Merit Badges

    Merit badges are a huge part of the Scouting experience—they allow Scouts to explore new skills, exciting careers, and lifelong hobbies while working toward rank advancement.

    Troop 105 encourages Scouts to pursue merit badges year-round, whether through troop-led sessions, merit badge colleges, or individual study with a merit badge counselor. Below are some great ways to earn merit badges in our area.

    🎖 How Many Merit Badges Do You Need for Eagle?

    To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must complete 21 merit badges, including 14 required badges and 7 elective badges of their choice.

    Eagle-Required Merit Badges (13 Total)

    • Camping
    • Citizenship in Society
    • Citizenship in the Community
    • Citizenship in the Nation
    • Citizenship in the World
    • Communication
    • Cooking
    • Family Life
    • First Aid
    • Personal Fitness
    • Personal Management
    • One of: Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
    • One of: Environmental Science OR Sustainability
    • One of: Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling

    Elective Merit Badges (8 Total)

    Scouts can choose any 8 additional merit badges that interest them, from Shooting Sports to STEM Badges to Outdoor Adventure Badges.

    🔹 Best advice for new Scouts? Start early! Waiting until the last minute to knock out 21 badges is a recipe for stress.

    📅 Merit Badge Colleges

    🏫 Chester County Council Merit Badge College

    • Location: Chester County Council
    • When: Typically January & February
    • Registration: Opens around November-December
    • Why Attend?
    • Earn multiple merit badges in a structured, classroom setting
    • Taught by experts and certified counselors
    • Some Eagle-required merit badges are available!

    🔗 Check Chester County Council’s Website

    🌊 Del-Mar-Va Merit Badge College

    • Location: Del-Mar-Va Council
    • When: Typically January & February
    • Registration: Starts as early as November
    • Why Attend?
    • Another great opportunity to complete merit badges in a dedicated learning environment
    • Popular among Scouts in the region

    🔗 Check Del-Mar-Va Council’s Website

    ⚙️ More Merit Badge Opportunities

    🔬 Cradle of Liberty Council (COLBSA)

    The Cradle of Liberty Council (COLBSA) offers merit badge opportunities throughout the year, including:

    • Merit Badge College
    • STEM Merit Badges & Tech MB College
    • Merit Badge Make-Up Days
    • Other special merit badge events

    🔗 View COLBSA’s Activities Page

    ⚜️ PA Dutch Council Merit Badge College

    • Location: PA Dutch Council
    • When: Annual event
    • Why Attend?
    • Offers merit badges not always available locally
    • Great for Scouts looking for extra opportunities

    🔗 Check PA Dutch Council’s Website

    🏕️ Troop 105’s In-House Merit Badge Program

    We also offer in-house merit badge opportunities led by troop leaders and expert volunteers.

    Examples of badges we’ve run in the past:

    • Communication
    • First Aid
    • Camping
    • Cooking
    • Citizenship in the Nation, World & Society

    Scouts can work on merit badges individually with a registered merit badge counselor or in a group setting with other Scouts.

    🦅 Eagle-Required Merit Badge Counselors

    Below is a list of counselors for Eagle-required badges within Troop 105.

    Merit BadgeCounselor 1Counselor 2
    CampingMr. AMrs. Jessica Canto
    Citizenship in SocietyMr. Matt Handal
    Citizenship in the CommunityMr. Louis (Lou) Ruggeri
    Citizenship in the NationMr. Louis (Lou) RuggeriMr. Frank Slachta
    Citizenship in the WorldMrs. AMr. Frank Slachta
    CommunicationMr. Matt HandalMr. Jeffrey (Jeff) Earle
    CookingMr. Sridhar Anne
    Family LifeMr. Jeffrey (Jeff) EarleMr. Frank Slachta
    First AidMr. Frank SlachtaMr. Geoff Smith
    Personal FitnessMr. Geoff Smith
    Personal ManagementMr. AMr. Jeff Bennett

    🎖️ Non-Eagle Merit Badge Counselors

    Merit BadgeCounselor 1Counselor 2
    American BusinessMr. Matt Handal
    AthleticsMr. Geoff Smith
    BackpackingMrs. Jessica Canto
    ChemistryMr. Geoff Smith
    ElectricityMr. AMr. Louis (Lou) Ruggeri
    ElectronicsMr. Louis (Lou) Ruggeri
    EngineeringMr. Jeffrey (Jeff) EarleMr. Louis (Lou) Ruggeri
    Home RepairMr. Louis (Lou) Ruggeri
    MoviemakingMr. Matt Handal
    ReadingMrs. A
    RoboticsMr. Jeffrey (Jeff) Earle
    SalesmanshipMr. Jeff Bennett
    ScholarshipMrs. A
    Scouting HeritageMr. Jeff Bennett
    Snow SportsMr. Geoff Smith
    TextilesMrs. A
    Water SportsMr. Geoff Smith
    Wilderness SurvivalMr. Matt Handal

    👨‍🏫 Why You Should Become a Merit Badge Counselor

    Parents, we need YOU! Scouts need dedicated adults to guide them through merit badges, and you don’t need to be an expert to help.

    ✅ Share your passions! Love hiking, cooking, or computers? Help Scouts earn related badges.
    ✅ Teach life skills! Your knowledge could help a Scout discover a future career.
    ✅ Minimal time commitment! Counselors help at their own pace.
    ✅ Scouts can’t earn merit badges without counselors! Without parent volunteers, Scouts can’t advance.

    Interested? Talk to a leader or sign up today!

    📌 Important Notes About Merit Badges

    ✔️ Some merit badges require prerequisites—check before signing up!
    ✔️ Plan ahead! Popular merit badge colleges fill up fast (register early).
    ✔️ You need a Blue Card—Scouts must get approval from the Scoutmaster before starting a merit badge.
    ✔️ Work with an official merit badge counselor—Check with the troop for counselor recommendations.

    If you have questions about merit badges, talk to a leader at the next meeting or check with a merit badge counselor!