Boy Scout Troop 261 BSA
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Troop 261 Motto "Yes I Will":
When a scout or adult says "Yes I Will", it means
they are going above and beyond the Scout Oath
and Law. It means they can be counted on to do
their part to make the troop successful. When given
a task, they will complete that task, or will ask for
help.

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"When I was a Boy Scout, we played a game when new Scouts joined the troop. We lined up chairs in a pattern, creating an obstacle course through which the new Scouts, blindfolded, were supposed to maneuver. The Scoutmaster gave them a few moments to study the pattern before our adventure began. But as soon as the victims were blindfolded, the rest of us quietly removed the chairs. I think life is like this game. Perhaps we spend our lives avoiding obstacles we have created for ourselves and in reality exist only in our minds. We're afraid to apply for that job, take violin lessons, learn a foreign language, call an old friend, write our Congressman - whatever it is that we would really like to do but don't because of personal obstacles. Don't avoid any chairs until you run smack into one. And if you do, at least you'll have a place to sit down."

--Pierce Vincent Eckhart


Merit Badge Counselors
Would go great with school economics course. What makes this "hard" is running a business for 3 months, otherwise it is easy to medium. American Business

Hard
3 Months
6 Reqmnt
1st Class

Duration is mostly logistics - this one takes some planning. American Cultures Medium
1-3 Months
5 Reqmnt
Would go great with an American History class. A fair bit of planning and reporting required. American Heritage Medium
2-3 Months
6+ Reqmnt
Good companion to American Business MB, requires a bit of writing and research, but nothing too difficult. American Labor Medium
1 Month
9 Reqmnt
Some planning and visits, but most information is in an encyclopedia or library book. Animal Science Easy
1 Month
6 Reqmnt
Very involved. Need to do research, reports, presentations and visits. Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones movies won't count as requirements, but they will help make it more interesting. Archaeology Hard
2-5 Months
11 Reqmnt
1st Class+
Skill required! But fun to learn and do. Good summer camp badge. Archery Medium
1-4 Weeks
5 Reqmnt
Lots of cool PC tools to help, involves interviews. Be sure to ask the architects why they almost always under estimate the cost! Architecture Medium
1 Month
5 Reqmnt
Good first merit badge - they don't get any easier than this ... fun too. Art
Clint Kennedy
Mike Stoecklein
Easy
1 Week
7 Reqmnt
Fairly involved and requires planning. Good camp or troop badge. Astronomy Medium
1-2 Months
10+ Reqmnt
1st Class
A scout is physically fit ... and this newly updated badge will prove it. Takes some planning and scheduled events. Athletics Medium
1-3 Months
5+ Reqmnt
Tenderfoot
Would go well with high school science. Not hard, but involves research and projects. (renamed NUCLEAR SCIENCE) Atomic Energy Medium
1-3 Month
7 Reqmnt
1st Class
This will be invaluable later (when you need to get that thingy to stop making that noise, etc.), but not of much interest until around driving age. Auto Mechanics Hard
2-5 Months
11 Reqmnt
15-16ish
Some of this is in you Webelos book! It's close to "easy" but does require some planning and project work. Avation
Chris Blendermann
Medium
1-3 Months
3+ Reqmnt
Not difficult, but time consuming. Good start possible at summer camp. Backpacking
Larry Bakken
Mike Stoecklein
Medium
3 Months
11+ Reqmnt
some First Aid
As easy as they get! Basketry Easy
1-3 Days
3 Reqmnt
Lots to study, but not too involved. Bird Study
Medium
1-12 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Good one for brass players in band, but most can learn a bugle. 3 months of bugling required. Bugling Medium
3 Months
6 Reqmnt
Most requirements are simple, but to get in all the campouts takes time. Keep track of all campouts and around 1st Class or Star should have most done. Rewritten in 2006, although not much changed. Camping
Jay Meyer
Medium
1-2 Years
10+ Reqmnt
1st Class
First Aid will cover CPR and other first aid issues and 1st Class requires basic swimming skills. Otherwise, enjoy the ride! Canoeing
