• Merit Badge Program information
• Merit Badge adult responsibilities and guidelines
• Merit Badge Counselor application form and instructions for the Northwest Suburban Council

Merit badges are only required for advancement to the ranks of First Class and higher. Of course, boys can start working on Merit Badges the day they join Scouts.  The Scout can check one of the Merit Badge pamphlets out from our library or check with the Barrington library if we don't have the pamphlet.  When the Scout is ready to meet with the Merit Badge Counselor, the Scout asks the Scoutmaster for a blue Merit Badge card.  The Scoutmaster signs it and the Boy Scout contacts the MB counselor to schedule an appointment.    Most of the time, a Scout will contact a MB counselor for an appointment when the Scout has completed all the requirements and they are ready to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills required.  Sometimes, a Scout may contact a MB counselor while they are working on the merit badge, if they have questions or need some guidance.  A MB counselor may like to schedule multiple meetings with a Scout in order to fully cover the requirements or allow the Scout an opportunity to get some requirements signed off and make progress on a steady basis.  It is usually a good idea to contact the MB counselor as you begin working on the requirements and ensure the Scout and the counselor have common expectations.

The Advancements Chair has the list of all the adults in Troop 29 who are MB counselors and what they are approved to sign for.  Troop 29 merit badge counselors are also listed in the Troop 29 Troop directory.   If the Scout is interested in a MB that isn't covered by one of our counselors, then the Advancement Chair can provide a council-wide list of available counselors. 

When the Scout arrives for the MB meeting, they should be prepared to demonstrate that they have completed the requirements. The MB counselor may give some guidance or help the Scout expand their understanding, but the Scout should come prepared.   The MB counselor signs off each of the requirements for the badge on the blue card.  When all of the requirements are met, the MB counselor signs off and the Scout brings it to the Scoutmaster for final signature.  The blue card then goes to the Committee Advancement Chair so they can record the badge in the official Boy Scout records and purchase the badge for award at the next Court of Honor.  See the Merit Badge link on the left for more information about the process, including the requirements for adult MB counselors.