Earning merit badges is the responsibility of the Scout. While there are many opportunities for Scouts to participate in merit badge programs sponsored by units, districts, councils and other organizations, it is ultimately up to the Scout to locate or create an opportunity to earn a merit badge.

Individual Merit Badge Opportunities
In many units, Scouts can locate a merit badge counselor who is an adult leader or parent in that unit. (Merit badge counselors must be registered with the Atlanta Area Council, even if they work only with Scouts in a single unit.) A good overview of the process of earning a merit badge can be found on the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.

Merit Badge Group Instruction / Merit Badge Clinics
There are numerous opportunities for group merit badge instruction in and around the Foothills District and the Atlanta Area Council. A great resource for locating group instruction opportunities is www.meritbadge.info, which is managed by Mr. Rodrigo Cano, a member of the Foothills district advancement committee, and an adult leader in a Foothills unit.

Scout Buddy System for Merit Badges
A Scout must have a buddy with him at each meeting with a merit badge counselor. A Scout's buddy can be another Scout, a parent or guardian, a brother or sister, or a relative or friend. From his Scoutmaster, the Scout obtains a signed merit badge application ("blue card") and the name of the appropriate merit badge counselor. The counselor should explain the requirements to the Scout. The Scout and his buddy then meet as appropriate with the counselor until the Scout completes the badge's requirements.

BSA Policy on Group Instruction of Merit Badges
The National Executive Board has approved this policy statement on merit badge counseling:
"To the fullest extent possible, the merit badge counseling relationship is a counselor-Scout arrangement in which the boy is not only judged on his performance of the requirements, but receives maximum benefit from the knowledge, skill, character, and personal interest of his counselor. Group instruction and orientation are encouraged where special facilities and expert personnel make this most practical, or when Scouts are dependent on only a few counselors for assistance. However, this group experience should be followed by attention to each individual candidate's projects and his ability to fulfill all requirements."
In harmony with this policy, a troop or team may use merit badge counselors in unit meetings. The merit badge counselor can make a presentation covering the highlights of a merit badge subject. Scouts should then be given an opportunity to try some skill related to the badge. This introduction to a merit badge can spark an interest in the subject.