Merit Badges are one of the fun parts about the BSA. If you have a slight interest in a topic there's a merit badge that will allow you to explore that interest. There are over 135 Merit Badges offered by the BSA.
You must earn 21 merit badges to earn the rank of Eagle.
14 of those merit badges are specific "Eagle Required Merit Badges". Those 14 merit badges are:
First Aid
Camping
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Citizenship in Society
Communication
Cooking
Family Life
Personal Fitness
Personal Management
Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
Environmental Science OR Sustainability
Cycling OR Hiking OR Swimming
The remaining 7 merit badges required for the rank of Eagle can be any of your choosing!
Our Troop will offer merit badge classes either through Troop Meetings or by one of our registered Leaders. If you ever would like to
do a merit badge with feel free to reach out to the Scoutmaster or the Merit Badge Counselor found on the list below.
Merit Badge Councilor list 2023 (Requires Excel if on mobile)
If you want to do a merit badge that our Troop does not have a counselor for there are a number of ways you could do that.
a) go to https://scoutmasterbucky.com/
b) check out the offerings at https://scoutingevent.com/?OrgKey=BSA250 merit badge class signups will often be offered on there.
c) The North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting will also offer classes throughout the year: https://www.nssm.org'
d) reach out to the committee chair who can offer a list of names found in Scoutbook authorized by the Northern Star Council
*Please remember that ALL Scouts must request an electronic blue card before starting ANY merit badge. You can do that by emailing the Scoutmaster (scoutmaster@troop283.com) with your intent to start a particular merit badge. You can also reach out at the same time requesting help finding a merit badge counselor. Once you have an electronic blue card you are welcome to start any merit badge. Once you have a counselor, follow the steps in Scout Book to connect them to your merit badge.
Just know, that some counselors may not accept requirements already completed if they have not been notified first.