Vickie Bakken
Robert Kennedy
Medium
1-4 Weeks
10+ Reqmnt
First Aid, 1st Class
A good one to do with High School Chemistry or Science class. Chemistry Medium
2-8 Weeks
7 Reqmnt
Science in School
The hard part might be finding the merit badge counselor, but otherwise this is a fairly easy one. Cinematography Easy
1-4 Weeks
4 Reqmnt
A good one to do with Jr. High or High School government class. Eagle Required. Citizenship of the
Community

Vickie Bakken
Clint Kennedy
Medium
1-4 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
A good one to do with Jr. High or High School government class. Eagle Required. Citizenship of the Nation
Vickie Bakken
Clint Kennedy
Rick Vance
Medium
1-4 Weeks
8+ Reqmnt
Rewritten in 2006 and seems easier, but overall is still a "medium" rating. Again a good one to do with Jr. High or High School government class. Eagle Required. Citizenship of the
World

Vickie Bakken
Clint Kennedy
Robert Kennedy
Rick Vance
Medium
1-4 Weeks
7+ Reqmnt
Some knots and climbing required. Good one for summer camp or high adventure campout. Climbing
Medium
1-12 Weeks
12 Reqmnt
1st Class or 14
Apparently the zealots were not content with 4 requirements, now there are 10. Helps to already have a collection started. Coin Collecting
Jay Meyer
Medium
1-12 Weeks
10+ Reqmnt
Could do in conjunction with coin collecting ... or drier lent ... or even something useful! Fun for us packrats! Collections
Medium
1-12 Weeks
9+ Reqmnt
Good summer camp or merit badge trail activity ... I'd tell you more, but that's your job! Communictions
Dan Callahan
Christy Fletcher
Easy
1-4 Weeks
9 Reqmnt
Good one for school keyboarding or if you already use the computer for papers, internet and other things. If it's all new to you, this will take some time! Computers
Tim Keogh
Medium
1-12 Weeks
9 Reqmnt
Need to do some planning and cooking, but fairly easy. This bumped up to medium because it doubled in reqs in '02. Cooking
Medium
1-8 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Lot of trips/visits to plan, so this one will take some time. Crime Prevention
Timothy Fletcher
Medium
4-9 Weeks
9+ Reqmnt
Lots of bike rides required for this one. Plan to do it over a year or so. Cycling
Mike Stoecklein
Jane Timm
Medium
3-6 Months
9+ Reqmnt
Easy-to-medium. My dentist would love this one, yours might too! Do your brush your tounge? Floss? Dentistry
Medium
2-6 Weeks
7+ Reqmnt
While the political correctness runnth over, this is a merit badge to be proud of. Possibly a life/perspective-changing effort. Recently rewritten. Disabilities Awareness
Medium
3 Months
7 Reqmnt
A good one to do if you have a dog or like animals. If you don't have a dog, you might be able to take care of someone else's for the badge. Dog Care
Larry Bakken
Medium
2 Months
9+ Reqmnt
have a Dog
Shades of my old mechanical drawing class from high school! Helps to access to a CAD system and drawing tools. Might as well do the architecture badge while you're at it. Drafting
Medium
1-8 Weeks
6 Reqmnt
Can get most of the information from books at the library. Rated medium because it requires two small projects and has over 10 requirements. Electricity
Medium
1-2 Weeks
11+ Reqmnt
Goes well with electricity, project intensive and requires some math. Perfect if you are taking it in school anyway! Electronics Medium
1-2 Weeks
6 Reqmnt
This or Lifesaving are Eagle Required. This badge is a goes well right after First Aid and Pioneering. 2004 revisions reduced some redundancy with some other badges. Emergency Preparedness
Jack Fletcher
Timothy Fletcher
Medium
1-6 Weeks
9+ Reqmnt
First Aid
This is best done in conjunction with a school science class and requires oral and written reports. Energy Medium
3-6 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Jr/Sr Science
Another badge prepared by zealots! You'll know a lot about engineering and get to do some visits and hands-on projects. Learn why most engineers should be required to take the communications merit badge! Engineering
Medium
1-2 Month
9 Reqmnt
1st Class
This badge was probably prepared by consultants (like a zealot only with no stake in the outcome)! Does require you to start a business, good joint badge with American Business. Entrepreneur
