Merit Badge Procedures & Tips

Merit Badge Coordinator - Ms. Kelly Bower
Advancement Chair - Mrs. Jill Gerhart
Scoutmaster - Mr. Randy Shangraw

• To give you more skill in things you like to do.
• To give you a chance to try new activities.
• To earn rank advancement. (See handbook for Star, Life and Eagle Rank.)

1. Read the requirements of the merit badges you’re interested in. Pick one to earn. Ask a Scout Buddy to earn this badge with you because…You must have another person (could also be parent) with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor.
2. Contact the Merit Badge Coordinator to get a merit badge application or 3-part “Blue Card”.
3. Merit Badge Coordinator will provide you with name and contact information of approved counselor.
4. Talk to your Scoutmaster about your interest in the badge. Obtain the “Unit Leader signature” (that’s the Scoutmaster) on front side of the blue card. Keep your Blue Card in a SAFE place!!
5. Obtain and read the entire Merit Badge pamphlet. The MB Pamphlet can be borrowed from the Troop Library. (see the Troop Librarian for a copy)
6. Telephone the merit badge counselor and discuss that you want to earn the merit badge. The counselor may ask you & your buddy to come and see him to review the requirements before you start to work on the merit badge.
7. When you know what is expected, then start to learn and do the requirements. Ask your counselor if you need help to learn the things you need to know or do. He will guide you!
8. When you are ready, call the counselor again to make an appointment to go over the requirements. Remember to take along the things you have done or made to meet the requirements, as well as your ‘Blue Card’. When the counselor is satisfied that you have met each requirement as written, your ‘Blue Card’ will be signed and dated.
9. Show the fully signed MB application to your Scoutmaster for the final SM signature.
10. Give your Blue Card (2 remaining parts) to the Advancement Chair. It will be logged into the Advancement Report for processing with BSA and your Scout Individual History Report.

HAVE FUN… Get out there to learn & earn something new!!

• You may hear of a Merit Badge class being offered by one of the Counselors at a scout meeting or other event or group that is offering a Merit Badge class. Follow the above steps to obtain the Blue Card and get it signed by the Scoutmaster before you go to the class
• You may earn Merit Badges during summer camp. The Troop’s summer camp coordinator will take care of getting the Blue Cards and Scoutmaster signature after you have discussed your Merit Badge selections with the Scoutmaster.

• You will receive your Merit Badge patch and one part of your Blue Card at the next Court of Honor.
• VERY IMPORTANT: Just as with rank advancement record cards, merit badge applications or “blue cards” are very important and should be saved. Information from these cards is required for advancement to Star, Life and Eagle ranks.
• Attach your Merit Badge award patch to a BSA Merit Badge sash which is to be worn to events requiring “Class A Ceremonial” Uniform. (scoutmaster conference, board of review, court of honors, etc.)

See also your copy of the “BSA Troop 956 Troop Guidebook” for other helpful information!

• http://www.Troop956.com
• http://alpost150.org/troop956
• http://www.meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badges