Virtual Merit Badges

The New Birth of Freedom Council, Boy Scouts of America is excited to announce the launch of Virtual Merit Badge Courses.  Check out the available Virtual Merit Badges on the schedule below.  Session #8 was our final session. Thank you to all our volunteers for working hard to provide these opportunities to our scouts!

All Merit Badge programs will follow Scouting’s Youth Protection policies.  It may be helpful to make sure you are familiar with these policies and the BSA’s Online and Social Media Guidelines.

Virtual Merit Badge Courses

All Classes have size limits.  If you get a “Sorry, but this form is no longer accepting submissions,” then the class is full.  Please note, this page is updated manually so may show an active link even though a class is full.  If you get a “Sorry, but this form is not accepting submissions just yet,” please verify date and time that the class is scheduled to open.

Scouts will need their Scoutmaster’s name AND Email Address to be able to complete their registration!

Session #8	Registration opened on 6/3/2020
Merit Badge	Dates and Times	Registration Link
Dentistry	Each Scout will receive an email once registered. It will include the first requirements to do prior to the first class. Zoom classes will be scheduled once you’ve registered and completed those requirements.	Registration Closed
Electricity	Monday, June 8 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM Wednesday, June 17 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM Monday, June 22 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM Monday, June 29 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM* (if necessary)	Registration Closed
Game Design	June 10 – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM June 24 – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM	Registration Closed
Personal Management (Thursday)	June 18 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM Scouts will need to schedule further sessions with the counselor after the first meeting	Registration Closed
Personal Management (Monday)	June 22 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM Scouts will need to schedule further sessions with the counselor after the first meeting	Registration Closed
Photography	June 11 – 7:30 to 8:30 PM June 18 – 7:30 to 8:30 PM June 25 – 7:30 to 8:30 PM	Registration Closed
Salesmanship	June 8 – 10:00 to 11:00 AM June 15 – 10:00 to 11:00 AM	Registration Closed
Session #7	Registration opened on 5/27/2020
Merit Badge	Dates and Times	Registration Link
Dentistry	Each Scout will receive an email once registered. It will include the first requirements to do prior to the first class. Zoom classes will be scheduled once you’ve registered and completed those requirements.	Registration Closed
First Aid	June 1 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 15 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 22 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM	Registration Closed
Medicine	June 6 – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM June 13 – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM June 20 – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM	Registration Closed
Music	June 3 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 10 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 17 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM	Registration Closed
Programming	June 2 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM June 9 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM June 16 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM	Registration Closed
Scholarship	June 3 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 17 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM	Registration Closed
Session #6	Registration opened on 5/20/2020
Merit Badge	Dates and Times	Registration Link
Dentistry	Each Scout will receive an email once registered. It will include the first requirements to do prior to the first class. Zoom classes will be scheduled once you’ve registered and completed those requirements.	Registration Closed
Session #5	Registration opened on 5/13/2020
Merit Badge	Dates and Times	Registration Link
American Heritage	May 19 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM May 26 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 2 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM	Registration Closed
Cooking	May 21 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM May 28 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 11 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 18 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM	Registration Closed
Dentistry	Each Scout will receive an email once registered. It will include the first requirements to do prior to the first class. Zoom classes will be scheduled once you’ve registered and completed those requirements.	Registration Closed
Family Life	May 19 – 9:00 to 10:00 AM June 2 – 9:00 to 10:00 AM June 16 – 9:00 to 10:00 AM June 30 – 9:00 to 10:00 AM July 14 – 9:00 to 10:00 AM	Registration Closed
Scholarship	May 20 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM June 3 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM	Registration Closed
Session #4	Registration opened on 5/6/2020
Merit Badge	Dates and Times	Registration Link
Environmental Science	May 13 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM May 20 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM May 27 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM June 3 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM Scouts must attend all 4 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Environmental Science	May 15 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM May 22 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM May 29 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM June 5 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM Scouts must attend all 4 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Dentistry	Each Scout will receive an email once registered. It will include the first requirements to do prior to the first class. Zoom classes will be scheduled once you’ve registered and completed those requirements.	Registration Closed Class is Full
Game Design	May 13 – 11:00 AM to Noon May 20 – 11:00 AM to Noon May 27 – 11:00 AM to Noon Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Genealogy	May 14 – 7:00 to 8:30 PM June 25 – 7:00 to 8:30 PM Scouts must attend both sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Salesmanship	May 11 – 10:00 to 11:00 AM June 1 – 10:00 to 11:00 AM Scouts must attend both sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Personal Management	May 11 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM May 18 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 1 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM June 8 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM Scouts must attend all 4 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Session #3	Registration opened 4/29/20
Merit Badge	Dates and Times	Registration Link
Citizenship in the World	May 4 – 6:30 to 7:30 PM May 11 – 6:30 to 7:30 PM May 18 – 6:30 to 7:30 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Dentistry	April 30 – 4:00 PM Additional sessions will be scheduled after the first meeting	Registration Closed Class is Full
Electricity	May 4 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM May 11 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM May 18 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM June 1* – 3:00 to 4:00 PM Scouts must attend first 3 sessions *Make up session if necessary	Registration Closed Class is Full
Engineering Class #1	May 8 – 6:00 to 7:00 PM May 15 – 6:00 to 7:00 PM May 22 – 6:00 to 7:00 PM May 29* – 6:00 to 7:00 PM Scouts must attend first 3 sessions *Make up session if necessary	Registration Closed Class is Full
Engineering Class #2	May 5 – 7:15 to 8:15 PM May 12 – 7:15 to 8:15 PM May 19 – 7:15 to 8:15 PM June 2* – 7:15 to 8:15 PM Scouts must attend first 3 sessions *Make up session if necessary	Registration Closed Class is Full
Medicine	May 2 – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM May 9 -11:30 AM to 1:00 PM May 16 – 11:30 AM to 1:00PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Photography	May 7 – 7:30 to 8:30 PM May 14 – 7:30 to 8:30 PM May 21 – 7:30 to 8:30 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Session #2	Registration Opened on 4/22/20
Merit Badge	Dates and Times	Registration Link
Chemistry	April 24 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM May 1 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM May 8 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class Full
Citizenship in the Community	April 23 – 5:00 to 6:00 PM May 14 – 5:00 to 6:00 PM May 21 – 5:00 to 8:00 PM (this is a 3hr meeting to meet requirement 5) May 28 – 5:00 to 6:00 PM Scouts must attend all 4 sessions	Registration Closed Class Full
Genealogy	April 30 – 2:00 to 3:00 PM May 14 – 2:00 to 3:00 PM June 4 – 2:00 to 3:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class Full
Personal Management	April 28 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM May 5 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM May 12 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM May 19 – 3:00 to 4:00 PM Scouts must attend all 4 sessions	Registration Closed Class Full
Programming	April 28 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM May 5 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM May 12 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class Full
Railroading	April 23 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM April 30 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM May 7 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class Full
Scholarship	April 29 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM May 13 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM Scouts must attend both sessions	Registration Closed Class Full
Theater	May 6 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM May 20 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM May 27 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class Full
Session #1	Registration Opened on 4/15/20
Merit Badge	Dates and Times	Registration Link
Family Life	April 19 – 4:30 to 6:00 PM April 26 – 4:30 to 6:00 PM June 7 – 4:30 to 6:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Digital Technology	April 20 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM April 27 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM May 4 – 4:00 to 5:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Music	April 18 – 1:30 to 3:00 PM April 25 – 1:30 to 3:00 PM May 2 – 1:30 to 3:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Public Speaking	April 22 – 2:00 to 3:00 PM April 29 – 2:00 to 3:00 PM May 6 – 2:00 to 3:00 PM May 13 – 2:00 to 3:00 PM Scouts must attend the first 3 sessions, the 4th session is only if necessary	Registration Closed Class is Full
Chemistry	April 22 – 5 to 6:00 PM April 29 – 5 to 6:00 PM May 6 – 5 to 6:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
American Business	April 20 – 7 to 8:00 PM April 27 – 7 to 8:00 PM May 4 – 7 to 8:00 PM Scouts must attend all 3 sessions	Registration Closed Class is Full
Dentistry	April 17 – 11:00 AM Additional sessions will be scheduled after the first meeting	Registration Closed Class is Full

