General Information

The merit badge program is one of Boy Scouting’s basic character-developing tools. Earning merit badges gives a boy the kind of confidence that comes from learning and developing skills to achieve a goal. The relationship between counselors and Scouts is the key to the success of the merit badge plan. At this PowWow, group instruction and orientation are encouraged where special and expert presenters make this most practical; however, this group experience should be accompanied by local attention to each candidate’s projects and his ability to fulfill all requirements. Attending group instruction does not necessarily qualify a Scout for any merit badge. In order for an activity like a merit badge powwow to be successful, parents, unit leaders, unit advancement committees, and district advancement committees must support a Scout by seeing that qualified merit badge counselors are involved before, during, and after a group learning experience.

BYU Continuing Education programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, or ethnic or national origin, but all registrants must maintain the standards of Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Merit Badge Instructions

Merit badge instruction is available to Scouts for up to three merit badges of his choice. Participants will begin working on merit badges at 9:00 a.m. on each day of the program. The first class will last for 75 minutes (to allow for roll call and patch distribution), followed by two more classes lasting 65 minutes each, unless otherwise indicated. Class schedules will be the same for both Saturdays, with the final class ending at 12:45 p.m. (Refer to the Merit Badges tab of this website for details on particular merit badges.)

Please review requirements in the Boy Scout Requirement Books or online at powwow.byu.edu/merit-badges before signing up for merit badges. Some of the requirements will be completed at the PowWow, but the Scouts will need to complete some requirements at home. Please take the time to go over the merit badge work sheets with your Scouts PRIOR to their attendance at the PowWow so they will be prepared. Attending this PowWow does not guarantee that the Scouts will receive the merit badge—they must complete their homework as well.

Merit Badge Applications

In keeping with the Utah National Parks Council policy, merit badges may only be issued using an official BSA Merit Badge Application Card. These cards will NOT be available at the PowWow. Merit Badge Work Sheets will not be accepted at the Council Office in place of the official Merit Badge Application Card. Each Scout will be responsible to provide his own cards and have them signed by his Scoutmaster before PowWow begins.  Merit badge cards will be signed at the PowWow if all merit badge requirements are completed; otherwise, those who do not complete all the requirements should take their partially completed Merit Badge Work Sheets to their local leaders for completion.