Help!

How to Use this Site

1. Navigate using the main navigation links found on the left-side by selecting a topic: Advancement Ranks or Merit Badges. Merit Badges are also grouped into Alphabetical Listing, Eagle Scout Required, Specialist Ratings, and by Groups.

2. Select the badge topic you need to earn or that interests you. Instructions how to earn a Merit Badge and Specialist Rating are also provided in this website.

3. Once you have selected a badge you will be presented with the badge requirement on the main content area. The content area will also provide a scanned picture of the actual badge. Eagle required Merit Badges will have the word "EAGLE REQUIRED" next to the picture. There will be additional links on the left-side navigation bar. The additional links are categorized as follows:

   1. Resource Links provides third-party websites with information to assist Scouts and Scouters in completing one or more of the requirements for the badge. Third-party websites are websites external to the Merit Badge Center.

   2. Local Links provides on-us web pages or adobe acrobat documents to assist Scouts and Scouters in completing one or more of the requirements for the badge. Under local links are also downloadable Badge Worksheets that will assist you in completing the requirements and make the process a bit organized.

   3. Specialized Links provides third-party websites that are grouped into a specific category or topic, such as "Civic Organizations" or "Scouting Events".

   4. Website Tools will have a link to a printable version of the requirements and an e-mail address to report broken links

Unable to Open Publications

All our publications are in Adobe Acrobat format. You will need to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these documents. Downloading this reader is free from Adobe.

If you need these documents in other formats, please contact us.

Unable to Open Resource Links

There are several possible reasons. You may have a "Pop-Up Blocker" that is enabled. You will need to allow Merit Badge Center as on of the web site you will allow pop-up for. Windows XP SP2 update has its own pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer in addition to those you are alrady using from Yahoo or Google. You can set this under IE's "Tools" menu.

Another possibility is that you are missing some of the necessary Windows registry keys that enables new browser window. Do the following to solve this problem:

1. Click the START button and select the RUN command.
2. Type "regsvr32 actxprxy.dll" and click OK.
3. A message box "DllRegisterServer in actxprxy.dll succeeded" and click OK.
4. Do Step 1 and type "regsvr32 shdocvw.dll" and click OK.
5. A message box "DllRegisterServer in shdocvw.dll succeeded" and click OK.
6. Restart Windows.

Unable to Open Compressed Files

If you are using Microsoft Windows version earlier than XP, you will need an unzipping tool. You can download one from WinZip or PKWare.