The advancement program requires Scouts to earn a total of 21 Merit Badges in varying fields to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Of the 21 badges, 12 are required, leaving the balance as optional work stressing hobbies or possible vocations. If a Scout wants to work on any Merit Badge, he must first speak with the Scoutmaster and obtain a blue Merit Badge card. This card is presented to the Merit Badge Counsellor and will be returned to the Scout upon successful completion of the badge. The completed card is then returned to the Scoutmaster for presentation. Scouts must attend Merit Badge sessions with a buddy. Scouts, and not their parents, must be the one to contact the Merit Badge Counsellor to arrange for an appointment. Parents in the Troop are encouraged to work with Scouts in the Troop as Merit Badge Counsellors. A parent may not, however, sign their son's Merit Badge work.

The following merit badges are required for Eagle:

• Camping (Requirements)
• Citizenship in the Community (Requirements)
• Citizenship in the Nation (Requirements)
• Citizenship in the World (Requirements)
• Communications (Requirements)
• Family Life (Requirements)
• First Aid (Requirements)
• Emergency Preparedness (Requirements) or
  Lifesaving (Requirements)
• Environmental Science (Requirements)
• Personal Management (Requirements)
• Personal Fitness (Requirements) or
  Swimming (Requirements) or
  Sports (Requirements)
• Safety (Requirements)

Requirements for ALL merit badges and related online resources is available from Troop 24's (Berkley, CA) Merit Badge Resources on the Web.