Following are some of the many Merit Badge
resources available on the Web.

First, the biggies! The Merit Badge Resource Center is probably the best way to find out if a Merit Badge is interesting to you or not. it is up to date and very easy to manage. It also lists the rank advancement info. It can be found at www.meritbadge.com.

Another important site is the Indian Praire Merit Badge Counselor listing.
Our District staff has made this information available on line at homepage.mac.com/darylmonge/indianprairie/counselors.html .
This list is pretty accurate and will continue to be updated when updates come in as well as at each troop recharter.
 

Interesting Local Opportunities

There are a few interesting places where a Scout can earn a merit badge outside of Summer Camp or troop activities. This information will be updated as it becomes available, note: some depend on weather etc.

Fermi Labs - Offers most of the Atomic Energy Merit Badge to groups of scouts (less than 20). A counselor is still needed and a little more work has to be done outside of the session, but it is possible to obtain.

The Morton Arboretum - Offers interesting merit badges throughout the year. Currently (January) they are offering, Forestry, Indian Lore, Bird Study and Environmental Science. The cost is about $40 per Scout (less if member) and is usually offered on various weekends. The up to date information can be found at www.mortonarb.org/education/scout tour.htm. To find out what is currently offered, follow the Seasonal Educational Link as well as the Youth and Family link.
 

How to Get a Merit Badge

When you wish to get a merit badge on your own (and not through a troop activity), you should first read the requirements. Find out if it is possible for you to do, i.e. doesn't require you to have access to something we just don't have in the midwest. If it still appeals, you need two things, a blue card and a counselor. You can get a blue card from the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters at any troop meeting. It needs to be signed saying you can do this. Ask at the meetings if we have a counselor in the troop first. The list will not have those counselors that are for our troop only. If we don't have one, look on the list and look for people close to you. Your parents can help you there. Then you make a phone call. Some counselors run sessions every so often, some work with two or more scouts, it will depend. Since these people are volunteers, their time might be blocked out so it may take a while to get a session.

Most merit badges are you doing the work, reading, constructing etc and the merit badge counselor checking on your work, so don't expect to be taught, you will have to do the work. Once the counselor feels you have completed all the work (usually two or three sessions), he or she will sign the card and give it back to you. You will then have it signed by a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster and then have it turned into the Advancement Committee member. At the next court of honor, you will receive your badge.