Hard
3 Months
6+ Reqmnt
1st Class
Eagle Required. Rewritten to be a bit less zealous, which is good. An important badge, of course! A good one to do at Summer Camp. Environmental Sciene
Kevin Custer
Medium
1-8 Weeks
6+ Reqmnt
2nd Class
Earn brownie points at home! A simple enough merit badge, but it does require some discipline. 90 days is a must for requirement 3. Family Life
Stephanie Blendermann
Maureen Johnson
Deb Ostroot
Easy
3 Months
7 Reqmnt
If you live on a farm this is a breeze! If not, your camp ranger or a local farmer would appreciate your projects on this one. Farm Mechanics
Medium
1-6 Weeks
9+ Reqmnt
You can probably pick up a finger printing kit from your local police department ... and convince network TV to do a CSI spin-off for your home town. Fingerprinting
Easy
1 Weeks
5 Reqmnt
Pyros ... this is the one for you - please! Not hard, but lots of stuff to do, explain, and demonstrate and includes a visit to the fire department. Fire Safety
Medium
3 Weeks
12+ Reqmnt
1st Class
You must know Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class first aid for this, but it's a good way to kill 4 birds with one stone (okay, wound 4 birds and then fix them up). Requires learning and demonstrating CPR. Good one to do before many other badges! First Aid
Timothy Fletcher
Hard
1-4 Weeks
7 Reqmnt
Good Summer Camp badge. Fish & Wild Life Management
Medium
1-4 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Time to complete this is mostly dependent on how quickly you can catch two fish. Scout fishermen are exempt from "trustworthy" only in reporting the size of the fish that got away (simply because it's tradition)! Fishing
Griff Eisel
Medium
1-? Weeks
9 Reqmnt
This is a good Summer Camp badge. It requires several "collections"/identifications of plants, trees and shrubs. Forestry
Hard
1-8 Weeks
7+ Reqmnt
1st Class
Just need to watch your garden grow ... and a few other things! Gardening
Easy
2 Month
6 Reqmnt
The revision brings this badge down a notch from the over-zealous category. It is now more in-line with an introduction to the topic, albeit involved. It should be an interesting badge to do. Genealogy
Jeniece Wolter
Medium
2-4 Weeks
9 Reqmnt
If you are a rock hound ... this is for you. Totally rewritten in 2006, it is now a more reasonable introduction. Still involved, but one you are more likely to tackle, rock-hound or not. Geology
Medium
1-16 Weeks
5+ Reqmnt
This is definitely a fun one, play golf and earn a badge! Golf
John Gettler
Easy
1-4 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Good intro to graphic arts and includes a field trip. Graphic Arts
Medium
2-4 Weeks
7+ Reqmnt
Eagle alternate badge (swimming or cycling). This is a good one to do over a longer period of time based on troop hikes/events. Hiking
Larry Bakken
Mike Stoecklein
Rick Vance
Medium
1-4 Weeks
7 Reqmnt
First Aid, 1st Class
Make the folks happy by becoming Mr. Fix-it. I'm for this one!!! Thrift vs. the money pit (a house)! Home Repairs
Medium
1-4 Weeks
6+ Reqmnt
A good one to do if you have a horse or like animals. You even get to be "in harmony" with your horse. You could be the next horse whisperer! Horsemanship
Medium
2 Months
11 Reqmnt
use of a Horse
Could go well with history. This is a nice introductory level approach to the topic. Kudos to the authors. Indian Lore
Easy
1 Week
4 Reqmnt
If your school biology class still requires an insect collection, this will be a natural, otherwise the bug collection could be a show stopper. Has definite summer camp possibilities! Insect Study
Hard
1-3 Months
11 Reqmnt
This is a nice introductory level approach and very useful for understanding what you read and hear in the news. Journalism
Medium
1-4 Weeks
4 Reqmnt
This is fairly straightforward and a good intro to landscaping. Landscape Architecture
Bruce Johnson
Easy
1 Week
6 Reqmnt
I expected a high-falutin' set of requirements, but found these quite reasonable. A good intro. Law Medium
2 Weeks
11 Reqmnt
Good camp badge in terms of having the materials you need, but can be done at home too. Leatherwork
Easy
1 Week
5 Reqmnt
Good camp badge for pool, etc. This is Eagle required, but optional if Emergency Preparedness has been earned. A good one to do regardless. Lifesaving
