Merit Badge "Blue Card" Process

Note: the Troop is using both hard copy (blue cards) and digital recording (scoutbook) for merit badge tracking.

1. BEFORE you begin work on a merit badge, you must request approval from the Scoutmaster.

• Scout will get approval to start from the Scoutmaster.

• Troop will create "virtual blue card" and update ScoutBook to show merit badge "in progress".

2. Fill out the Blue Card

   • Get a Blue Card from the Scoutmaster.

   • On the front of the Blue Card (Fig. 1) fill in your Name, Address, City, Troop, Troop number, District and Council.

   • On the back of the Blue Card (Fig. 2) fill in the Merit Badge name (three places), the Applicants name (two places), the Unit Number (4) and check the Troop checkbox.

   • Ask your Scoutmaster sign and date the front of the Blue Card in the appropriate place and you're ready to start!

3. You are now ready to work on your Merit Badge! Use the request form to request a merit badge counselor. If you do not have a counselor in mind, the Troop can help you identify at counselor. Scroll down to see current list of Troop 4 merit badge counselors.

4. Work with your Merit Badge Counselor to complete the requirements of the merit badge.

   • The Counselor will fill in, date, and initial the requirements section of the blue card or scoutbook as each requirement is completed; however some Counselors will just mark COMPLETE when all requirements are done.

   • The Counselor should fill in their information in the first section on the back of the Blue Card with their Name, Address, Phone Number, and sign and date upon completion.

   • The Counselor should also fill in the completed date and sign the Applicant’s Record portion of the card.

   • The Counselor's Record section of your Blue Card may be kept by the Counselor for their records.

5. Once the merit badge requirements are completed and your Blue Card is signed by the Counselor, turn it into your Scoutmaster or Troop Merit Badge Coordinator.

   • The Troop will keep the Application for Merit Badge section for the Troop’s records and return the Applicant’s Record.

   • The Troop will update scoutbook to show completed requirements and when the merit badge is approved.

   • IMPORTANT NOTE: Hold onto the Applicant's Records of you Blue Card and Merit Badge as they can be requested by the Eagle Board of Review.

6. You will be recognized with your Merit Badge at the next Court of Honor.

Merit Badge Workbooks

Merit badge workbooks are forms Scouts can use to organize notes and document their work. These can be downloaded from the merit badge requirement link on the right. Workbooks can either be printed out completed with pen/pencil or you can type right into them on a computer and then print it. Workbooks are not required for some merit badges but we highly recommend using them to stay organized.