Which badges first?
Scouts can work on merit badges from the age of 10-1/2 until they reach the age of 18. BSA has designed merit badges that will be interesting and challenging for boys throughout that age range. Some merit badges are significantly easier than others. When selecting merit badges on which to work, it is important to pick badges that are age-appropriate, otherwise the scout can be overwhelmed and get discouraged.

Before enrolling in a Merit Badge class, Troop 55 Scouts need to obtain approval from the Scoutmaster for the particular badge and counselor. This is especially important for Eagle required Merit Badges.

Troop 55's recommended sequence of merit badges is as follows:

Level 1 - New Scouts / Ages 11-12 / 5th and 6th Grades
Eagle Required	Non-Eagle Required
First Aid Swimming Family Life Emergency Preparedness (First Aid MB reqd before)	Basketry Climbing Dog Care Fishing Leatherwork Mammal Study Pets Woodcarving

Level 2 - First Class / Ages 12-13 / 6th and 7th Grades
Eagle Required	Non-Eagle Required
Camping (7th grade) Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the Community (7th grade) Environmental Science (7th grade) Hiking Personal Fitness	Canoeing Collections Cooking Geology Golf Home Repairs Law Medicine Nature Photography Pioneering Radio Reading Scholarship Sports

Level 3 - Star & Life / Ages 14-15 / 8th Grade and UP
Eagle Required	Non-Eagle Required
Citizenship in the World Communications Personal Management Lifesaving (Swimming MB reqd before) Cycling	Auto Mechanics Backpacking Rowing Whitewater Wilderness Survival BSA Lifeguard

Notes:

For Eagle, only 12 of the 15 ER badges are required. Only one of Emergency Prep and Lifesaving is required, and only one of Swimming, Hiking and Cycling is required.

There are over 120 merit badges in total. Only a portion of the non-ER badges are shown above. For guidance on those additional badges, talk to the SM, the Advancement Chair, or one of the PASMs.