of summer time!
How to Earn a Merit Badge
Plan; what do you need to achieve to earn the next rank?
Look at your own calendar for school and personal obligations, then look at the troop calendar to book campouts and merit badge classes.
There is an array of badges that offer information and activities on many topics. Choose something that interests you.
Then choose something you never thought of doing before. Who knows? You might like it!
Approach the Scoutmaster (Joe) and let him know which merit badge you plan to pursue. He will either sign it and give it to you right away, or he might have a conversation about the appropriate time to work on that badge.
Fill in your information and give the Blue Card to the merit badge counselor when you begin to work with him/her.
Be Prepared… and Organized
You should have a folder or notebook dedicated to merit badge work. Put your name on it! Include paper and pen and bring it with you to each merit badge class.
Download and print the worksheets. Look over the requirements and complete one that is easy to do on your own.
Keep to a schedule. If you miss a class meeting or are unable to complete a requirement according to the counselor’s deadline, do your best to catch up in a timely fashion. Never allow several months to pass without finishing a merit badge!
Document your Work
When you finish a merit badge, have the counselor sign the Blue Card and turn in the appropriate section to the Advancement Chair (Mr. Mussman).
Keep your section of the Blue Card as proof of completion.
Get a Blue Card
For a list of merit badge counselors in our Troop, please download the PDF attached below.
T915 MB Counselor Contacts, 10.2023.xlsxMerit Badge Counselors