Merit
Badge Program Merit
Badge Program The merit badge program is part of the advancement plan of the Boy Scouts of America. A merit badge is an award that is presented to a scout when he completes the requirements for one of the merit badge subjects.
The scout works with a merit badge counselor who has a special interest and skill in that area of study. The counselor is a registered adult with the BSA, is 18 years or older, and is registered with the district as a merit badge counselor by the Troop Advancement Committee. The scout’s parents can encourage and help the scout prepare for his merit badge completion, but the counselor is the person who checks demonstration of knowledge and skill and signs off the requirements.
The requirements and information the scout needs to complete and understand are published in the merit badge pamphlets. The pamphlets are available at Scout Shops, the troop library, or by the Direct Mail Center, P.O. Box 909, Pineville, NC 28132-0909, 1-800-323-0732.
The merit badge itself is a small circular badge that is embroidered with the design of the merit badge subject. The badge is displayed on the olive green uniform sash. The sash is worn on formal occasions.
Troop 69 does not encourage new scouts to focus on merit badges before reaching First Class. The advancement requirements for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class do not include merit badges. They are centered on scouting skills the new scouts need to become self-sufficient and prepared to handle camping and high adventure.
We do make exceptions for summer camp and unique opportunities. New scouts are encouraged to attend summer camp their first summer with the troop. There they will have the opportunity to earn 2-3 merit badges. Swimming is a very good badge to earn the first summer because it is the prerequisite for many other badges and a great skill to have. It is also most effectively taught by the highly skilled waterfront camp staff and in the camp setting. Archery, Rifle Shooting, and some arts and crafts unique to camp are recommended the first years at summer camp.
Once a scout reaches First Class, we encourage the scouts to actively pursue merit badges as they are required for the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks.
For further details, print out the following documents and keep them in your scouting notebook along with your merit badge blue cards:
 | Troop 69 Merit Badge Process | ||||
| Merit Badge Record Sheet
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| Troop Merit Badge Schedule
(to print PDF files, you must have Adobe's Acrobat Reader installed - this can be downloaded for free from the Adobe web site). |
Please note that the Merit Badge Schedule is a goal and is in its first year of application. It is a work in evolution! (It was formerly called the Three Year Plan)
Troop 69 strives to have a well-rounded merit badge program and we always need more counselors. If you would like more information about being a merit badge counselor please contact Rhonda McCorkle at kmcc@mindspring.com. We also conduct merit badge counselor training about once a quarter following the troop parent meetings. These meetings are held the first Monday after District Roundtable. See the troop calendar for specific dates.
A great link for general information, badge requirement listings, counselor information and more is www.meritbadge.com .
This page was last updated on 04/29/03.
