Looking to earn a merit badge or two over the holidays? We’ve put together a selection of 25 online and in-person courses for you to consider during the break.
Ongoing
Engineering Merit Badge
Offered online through the Harley Davidson Museum. Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings. Cost is $20
December 7
Architecture Merit Badge
Offered online by Eastern Sate Penitentiary. Sunday, December 7 from 8 am–11 am. Cost is $17
December 14
Scouting Heritage Merit Badge
Offered online by Eastern Sate Penitentiary. Sunday, December 14 from 10 am–2 pm. Cost is $10
December 16
Reptile & Amphibian Merit Badge
Offered online by the Grand Canyon Council. Tuesday, December 16 from 1 pm–4 pm. This is a two session course but it’s unclear when session two is. Cost is $25
December 18
Scholarship Merit Badge
Offered online by the Grand Canyon Council. Thursday, December 18 from 7:30 pm–9:30 pm. Cost is $10
December 22
Artificial Intelligence Merit Badge
Be one of the first to earn this brand new merit badge! Meets twice: Monday December 22 and Monday, January 12. Both from 7:30 pm–9:30 pm. Cost is $10
December 26
Nuclear Science Merit Badge
Offered online from the Cape Fear Council (North Carolina) on Friday, December 26 from 10 am–1 pm. Cost is $20
December 27
Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge
Offered online from the Cape Fear Council (North Carolina) on Saturday, December 26 from 6 am–10 am. Cost is $20
December 27
Oceanography Merit Badge
Offered online from the Cape Fear Council (North Carolina) on Saturday, December 27 from 10 am–1 pm. Cost is $20
December 28
Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge
Offered online from the Cape Fear Council (North Carolina) on Saturday, December 27 from 10 am–1 pm. Cost is $20
December 29
Fish & Wildlife Merit Badge
If you are working on your World Conservation Award or the Conservation Segment of your National Outdoor Achievement Award, Fish & Wildlife is a required badge. Offered online from the Cape Fear Council (North Carolina) on Saturday, December 27 from 10 am–1 pm. Cost is $20
December 29
Nuclear Science Merit Badge
Offered online from the Cape Fear Council (North Carolina) on Friday, December 26 from 10 am–1 pm. Cost is $20
Winter S.T.E.M Camp
December 29 – December 31
If you happen to be in Southern California this holiday, you can attend Winter STEM Camp at the Aquatics Sea Base in Long Beach. This in-person day camp is for registered Scouts only and offers the following merit badge courses:
Technology
Game Design
Geocaching
Moviemaking
Plant Science
Programming
Radio
Robotics
Safety
Scouting Heritage
Space Exploration
Weather
Scouts can pick any 4 badges to earn. Camp is from 8:45 am–4 pm.
December 30
Cybersecurity Merit Badge
Be one of the first to earn this other new merit badge! Meets virtually on Tuesday, December 30 from 7:30 pm–9:30 pm. Cost is $10
January 6
American Labor Merit Badge
Offered by New England Base Camp (a conglomeration of four New England councils). Meets virtually on Tuesday, January 6 from 10am–1 pm. Cost is $25
Keep in Mind
If you see something you like, remember to get a Bluecard signed by your Scoutmaster first.
You may notice some virtual classes for Eagle-required badges. Your Scoutmaster will not approve taking these badges online.
In most cases, badges like Backpacking or Welding that require practical demonstration of skills will not be approved as an online class. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis.