Sports Merit Badges

Whether you’re an athlete, simply a fan of sports, or a little bit of both, there’s a whole category of merit badges for you. And while it’s a good idea to expand your horizons and pursue merit badges on topics with which you aren’t already familiar, you’ll also have plenty of time in Scouting to go after some badges that already align with your interests.

Here are nine merit badges that are perfect for athletes and sports fans, plus a bonus category at the end for fans of certain international multisport events held every four years.

Sports: It’s right there in the name! The Sports merit badge emphasizes the importance of being prepared to play sports by getting a physical exam, maintaining healthy habits and training the right way. If you already play an organized sport, you’ll have no problem with Requirement 5: taking part in one season of a competitive individual or team sport.

Athletics: This merit badge focuses on preparing for and showing improvement in specific athletic activities such as swimming and long-distance running, and specific skills within the sports of basketball, baseball and soccer.

Water Sports: Aquatic activities such as swimming, boating, skiing and wakeboard aren’t just fun. They’re also great ways to develop strength, coordination and fitness. Youth who pursue this badge can get a taste of multiple water-related activities. Perfect for summer camp!

Snow Sports: Winter sports like snow skiing, snowboarding and show shoeing require a special set of skills, and you’ll learn a little about all of them when you work on this merit badge. In addition to proper safety practices and gear, this badge covers specific skills required to excel at winter sport.

Swimming: By working on this Eagle-required merit badge, you’ll learn to make the most of your time by the pool. Skills covered include headfirst dives, feet-first entries, and a variety of swim strokes, along with some water rescue techniques you can use if one of your buddies is in trouble.

Golf: Not only will you learn the rules of golf (it’s one of the few sports in which the lower score wins!), you’ll also learn how to execute a full wood shot, fairway wood shot, long iron shot, short iron shot, approach shot and putting stroke.

Cycling: Another Eagle-required badge, Cycling merit badge participants learn all about one of best sports to participate in. The best thing about this badge is you have the option of working on road biking requirements, or you can choose to pursue the mountain biking option.

Fishing: Some people fish for food, other people fish for sport. You’ll do a little bit of both for this badge, which covers the art of casting, knot tying, and reeling in a catch. Proper catch-and-release techniques are covered, as are the proper methods of cleaning and cooking a fish.

Personal Fitness: Another Eagle-required badge, Personal Fitness teaches the importance of being mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually fit. By helping you identify both your weakest and strongest areas of fitness, it’s the perfect complement to all of the other sports-related badges.

BONUS! The following merit badges are also Olympic sports: Archery, Canoeing, Climbing, Kayaking, Rifle Shooting, Rowing, Shotgun Shooting, Skating, Small-Boat Sailing and Rowing.