Collections
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
Collections merit badge | ||
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Status: | Elective | |
Created: | 1991 | |
Discontinued: | no | |
BSA Advancement ID: | 128 | |
Requirements revision: | 2004 | |
Latest pamphlet revision: | 2003 |
Contents |
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![]() | This article is about the Merit Badge for Boy Scouts for the Belt Loop and Pin for Cub Scouts, see Cub Scout Collecting |
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.
- a. Explain the precautions that you need to take to preserve your collection, including
- 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 grading classifications or ratings used in your collection.
- e. List the national, state, or local association for collectors in your field of interest
- 6. Show the location of and explain to your counselor the following:
- a. Identification number (if applicable)
- b. Series
- c. Brand name (if any)
- d. Any other special identification marks
- 7. Discuss with your counselor the plans you have to continue with the collection in the future.
- 8. Discuss with your counselor the career opportunities that may be available involving your collection.
- 9. Discuss with your counselor why and how collecting has changed and how this applies to your collection.
- 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: 2018 Boy Scout Requirements, 2018 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #641568) |
Notes
![]() | A FREE workbook for Collections is available here! ![]() with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Collections requirements. | meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, Cub Scout workbooks, and Nova Award workbooks. |
Per the BSA: You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject. Merit badge pamplets are available at your local Scout Shop or online at ScoutStuff.org.