How to Start a NEW Merit Badge
Please follow the directions below to start and complete your NEW Merit Badges. This includes all Merit Badges you did not initiate at other locations such as Summer Camps or Merit Badge Universities.
1. ADVANCEMENT CHAIR, SCOUTMASTER APPROVAL, and BLUE CARDS
Either before, during, or right after a Troop Meeting approach the Advancement Chair and politely wait your turn. Speak with the Advancement Chair and tell them you would like to begin a Merit Badge. Tell them what your name is and which Merit Badge you would like to begin. The Advancement Chair will take a blank Blue Card and hand it to you. You are to put your name on it and the name of the Merit Badge you would like to complete.
While you are writing your name and Merit Badge on the Blue Card, the Advancement Chair will be initiating the start of your Merit Badge on your ScoutBook account. The Advancement Chair will then instruct you that you need to get the Scoutmaster to approve you to begin the Merit Badge by signing the Blue Card. You should do this by the end of this Troop Meeting.
2. MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR
They will also give you the names of the Merit Badge Counselors who help counsel that Merit Badge. You will receive their phone numbers and emails. It will be up to you to contact them to start your Merit Badge. Do this only after you have had your Blue Card signed by the Scoutmaster. You are welcome to speak with them the same night at the Troop Meeting after the Scoutmaster has signed your Blue Card. Remember to contact them only AFTER the Scoutmaster has signed your Blue Card.
Remember to use the Scout Buddy System and follow YPT guidelines of 2-deep leadership at each meeting with the Merit Badge Counselor. This person can be your parent or legal guardian, or another registered adult. You must copy a second adult on all emails, text messages, or any other form of communication; including phone calls. You are welcome to copy the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Advancement Chair, Committee Chair, any other Adult Leader including your parent.
If we do not have an Adult Leader in our unit who agreed to counsel the Merit Badge you desire to accomplish, the Advancement Chair will help you find a Merit Badge Counselor to assist you. We will either find one outside our unit, but close by in the Bee Cave District or we will find an Adult Leader in our unit. If we do not find the Merit Badge Counselor by the end of the Troop Meeting, you will receive an email with their contact information within a couple days. If you have not heard from the Advancement Chair by the next Troop Meeting, please politely inquire about status with the Advancement Chair.
Once you have chosen a Merit Badge Counselor, initiated a conversation with them, and they have accepted you as a Merit Badge Candidate, remember it is 100% up to you as the Scout to complete your Merit Badge. It is not the responsibility of your Counselor, Scout Leader or Parent to get you to schedule meetings with your Counselor, complete the activities, keep records of accomplishments or to schedule a final review. It is completely up to you as the Scout!
3. MERIT BADGE PAMPHLETS and WORKBOOKS
You can obtain a Merit Badge Pamphlet at the Lake Travis Community Library or at the Scout Shop.
We also recommend you download, print, and use the Merit Badge Workbook for your Merit Badge. This will help you remember the information for when you sit down for reviews with your Merit Badge Counselor.
4. MERIT BADGE COMPLETION and RECORDS
Once your Merit Badge Counselor has signed off on your completion of the Merit Badge, it is up to you as the Scout to approach the Advancement Chair and inform them at the next Troop Meeting. Present the completed and signed Blue Card to the Advancement Chair. They will review your card for completeness. Once they confirm that your Blue Card is complete with all required signatures, they will enter your completion into your ScoutBook account. They will then return your Blue Card to you. It is your responsibility to retain and maintain your official records.
