Steps to earning Merit Badges

• The Scout should request a blue card from the Scout Master prior to starting work on a Merit Badge (unless at a BSA camp where they are issued by the camp such as Many Point, local camporees are excluded).  The Scout Master will help the Scout, as needed, locate a merit badge counselor.

• The Scout should contact the appropriate merit badge counselor and request them to be their merit badge counselor and ask for guidance.  This must be done before starting work on the Merit Badge.   

• Upon completion of each item, it can only be signed off by a BSA approved merit badge counselor.

• After all requirements are completed and signed off by the merit badge counselor, the Scout will present the blue card to the Scout Master for sign off.

• The Scout Master will pass the blue card to the Awards Chairperson who will record the Merit Badge in Troop Master and acquire the award for later presentation at the next Court of Honor.

National Honor Patrol Award

Overview

To encourage patrols to have identity, spirit, be active, to do Good Turns and service projects, complete rank advancement, wear the uniform, be organized, participate with the troop, and grow; requirements found in the Patrol Record Book.

Who Can Earn This Award?

Earned by Boy Scouts who are members of a qualifying partrol.

How to Get the Award

Demonstrate to your Scoutmaster you have completed the requirements.

Supply Item Description and Uniform Placement

Cloth strip worn on uniform beneath the patrol emblem.

Supply/BIN Item No.

Cloth strip, No. 367

Click here for more information.

Click here to download the application. 

50 Miler Award

50-Miler Award

The 50-Miler Award is presented to each qualifying individual for satisfactory participation in an approved trip. In order to qualify for the award the group of which the individual is a member must fulfill all of the following requirements.

• Make complete and satisfactory plans for the trip, including the possibilities of advancement.
• Cover the trail or canoe or boat route of not less than 50 consecutive miles; take a minimum of five consecutive days to complete the trip without the aid of motors. (In some areas pack animals may be used.)
• During the time on the trail or waterway, complete a minimum of 10 hours each of group work on projects to improve the trail, springs, campsite, portage, or area. If, after checking with recognized authorities, it is not possible to complete 10 hours each of group work on the trail, a similar project may be done in the unit's home area. (There should be no unauthorized cutting of brush or timber.)
• Unit or tour leader must then file a 50-Miler Award application with the local council service center. This application gives additional details about planning the trip.

Online Resources

• 50-Miler Award Application 

The National Outdoor Achievement Award

The National Outdoor Achievement Award (No. 430-509) recognizes Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts that excel in outdoor participation. The award consists of five areas of emphasis (camping, aquatics, hiking, riding and adventure) with rigorous requirements to earn each segment. For Scouts looking for an extra challenge, the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement. This challenging award requires earning at least three of the National Outdoor Achievement segments, planning and leading a trek, earning Wilderness First Aid and becoming a Leave No Trace Trainer as well as several other requirements.

Conservation Good Turn

The Conservation Good Turn is an opportunity for Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews to join with conservation or environmental organizations (federal, state, local, or private) to carry out a conservation Good Turn in their home communities.

Cyber chip

Requirements for Grades 6–8

• Read and sign the Level II Internet Safety Pledge from NetSmartz. (BSA Cyber Chip green card)
• Write and sign a personalized contract with your parent or guardian that outlines rules for using the computer and mobile devices, including what you can download, what you can post, and consequences for inappropriate use.
• Watch the video “Friend or Fake,” along with two additional videos of your choosing, to see how friends can help each other to stay safe online. (www.netsmartz.org/scouting)
• As an individual or with your patrol, use the EDGE method and mini lessons to teach Internet safety rules, behavior, and “netiquette” to your troop or another patrol. You are encouraged to use any additional material and information you have researched. Each member of the patrol must have a role and present part of the lesson. (www.netsmartz.org/scouting )
• Discuss with your unit leader the acceptable standards and practices for using allowed electronic devices, such as phones and games, at your meetings and other Scouting events.

Requirements for Grades 9–12

• Read and sign the Level II Internet Safety Pledge. (BSA Cyber Chip green card)
• Write and sign a personalized contract with your parent or guardian that outlines rules for using the computer and mobile
• devices, including what you can download, what you can post, and consequences for inappropriate use.
• With your parent’s permission, “like” the Boy Scouts of America page on Facebook.
• Watch three “Real-Life Story” videos to learn the impact on 5. As an individual or patrol, use the EDGE method and the Teen Volunteer Kit to teach Internet safety rules, behavior, and “netiquette” to your troop or another patrol. You are encouraged to use any additional material and information you have researched. Each member of the patrol must have a role and present part of the lesson. (www.netsmartz.org/scouting )
• Discuss with your unit leader the acceptable standards and practices for using allowed electronic devices such as phones and games at your meetings and other Scouting events.

