Summer Camp Merit Badge Selection Tips
Camp Merit Badge / Class Selection Tips
Which merit badges should I pick?
Every scout has a different reason for going to camp, and its important that scouts are having fun, so the merit badges they pick should align with their goals.
- Advancement focused scouts will want to pick classes they need for their rank, such as TTFC or Eagle-required merit badges.
- Value-focused scouts will want to pick classes that are hard to find elsewhere, such as boating activities.
- Fun-focused scouts will want to pick whatever they are interested in, even if they have already attained the merit badge.
Parents should talk to scouts and check that their goals align with their schedule.
Be aware that some merit badges have age and lottery requirements, while others just have age and experience recommendations.
Which time slots are required and which are optional?
- Scouts are required to have a full schedule in the morning (9am-noon)
- Some scouts enjoy having nothing scheduled for free time (7-8:30pm) because they can pick between swimming, climbing, shooting at the range, or just having ice cream at the store.
Any tips on how to efficiently schedule the time?
- Check camp map and class location and make sure you have enough time to switch between activities.
- Water-based activities will have scouts in probably sandy feet and wet shoes/hair/clothes and it is recommended to reduce transit time to next activity.
- Scouts have to be at the dining hall after their third activity and designated waiters have to be there earlier, try to schedule the third activity to give them a little more travel time.
Merit badges and locations: https://www.campparsons.org/bfd_download/advancement-merit-badge-schedule-revision/
Camp map: https://www.campparsons.org/bfd_download/camp-map/
Note: "Beach" is the "Central Beach" on the map for swimming and "Werner Beach" on the map for boating-related activities.
Example schedule with reasonable pathing:
9-10am: Swimming at Central Beach
10-11am: Art & Animation at Craft Lodge
11-noon: First Aid at Tower
Total walk time: ~15m
This optimizes for lunch at the Dining Hall which is one step away from the Tower, at the scout's request, and they will be able to dry off from swimming while sitting down at the Craft Lodge just a short distance away.
Example terrible schedule (same classes, different rotation):
9-10am: Art & Animation at Craft Lodge
10-11am: First Aid at Tower
11-noon: Swimming at Central Beach
Total walk time: ~25m
Scout has an easy start at the Craft Lodge, then needs to traverse the camp to First Aid, traverse the camp again to Swim, then traverses the camp one more time while wet+sandy to get to lunch, and will likely be late for waiter duty.
Should I do the swimming merit badge if I am not a strong swimmer?
The swimming merit badge bears a special warning. It is designed to complete the requirements of the merit badge and is not designed to teach the scout to swim. Please review requirements of the merit badge and determine if you are able to complete them (both technique and endurance matter) before signing up for the merit badge class: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/swimming/
Can I do rifles/archery if I have no experience and am a first year scout?
Yes, many first year scouts attempt the recommended 13+ merit badges. Rifles in particular was a huge hit last year. If they find they do not like it they can always change and do something else at camp.
Are there any deadlines for the class schedule?
This answer is based on information from Parsons 2025 and will be updated in June 2026.
You can make schedule changes anytime, up till and including the day the scout arrives at camp. Some scouts will change their schedule to be with their friends. Thats okay! Even better, talk with your friends now and sync up your classes so you know who to buddy with for a class or for the day.