The first thing a scout should do is find a "Buddy" who wants to earn the same merit badge, and approach the Scoutmaster for a "Blue Merit Badge Card". If the scouts don't already know who the merit badge Counselor is for that particular merit badge, the scoutmaster needs to help the boys find a registered counselor.

** The "buddy system" is always used in scouting, as per the requirements found in the Guide to Safe Scouting.**

The Scoutmaster then fills out the section of the blue card with "Application For Merit Badge" on the front (the 3rd third on the front). The Scoutmaster puts the date of the request of the blue card at the bottom of the form. The Scoutmaster may also fill out the 1st third of the reverse side of the blue card with the name, address, and phone number of the counselor only.

The scouts then contact the merit badge counselor, and arranges a time for meeting with him/her.

At the first meeting, the scout turns over the blue card to the counselor to keep track of until the merit badge is completed.

** Again, 3 people must be present at all meetings with the merit badge counselor, as per the directives in the Guide to Safe Scouting.**

When the final requirement of the merit badge is completed, the merit badge counselor then fills in all the rest of the blanks on the blue card. The date of completion is the date it is earned!!! It will be the date recorded on all records of the scouts, and the date that will appear on the advancement order form and the final Merit Badge Card!

The merit badge counselor will then keep the last third of the blue card..."Counselor's Record", and give back the other 2 thirds to the Scouts who will then turn it into the Scoutmaster.

The Scoutmaster will then record it in the Scout's Handbook, then hand the scout the middle portion of the blue card for the scout's records. The scout must keep this blue card safe, and will be replaced in his records when his formal Merit Badge card is awarded at the Court of Honor. The last part of the blue card is handed to the Advancement Chairman, who will record it in their records, order the merit badge and Merit Badge Card, and keep the blue card for the troop's records.

This is very important... each person holding on to a portion of the blue card... the Merit Badge Counselor, the Troop Advancement Chairman, and the Scout must hold on to these cards for 7 years, or until the Scout makes Eagle. If anything should ever happen to the official records of the scout, the blue cards will serve as proof of earning the merit badge towards the Eagle rank. Instruct the scouts, and/or his parents, to keep the blue cards separate from the Merit Badge cards. That way if one is lost, the other can replace it!

Well, that should do it. Sometimes the blue cards are ignored in the program, but the simple fact is it is an important part of the ranking system. Use it! And Good Luck!
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