There’s no official recommended order for earning merit badges.
Other than badges with prerequisites (example: Scouts mustearn the First Aid MBbefore earning the Emergency Preparedness MB), Scouts can start anywhere they like.
So Boy Scouts are free to lead off with Leatherwork, begin with Bugling or start with Swimming.
Butwhat if a Scoutapproaches you, as a parent or Scout leader, for advice on where to begin? Thatlist of136 different merit badgesmight be a welcomesmorgasbord to some Scouts but anoverwhelming hurdle to others.
For today’s Tuesday Talkback, please read and respond tothis letter from Scouter David West:
Few boys join Boy Scouts understanding what merit badges are or how to earn them, but hopefully that changes with the new Arrow of Light requirements. Withmore than130 options, Scouts often don’t know where to start. I’d love to see comments from experienced merit badge counselors who can argue their subject should be the first merit badge a new Scout earns.
– David West
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