The merit badge program helps Scouts explore new areas of interest, develop skills, and work with adult mentors who guide them through the requirements.
Merit badges are earned by completing requirements with a registered Merit Badge Counselor (MBC), and once finished, the badge is awarded to the Scout at the troop’s next Court of Honor.
To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must complete a minimum of 21 merit badges. Of these, 14 must come from a specific list known as the Eagle Required Merit Badges.
Within the 14 Eagle-required badges, there are several options. Scouts must choose at least one from each group below:
A. Choose one: Cycling, Hiking, Swimming
B. Choose one: Environmental Science or Sustainability
C. Choose one: Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving
📌 On this page:
Clicking on a merit badge name will link to the official BSA requirements.
Clicking on the badge icon will link to the U.S. Scouting Service Project (USSSP) worksheet for that badge.
⚠️ Important: USSSP worksheets are optional tools—they help organize work but are not a substitute for the official BSA requirements.
There are 13 broad categories of merit badges, covering everything from outdoor adventure to science, trades, and the arts. Some badges may fit into more than one category.
In addition to the 14 Eagle-required badges, Scouts must earn at least 7 additional elective merit badges to reach the total of 21 for Eagle.
At Troop 345, we support advancement by offering merit badge opportunities during scheduled meeting times. During this time, Scouts may:
Work on a troop-offered merit badge with a counselor, or
Use the time to work independently on another merit badge of their choice.
This flexibility gives Scouts the chance to explore badges that interest them while also supporting troop-wide advancement opportunities.
Click on the image below to view all merit badges along with the requirement changes and updates as listed in the official merit badge pamphlets. This is a great resource to make sure your Scout is working with the most current information.
