Question	What is a merit badge?
Answer	About Merit Badges The Boy Scouts of America merit badge program provides opportunities for youth to explore more than 120 fields of skill and knowledge, choosing those that seem most interesting to them.  Some subjects are in craftwork, some in vocational fields, some in service to others, and many in cultural or self-improvement areas.  Instruction is offered in everything from Animal Science and Public Speaking to Swimming and Communications, providing a young man with invaluable career, physical, and interpersonal skills. By earning merit badges, a Scout learns career skills, develops socially, and may develop physical skills and hobbies that give a lifetime of healthful recreation.  And, as a vital part of the BSA's advancement plan, the merit badge program is one of Scouting's basic character-building tools: A Scout acquires self-confidence from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal. Each merit badge subject and the requirements to earn it are outlined and explained in a pamphlet that contains short introductory information written for Boy Scouts by recognized authorities.  The actual merit badge award—a small, round piece of khaki cloth with a design embroidered in color—is presented to a Scout after he works with a merit badge counselor to complete the particular requirements for it. When a Scout is interested in earning a particular merit badge, he first needs to find an appropriate merit badge counselor, and then needs to obtain a “blue card” (a record of the merit badge work) and permission from his Scoutmaster. The merit badge counselor will review the badge requirements with the Scout and decide with the Scout what projects should be undertaken and when they should be completed.  After the counselor has certified that the Scout has completed all merit badge requirements, he or she will sign off the “blue card” and return it to the Scout.  If the work is not completed, the Scout has what’s called “a partial.” After receiving his “blue card” back, the next step for the Scout is to have his Scoutmaster sign the “blue card” off as well, and then turn it in to the Troop’s Advancement Chair.  With all these steps completed, the Troop can award the merit badge to the Scout. “Required” Merit Badges To qualify for the Eagle Scout award – Scouting's highest advancement rank – a Scout must earn a total of 21 merit badges (along with meeting other requirements), including these 12 “required” ones: Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Emergency Preparedness (or Lifesaving), Environmental Science, Family Life, First Aid, Hiking (or Cycling or Swimming), Personal Fitness, and Personal Management.  (“Required” merit badges are recognized by their silver-colored edges.) To obtain the rank of Star Scout, a Boy Scout must earn 6 merit badges, including 4 required for Eagle Scout (along with meeting other requirements).  To obtain the rank of Life Scout, a Boy Scout must earn 5 additional merit badges, including 3 additional required for Eagle Scout (along with meeting other requirements). Displaying Merit Badges Merit badges are displayed on a “merit badge sash” (also called a “brag rag”) that is suspended from the right shoulder downward on a slant.  Merit badges are the only Scout insignia worn on the front of the sash. Merit badges are placed on the sash in rows of three, and may be worn in any order that the Scout chooses.  Many Scouts choose to wear merit badges in the order in which they have earned them, or with the “required” badges placed vertically down the center row. The merit badge sash is worn only during formal activities and events, and not during Troop meetings or campouts.  Examples of a “formal activity" are: an awards ceremony, a Blue and Gold banquet, a Troop Court of Honor, or a recognition dinner staged by a Troop, District, or Council.  (If a Scout is in the Order of the Arrow, he should not wear both sashes at the same time.) Some Tips on Earning Merit Badges Troop 44, the Tri-River District, and the Knox Trail Council offer numerous opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges: · Merit Badge College (March—up to 3 merit badges) · Spring Camporee (April—usually 1 merit badge) · Summer Camp week (July-August—up to 3 merit badges) · “Trail to Eagle” week at Camp Resolute (August—up to 5 required merit badges) —open to all Scouts who have earned “First Class” rank · “Citizenship in the Community” —offered to all Troop 44 Scouts during a Scout’s first year · “Citizenship in the Nation” —offered to all Troop 44 Scouts during a Scout’s second year