Merit badges are part of scouting for two reasons. First, they encourage the scout to increase his skill in things he likes to do. Second, they challenge the scout to try new activities that may result in new interests or hobbies. They also give the scout a brief overview of many career areas and may help him plan his future.
MeritBadge.com- Web site devoted to scouting advancement
There are (3) methods under which scouts may earn merit badges:
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Participation in regularly scheduled merit badge classes held during troop meetings. These classes will generally concentrate on the required list of merit badges but will also give special interest merit badges at times;
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A self-study plan monitored by the adult counselors assigned by the troop. Self-study merit badges can be earned at any time and are independent of the scheduled classes. It is not acceptable to pass these badges by orally describing one's experiences to a 174 counselor who was not present at the exercises; and
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Attendance at Boy Scout Camp where a wide variety of required and special interest badges can be earned. The scout is particularly encouraged to take merit badges at summer camp that are difficult or impossible to offer as troop classes, such as water related merit badges (various boating merit badges, swimming, lifesaving).
A scout may work on any merit badge he wishes. However, do not choose a merit badge that you are already scheduled to take in a troop merit badge class (see Advancement Chairman). The procedure is as follows:
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Obtain the proper merit badge booklet;
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Meet with an approved counselor listed on the Troop 174 Merit Badge Counselor list;
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Complete the requirements of the merit badge to the satisfaction of the counselor. This must include reading the entire merit badge booklet;
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Have a merit badge card signed by the counselor and by the scoutmaster;
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Turn in the signed merit badge card to the advancement chairman; and
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Return the merit badge booklet (if borrowed from the Troop).
In some cases (e.g. Music, Sports, Home Repairs, Pets, etc.), with the prior approval of the counselor, the scout can obtain a signed note by a teacher, coach, or parent indicating certain of the requirements have been completed. These people must have been shown the merit badge booklet so they are aware of the requirements. This note is brought to the approved Troop 174 counselor for that merit badge for his consideration of the scout's progress. The approved troop counselor shall sign the merit badge card.
The strict requirements for those approved to sign rank and merit badge completion are not arbitrary. It is a national Boy Scouts of America required procedure and fully supported by Troop 174. The point is to provide uniform and fair treatment of all scouts passing a given merit badge and to insure that the full requirements for the badge were completed. The Troop 174 list of Merit Badge Counselors (next page) is on file at the Indianapolis Boy Scouts of America office. They have the right to check approval signatures with the counselor list.
Merit Badge Counselors
The responsibilities of the merit badge counselor are briefly described here. Counselors for Troop 174 must be registered members of the Troop Committee, have filled out a merit badge counselor information form (which lists the merit badges to be counseled) and have read the BSA information packet for merit badge counselors. This packet is available from the Advancement Chairman. The merit badge counselor should be willing to teach any merit badge on his list at troop classes as scheduled by the Advancement Chairman, or as part of the independent study program. In the latter case, it is required that at least two scouts be in any class that is offered off-site from regular Monday night troop meetings. The offering of any merit badge for independent study must be announced at the Monday meeting so any scout can participate. If a scout comes to a counselor for independent study, the announcement should also be made to the other scouts. One-on-one counseling may only be done at the regular scout meetings on Monday nights. The requirements for any merit badge are listed in each merit badge booklet; these are the only requirements, not more and not less. The scout must have personally read the entire merit badge booklet. The object of all these requirements is to provide uniform instruction of merit badges to promote fair treatment to all scouts by providing them all with equal access to counselors, and to comply with BSA guidelines.
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