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Mr. D's Merit Badge Review

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Merit Badge

#Rqmnts

Difficulty

Duration

Prereqs*

Comments

AMERICAN BUSINESS 5 Hard 3 Months 1st Class Would go great with school economics course. What makes this "hard" is running a business for 3 months, otherwise it is easy to medium.
AMERICAN CULTURES 5 Medium 1-3 Months none Duration is mostly logistics - this one takes some planning.
AMERICAN HERITAGE 5+ Medium 2-3 Months none Would go great with an American History class. A fair bit of planning and reporting required.
ANIMAL SCIENCE 6 Easy 1 Month none Some planning and visits, but most information is in an encyclopedia or library book.
ARCHAEOLOGY 11 Hard 2-5 Months 1st Class+ Very involved. Need to do research, reports, presentations and visits. Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones movies won't count as requirements, but they will help make it more interesting.
ARCHERY 5 Medium 1-4 Weeks none Skill required! But fun to learn and do. Good summer camp badge.
ARCHITECTURE 5 Medium 1 Month none Lots of cool PC tools to help, involves interviews. Be sure to ask the architects why they almost always under estimate the cost!
ART 7 Easy 1 Week none Good first merit badge - they don't get any easier than this ... fun too.
ASTRONOMY 9 Medium 1-2 Months 1st Class Fairly involved and requires planning. Good camp or troop badge.
ATHLETICS 5+ Medium 1-3 Months Tenderfoot A scout is physically fit ... and this newly updated badge will prove it. Takes some planning and scheduled events.
ATOMIC ENERGY 6+ Medium 1-3 Months 1st Class Would go well with high school science. Not hard, but involves research and projects.
AUTO MECHANICS 11+ Hard 2-5 Months 15-16ish This will be invaluable later (when you need to get that thingy to stop making that noise, etc.), but not of much interest until around driving age. I
AVIATION 7 Medium 1-3 Months none Some of this is in you Webelos book! It's close to "easy" but does require some planning and project work.
BACKPACKING 11+ Medium 3 Months Some First Aid Not difficult, but time consuming. Good start possible at summer camp.
BASKETRY 2 Easy 1-3 Days none As easy as they get!
BIRD STUDY 8 Medium 1-12 Weeks none Lots to study, but not too involved.
BUGLING 6 Medium 3 Months none Good one for brass players in band, but most can learn a bugle. 3 months of bugling required.
CAMPING (E) 10+ Medium 1-2 Years 1st Class Most requirements are simple, but to get in all the campouts takes time. Keep track of all campouts and around 1st Class should have most done.
CANOEING 10+ Medium 1-4 Weeks First Aid, 1st Class First Aid will cover CPR and other first aid issues and 1st Class requires basic swimming skills. Otherwise, enjoy the ride!
CHEMISTRY 9 Medium 2-8 Weeks Science in School A good one to do with High School Chemistry or Science class.
CINEMATOGRAPHY 4 Easy 1-4 Weeks none The hard part might be finding the merit badge counselor, but otherwise this is a fairly easy one.
CITIZENSHIP - Community (E) 10+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none A good one to do with Jr. High or High School government class. Eagle Required.
CITIZENSHIP - Nation (E) 7 Medium 1-4 Weeks none A good one to do with Jr. High or High School government class. Eagle Required.
CITIZENSHIP - World (E) 9+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none This is the most involve citizenship badge, but again a good one to do with Jr. High or High School government class. Eagle Required.
CLIMBING 11+ Medium 1-12 Weeks 1st Class or 14 Some knots and climbing required. Good one for summer camp or high adventure campout.
COIN COLLECTING 4+ Medium 1-12 Weeks none Helps if you have a coin collection already started, but a relatively simple badge.
COLLECTIONS 8+ Medium 1-12 Weeks none Could do in conjunction with coin collecting ... or why not do PokeMon or Magic cards ... beany babies ... or perhaps something useful!
COMMUNICATIONS (E) 9 Easy 1-4 Weeks none Good summer camp or merit badge trail activity ... I'd tell you more, but that's your job!
COMPUTERS 9 Medium 1-12 Weeks none Good one for school keyboarding or if you already use the computer for papers, internet and other things. If it's all new to you, this will take some time!
COOKING 4+ Easy 1-8 Weeks none Need to do some planning and cooking, but fairly easy. Good summer camp or troop campout related badge.
CRIME PREVENTION 9+ Medium 4-12 Weeks none Lot of trips/visits to plan, so this one will take some time.
CYCLING (E Opt) 9+ Medium 3-6 Months none Lots of bike rides required for this one. Plan to do it over a year or so.
