Scouting/BSA/Cooking 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.

Requirement 1

Do the following:

A. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in cooking activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate and respond to these hazards.

B. Review with your counselor the injuries that might arise from cooking, including burns and scalds, and the proper treatment.

C. Describe how meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy products, and fresh vegetables should be stored, transported, and properly prepared for cooking.

Explain how to prevent cross-contamination

D. Describe the following food-related illnesses and tell what you can do to help prevent each from happening: Salmonella enteritis, Staphylococcal enteritis, E. coli (Escherichia coli) enteritis, Botulism, Trichinosis, Hepatitis.

Discuss with your counselor food allergies, food intolerance, and food related diseases.

Requirement 2

Do the following:

A. Illustrate for your counselor the food pyramid that fits you. Label the following food groups in the pyramid and how much of each you should eat each day.

B. Explain why you should limit your intake of oils and sugars.

C. Explain the number of servings recommended per day from each group.

D. Give your counselor examples from each food group.

E. Describe for your counselor the measurements of servings for each food group.

F. Describe to your counselor food preparation techniques that result in more healthful and nutritious meals.

Requirement 3

Plan a menu for two straight days (six meals) of camping. Include the following:

A. A camp dinner with soup; meat, fish, poultry, or an appropriate substitute; two fresh vegetables; drink; and dessert. All are to be properly prepared. When preparing your menu, follow the nutritional guidelines set by the food pyramid.

B. A one-pot dinner. Use foods other than canned.

C. Using the menu planned for requirement 3, make a food list showing cost and amount needed to feed three or more boys.

D. List the utensils needed to cook and serve these meals.

Requirement 4

Using the menu planned for requirement 3, do the following and discuss the process with your merit badge counselor:

A. Prepare and serve for yourself and two others, the two dinners, one lunch, and one breakfast. Time your cooking so that each course will be ready to serve at the proper time.* * The meals for this requirement may be prepared for different trips. They need not be prepared consecutively. Scouts working on this badge at summer camp should plan around food they can get at the camp commissary.

B. For meals prepared in requirement 4a for which a fire is needed, use a lightweight stove or build a low-impact fire. Include support for your cooking utensils from rocks, logs, or like material. The same fireplace may be used for more than one meal. Use a backpacking stove to cook at least one meal. (Where local regulations do not allow you to do this, the counselor may change the requirement to meet the law.)

C. For each meal prepared in requirement 4a, use safe food-handling practices. Dispose of garbage, cans, foil, paper, and other rubbish by packing them out and depositing them in a proper container. After each meal, clean up the site thoroughly.

Requirement 5

Plan a menu for one day (three meals) or for four meals over a two-day period of trail hiking or backpacking. Include the following:

A. A breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a trail or backpacking trip where light weight is important. You should be able to store all foods used for several days without refrigeration. When preparing your menu, follow the nutritional guidelines set by the food pyramid.

B. Using the menu planned for requirement 5, make a food list showing cost and amount needed to feed three or more boys.

C. List the utensils needed to cook and serve these meals.

D. Figure the weight of the foods in requirement 5a.

Requirement 6

Using the menu planned for requirement 5a, do the following:

A. Prepare and serve for yourself and two others, the trail breakfast and dinner. Time your cooking so that each course will be ready to serve at the proper time. The meals for this requirement may be prepared for different trips. They need not be prepared consecutively. Scouts working on this badge at summer camp should plan around food they can get at the camp commissary.

B. Use an approved trail stove (with proper supervision) or charcoal to prepare your meals.

C. For each meal prepared in requirement 6a, use safe food-handling practices. Dispose of garbage, cans, foil, paper, and other rubbish by packing them out and depositing them in a proper container. After each meal, clean up the site thoroughly.

Requirement 7

Plan a menu for three full days of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to be cooked at home.

A. When preparing your menu, follow the nutritional guidelines set by the food pyramid. All meals are to be cooked or properly prepared.

B. Using the menu planned for requirement 7, make a food list, showing cost and amount needed to feed yourself and at least one adult (parent, family member, guardian, or other responsible adult).

C. Tell what utensils were needed to cook and serve these meals.

D. Prepare and serve a breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the menu you planned for requirement 7. Time your cooking to have each course ready to serve at the proper time. Have an adult verify the preparation of the meal to your counselor.

Requirement 8

Find out about three career opportunities in cooking.

Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession.

Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.