 Reading
This Merit Badge requires 1 session to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Reading merit badge are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Reading Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
1. |
Do EACH of the following: |
| a. |
Take a tour of a library. Discuss with your
counselor how the library is organized and what
resources and/or services are offered in the
library. |
| b. |
Learn how to search a library’s card catalog or
computerized catalog by author, title, and
subject. |
| c. |
In a library, search the card catalog or
computerized catalog for six books of four
different types, such as poetry, fiction,
nonfiction, and biographies. |
| d. |
With the assistance of your merit badge counselor
or the librarian, see if you can locate on the
shelves the six books you selected. |
2. |
Do EACH of the following: |
| a. |
Identify a book you have enjoyed. Find out what
other books the author has written. |
| b. |
Look at one or more “best books†lists. These can
be based on year, subject, or even all time.
Identify at least one book you would like to read. |
3. |
Read four different types of books, such as
poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or biographies. Do
any ONE of the following for each book you have
read: |
| a. |
Write a review of the book. Include what you
liked/didn’t like about the book. Include if you
would recommend this book, and if so, who might
enjoy reading it. |
| b. |
Watch a movie based on the book. What was the same
between the book and movie? What was different?
Which did you enjoy more? Discuss this with your
merit badge counselor. |
| c. |
Give a “book talk†to your class, troop, or
patrol. |
4. |
Read a nonfiction book or magazine that teaches
you how to do something like cooking, wood-
building projects, video game design, science
experiments, knot-tying, etc. With your
counselor’s and parent’s or guardian’s
permission, complete a project from the book.
Share your experience with your merit badge
counselor. Reading a merit badge pamphlet will
not count toward completing this requirement. |
5. |
Read about the world around you from any two
sources: books, magazines, newspapers, the
internet (with your parent’s or guardian’s
permission), field manuals, etc. Topics may
include Scouting, sports, environmental
problems, politics, social issues, current
events, nature, religion, etc. Discuss what you
have learned with your counselor. |
6. |
With your counselor’s and parent’s or guardian’s
permission, choose ONE of the following activities
and devote at least four hours of service to that
activity. Discuss your participation with your
counselor. |
| a. |
Read to a sick, blind, or home bound person in a
hospital or in an extended-care facility. |
| b. |
Perform volunteer work at your school library or a
public library. |
| c. |
Read stories to younger children, in a group or
individually. |
| d. |
Organize a book swap in your troop, school, or
place of worship. |
| e. |
Organize a book drive to collect books. Donate
them to an organization in need. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2026"
Download the workbook for the
Reading Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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