Merit Badge Information. Introduction to Merit Badges. You can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers as you earn merit badges.
Merit Badge Information Camp Whitsett offers over twenty traditional merit badges for all ages of scouts spread out throughout the camp. This is a preliminary list of merit badges for 2018, the full updated list will come out at the Spring Leaders Meeting.
Information for Applicant. A merit badge application can be approved only by a registered merit badge counselor. You must have a buddy with you (Scout buddy system) at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. Turn in your approved application to your unit leader. You will be awarded the merit badge.

Merit Badge Website
Boy Scout Merit Badge Information
Merit Badge University
Free Merit Badge Class
Merit Badge Information Form

Additional Information on Merit Badges, with lists of resources for study is available at the Meritbadge.org website, which, is not directly affiliated with the USSSP, but whose operators work closely with the USSSP. The worksheets on both meritbadge.org and usscouts.org are prepared by the same Scouters and are identical.

As a scout, you’ll occasionally come across some merit badges that require completing prerequisite requirements. Prerequisites mainly exist for safety reasons and will ensure that scouts don’t participate in dangerous activities that they may be unprepared for.

What is a prerequisite?A merit badge having a ‘prerequisite’ basically means you’ll need to complete other requirements before working on the actual merit badge. For example, a prerequisite to earning the Lifesaving merit badge will to first complete the BSA Swimmer’s test. Only then will you be allowed into the water to attempt the Lifesaving merit badge requirements.

Prerequisites are also common for merit badges offered at Summer or Winter camps, and outline requirements you’ll need to complete before arriving at camp in order to earn your badge. If you don’t complete the prerequisites beforehand, you may not be allowed to take the merit badge class while at camp.

In this article, I’ll be telling you about the most common prerequisites in Scouting, plus, the best ways to complete them early on. Finishing common Scouting prerequisites will let you participate in more exciting activities and help you to not miss out on fun times with your troop.

The Scouting Prerequisites To Complete First

Another example of a prerequisite, outside of earning merit badges, would be the need to have completed your Totin’ chip before handling knives or other sharp tools. Prerequisites are everywhere in Scouting. My goal is to help you complete all of them — the smart way!

If you arent yet the rank of First Class, you likely have a few common prerequisites that you’ll still need to complete. By going through my list below of the most common prerequisites for camping, hiking, and outdoor Scouting activities, you can figure out your next steps to advance in rank (5 keys to quick advancement in Scouting) and become a more capable scout.

The prerequisites I’ve listed are the most useful requirements to complete from Tenderfoot through First Class. By finishing these requirements as early as possible, you’ll be less likely to miss out on advanced troop activities:

Prerequisites Tenderfoot Scouts Should Complete ASAP

Totin’ Chip (Tenderfoot)
Fireman Chit (Tenderfoot)
Cyber Chip(guide) (Tenderfoot)
First Aid rank requirements through Tenderfoot (Tenderfoot)

Prerequisites Second Class Scouts Should Complete ASAP

Understand and tie the 6 basic scout knots (Second Class)
BSA Beginner’s Swim Test: swim 50ft (Second Class)
First Aid rank requirements through Second Class (Second Class)

Prerequisites First Class Scouts Should Complete ASAP

Merit Badge Website

Understand and tie the different types of Lashings (First Class)
BSA Swimmer’s test (guide): swim 100 yards (First Class)
Understand precautions for a safe trip afloat (First Class)
First Aid rank requirements up through First Class (First Class)

Having the knowledge under your belt from finishing these prerequisites will allow you to attempt more dangerous activities and merit badges. This is where Scouting can really get fun! However, if you haven’t yet completed some of these prerequisites, there are still some Eagle-required merit badges that you can earn.

In the next section, I’ll outline my top 3 merit badge picks for new scouts who may not have earned all of their prerequisites yet.

Easiest Merit Badges Without Prerequisites

The 3 easiest merit badges without prerequisites, in my opinion, are Art, Photography, and Fingerprinting. Each of these badges can be completed in less than a day, and don’t require any additional knowledge beforehand. I’ve actually written a full guide for answering the worksheets and giving you a brief overview of each badge.

Boy Scout Merit Badge Information

To see my guide to the 3 Easiest Merit Badges That You Can Earn in 2020, click here!

Conclusion

Merit Badge University

Completing merit badge prerequisites will allow you to participate in a wider variety of Scouting activities. By wisely choosing the prerequisites you’ll be earning first, you’ll be less likely to miss out on fun troop activities, and will be able to rank up even faster.

Free Merit Badge Class

At ScoutSmarts, it’s my goal to prepare scouts to have the best possible experience with their troops. If you’ve just joined Scouting, to ensure a great experience right from the start, I’d recommend checking out my article on the 13 Things I Wish I Knew Before Joining Scouting.

Merit Badge Information Form

In the above article, I detail lessons learned on my road to Eagle, which I would’ve loved to have known right from the start. I hope you found this information on Scouting prerequisites useful, and, until next time, best of luck on your Scouting journey!