Boy Scouts of America: 121 Merit Badges

Page 2

                                                                

There are a 121 merit badges in the Boy Scout of America program. How do I know that? Cause I managed to get every single one of them. Getting all the merit badges is a feat that by any stretch is physically and mentally demanding.

It started when I moved to Texas, as I joined with a new scout troop. My scout master was eager to work on merit badges and disperse all the knowledge he had about camping. His enthusiasm ignited a similar excitement that led me to pursue the educational opportunities each badge presented. It wasn’t long before I took advantage of every scout camp and clinic that offered the badges. Pretty soon I was at seventy-five merit badges and I hinted to my dad that I was finished. He then simply advised me, “Your already at seventy-five, why not get all of them?” It was an easy statement, but once again it reiterated what I had accomplished and what I could accomplish.

I finished the last merit badge, water skiing 3 months before my eighteenth birthday (the cut off line). Overall, I’ve white water rafted the freezing Colorado rivers, sailed a boat on the calm Kansas lakes, biked over fifty miles in one sitting, hiked over a couple hundred miles, rock climbed, slept in a man-made shelter, shot bows and guns, dug at a professional archeology site, wielded, etc. Another great thing is the professional intake from the people I met, such as a drafter, a Houston police officer, an orthodontist, a photographer, a lawyer, etc.

My younger brother also managed to get them all, but he went on to earn 127 because they added more after my departure from the program. My older brother was able to climb to 56 badges (which was fine with him), but it was mainly due to the fact that he struggled to get the necessary help. Regardless, you only need 21 for your eagle and 56 far surpasses that. It wouldn’t of been possible to get this far and to get my eagle without the help of loving parents, a wonderful scout leader, and an older brother who led by example. It was truly an adventure and one that I hope to work towards again with my kids if they so choose.