Merit Badge Program - A special part of a Scout's learning adventure, merit badges are awards presented to a Scout when he completes the requirements for one of the merit badge subjects.  There are more than 100 merit badges a Scout may earn.  The subject matters range from vocational and career introduction to personal development, hobbies, sports, high adventure, citizenship, and life-skills development.

Every merit badge is designed to teach the Scout new skills while outwardly encouraging him to challenge himself and have fun in the process.  Merit badges offer a range of difficulty over a breadth of subject matters, and a Scout is free to pursue any merit badge they wish.  The merit badge itself is a simple embroidered patch, but the intangible end result of earning it is that the Scout gains self-confidence from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal. 

Benefits:  There is more to merit badges than simply providing opportunities to learn skills.  There is more to them than an introduction to lifetime hobbies, or the inspiration to pursue a career—though these invaluable results occur regularly.  The uncomplicated process — beginning in a discussion with a Scoutmaster, continuing through meetings with a counselor, and culminating in advancement and recognition — provides several learning experiences.  It gives a Scout the confidence achieved through overcoming obstacles.  Social skills improve.   Self-reliance develops.  Examples are set and followed.   And fields of study and interest are explored beyond the limits of the school classroom.