DENTISTRY 7+ Medium 2-6 Weeks teeth These requirements were definitely written by a dental zealot. Not hard, just lots of steps to be done. Do you floss?
DISABILITIES AWARENESS 6+ Hard 3 Months none While the political correctness runneth over, this is a merit badge to be proud of. Lots of service project work, but a life/perspective-changing effort.
DOG CARE 9 Medium 2 Months Helps to have a dog A good one to do if you have a dog or like animals. If you don't have a dog, you might be able to take care of someone else's for the badge.
DRAFTING 6 Medium 1-8 Weeks none Shades of my old mechanical drawing class from high school! Helps to access to a CAD system and drawing tools. Might as well do the architecture badge while you're at it.
ELECTRICITY 11+ Medium 1-2 Weeks none Can get most of the information from books at the library. Rated medium because it requires two small projects and has over 10 requirements.
ELECTRONICS 5+ Medium 1-2 Weeks none Goes well with electricity, project intensive and requires some math.
EMERGENCY PREP. (E Opt) 9+ Hard 1-6 Weeks First Aid This or Lifesaving are Eagle Required. This badge is a breeze if taken shortly after First Aid and Pioneering ... otherwise it's hard.
ENERGY 8+ Medium 3-6 Weeks Jr/Sr High Science This is best done in conjunction with a school science class and requires oral and written reports.
ENGINEERING 9+ Medium 1-2 Months 1st Class Another badge prepared by zealots! You'll know a lot about engineering and get to do some visits and hands-on projects. Learn why most engineers should be required to take the communications merit badge!
ENTREPRENEURSHIP 6+ Hard 3 Months 1st Class This badge was probably prepared by consultants (like a zealot only with no stake in the outcome)! Does require you to start a business, good joint badge with American Business.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (E) 8+ Hard 1-8 Weeks 2nd Class Eagle Required. Prepared by PC zealots ... for a good cause of course! Good one to start at Summer Camp, but does involve a bunch of activities.
FAMILY LIFE (E) 6 Easy 3 Months none Earn brownie points at home! A simple enough merit badge, but it does require some discipline.
FARM MECHANICS 9+ Medium 1-6 Weeks none If you live on a farm this is a breeze! If not, your camp ranger or a local farmer would appreciate your projects on this one.
FINGERPRINTING 4 Easy 1 Week none You can probably pick up a finger printing kit from your local police department ... and, no, you don't get to cuff anybody!
FIRE SAFETY 11+ Medium 3 Weeks 1st Class Pyros ... this is the one for you - please! Not hard, but lots of stuff to do, demonstrate and includes a visit to the fire department.
FIRST AID (E) 7+ Hard 1 - 4 Weeks none You must know Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class first aid for this, but it's a good way to kill 4 birds with one stone (okay, wound 4 birds and then fix them up). Requires learning and demonstrating CPR. Good one to do before many other badges!
FISH AND WILDLIFE MGMT 7 Medium 1 - 4 Weeks none Good Summer Camp badge.
FISHING 8 Medium 1 - ? Weeks none Time to complete this is mostly dependent on how quickly you can catch two fish. Scout fishermen are exempt from "trustworthy" only in reporting the size of the fish that got away!
FORESTRY 7+ Hard 1 - 8 Weeks 1st Class This is a good Summer Camp badge. It requires several "collections"/identifications of plants, trees and shrubs.
GARDENING 4+ Easy 2 Months none Just need to watch your garden grow ... and a few other things!
GENEALOGY 10 Medium 2-4 Weeks none More than you ever wanted to know about your family roots ... created by a zealot!
GEOLOGY 13+ Hard 1-16 Weeks none If you are a rock hound ... this is for you. Otherwise, find a rock hound, it's one only they could appreciate. This is more involved than my Geology 101 class in college ... however, you'll be ready for class!
GOLF 7+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none This is definitely a fun one, play golf and earn a badge!
GRAPHIC ARTS 7+ Medium 2-4 Weeks none Good intro to graphic arts and includes a field trip.
HIKING (E Opt) 6 Medium 1-4 Weeks 1st Class First Aid Eagle alternate badge (swimming or cycling). This is a good one to do over a longer period of time based on troop hikes/events.
HOME REPAIRS 14 Medium 1-4 Weeks none Make the folks happy by becoming Mr. Fix-it. I'm for this one!!!
HORSEMANSHIP 10 Medium 2 Months Helps to have a horse A good one to do if you have a horse or like animals. If you don't have a horse, you might be able to take lessons or a merit badge councilor may provide one.
INDIAN LORE 4 Easy 1 Week none Could go well with history. This is a nice introductory level approach to the topic. Kudos to the authors.
