Merit Badges
Explore, Learn, and Achieve
Merit badges are your gateway to adventure, discovery, and personal growth. Whether you’re passionate about sports, technology, the arts, or outdoor survival, Scouting America offers over 135 merit badges that allow you to explore new skills, uncover hidden talents, and prepare for exciting future careers.
Each merit badge is an opportunity to dive deep into a subject, guided by experienced mentors who will help you develop expertise, build confidence, and master hands-on skills. From robotics to wilderness survival, from entrepreneurship to environmental science, these badges are designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare you for real-world experiences.
Why Earn Merit Badges?
✔ Discover new interests – With so many topics to explore, you might find a new passion you never considered before.
✔ Gain practical skills – Learn valuable life skills that can benefit you in school, work, and everyday life.
✔ Build your resume – Many merit badges introduce concepts and skills that can enhance future college applications or career opportunities.
✔ Challenge yourself – Step outside your comfort zone, set goals, and achieve them at your own pace.
✔ Have fun! – Learning is more exciting when it’s hands-on, engaging, and filled with adventure.
Who Can Earn Merit Badges?
Any Scout, Venturer, or Sea Scout within Scouting America can earn merit badges at any time, in any order. There’s no limit to how many badges you can achieve, and each one represents a step forward in your personal growth, leadership, and achievement.
Whether you’re interested in STEM, the great outdoors, arts and culture, or future career paths, there’s a merit badge waiting for you. Start your journey today and see where your curiosity takes you!
How to Earn a Merit Badge
Merit badges let you explore new interests, develop skills, and prepare for future careers. Follow these steps to start your journey.
Step 1: Choose a Badge
Review the list of merit badges and pick one that interests you. Talk to your unit leader, who will connect you with a merit badge counselor—an expert in that subject.
Step 2: Meet Your Counselor
Get a signed Application for Merit Badge from your unit leader or use a fillable Blue Card. Contact your counselor to discuss expectations and any work you’ve started. A parent, guardian, or another registered adult must be present at all meetings.
Step 3: Complete the Requirements
Work on the badge requirements with guidance from your counselor. Some tasks involve creating a project, demonstrating a skill, or gathering materials. Read the merit badge pamphlet for helpful information.
Step 4: Show Your Work
Once ready, meet with your counselor again to review what you’ve learned. If an item is too large to bring, take photos or provide a written statement from an adult confirming your work.
Step 5: Earn Your Badge
When all requirements are met, your counselor will sign your application. Submit it to your unit leader to receive your merit badge emblem.
Important Notes
- Follow requirements exactly as written—if it says “show” or “demonstrate,” you must do it, not just explain it.
- Merit badge requirements are updated regularly. Check the latest guidelines before starting.
- There’s no time limit, but all work must be completed before turning 18.
Start earning your next merit badge today!
Become a Merit Badge Counselor with Scouting America
Merit badge counselors play a vital role in the advancement program of Scouting America, helping young people explore new skills, careers, and life lessons. Whether you have expertise in a craft or hobby (such as basketry, leatherwork, or coin collecting), a profession (like veterinary medicine, aviation, or engineering), or an essential life skill (such as cooking, personal management, or communications), your knowledge and mentorship can inspire Scouts on their journey of discovery.
As a merit badge counselor, you provide guidance, resources, and encouragement, helping Scouts deepen their understanding and develop new abilities. Volunteering in this role is a rewarding opportunity to share your passion while making a lasting impact.
How to Become a Merit Badge Counselor
Becoming a merit badge counselor is a simple process with no registration fee. Follow these steps to get started:
Submit an Online Application or Adult Application
Complete the Merit Badge Counselor Form
- List the merit badges you are qualified to teach.
Complete Youth Protection Training
- All counselors must complete this training through Scouting America’s online learning center.
- This training helps create a safe and supportive environment for both Scouts and adult leaders.
Submit Your Forms
- All required documents should be submitted to your district executive.
Maintaining Your Role as a Counselor
Two months prior to their membership expiration date, all registered counselors will be contacted to renew their participation for the upcoming calendar year. The official list of merit badge counselors is maintained by the Transatlantic Council and can be accessed through Troop accounts in Scoutbook.
Important Note
To be officially recognized as a merit badge counselor in the Transatlantic Council, you must be registered through both Scouting America and the Transatlantic Council. If you are registered as a counselor in another council, you will not appear in TAC’s listing. Due to the geography of our council, we encourage counselors to register themselves to be available to Scouts across all of the council, not the counselor’s local unit or district.
For additional information, refer to the Guide for Merit Badge Counseling or the official Scouting America website. To learn more about the merit badge program, see Section 7 of the Guide to Advancement.
If you need to update the list of badges you teach, submit an additional Merit Badge Counselor Form and email it to your district executive.
Start your journey as a Merit Badge Counselor today and help Scouts discover new passions, develop skills, and prepare for the future!
