Advancement - Merit Badges -
The Path to Eagle

Related Links

Troop 31 Parents' Handbook

Eagle Flow Chart

Advancement

Lord Robert Baden-Powell invented merit badges, which he called proficiency badges, in part so that Scouts would learn some important camping and life skills. In truth, it was his main intention that Scouts sample different subjects in hopes that they might find something they would enjoy as a lifelong hobby or, even better, find what they wanted to do as an occupation when they grew up. There are 121 different merit badges, and we encourage our Scouts to try their hand at as many as they wish, just for the fun of it. It takes 21 merit badges to earn your place in our Eagle's Nest and 51 to join the Over 50 Club. Go for it!!

If you are just starting out, or even if you are an old pro at this, we suggest you look at Introduction to Merit Badges. If you are not yet First Class, you will need to get a "blue card" from the Scoutmaster before you start working on a merit badge. This gives him the chance to advise you about merit badges and help you get started. If you are First Class or above, you will need to get a "blue card" signed off by your merit badge counselor when you finish, but you do not need to get one before you start.

Merit badges are grouped into 14 general areas: Agribusiness, Arts & Crafts, Business & Industry, Conservation, Hobbies, Natural Science, Communications, Personal Development, Physical Science, Professions, Public Service, Sports, Trades, and Transportation. More information about current merit badges.

If you need advice choosing a merit badge to work on, try Mr. D's List.

A good place to find additional information about individual merit badges is at MeritBadge.Com. Below each merit badge's requirement is a list of links.

For Troop 31 merit badge information, go to Advancement Opportunities in the Members Only section.

Troop 31 needs merit badge counselors. If you are a new Merit badge Counselor, or are interested in becoming one, check out the Introduction to Merit Badge Counseling.

For information on Scoutmaster Conference read this excellent summary from Troop 764, Dunwoody, Georgia.

The scout's path to Eagle is mapped in detail in this PDF file.

Troop 31 Eagle's Nest

Contact

Public Information/Inquiries

Webmaster (technical issues)

Advancement Records

Content needed!