Getting started
Before beginning with a merit badge counselor or enrolling in a Merit Badge class, Troop 54 Scouts need to obtain approval and a blue card from their PASM.
Resources
- Find a Troop 54 Merit Badge Counselor (password-protected)
- Merit Badge Requirements – Scouting America official website
- Every Merit Badge Pamphlet is FREE online – download the PDFs from the Scouting America website.
- For Troop 54 registered adult leaders – how to become a Merit Badge Counselor
Scoutbook How-To’s
Blue Cards
Most Troop 54 Merit Badge Counselors use electronic blue cards in Scoutbook.com. The Scout should login to her account, click on her Profile, then Scout’s Merit Badges. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click the button “Start Another Merit Badge“.
If you are working with a Merit Badge Counselor or a camp that prefers to use physical paper blue cards (example, Houston Museum of Natural Science), you may request a paper blue card from the Scoutmaster or PASM.
When your paper blue card has all the requirements signed off by the Merit Badge Counselor, give the blue card to the Advancement Chair at a troop meeting.
If you used an electronic blue card in Scoutbook, there is nothing to turn in – the system will automatically record the completion when the Merit Badge Counselor marks it as “Approved”.
Which badges first?
Troop 54’s recommended sequence of merit badges is as follows:
Level 1 ‐ New Scouts, ages 11‐12, 5th‐6th grades
- First Aid *
- Swimming ** (best at Scout summer camp)
- Family Life *
- Emergency Preparedness ** (First Aid MB required)
- Basketry/Woodcarving/Leatherwork
- Fishing
- Climbing
- Mammal Study
- Pets / Dog Care
Level 2 ‐ First Class & Star, ages 12+, 6th‐7th grade up
- Camping * (7th Grade)
- Citizenship in the Nation *
- Citizenship in the Community * (7th Grade+)
- Cooking *
- Environmental Science * (7th grade+)
- Personal Fitness *
- Sustainability**
- Pioneering (recommended by Troop for Life rank)
- Canoeing
- Geology/Nature
- Golf/Sports
- Home Repairs/Collections
- Medicine/Law/Scholarship/Reading
- Photography/Radio
Level 3 ‐ Star & Life, ages 14+, 8th‐12th grade
- Communications *
- Citizenship in Society *
- Citizenship in the World *
- Personal Management *
- Lifesaving ** (Swimming MB required)
- Hiking **
- Cycling **
- Backpacking /Wilderness Survival
- Rowing /Whitewater
- BSA Lifeguard/Auto Mechanics
- High Adventure camp (Philmont if possible)