What's the first merit badge a Scout should earn? (opens in a new tab)
There's no official recommended order for earning merit badges. So which merit badge makes the best "first merit badge" for Scouts?
Topic
Merit Badges
From Basketry to Robotics, merit badges are where Scouts meet the wider world. These posts share counselor tips, workbook debates, new badge announcements and the stories behind favorite badges.
637 posts · 2007–2020
All Merit Badges posts
Showing 101–150 of 637 posts
BSA task force works to improve existing merit badges (opens in a new tab)
It's the job of the Merit Badge Maintenance Task Force to keep our current library of pamphlets and badge requirements up-to-date, relevant and fun.
Number of interactive digital merit badge pamphlets at 20 (opens in a new tab)
The future is officially here. There are now 20 different interactive digital merit badge pamphlets available, including every Eagle-required merit badge.
Eagle Scouts Host Naval Academy Merit Badge Jamboree (opens in a new tab)
Each year, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) welcomes Boy Scout troops to the USNA STEM Merit Badge Jamboree. Members of USNA’s chapter of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) share their expertise with troops during an adventure-packed weekend. The upcoming jamboree is scheduled for January 15-17, 2016, and attendance is expected to be huge.
Scout Requirements and "Double Dipping" (opens in a new tab)
Can a Scout fulfill more than one requirement with a single activity? The answer is always clear after a careful reading of the Scout requirements and the directions in the Guide to Advancement 2015 – 4.2.3.6 Fulfilling More Than One Requirement With a Single Activity From time to time it may be appropriate for a Scout…
How to Teach the Chess Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
Did you know that since the introduction of the Chess merit badge in 2011, so many Scouts have earned this merit badge that it has been ranked consistently in the top 25 most popular badges. In fact, it has even ranked above Lifesaving, an Eagle-required badge.
How to earn a merit badge (opens in a new tab)
Merit badges cover American Business, Woodwork and everything between. Boy Scouts should read these 12 steps to learn how to earn a merit badge.
10 times the BSA improved merit badge emblems (opens in a new tab)
Maybe it doesn't fully encompass the merit badge, or maybe it looks a little dated. Here are 10 times the BSA changed merit badge emblems for the better.
Are these the toughest requirements for all 136 merit badges? (opens in a new tab)
Each merit badge has at least one doozy — a sufficiently sized hurdle standing between a Scout and the merit badge. These are the toughest requirements.
Age Limits for Merit Badge Classes (opens in a new tab)
Andrea sent in this question: Can we talk about age requirements? Maybe this has been going on for a long time, maybe it is new. But my 12 year old 1st class scout is now starting to work on several merit badges in order to prepare for the next few ranks.
Firefighter Eagle Scouts: Take the Fire Safety Merit Badge Challenge (opens in a new tab)
You’ve read about the heroic fire-fighting efforts of Scouts who knew how to keep their cool during a blaze and understood the importance of fire safety on Scouting Newsroom. But did you know you can play a major role in teaching fire safety to Scouts like these?
Second wave of interactive digital merit badge pamphlets (opens in a new tab)
The next wave of interactive digital merit badge pamphlets is here. Communications, Digital Technology, Family Life and Personal Fitness have been added.
2014 Merit Badges Earned Infographic (opens in a new tab)
Here's a look at the number of merit badges earned in 2014. I took the data available on the Bryan on Scouting blog and sized the badges according to the number earned last year. Cooking was the most popular at nearly 100,000 (probably based on the change last year making it Eagle required, a lot…
Making inroads with digital merit badge tracking (opens in a new tab)
Our first wave of interactive digital merit badge pamphlets has been getting great traction lately, with more than 2,000 sold since we introduced this new Scouting technology in mid-May. Right now, there are four merit badges with interactive digital pamphlets available, including Animation , Cooking , First Aid and Robotics .
Announcing the Animation Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
We are bringing the behind-the-screen skills of Pixar, DreamWorks, Disney and many other creative career opportunities to our Scouts with the recent announcement of the Animation Merit Badge. Our merit badge committee huddled with several animation experts after hearing from our Scouts that animation is a high-interest skill for our members.
