Scouts BSA Troop 457 > Lessons > Merit Badges
Course Content
TROOP 457 QUICK START
In this topic, we'll explain how to complete the paperwork required to join our Troop and the basic equipment a Scout needs to start in our program.
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Welcome to the Quick Start Module
Completing a Youth Membership Application
Completing an annual BSA Health Form
How Scouting is Organized
The Youth-led Troop
Leadership Structure
The Patrol
Troop Communication
IMPORTANT GEAR (1 of 3) – The Scout Uniform
IMPORTANT GEAR (2 of 3) – Scout BSA Handbook
IMPORTANT GEAR (3 of 3) – Scouting Binder
TroopTrack Basics
Troop 457 uses an online tool called TroopTrack to manage our calendar of events, track our Scout's advancement progress, and facilitate communication. In this topic, we'll introduce you to the basic functionality you'll use in the application.
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Welcome to the TroopTrack Module
Types of TroopTrack Accounts
Initial Account Setup
The TroopTrack Interface
Updating a Profile & Notification Settings
Viewing the Troop Calendar
RSVPing to Events
Adding the Troop Calendar to Your Phone/Computer
Communicating via TroopTrack
Requesting Additional Adult Accounts or Adding a Scout Email Address
Troop Meetings
Learn more about the different types of meetings our Troop runs and the basics of how the meetings operate.
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Welcome to the “Troop Meeting” Module
Weekly Troop Meetings
The Monthly Patrol Leaders Council
The Monthly Parents Meeting
Semi-annual Troop Elections
Annual Planning Conferences
Activities
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Welcome to the Activities Module
Who Can Attend Troop Activities?
Annual Troop Activities
What to Bring to Every Outdoor Activity
Car Camping
Backpacking
Summer Camp
Special Campouts
Basic Camping Equipment
Where to Source Camping Gear
Other Activities
Tracking your Hiking and Camping
Advancement, Awards & Recognition
Advancement is an important part of the Scouting program which recognizes Scouts for demonstrating their knowledge and skills in topics that will enable them to be prepared for life. In this topic, we'll explore the different types of advancement, how their earned, and how our Scouts are recognized.
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Welcome to the “Advancement, Awards & Recognition” Module
CORE CONCEPT: Advancement is Done Individually
CORE CONCEPT: Wording Matters
CORE CONCEPT: The Four Steps of Scout Advancement
CORE CONCEPT – When to Work on Advancement
Rank Advancement
Child Abuse Prevention Pamphlet & Cyberchip Requirements
The Scoutmaster Conference
Boards of Review
Merit Badges
Other Awards
Tracking Achievement Progress in TroopTrack
Courts of Honor
The Order of the Arrow
Serving our Community
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Welcome to the Serving our Community Module
How to identify a Service Project
Obtaining Approval for a Service Project
Logging your Service Hours
Paying for Scouting
0/5
The Cost of Scouting
Introducing the TroopTrack Scout Account
Replenishing a Scout Account
Fundraisers
Alternative Funding Options
Getting Involved as an Adult
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Welcome to the “Getting Involved as an Adult” Module
Just Help Out!
Merit Badge Counselors
Adult Scout Leaders
REMINDER – BSA Overnight Activity Requirements
Help us to Improve
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How to Provide the Troop with Feedback
Coffee with the Scoutmaster
New Member Boot Camp
About Lesson

Scouts can take a deep dive into almost 140 specific subjects through the BSA’s Merit Badge program.  There they learn more about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers.  Scouts are required to earn 14 required merit badges and 7 other merit badges to become an Eagle Scout.

uts can earn merit badges at any time, but many work on merit badges as a group at Troop meetings and at Summer Camp.  Before beginning a merit badge, the Scout must first obtain Scoutmaster approval to work on the badge.  This is to ensure that the Scout is aware of any prerequisites or challenges they may experience when working on the badge.  The Scout then works with a Merit Badge Counselor who has knowledge and skills of the badge’s subject matter to complete the requirements to earn the badge.

Scouts must earn 14 (of 18) required and an additional 7 merit badges to become an Eagle Scout.  

Finding Merit Badges, Requirements, and other Information

A full listing of available merit badges and their current requirements can be found on Scouting.org. The Troop maintains a library of Merit Badge pamphlets that provide additional information and guidance that will help Scouts to complete the merit badge requirements.  These books can be checked out from the Troop Librarian.

Scouts should always consult the requirements listed on Scouting.org when beginning a merit badge.  The Merit Badge pamphlets in the Troop library do not always contain the most up-to-date requirements.

Scouts can also download Merit Badge worksheets from a variety of sites around the internet.  Our favorite is USScouts.org which maintains a large inventory of Merit Badge Worksheets. These worksheets are intended to aid Scouts in earning their merit badge and are not a replacement for the official requirements.  Completing a worksheet does not mean you have earned the merit badge.

The Steps to Earning a Merit Badge

Once a Scout has chosen the Merit Badge they’d like to work on, they need to complete the following steps to earn the badge:

  • Obtain an Application for Merit Badge, more affectionately known as a “Blue Card.”  Scouts can obtain a Blue Card from the Scoutmaster at a Troop meeting or by requesting a Blue Card here on the Troop Website.  Instructions on completing blue card are also available on the website.
  • Get Scoutmaster Approval.  An important step in the process is to obtain Scoutmaster approval to pursue the merit badge.  The Scoutmaster will make sure you have any necessary prerequisites completed and identify one or more Merit Badge Counselors for you to work with. 
  • Contact the Merit Badge Counselor.  Scouts should contact the counselor identified by the Scoutmaster.  (Remember to following youth protection requirements.)
    • Even though Scouts may benefit from reviewing requirements with a merit badge counselor before getting to work, a Scout may begin the effort on any badge at any time after registering in Scouts BSA.
    • The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the unit leader.  It is the counselor’s decision whether to accept work or activities completed prior to any meeting with the unit leader or the merit badge counselor. Common sense should prevail, however. For example: nights already camped as a Scout in Scouts BSA, or coins or stamps already collected, would count toward their respective badges.)
  • The Scout, the Scout’s buddy, and the counselor meet (often several times).
    • Partial progress is recorded as requirements are completed.
  • The Scout finishes the requirements and  the counselor approves completion by completing their portions of the blue card.  (The Counselor will keep one third of blue card for their records.)
  • The Scout turns the remaining two thirds of blue card to the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair for processing.
  • The merit badge will awarded at the next Court of Honor.

Who can Sign-Off on Merit Badge Requirements?

Merit Badge requirements can only be signed off by a registered Merit Badge Counselor.  A parent can be a merit badge counselor for their own Scout.

Reference Information

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