Introduction

The Scouts BSA Merit Badge program gives Scouts the opportunity to explore and learn.  Over 135 badges are available to earn, ranging from American Business to Woodworking. Details of the program are on the Scouts BSA website.

Merit badges are required for advancement beyond First Class to Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. Requirements for these ranks are maintained by Scouts BSA, printed in the Scout Handbook, and on Scoutbook.

Note that to attain Eagle rank, at least 21 Merit Badges are required, 13 of which must be from this list: (a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communication, (f) Cooking, (g) Personal Fitness, (h) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (i) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (j) Personal Management, (k) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (l) Camping, and (m) Family Life.

Process to Earn Merit Badges

Refer to our FAQ on Merit Badges.

Troop Merit Badge Library

We have a library of merit badge books so you may not have to purchase a book for the merit badge you want to work on.  If we don’t have it, or you wish to purchase your own, they are available at the San Gabriel Valley Scout Shop in Arcadia for under $10.

Many books can be found online as well by searching for them.  Worksheets can always be downloaded and printed.

Merit Badge Counselors

Many parent volunteers  serve our Troop as Merit Badge Counselors (MBC). We have information about becoming an MBC.

Other Merit Badge Resources

• Our Greater Los Angeles Area Council (GLAAC). Search for “Merit Badges”. Camps are a particularly good source.

  • Camp Trask (Monrovia)
  • Firestone Scout Reservation (Brea)
  • Camp Cherry Valley (Catalina)
  • Camp Bighorn at Circle X Ranch in the Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation (Lake Arrowhead)
  • Cabrillo Youth Center (Port of Los Angeles) 

• Our Rose Bowl District list of MBC

• Neighboring councils have many merit badge opportunities.

• • The Verdugo Hills Council (La Crescenta and Glendale)
  •  Western Los Angeles County Council (Western L.A. County) 

• Additional Resources for specific merit badge programs.
  • The Arcadia Wilderness Park has a number of merit badge offerings in their course catalog.
  • Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation offers Railroading merit badge classes (Eagle Rock)
  • The International Printing Museum offers Graphic Arts and Pulp & Paper merit badge programs (Torrance).
  • Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center  (Riverside)
  • Many programs list their local merit badge classes on Eventbrite.