Coming Soon

• Get your Merit Badge posted here by volunteering to be a counselor

Frequently Asked Questions – New Birth of Freedom Council Virtual Merit Badges

Why doesn’t the link allow me to register?

There are a limited number of spots in each class and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Please check back frequently for new offerings and follow us on our Facebook page.

Is there a waitlist?

No.  Each counselor determines the max class size for his or her merit badge.  Once the class is full it is full.

How many classes can I sign up for at one time?

We strongly recommend signing up for ONLY one merit badge class at a time in efforts to give other Scouts an opportunity to participate.

Do we need a camera and a microphone?

We strongly prefer that you use a device that has both a camera and a microphone.  A phone in option will be provided.  Scouts will need to participate in discussions and be actively engaged.  Being able to use a microphone or phone is required.  We highly encourage video participation.

What meeting platform will the Council be using?

We will use a combination of Zoom and GoToMeeting meeting platforms.  There is nothing required as far as a purchase with either platform; however, you will want to log into the class in enough time to download any software or software updates that may be required for participation.

How will Scouts get their “blue card” Merit Badge Applications?

At the completion of the merit badge, Scouts will receive a PDF copy of a blue card with the completed information.  As part of the registration process, Scouts should let their Scoutmaster know they are interested in participating in the class.  Scoutmasters will automatically get an email from the council stating the Scout’s intent and asking them to approve participation.

How will Youth Protection and “no one-on-one contact” be maintained?

For Zoom meetings, when Scouts arrive for a merit badge, they will be placed into an online waiting room.  Once the counselor determines that multiple Scouts are present they will be admitted.  For GoToMeeting merit badges, we are making sure that there are two adults present for every merit badge before any interaction with youth.

We are requiring that parents be “present” for each class to monitor activities.  This does not mean that the parent must be on the call but should be in the same room or at least within earshot to monitor both the Scout and the class.

When will I receive instructions from my Merit Badge Counselor?

Most counselors will provide information about the badge when you register.  You will receive further instructions and links to enter the class approximately 24 hours before the class begins. If you do not receive instructions by the day of your class, please contact Chris Styers at Christopher.styers@scouting.org.  Please check your junk mail before reaching out.  Sometimes invitations can end up in junk or spam folders.

Can I register if I am not a New Birth of Freedom Council Scout?

At this point, we are primarily providing opportunities to New Birth of Freedom Council Scouts.  As we continue to grow our faculty and capabilities, we hope to be able to open opportunities up to anyone wishing to participate.

Will there be more classes and more variety of merit badges?

At this time, we’ve put a hold on the Virtual Merit Badge Academy to promote and encourage our scouts to sign-up for our Virtual Summer Camp options. For more information on our summer camp options for Scouts BSA, click here.

If you would like to become a Merit Badge Counselor, please follow our instructions located here and submit your application to your District Executive or to Council Advancement Staff Advisor, Cory Kercher at Cory.kercher@scouting.org.

Where can I find the most current requirements for a Merit Badge that I would like to work on?

For the most current and up-to-date requirements visit the Official Merit Badge page that is maintained by the National Council.