Merit Badges

Merit Badges are awards earned by Boy Scouts based on activities within an area of study by completing a list of requirements. There are more than 130 different merit badges and scouts may work on merit badges from they time they join the Troop until they turn 18 years old. There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18.

Quick Links: Counselors | Workbooks | Pamphlets | Uniform Sash

Earning Merit Badges

It's important to follow the Merit Badge "Blue Card" Process described below but before you get to that you'll need to choose a merit badge to work on. A complete list of badges are in the sidebar on the right. Click on each to view the requirements for that merit badge and optionally download its workbook and pamphlet. Trouble choosing a Merit Badge? Click here to view Mr D's merit badge reviews.

Merit Badge "Blue Card" Process

BEFORE you begin work on a merit badge, you must request approval from the Scoutmaster and get a merit badge Blue Card.
On the front of the Blue Card fill in your Name, Address, City, Troop, Troop number, District and Council.
Portsmouth Troop 164
Historic District
Daniel Webster Council

(Front of Blue Card)
On the back of the Blue Card fill in the Merit Badge name (three places), the Applicants name (two places), the Unit Number (164) and check the Troop checkbox.

(Back of Blue Card)
Ask your Scoutmaster sign and date the front of the Blue Card in the appropriate place and you're ready to start!
You are now ready to work with a Merit Badge Counselor to complete the requirements of the merit badge. The Counselor will fill in, date, and initial the requirements section of the card as each requirement is completed; however some Counselors will just write COMPLETE on this section of the card.
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.
Once the merit badge is completed and your Blue Card is signed by the Counselor, turn it into your Scoutmaster. He'll keep the Application for Merit Badge section for the Troop’s records and return the Applicant’s Record along with the Merit Badge itself to the Scout at the next Court of Honor.
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.

Merit Badge Counselors

Merit Badge Counselors are volunteers that are knowledgeable in the topic and understand the goals of scouting. A Merit Badge Counselors role is to assist a Scout over the hurdles of the merit badge requirements and increase his awareness in the deeper aspects of the subject from their knowledge and experience.

If you're interested in becoming a counselor download and complete the Merit Badge Counselor Application at the bottom of this page and contact the Troop 164 Scout Master at troop164nh@gmail.com. Like all scout leaders and adult volunteers, counselors must take the online Youth Protection Training each year.

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.

Merit Badge Pamphlets

Merit badge pamphlets are guidebooks to assist Scouts in completing merit badge requirements. Use of pamphlets is not required but they can be a great source of information. Our troop has a small collection of workbooks in the Scout Room you can take home or you can purchase your own from the Scout Store in Manchester NH or order online from ScoutStuff.org.

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 Manchester at Camp Carpenter. They may also be purchased from Kittery Trading Post in the scouting section of Hiking and Camping department.

Eagle Required Merit Badges

A sub-group of 17 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: