Revised 3-30-2002

1. To sign up for a merit badge, scouts should go to the Merit Badge & Advancement Information Table and talk with one of the Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) at the table. The table will be set up in the Old Fellowship Hall basement where we gather for meetings. At this table scouts can get merit badge information, blue cards, signatures, and counselor information. Presently these ASMs are: Andrea Chasez, Henry Fowler, and Rhonda McCorkle.
2. At the table, an ASM will talk with the scout and assess what action needs to be taken. Decisions are based on the scout’s rank, how many partial merit badges a scout already has, and what is a logical choice of badge to enroll in next. The ASM activates the blue card by signing the front and consults the merit badge counselor list. A counselor’s name, address, and phone number are recorded on the card and it is given to the scout. If the scout is signing up for a troop class, he is placed on the roster and he gets his blue card in class from the counselor. If he is signing up for a District or Council class, he is given a registration form, information, and a signed blue card. The ASM makes a record of the new badge started.
3. The scout needs to get and study a merit badge pamphlet book. He can buy one from the Scout Shop downtown or in Sandy Springs. Another option is to check out a book from the troop library through the Troop Librarian.
4. If attending a troop class, the scout reports to class for his first contact. If working individually with a counselor, the scout contacts the merit badge counselor and sets up an initial meeting. He needs to have a buddy to go with him. No scout may work with a counselor alone. A buddy may be a family member or another scout.
5. The scout and the merit badge counselor set up a meeting schedule and goals for completing the badge. The counselor signs off the requirements as they are completed. The counselor keeps a record of the progress, but the scout keeps the blue card. However, with a large troop class that lasts several weeks, the counselor may keep the blue cards until the last session to simplify record keeping.
6. When all the badge requirements are completed, the counselor signs the blue card in two places. The counselor tears off his portion of the card and keeps it in permanent storage. The scout is given the remaining portion of the blue card.
7. This step is VERY IMPORTANT. The scout takes the blue card to the Merit Badge & Advancement Information Table. One of the ASMs at the table checks the blue card for completion, approves the card by signing it, and tears off the advancement portion of the card. The ASM promptly gives the advancement portion of the blue card to the Advancement Committee Chairmen. (Presently: Sherrie Blasiak) The ASM gives the scout his signed portion of the blue card. Please note that if the scout does not bring the completed card to the table, the badge can’t be processed and the scout won’t get credit for the badge or receive one at the Court of Honor. Stopping at Step 6 is the most common reason for missing badges at the Court of Honor.
8. The scout takes his signed portion of the blue card home and stores it safely. The troop recommends that blue cards be stored in baseball card collection sheets in a notebook for scouting records. It is also very important to keep sign-off sheets from summer camp classes and clinics with the blue cards. This record keeping is vitally important for Eagle application processing.
9. The scout should keep a Merit Badge Record Sheet in his notebook with his blue cards. He records any completed merit badges on the Merit Badge Record Sheet. He should not record anything in his Scouting Handbook. When he attends his next Scoutmaster Conference, his should bring his notebook with the blue cards in it and his Scouting Handbook. The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster conducting his conference will view the blue cards and record them in his Scouting Handbook.
10. The Advancement Committee keys the earned merit badges into the troop’s TroopMaster computer program. The committee keeps the advancement portion of the blue card permanently.
11. A printout of earned merit badges and other awards is submitted to the Council Scout Store. Then the troop is permitted to purchase badges needed for the Court of Honor.
12. The Advancement Committee prepares the badges and their award cards. The scout is presented his merit badges and award cards at the Court of Honor. He sews his merit badges onto his uniform sash and stores the award cards with the blue cards.

Note:

 The date of badge completion is the date the blue card is signed off by the ASM or Scoutmaster, not the Court of Honor date. This is important to remember for determining the date eligible for a Scoutmaster conference and rank advancement. It is also important to use the date the blue card was signed when filling out an Eagle Scout Rank Application.

This page was last updated on 04/29/03.