Blue Card Process for Summer Camp
Merit Badge Sash, High Adventure Patches
Blue Cards Process for Summer Camp 2023
Register for Merit Badge Classes in advance - In this case, the Summer Camp Administrator will provide guidance options and how to sign up.
The Troop will hand you Blue Cards at the beginning of Summer Camp.
You will work with summer camp Counselor to check off your requirements and sign off if all of them are completed
How to fill up Hard Copy Blue Cards
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 work on the Merit badge
Fig 1. Front of Blue Card
Fig 2. Back of Blue Card
At Summer Camp, 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 must 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 must 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.
Once the merit badge requirements are completed and your Blue Card is signed by the Counselor, turn it into your Scoutmaster or take pictures of both sides of the Blue Card and email them to advancement@troop4hopkinton.com.
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.
You will be recognized with your Merit Badge at the next Court of Honor.
Merit Badge Pamphlets
Merit badge pamphlets are guidebooks to assist Scouts in completing merit badge requirements. Use of pamphlets is not mandatory but are highly recommended and are a great source of information. Our troop has a collection of pamphlets that you can borrow. See the Troop Librarian if interested. You can also purchase your own from the Scout Store in Southborough MA or order online from ScoutStuff.org.
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.
Digital Merit Badge Pamphlets NEW!
The BSA has recently introduced new digital pamphlets for about 20 merit badges including all of the Eagle Required merit badges. These are interactive versions of the traditional paper pamphlets. They contain more material than the printed pamphlet, as well as multimedia and interactive content and can be used from a computer, tablet or smartphone. Click here to watch an informational YouTube video about the new Digital Merit Badge pamphlets.
Merit Badge Sash
The merit badge sash is like a trophy case you can wear. The sash is the place to display merit badges and activity or special event patches and insignia. Each tiny circle represents one of more than 130 interest areas a Boy Scout has conquered.
Sash's may be purchased online from ScoutStuff.org or at the Scout Store in Southborough.
High Adventure Patches
Placed them on right-sleeve of the Class-A Scout shirt below the Patrol patch.
Eagle Required Merit Badges
A sub-group of 18 merit badges are known as the Eagle Required merit badges. To earn Eagle Scout, most of these badges must be earned although some are "either/or" badges. The Eagle required merit badges are:
Merit Badges
Camping *†
Cooking *†
Cycling *†
Family Life *†
First Aid *†
Hiking * †
Lifesaving *†
Robotics †
Swimming *†
* Eagle Required Merit Badges
† Digital Pamphlet Available