Merit Badges are the second
main area of the Boy Scout advancement program. Unlike
ranks, there is a degree of choice in the merit badge
program. A sub-group of merit badges are known as Eagle
required merit badges. To earn Eagle Scout, most of
these badges must be earned although some are
"either/or" badges. The remainder of the badges help
with earning ranks as well as Eagle Palms after the
Eagle Scout award has been earned. The online
Merit Badge Application
is a Word doc file.
Boy Scouts may work on
merit badges from the time they join a Scout troop until
they turn 18 years old. There is no time limit for
completion of merit badges other than age 18. See the
Merit Badge FAQ.
Some
Merit Badges Require Prior
Approval
before starting certain requirements. Most do
not.