Note: All Cyber Chips will expire annually. Each Scout will need to “recharge” the chip by going back to the NetSmartz Recharge area. This space will hold new information, news, and a place for the Scout to recommit to net safety and netiquette. Then, with the unit leader, the Scout can add the new date to the Cyber Chip card or certificate.

Den Chief Service Award

Requirements

• Serve the pack faithfully for one full year.
• Attend Den Chief Training (if available within year of service) OR be trained by the assistant Cubmaster and den leader.
• Know and understand the purposes of Cub Scouting.
• Help Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
• Be the activities assistant in den meetings.
• Set a good example by attitude and uniforming.
• Be a friend to the boys in the den.
• Take part in weekly meetings.
• Assist the den at the monthly pack program.
• Meet as needed with the adult members of the den, pack, troop, team, or crew.
• Complete four of these projects:

  Serve as a staff member of a special Cub Scouting event, such as a Scouting show, bicycle rodeo, etc.

  Serve as a staff member of a Cub Scout day camp or �resident camp.

  Advance one rank.

  Assist in recruiting three new Cub Scouts.

  Assist three Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts.

  Assist three Webelos Scouts to join a troop.

  Help to plan and carry out a joint pack-troop activity.

  Recommend to your Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, or Venturing Advisor another Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer to be a den chief.

See the Den Chief Handbook, No. 33211B, for detailed requirements.

Etz Chaim Award

The Etz Chaim (Tree of Life) Award is designed for Boy Scouts ages 14 to 17 and Venturers ages 14 to 20. The purpose of the award is to encourage the young adult to explore adult Jewish roles in the context of family, community, and Jewish people.

Interpreter Strip

Youth and adults may wear this strip if they show their knowledge of a foreign language or the sign language for the hearing impaired by:

• Carrying on a five-minute conversation in this language.
• Translating a two-minute speech or address.
• Writing a letter in the language (does not apply for sign language).
• Translating 200 words from the written word.

Morse Code Interpreter Strip

Youth and adults may wear this strip if they show their knowledge of Morse code by:

• Carrying on a five-minute conversation in Morse code at a speed of at least five words per minute.
• Copying correctly a two-minute message sent in Morse code at a minimum of five words per minute. Copying means writing the message down as it is received.
• Sending a 25-word written document in Morse code at a minimum of five words per minute.

Historic Trails Award

To earn the award, members of your unit must plan and participate in a historic activity. A unit historic activity requires members to:

• Locate a historic trail or site and study information relating to it. (The information may be obtained from an adult historic society, public library, or people living near the trail or site.)
• Hike or camp two days and one night along the trail or in the vicinity of the site.
• Cooperate with an adult group such as a historic society to restore and mark all or part of this trail or site. (This may be done during the hike or overnight camp.) Or cooperate with such a group to plan and stage a historic pageant, ceremony, or other public event related to this trail or site - such event should be large enough to merit coverage by the local press.
• Your unit leader must then file the Historic Trails Award application with your council service center.

Online Resources

• Historic Trails Program/50-Miler Award Application 

Keep America Beautiful Inc. Hometown U.S.A. Award

The Hometown U.S.A. Award is a joint program between Keep America Beautiful Inc. (KAB) and the Boy Scouts of America. It is designed to give recognition to the outstanding efforts of Scouts in their communities in regard to citizenship and environmental improvement.

Kayaking BSA Award

Requirements

• Before fulfilling the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.

• Do the following:

  • Describe various types of kayaks and how they differ in design, materials, and purpose.

  • Name the parts of the kayak you are using for this exercise.

  • Demonstrate how to choose an appropriately sized kayak paddle and how to position your hands.

• Do the following:

  • Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.

  • Demonstrate how to select and properly fit a PFD.

  • Explain the importance of safety equipment such as PFDs, air bags, grab loops, and helmets.

• Demonstrate your ability to aid yourself and others in the event of a capsize:

  • Capsize your kayak in water at least seven feet deep, perform a wet exit if necessary, and swim the boat to shore.

