Merit Badge Procedures
The Boy Scout organization is very specific regarding the procedure for Scouts to earn Merit Badges. The importance for each Scout to properly follow these procedures is to avoid any problems with acceptance of a Scout's Merit Badges when appearing in front of an Eagle Court.
Most important, it will be necessary for each Scout to retain his copy of each Blue Merit Badge card for the entire time that he is in Scouts. A baseball cardholder neatly keeps them in a three ring binder.
In order for a Scout to earn a specific badge, the Scout must adhere to the following procedure:
The Scout needs to obtain the permission of the Assistant Scoutmaster in charge of merit badge work, and/or the Scoutmaster to pursue an age appropriate badge. He will be given a "blue card," signed by the Scoutmaster, and the name and phone number of the Merit Badge Dean in charge of that section. The Scout also needs to obtain a list of the requirements for the specific Merit Badge. Requirements are outlined along with all the information you need to complete the Merit Badge in the Merit Badge pamphlet available at the Scout house or the Troop Library.
The dean and the counselor, are volunteers for the entire district and may or may not be part of this Troop. When he calls the Dean he will be given a counselor in his area. He needs to call the counselor to discuss what procedures and specific activities that the counselor will require before starting on that Merit Badge. Some badges have a specific time limit, and/or a Merit Badge counselor may not honor any activities prior to initial contact. He should call the same counselor for questions and to have the signatures completed.
Upon completion of the requirements, contact the counselor to obtain his approval of completion. In the event that a counselor requires a face to face meeting, it is required that the Scout takes a buddy or parent with him, preferably someone working on the same badge, to these meetings. It is not permitted for a Scout to be alone, one on one, with any leader or counselor out of sight of other Scouts or adult leaders. If a parent goes along, they should respectfully remain a silent observer and allow the counselor to conduct the meeting.
After the counselor has signed off the Merit Badge, return the Blue Card to the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster in charge of merit badges. He will forward the merit badge application to the Troop Advancement Chairperson who will obtain the merit badge for presentation at the next court of honor. Merit Badges earned before a Scoutmasters conference, even if not awarded at a Court of Honor, can be used towards achievement of rank.
Tips for Earning Merit Badges
A Scout can work on more than one Merit Badge at a time.
Scouts should look at Merit Badges that they can earn through their normal activities, school activities, and organized sports.
Each Scout should review the available Merit Badges in the back of his Scout book. A MeritBadge book costs $4.49. It is possible to check with others in the Troop to borrow a Merit Badge pamphlet.