The BSA Merit Badge programme consists of over 100 Merit Badges available for Scouts to earn. Once Scouts reach the rank of First Class, they need to earn Merit Badges to continue to advance through the ranks. Scouts wishing to reach the rank of Eagle must earn 21 Merit Badges; of those, 12 are stipulated required badges. Scouts enjoy the Merit Badge programme, it helps them learn about numerous subjects they may not otherwise discover; many have found their vocation in life or a lifetime hobby through working on a Merit Badge. For instance, Stephen Spielberg’s interest in the cinema started in the Scouts whilst working on the Cinematography Merit Badge.
Parents
Parents provide the Troop’s Merit Badge Counsellors who will guide the Scouts through the requirements of the many different badges and oversee the organisation required to achieve the Merit Badges. As parents, you most probably have many skills you could pass on to the Scouts, hobbies you enjoy or jobs that fit into the Merit Badge Programme. You do not need to be an expert on the subject as the information needed on each badge is available for your help in the form of booklets that provide guidance and detail the requirements for each badge. This is a very worthwhile and fulfilling job. The range of Merit Badges offered depends on your support of the programme. Our Merit Badge Coordinator, Catherine d’Arcangues (darcanguesc@who.int), will help you getting registered as a Merit Badge Counsellor with the troop before you begin.
Working with the Scouts
No Merit badges can be started and no meetings with Merit Badge Counsellors can be held with less than two Scouts present, this is a TAC ruling. All badges must be offered, with plenty of notice, to the whole troop. Likewise, no Merit Badge can start without the approval of the Scoutmaster
Depending on the Merit Badge, you may need to hold several sessions with the participating scouts, these sessions are normally held outside of troop meetings at a more convenient time and place. A number of the activity-based badges are best worked on at camp e.g. hiking, camping and orienteering.
Merit Badge Fairs
These are normally organised annually in conjunction with the other troops in the Geneva area by the Merit Badge Coordinator and are open to all the scouts. The Merit Badge Fair gives scouts the opportunity to work with others on a number of different badges, maybe even working on up to 3 badges in one day. Counsellors are always needed for this event.
Blue Cards
Each Scout needs to get the Scout Master’s permission to commence a Merit Badge. He will be given a Blue Card, to be signed by the Scoutmaster before starting. On completion of each requirement within the Merit Badge, his Counsellor will sign off the Merit Badge requirement on the card. On completion of the Merit Badge, the Blue Card will need to be signed by the Scout Master and then handed to the Advancement Coordinator who will require this card before the Merit Badge can be awarded to the Scout. It is imperative that each card be kept safely; The Blue Card will also be required as proof of completion of the badges should the Scout advance to Eagle
Merit Badge Coordinator
Our Merit Badge Coordinator, Catherine d’ Arcangues (darcanguesc@who.int), is always available to help you and the Scouts with the organization and planning of the badge.
Merit Badge Requirements
Below is a list, in alphabetical order, of all of the current merit badge subjects. Click each subject to see the requirements for that merit badge.