INSECT STUDY 11 Hard 1-3 Months none If your school biology class still requires an insect collection, this will be a natural, otherwise the bug collection could be a show stopper.
JOURNALISM 4+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none This is a nice introductory level approach and very useful for understanding what you read and hear in the news.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 6 Easy 1 Week none This is fairly straightforward and a good intro to landscaping.
LAW 10 Medium 2 Weeks none I expected a high-falutin' set of requirements, but found these quite reasonable. A good intro.
LEATHERWORK 4 Easy 1 Week none Good camp badge in terms of having the materials you need, but can be done at home too.
LIFESAVING (E Opt) 15 Medium 1-4 Weeks Swimming MB, CPR Good camp badge for pool, etc. This is Eagle required, but optional if Emergency Preparedness has been earned. A good one to do regardless.
MAMMAL STUDY 5 Medium 1 Week none Has many options, some more time-consuming than others.
MEDICINE 11 Hard 1 Month none Good introduction, but prepared by zealots. Lots of details in this one.
METALWORK 2+ Easy 1 Week none A good one to do in conjunction with metal shop, but simple enough to do. Access to proper tools is helpful.
MODEL DESIGN AND BUILDING 5 Medium 2 Weeks none Project planning and model creation required, but a fun one.
MOTORBOATING 6+ Medium 1-6 Weeks 1st Class, CPR This is a good one to be an older scout, having 1st Class swimming requirements and CPR (via First Aid or other merit badges) - access to a motorboat is required.
MUSIC 4+ Easy 1 Week none This will be easy if you consider yourself a good singer or a bit of an extrovert. However, singing well isn't a requirement - so go for it!
NATURE 5+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Good summer camp or merit badge trail activity.
OCEANOGRAPHY 8 Medium 1-4 Weeks none Good in conjunction with high school biology, good selection of options to choose from.
ORIENTEERING 10+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Might be better to be 2nd Class or above, but not essential. You'll know map reading and compass use well after earning this one! Still as a male you may only ask for directions as a last resort!
PAINTING 5 Easy 1 Week none An easy one, but useful none-the-less. You do not have to paint the counselor's house!
PERSONAL FITNESS 9+ Medium 3 Months none Eagle required ... CHANGING in late 1999 (can use old requirements until 4/1/2000). This'll get you in shape!
PERSONAL MANAGEMENT (E) 9+ Hard 3 Months none Eagle required. This is hard because it requires planning and discipline, but provides an invaluable life skill!
PETS 4+ Easy 4 Months none Easier that Dog and Horse MBs, but you need 4 months of pet care to earn it.
PHOTOGRAPHY 5+ Medium 2-4 Weeks none Helps if you have access to a dark room and photographic equipment, but possibly your school or counselor can help you out.
PIONEERING 9 Medium 1 Week none Good scout weekend or summer camp badge. Helps to earn this one on your way to Emergency Preparedness. Plus it's fun!
PLANT SCIENCE 8+ Medium 1-3 Months none Good companion to gardening MB. Does require growing some plants, hence 1-3 Months.
PLUMBING 8 Medium 1-4 Weeks none Does require using a torch and solder, and some plumbing materials and equipment.
POTTERY 6+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none You might find a ceramic/pottery shop offering a course or your counselor providing resources to assist you in doing the projects.
PUBLIC HEALTH 7+ Medium 1-2 Months none Requires a few visits, so you'll need some extra time for logistics. And remember to wash your hands!
PUBLIC SPEAKING 5+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Good to do in conjunction with a high school speech class, or possibly find a Toastmaster's Club! A good skill to acquire. A close companion of the Communications MB.
PULP AND PAPER 8 Medium 2-6 Weeks none Requires some time to arrange a visit and carry-out your projects.
RADIO 8+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Almost zealot status, but fairly straight forward. Find a local ham (radio operator) if your counselor isn't one!
RAILROADING 7 Medium 1-4 Weeks none Good Merit Badge trail or local model RR club activity.
READING 4 Easy 1-4 Weeks none Includes a good service project. The reading can likely be done in conjunction with school.
REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN 10+ Medium 1 Month none Requires keep a reptile or amphibian for a month ... tell mom you have to for your badge. This does get a zealot award.
RIFLE SHOOTING 10ish Medium 1-4 Weeks none Good Summer Camp badge.
