How to Identify Boy Scout Patches
With the dozens of patches each Boy Scout receives on his path to Eagle, it can be difficult to try and identify all of them. Additionally, merit badges --- patches earned for specific educational programs --- change design from time-to-time, compounding the confusion. Summer camps, camporees and jamborees might commemorate events with patches. Older patches might not be identifiable from reading their inscription.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Patch vs. Badge
-
1
Determine whether the unknown patch is a merit badge or patch. Merit badges are small, circular patches about the size of a silver dollar awarded to Scouts that successfully complete a program of study. Patches come is all sorts of shapes and sizes, but are never the same size as a merit badge. Some patches are awarded for completing a week away at summer camp, an important hike, swim or program and generally include the name of the activity and a date.
-
2
Separate out any merit badges. Merit badges are easily identified. The Boy Scout Handbook will list all currently available badges with pictures to help identify them. If you don't have a copy of the handbook, you can ask a Scout or your local library or scouting office.
-
-
3
Patches commemorating an event frequently include the title of the event and a date. A web search can lead you to information about recently awarded patches. For older patches, or for those that do not give a date or title, you can use a picture or scanner to capture an image of the patch and submit it to a local troop's Scoutmaster or Historian. You can also contact your local scouting headquarters. Another option is to head to the local library and check out a few books on Scout history --- many include pictures of some of the most common historical patches.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
One common unmarked patch is the Order of the Arrow, an honor society within scouting. The patch is identified easily, it is a plain, white rectangular cloth patch with an intricate red arrow embroidered on its length.
References
- Photo Credit boy scouts image by Inhumane Productions from Fotolia.com
