Scouting/BSA/Family Life Merit Badge

The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor.

Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center.

1. Prepare an outline and discuss with your merit badge counselor what a family is and how the actions of one member can affect other members.

2. List ten reasons why you are important to your family. Review these points with your parents or guardians and with your merit badge counselor.

3. Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores (at least five) and do them for ninety days. Keep a record of how often you do each of them.

4. With the approval of your parents/guardians and your merit badge counselor, decide on and carry out a project that you would do around the house that would benefit the family. Submit a report to your merit badge counselor outlining how the project benefited the family.

5. Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family. After carrying out the project, discuss the following with your merit badge counselor:

a. The objective or goal of the project

b. How individual members of your family participated

c. The results of the project

6) Do the following:

A) Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting.

B) After this discussion, plan and carry out a family meeting to include the following subjects:

1) Avoiding substance abuse

2) Understanding the growing-up process and how the body changes, and making responsible decisions dealing with sex

3) Personal and family finances

4) A crisis situation within your family

5) The effect of technology on your family

6) Good etiquette and manners

• Discussion of each of these subjects will very likely carry over to more than one family meeting.

7) Discuss the following with your counselor:

A) Your understanding of what makes an effective father and why, and your thoughts on the father’s role in the family.

B) Your understanding of the responsibilities of a parent.

Source: Boy Scout Requirements, 33215, revised 2004

External links

• Family Life Merit Badge with Workbook PDF, current requirements, and resources.