Shawn Bakken
Robert Kennedy
Mike Stoecklein
Medium
1-4 Weeks
15 Reqmnt
Swimming, MB, & CRP
Has many options, some more time-consuming than others. Mammal Study
Kevin Custer
Medium
1 Week
5 Reqmnt
Good introduction, but prepared by zealots. Lots of details in this one. Might be able to get into med school after this! Medicine
Stephanie Blendermann
Hard
1 Month
10 Reqmnt
A good one to do in conjunction with metal shop. Access to proper tools is helpful. Should be able to forge the tetsighga with these skills. Metal Work
Medium
1 Week
5+ Reqmnt
Project planning and model creation required, but a fun one. Model Design & Building
Medium
2 Weeks
6 Reqmnt
This is a good one to be an older scout, having 1st Class swimming requirements and CPR (via First Aid or other merit badges) - access to a motorboat is required. Motorboating
Medium
1-6 Weeks
6 Reqmnt
1st Class, CPR
Don't let 6 months scare you off -- one option is being in a band or choir for that long. Good introduction to music. Music
Easy
1-6 Weeks
4 Reqmnt
Good summer camp or merit badge trail activity. Nature Medum
1-4 Weeks
4+ Reqmnt
Good in conjunction with high school biology, good selection of options to choose from. Oceanography
Kevin Custer
Medium
1-4 Weeks
9 Reqmnt
Might be better to be 2nd Class or above, but not essential. You'll know map reading and compass use well after earning this one! Still as a male you may only ask for directions as a last resort! Orienteering
Jack Fletcher
Medium
1-4 Weeks
10 Reqmnt
An easy one, but useful none-the-less. You do not have to paint the counselor's house! Painting
Josh Wolter
Easy
1-2 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Eagle required. This'll get you in shape! Personal Fitness
Larry Bakken
Jane Timm
Medium
3 Months
9 Reqmnt
Eagle required. This is medium because it requires planning and discipline, but provides good life skills! Personal Managment
Mike Stoecklein
Medium
3 Month
10 Reqmnt
Easier that Dog and Horse MBs, but you need 4 months of pet care to earn it. Pets
Jane Timm
Easy
4 Month
4 Reqmnt
Rewritten in 2006, this badge is now more of a general introduction to the subject. Should be an easy one to complete. Photography
Clint Kennedy
Easy
2-4 Weeks
5 Reqmnt
Good scout weekend or summer camp badge. Helps to earn this one on your way to Emergency Preparedness and after First Aid (or rank-level First Aid). If you like camp gadgets, you like this! Pioneering
Medium
1 Month
10 Reqmnt
Good companion to gardening MB. Does require growing some plants, hence 1-3 Months. The 2006 rewrite move this into the difficult and "created by zealots" category. It's more like 15 requirements than 7. Plant Science
Hard
1-3 Month
7 Reqmnt
Does require using a torch and solder, and some plumbing materials and equipment. Plumbing
Medium
1-4 Weeks
7 Reqmnt
You might find a ceramic/pottery shop offering a course or your counselor providing resources to assist you in doing the projects. Pottery
Medium
1-4 Weeks
6 Reqmmnt
Requires a few visits, so you'll need some extra time for logistics. And remember to wash your hands! Public Health
Medium
1-2 Month
8 Reqmnt
Good to do in conjunction with a high school speech class, or possibly find a Toastmaster's Club! A good skill to acquire. A close companion of the Communications MB. Public Speaking
Medium
1-4 Weeks
5 Reqmnt
Requires some time to arrange a visit and carry-out your projects. Pulp & Paper
Medium
2-6 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Almost zealot status, but fairly straight forward. Find a local ham (radio operator) if your counselor isn't one! Radio
Medium
1-4 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Good Merit Badge trail or local model RR club activity. Now has a spiffy new patch. Railroading
Medium
1-4 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Includes a good service project. The reading can likely be done in conjunction with school or sr. citizens home. Reading
Maureen Johnson
Deb Ostroot
Easy
1-4 Weeks
4 Reqmnt
Requires keep a reptile or amphibian for a month ... tell mom you have to for your badge. This does get a zealot award. Reptile & Amphibian Study
Medium
1 Month
10 Reqmnt
 Good Summer Camp badge. Options include rifle shooting, air rifle or black-powder rifle shooting. Rifle Shooting