  • With assistance, if needed, ready the capsized craft for use.

  • Show how to approach a capsized paddler in your kayak and tow him to shore.

  • While upright in your kayak, right a capsized kayak, empty it of water, and assist the paddler aboard without returning to shore.

• As a solo paddler, demonstrate the following:

  • Entering and launching a kayak from shore or dock

  • Landing or docking and exiting a kayak

  • Forward stroke

  • Sweep stroke

  • Reverse sweep

  • Draw stroke

  • Rudder stroke

  • Back stroke

• As a solo paddler, do the following:

  • Paddle forward in a reasonably straight line.

  • Move the kayak sideways to the right and to the left.

  • Pivot 360 degrees to the right and left.

  • Stop the kayak.

Mile Swim BSA

Requirements

• Explain how regular exercise contributes to good health and why swimming is one of the best forms of exercise.

• Tell what precautions and procedures a swimmer and escort must follow for distance swimming over open water.

• Under the supervision of a currently qualified certified aquatics instructor or equivalent, participate in four hours of training and preparation for distance swimming (one hour a day maximum).

• Swim one mile over a measured course that has been approved by the trained instructor who will supervise the swim.

Note: Swim-trunks emblem only.

National Court of Honor & Meritorious Awards

National Court of Honor Lifesaving and Meritorious Action Awards

National awards for lifesaving and meritorious action are made only for outstanding and unusual acts that demonstrate unusual heroism, skill, or bravery and reflect Scouting ideals, based on the following criteria:

• Honor Medal With Crossed Palms. Has demonstrated unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life at extreme risk to self.

• Honor Medal. Has demonstrated unusual heroism and skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life at considerable risk to self.

• Medal of Merit. Has performed an act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.

• National Certificate of Merit. Has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition. Note: If the action is deserving of merit but does not qualify for a national award, the Scout may be eligible for the Local Council Certificate of Merit, No. 33732.

"Heroism" is defined as conduct exhibiting courage, daring, skill, and self-sacrifice.

"Skill" is defined as the ability to use one's knowledge effectively in execution or performance. Special attention is given to skills earned in Scouting.

Nova Awards BSA

The Nova awards are available to all Boy Scouts and are optional. Requirements must be completed while registered as a Boy Scout and before turning age 18. There are four Boy Scout Nova awards (Shoot!, Start Your Engines!, Whoosh!, Designed to Crunch)—one for each STEM area—and a Scout can earn all four. Completion of any Nova award earns a Boy Scout the right to wear the respective Nova award patch. Completion of each additional STEM Nova award is recognized by a pi (π) pin placed on the patch. Each award builds on the STEM-related topic, involves hands-on activities, and often includes a field trip.

Supernova Awards

The Supernova awards recognize superior achievement in the STEM fields and require significantly more effort by the Boy Scout than the Nova awards. The two Supernova awards are available to all Boy Scouts who have achieved the rank of First Class. The Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Bronze Award requires the Scout to have earned any three of the four Boy Scout Nova awards. The Thomas Edison Supernova Silver Award requires completion of the fourth Boy Scout Nova award in addition to the Harris Award as a prerequisite. For the Supernova awards, a mentor, who serves much like a merit badge counselor, is required.

For complete requirements and more information about the Nova and Supernova awards, refer to the Boy Scout Nova Awards Guidebook, or go to www.scouting.org/stem.aspx.

Paul Bunyan Woodsman

Study the Boy Scout Handbook and the Camping merit badge pamphlet, and demonstrate to your Scoutmaster or other qualified person the following:

• Show that you have earned the Totin' Chip.

• Help a Scout or patrol earn the Totin' Chip, and demonstrate to him (them) the value of proper woods-tools use on a troop camping trip.

• With official approval and supervision, do one of the following:

  • Clear trails or fire lanes for two hours.

  • Trim a downed tree, cut into four-foot lengths, and stack; make a brush with branches.

  • Build a natural retaining wall or irrigation way to aid in a planned conservation effort.

• more info

   

Religious Emblems

To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed religious emblems programs.

"A Scout is reverent." All Scouts show this by being faithful in their duty to God. Some go further and give special service. This can qualify them for a religious emblem. Such an emblem is not a Scouting award. It is conferred on a Scout by his religious leader. Each faith has its own requirements for earning its emblem.

