Collections

Collections merit badge requirements

1. Prepare a short written report or outline for your counselor, giving a detailed description of your collection*, including a short history. Be sure to include why you chose that particular type of collecting and what you enjoy and have learned from your collection.
2. Explain the growth and development of your collection.*
3. Demonstrate your knowledge of preserving and displaying your collection.

   a. Explain the precautions that you need to take to preserve your collection, including

   1. Handling

   2. Cleaning

   3. Storage

   b. Explain how best to display your collection, keeping in mind preserving as discussed above.

   c. Explain to your counselor the events available for a hobbyist of this collection, including shows, seminars, conventions, contests, and museum programs or exhibits.

4. Demonstrate your knowledge of collecting and investing. Discuss with your counselor:

   a. How investing and speculation would apply to your collection

   b. What you would look for in purchasing other collections similar to yours

   c. What you would expect in return value in the event you decided to sell all or part of the collection

5. Do the following:

   a. Discuss with your counselor at least 10 terms commonly used in your collection and be prepared to discuss the definition of each.

   b. Show your counselor any two groups from your collection. Explain how you organized your collection and why you chose that method. (Note: if your collection is too large to transport and your counselor is unable to view your collection directly, photographs should be available to share.)

   c. Explain how your collection is valued by other collectors and display to your counselor any price guides that may be available.

   d. Explain how your collection is graded for value, physical defects, size and age. Show the various classifications or ratings used in your collection.

   e. List the national, state, or local association responsive to your collection.

   f. Show the location of and explain to your counselor the identification number (if applicable), series, brand name (if any),and any special identification marks.

6. Discuss with your counselor the plans you have to continue with the collection in the future.
7. Discuss with your counselor why and how collecting has changed and how this applies to your collection.
8. Find out about career opportunities in collecting. 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.

* Stamp and coin collecting are excluded from eligibility for this merit badge.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2018 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #641568)

A FREE workbook for Collections is available here! (PDF or Word) with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Collections requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and Word versions of workbooks for Scouts BSA ranks and merit badges, Webelos adventures, Cub Scout ranks and adventures, and Nova awards.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." The Collections merit badge pamphlet can purchased at ScoutSthop.org or at your local Scout Shop.
• "Get a signed Application for Merit Badge ... from your unit leader." An electronic, fillable, and printable PDF file version is available.

• Scouts BSA awards: Complete Angler
• Scouts BSA merit badges: Art - Basketry - Bugling - Chess - Coin Collecting - Collections - Cooking - Digital Technology - Dog Care - Fishing - Fly-Fishing - Gardening - Genealogy - Golf - Hiking - Home Repairs - Horsemanship - Indian Lore - Leatherwork - Metalwork - Model Design and Building - Music- Pets - Photography - Pioneering - Pottery - Radio - Railroading - Reading - Rowing - Sculpture - Stamp Collecting - Wood Carving
  
• Venturing: Ranger Award electives: Cave Exploration - Cycling - Equestrian - Fishing

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many youths have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)
• See Submitting New Merit Badge Ideas for guidance on how to submit suggestions for new merit badges to BSA.