Larry Bakken
Kevin Custer
Medium
1-4 Weeks
2 Reqmnt
Do this one after First Aid and 1st Class or swimming MB. Rowing
Medium
1 Weeks
11 reqmnt
CRP, Swim Test
Fairly easy with one project involved. Safety
Medium
1-4 Weeks
6 Reqmnt
You are likely already a pro based on school and scout sales alone ... might as well earn the badge! Salesmanship
Medium
1-4 Weeks
7 Reqmnt
Good student or improving those grades, get credit with a MB. Does have some writing, interviewing and visits. Scholarship
Maureen Johnson
Medium
1-4 Weeks
5 Reqmnt
Play with clay, earn a badge! Probably have done this in art class at some time or another. Sculpture
Easy
1 Weeks
3 Reqmnt
Might be good to do in conjunction with rifle shooting. Shotgun Shoot
Kevin Custer
Hard
1-8 Weeks
12 Reqmnt
Good basic intro on your choice of three types of skating, does require a demonstration of skill. Skating
Medium
1 Weeks
6 Reqmnt
First Aid, 1st Class
Good summer camp or park district badge. Take after canoeing and/or rowing badges. Small-boat Sailing
Robert Kennedy
Rick Vance
Medium
1-4 Weeks
9 Reqmnt
1st Class, CRP
A fun badge, but requires study and skill, so this may take awhile to complete. Was called Skiing MB which better describes it. Snow Sports
Rick Vance
Medium
1-4 Weeks
15 Reqmnt
First Aid, 1st Class
Good Summer Camp or merit badge trail project, but can do any time. Soil & Water Conservation
Medium
1-4 Weeks
7 Reqmnt
You get to shoot a model rocket - gotta like that! Space Exploration
Medium
1-4 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
Eagle Required. Requires participation in 2 sports. Should be a simple one for boys already doing recreational or school sports. Sports
Larry Bakken
Chris Blendermann
Medium
1 Month
9 Reqmnt
First Aid, 1st Class
If you like stamps and/or collecting, this is a good one. Think of stamps as trading or gaming cards! Stamp Collecting
Medium
1 Month
8 Reqmnt
Good basic intro to surveying. Your counselor, city manager/engineering dept., local college, etc. are all likely to have equipment and time to help you with this one. Surveying
Medium
1 Weeks
8 Reqmnt
An eagle required badge (in option with cycling and hiking). I recommend this one, if physically able, even if you don't like to swim. It's an important life skill, even if just for safety. Swimming
Vickie Bakken
Robert Kennedy
Medium
1 Weeks
10 Reqmnt
CRP, 1st Class, Swim Test
Good introduction to textiles and the industry. Textile
Maureen Johnson
Easy
1 Weeks
6 Reqmnt
Good one if you are involved in school Muse or Theater productions. This can be fun for campfires as well! Theater
Clint Kennedy
Medium
1 Weeks
6 Reqmnt
Requires a project related to traffic safety, but a good one to do before or during driver's training! Traffic Saftey
Timothy Fletcher
Medium
1-4 Weeks
5 Reqmnt
The 2006 rewrite brings this down to level of a good introduction to the industry. Truck Transportation
Medium
1-4 Weeks
10 Reqmnt
Rewritten in 2006 and is a bit less intense now. A good badge for animal lovers. Veterinary Medicine
Medium
1 Month
6 Reqmnt
A fun badge, but will require demonstration of basic skills. Access to equipment is important - which your counselor usually has access to. Sometimes local park districts have programs that might assist with many or all requirements. Water Skiing
Vickie Bakken
Medium
1-4 Weeks
11 Reqmnt
1st Class, CRP
While there are several requirements, the fall in the easy category. Does require a 5 minute talk. Weather
Medium
1 Weeks
10 Reqmnt
This one is hard by virtue of the number of requirements and pre-requisites. Designed by zealots, but at least it was mostly for safety reasons. Whitewater
Hard
1-4 Weeks
14 Reqmnt
1st Class, CPR, Canoeing
Fun, useful, but fairly involved. A good summer camp badge, but can be done in conjunction with campouts. Wildreness Survival
Medium
1-4 Weeks
13 Reqmnt
Fun and only rated "medium" because two carvings are required ... watch your fingers! Wood Carving
Medium
1-4 Weeks
7 Reqmnt
Requires a visit and a project or two, but if you like to make things out of wood ... this is for you. Woodworking
Medium
1-4 Weeks
7 Reqmnt
NOTE: Highlighted Merit Badges are required to reach rank of Eagle Scout.
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