Advancement

A scout gains experience and masters skills to work his way along his Trail to Eagle. There are several types of awards scouts may earn. The two most common are the Rank which is their location on the eagle trail and a merit badge which shows proficiency in an area of interest. A scout must earn 21 merit badges as well as fulfill other requirements in order to reach the rank of Eagle.

Rank

A new scout earns the rank of "Scout" by learning the basics of scouting. These items include the Law and Oath. The rank patch is worn on the face of the left shirt pocket. As a new rank is earned, it replaces the patch on the uniform. A complete set of Boy Scout rank requirements are maintained by the U.S. Scouting Service Project. Click on one of the badges below to view the rank requirements on the USSSP site.
Note: Eagle requirements are very specific, and include a considerable amount of documentation. On attaining the "Life" rank, scouts should receive a packet from the Scoutmaster with a complete Eagle checklist.

See our Eagle Scouts

Merit Badges

What's a Merit Badge?? Merit Badges are special awards earned by Scouts that have met specific requirements for a specific area of interest or study. Merit Badges are required to attain the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle. There are over 100 different merit badges that can be earned. When you receive a merit badge, be sure to keep the card that comes with it - this is your proof that you earned the merit badge. Merit Badges are worn on a Merit Badge Sash

Requirements for Merit Badges can be found here or on the council website at this link

The Boy Scouts of America publishes a booklet for each merit badge. Each booklet provides background information about the subject area for that merit badge, as well as a complete list of requirements needed to earn the badge. If you would like to purchase a personal copy of a specific merit badge booklet, they're available at the Housatonic Council for a nominal fee. However, if you'd like to borrow a booklet, Troop 27 maintains a Lending Library of merit badge booklets.
Availability The entire Lending Library is usually available at our weekly Troop Meeting. Scouts may borrow booklets by signing them out through our Troop Librarian.
Donations If you have completed a merit badge and have a personal copy of a booklet, we encourage you to donate it to our Lending Library - your generosity is appreciated.
Catalog Here is a partial list of the merit badge books that are available in the Troop 27 library.

Archery
Astronomy
Atomic Energy
Auto Mechanics
Aviation
Basketry
Camping Canoeing
Cinematography
Citizenship in The Community
Citizenship in The Nation
Citizenship in The World
Climbing
Coin Collecting
Communications
Comnputers
Cooking
Cycling
Electronics
Emergency Preparedness
Environmental Science
Family Life

Fingerprinting
First Aid
Fishing
Firemanship
Forestry
Geology
Hiking
Home Repairs
Horsemanship
Insect Study
Leatherwork
Lifesaving
Mammals
Motorboating
Nature
Oceanography
Orienteering
Personal Fitness
Personal Management
Pets
Pioneering

Plant Science
Pottery
Railroading
Reading
Rifle Shooting
Rowing
Safety
Salesmanship
Shotgun Shooting
Signaling
Small-Boat Sailing
Skiing
Swimming
Veterinary Science
Water Skiing
Weather
Wilderness Survival
Wood Carving
Woodwork
Zoology

Other Awards

There are many other awards a scout or adult leader may earn. These include badges for items such as camping, leadership, or religous activities. You may wish to browse the list at U.S. Scouting Service Project awards page

For example: The "Ad Altare Dei" (AAD) is a program developed by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) for Boy Scouts of the Catholic faith. AAD Award