Some of the emblems available are:

• African Methodist Episcopal Church - God and Church; God and Life

• African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - God and Church; God and Life

• Anglican Catholic Church - Servus Dei0

• Anglican Church in North America—God and Church; God and Life

• Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Western Prelacy) - Saint Mesrob

• Armenian Church of America (Eastern Diocese) - Ararat

• Bahá'í - Unity of Mankind

• Baptist - God and Church; God and Life

• Buddhist - Sangha

• Catholic, Eastern — Light Is Life; Pope Pius XII

• Catholic, Roman—Ad Altare Dei; Pope Pius XII

• Christian Methodist Episcopal Church - God and Churh; God and Life

• Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Scientist)—God and Country

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) - On My Honor

• Churches of Christ - Good Servant; Giving Servant

• Community of Christ - Path of the Disciple; Exploring Community Together

• Eastern Orthodox - Alpha Omega

• Episcopal - God and Church; God and Life

• General Church of the New Jerusalem (The New Church) - Open Word Award

• Hindu - Dharma, Karma

• Islamic - In the Name of God

• Jewish - Ner Tamid; Etz Chaim

• Lutheran - God and Church; God and Life

• Meher Baba - Compassionate Father

• Moravian - God and Country

• National Association of Anglican and Traditional Catholic Scouters - God and Church; God and Life

• Nazarene—God and Church; God and Life

• Polish National Catholic Church - God and Country (Bog I Ojczyzna)

• Presbyterian Church in America - God and Church; God and Life

• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - God and Church; God and Life

• Protestant and Independent Christian Churches - God and Church; God and Life

• Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) - Spirit of Truth

• The Salvation Army - God and Church; God and Life

• Unitarian Universalist Scouters Organization - Living Your Relgiion

• United Church of Christ - God and Church; God and Life

• United Methodist - God and Church; God and Life

• United Pentecostal Church International - God and Church; God and Life

• Unity Worldwide Ministries—Light of God; Fillmore Youth

• Zoroastrian - Good Life

Online Resources

A complete listing of religious emblems, including contact information for the organizations that offer them, is available here.

Spirit of the Eagle Award

The Boy Scouts of America has created the Spirit of the Eagle Award as an honorary, posthumous special recognition for a registered youth member who has lost his or her life in an accident or through illness. Spirt of the Eagle Award Application 

U.S. Army Youth Certificate of Recognition

Scouts who achieve the rank of Eagle are entitled to receive the U.S. Army Youth Certificate of Recognition at their Court of Honor ceremony.

William T. Hornaday Awards

The goal of this awards program is to encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in natural resource conservation and environmental protection.

William T. Hornaday Awards

William T. Hornaday awards are presented for distinguished service in natural resource conservation for units, Scouts, Venturers, and Scouters. Boy Scouts may earn the Hornaday Badge or the Hornaday Bronze or Silver Medal.

William T. Hornaday Badge

To be eligible for the Hornaday Badge, presented by the local council, a Boy Scout must do the following:

• Earn First Class rank.

• Plan, lead, and carry out at least one project from one of the categories listed below.

• Complete the requirements for any three of the merit badges listed in bold. In addition, complete any two of the others listed.

William T. Hornaday Bronze or Silver Medal

To be eligible for these awards, granted by the National Council, a Boy Scout must do the following:

• Earn First Class rank.

• For the bronze medal: Plan, lead, and carry out three projects from three separate categories listed. For the silver medal: Plan, lead, and carry out four projects from four separate categories listed (see the next page).

• Earn the Environmental Science merit badge. For the bronze medal: Earn at least three more merit badges listed in bold, plus any two others listed. For the silver medal: Earn all six merit badges in bold and any other three.

Project Categories

• Energy conservation

• Soil and water conservation

• Fish and wildlife management

• Forestry and range management

• Air and water pollution control

• Resource recovery (recycling)

• Hazardous material disposal and management

• Invasive species control

Merit Badges

• Energy

• Environmental Science

• Fish and Wildlife Management

• Forestry

• Public Health

• Soil and Water Conservation

• Bird Study

• Fishing

• Gardening

• Geology

• Insect Study

• Landscape Architecture

• Mammal Study

• Nature

• Nuclear Science

• Oceanography

• Plant Science

• Pulp and Paper

• Reptile and Amphibian Study

• Weather

Resources

Detailed information about the William T. Hornaday Awards, including application forms, are available online here.