ROWING 11+ Medium 1 Week CPR, Swim Test Do this one after First Aid and 1st Class or swimming MB.
SAFETY 6+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Fairly easy with on project involved.
SALESMANSHIP 8 Medium 1-4 Weeks none You are likely already a pro based on school and scout sales alone ... might as well earn the badge!
SCHOLARSHIP 5+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Good student or improving those grades, get credit with an MB. Does have some writing, interviewing and visits.
SCULPTURE 2 Easy 1 Week none Play with clay, earn a badge! Probably do this in art class at some time or another.
SHOTGUN SHOOTING 12+ Hard 1-8 Weeks none Might be good to do in conjunction with rifle shooting.
SKATING 6+ Medium 1 Week 1st Class First Aid Good basic intro on your choice of three types of skating, does require a demonstration of skill.
SMALL-BOAT SAILING 10+ Medium 1-4 Weeks 1st Class and CPR Good summer camp or park district badge. Take after canoeing and/or rowing badges.
SNOW SPORTS 15 Medium 1-4 Weeks 1st Class First Aid A fun badge, but requires study and skill, so this may take awhile to complete. Was called Skiing MB which better describes it.
SOIL AND WATER CONS. 7++ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Good Summer Camp or merit badge trail project, but can do any time.
SPACE EXPLORATION 8+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Designed by zealots, but you get to shoot a model rocket!
SPORTS 9+ Medium 1 Month 1st Class First Aid Requires participation in 2 sports, but should be a simple one for boys already doing recreational or school sports.
STAMP COLLECTING 8+ Medium 1 Month none If you like stamps and/or collecting, this is a good one. Think of stamps as Pokemon cards!
SURVEYING 6 Medium 1 Week none Good basic intro to surveying. Your counselor, city manager/engineering dept., local college, etc. are all likely to have equipment and time to help you with this one.
SWIMMING (E Opt) 9+ Medium 1 Week CPR, 1st Class Swim Test An eagle required badge (in option with cycling and hiking). I recommend this one, if physically able, even if you don't like to swim. It's an important life skill, even if just for safety.
TEXTILE 6 Easy 1 Week none Good introduction to textiles and the industry.
THEATER 6+ Medium 1 Week none Good one if you are involved in school Muse or Theater productions. This can be fun for campfires as well!
TRAFFIC SAFETY 6 Medium 1-4 Weeks none Requires a project related to traffic safety, but a good one to do before or during driver's training!
TRUCK TRANSPORTATION 11+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Requires a visit, but other than being designed by zealots, it's a good introduction to the industry.
VETERINARY MEDICINE 10 Medium 1 Month none Good badge for animal lovers. Requires assisting a Vet over a period of time.
WATERSKIING 11 Medium 1-4 Weeks 1st Class, CPR A fun badge, but will require demonstration of basic skills. Access to equipment is important - which your counselor usually has access to. Sometimes local park districts have programs that might assist with many or all requirements.
WEATHER 10 Medium 1 Week none While there are several requirements, the fall in the easy category. Does require a 5 minute talk.
WHITEWATER 14 Hard 1-4 Weeks 1st Class, CPR, Canoeing This one is hard by virtue of the number of requirements and pre-requisites. Even though it was designed by zealots, it is important, for safety reasons, to have so many requirements.
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL 13 Medium 1-4 Weeks 1st Class First Aid Fun, useful, but fairly involved. A good summer camp badge, but can be done in conjunction with campouts.
WOOD CARVING 5 Medium 1-4 Weeks none Fun and only rated "medium" because two carvings are required ... watch your fingers!
WOODWORK 6+ Medium 1-4 Weeks none Requires a visit and a project or two, but if you like to make things out of wood ... this is for you.

Key:

  • (E) = Eagle Required Merit Badge (12 required merit badges in all, plus 9 others for a total of 21 for Eagle).
  • (E Opt) = Eagle Required Merit Badge with an option (Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving; Swimming, Hiking or Biking).
  • '*' = Mr. D's recommendations - Sometime a requirement, sometimes just a suggestion.
  • '+' means that there are multi-part requirements.

Other thoughts:

Tips: you might be able to do some interviews over the internet via e-mail, instant messages, or newsgroups.

In many cases, 10 or more requirements means it's a more recent badge and/or the group promoting it was over-zealous.

Page updated on: February 18, 2001

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