Meet three of the creators of the new Animation merit badge (opens in a new tab)
The talented team tasked with creating the new Animation merit badge includes experts in the fields of animation and digital media. Meet three of them here.
How to buy interactive digital merit badge pamphlets (opens in a new tab)
Here's the simple, step-by-step guide to purchasing and downloading the BSA's new interactive digital merit badge pamphlets.
Rollout of interactive digital merit badge pamphlets begins (opens in a new tab)
Starting now, Boy Scouts (and troop leaders and merit badge counselors) can download interactive digital merit badge pamphlets for four merit badges.
Animation merit badge requirements (opens in a new tab)
The Animation merit badge requirements were released this week, officially making it the BSA's 136th current merit badge.
Animation Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
New Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Animation Merit Badge Draws on Scouts’ Interests (opens in a new tab)
Look in the hands of nearly any kid today and you’ll see a mobile device lit up with the latest animated film or the must-have gaming app of that week. But animation isn’t just for entertainment, it’s everywhere you look.
Stop Being a Merit Badge Counselor
Merit Badge Counselor", taken literally, describes someone who counsels a bit of cloth called a merit badge. I know nobody actually counsels inert bits of cloth, but it makes you think doesn't it? We don't counsel merit badges, we counsel real, live, individual Scouts.
Which merit badges would the Avengers counsel? (opens in a new tab)
It turns out each of the Avengers — Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye and the rest — would be pretty great at counseling certain merit badges.
12 other uses for merit badge pamphlets (opens in a new tab)
Crack open some merit badge pamphlets and you'll find books that offer an excellent overview on everything from American Business to Woodwork.
Top 5 merit badges for Scouts getting the Apple Watch (opens in a new tab)
The Apple Watch isn't cheap. But a Scout who plans to save up can use his new gadget to earn these Top 5 merit badges for Scouts getting the Apple Watch.
Top 5 merit badges for Scouts who love the Earth (opens in a new tab)
Know a Scout who's a big fan of our planet? Have him prove it by earning one (or all) of these top 5 merit badges for Scouts who love the Earth.
Three Fires Council Seeks to Weld Learning with World Record (opens in a new tab)
“Go big or go home.” That’s the motto of the Three Fires Council in St. Charles, IL which will seek to set a Guinness record for the world’s largest welding lesson on April 11, 2015. The event will bring together 14,000 Scouts at ETI School of Skilled Trades to earn the Welding Merit Badge .
Top 5 merit badges for the aspiring astronaut (opens in a new tab)
Tomorrow's astronaut could be today's Scout or Venturer. So check out these Top 5 merit badges for the aspiring astronaut.
Wilderness Survival Dubbed Most Epic Badge in Merit Badge Madness (opens in a new tab)
STEM, Careers, and Eagle-required badges made way for the crowd favorite Outdoor badge: Wilderness Survival. The month-long competition Merit Badge Madness pitted favorite badges against one another and tasked Scouting America Instagram followers with choosing the most epic merit badge of all.
Merit Badge Madness Week 3 Recap (opens in a new tab)
Merit Badge Madness has faced an intense week of match ups. But champions have arisen. First up this week was the Eagle required Swimming badge versus the Outdoors category champ Wilderness Survival badge. Despite Swimming’s flawless freestyle and reputation as a fan favorite, Wilderness Survival proved resilient and took the challenge.
Walking Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
The long-awaited Walking merit badge requirements have been released today. Though not an Eagle-required badge, I expect this one will be one of the most popular badges to collect in 2015. Requirements for the Walking merit badge: Do the following: Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while walking, and what…
Found in Translation: New Merit Badge Teaches Scouts Nonverbal Language (opens in a new tab)
It’s fascinating to watch young people communicate these days. Technology and social media in particular has rapidly changed the way we communicate – reducing conversations to 140-character tweets, six-second Vines and, of course, all of the abbreviations, acronyms and emojis. These forms of communication aren’t the only way we talk to each other – there are many…
Merit badge emblems get supersized (opens in a new tab)
April Fools! OK, so merit badge emblems aren't increasing in size. Relive the fun in this April Fools' Day post.
You Asked... (opens in a new tab)
Jennifer asked: "Do the 6 merit badges for star rank have to be earned while a 1st class scout, or could they have been earned while a tenderfoot or 2nd class scout?" All requirements to earn Star rank need to be started and completed after First Class has been earned EXCEPT for the merit badges.
Merit Badge Madness Week 2 Recap (opens in a new tab)
Last week in Merit Badge Madness, upsets abounded as Scouts chose their favorite badges from four categories: Eagle required, Outdoor, STEM, and Career. This week, champions emerged from the categories, and one matchup is currently duking it out to clinch a spot in the overall semifinals.
Check Out the 2014 Merit Badge Rankings! (opens in a new tab)
Bryan on Scouting released the newest merit badge rankings for 2014 and the number one spot might shock you. Not only did the most earned merit badge knock down a five-year reigning champ, but it also beat out the second place by nearly 19,000 badges.
Washington Post Highlights Signs, Signals, and Codes Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
Have you seen Washington Post columnist John Kelly’s feature on the Signs, Signals, and Codes merit badge? The column covers how a nostalgia craze is bringing back the classics: think hipster beards, vinyl, and coffeehouses galore. The BSA’s newest merit badge is a major contributor to vintage-chic as it smuggles in a smattering of old-school…
2014 merit badge rankings: Most and least popular (opens in a new tab)
The 2014 merit badge rankings are out, and there's a new king. The Cooking merit badge unseats the First Aid merit badge, which had long been champ.
Merit Badge Madness Week 1 Recap (opens in a new tab)
The search for the most epic merit badge is on. Are you getting in on the action? Scouts’ favorite merit badges have been going head to head on the Scouting America’s official Instagram this week in a quest to find which one is the coolest among Scouts and Scouters, alike.
Top 5 merit badges where a little bit of luck doesn't hurt (opens in a new tab)
Here are the top 5 merit badges where luck might play a role. Not in completing a requirement but perhaps in maximizing its potential.
Merit Badge Madness 2015 (opens in a new tab)
Introducing Merit Badge Madness, a fun chance for you to decide which merit badge will be crowned the champion. Voting takes place exclusively on Instagram.
Top 5 merit badges for a spring break staycation (opens in a new tab)
Know a Scout taking a spring break staycation? He can still find time for Scouting, if he chooses, by completing some spring break-friendly merit badges.
Signs, Signals, and Codes Merit Badge
The Signs, Signals, and Codes merit badge is a new merit badge for Boy Scouts. This merit badge encourages Boy Scouts to explore different methods of communication, including Morse code, semaphore, braille, and cryptography. I think this badge could be the basis for a fun series of meetings for a troop or patrol.
Get to know the Signs, Signals and Codes merit badge (opens in a new tab)
Believe it or not, there were ways to communicate before Facebook and text messages. The brand-new Signs, Signals and Codes merit badge covers most of them. When you earn this badge, you'll study the nonverbal ways we communicate, including emergency signaling, Morse code, American Sign Language, braille, trail signs, sports officiating hand signals, traffic signs…
Top 5 merit badges to help you with llamas on the loose (opens in a new tab)
How can Scouts and Scouters be better prepared for the next time there are llamas on the loose? Start by checking out these five merit badges.
Top 5 merit badge books to survive the zombie apocalypse (opens in a new tab)
If the zombies come (or some might say when), Be Prepared by studying these five Boy Scout merit badge pamphlets.
Signs Signals and Codes Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
New Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Signs, Signals and Codes merit badge requirements (opens in a new tab)
Today the Boy Scouts of America officially releases Signs, Signals and Codes merit badge, making it the 135th current merit badge.
12 Days of Scout Camp (opens in a new tab)
With Klondike coming up, winter songs could be sung (even if the weather in spring-like here). One of my scout made this song for our Court of Honor back in November. It is very reminiscent of our Webelos Woods campout judging by the items he included.
2015 Boy Scout Requirements booklet - Requirements Updates (opens in a new tab)
The new 2015 Boy Scout Requirements booklet (#33216 - SKU# 620714) is now available for purchase from Scoutstuff.org, and should be in the Scout Shops soon. The book contains the following new material: Requirements for the new merit badge which was issued in 2014 but was not in last year's book (Mining in Society) Requirements for…