American Cultures and the Trail to Eagle
American Cultures is an elective merit badge. It is not required for any rank, but it can count as one of the 8 elective badges a scout needs for Eagle, alongside the 13 Eagle-required badges. Elective badges are also where most scouts discover hobbies and careers, so choose ones you are genuinely curious about. Browse the complete merit badge list to compare options.
American Cultures Merit Badge Requirements
Summary of the 5 main requirements for American Cultures. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.
- 1
Do TWO of the following, choosing a different group for each:
- a.Go to a festival, celebration, or other event identified with one of the groups. Report on what you see and learn.
- b.Go to a place of worship, school, or other institution identified with one of the groups. Report on what you see and learn.
- c.Talk with a person from one of the groups about the heritage and traditions of the group. Report on what you learn.
- d.Learn a song, dance, poem, or story that is traditional to one group, and teach it to a group of your friends.
- e.Go to a library or museum to see a program or exhibit featuring one group's traditions. Report on what you see and learn.
- 2
Imagine that one of the groups had always lived alone in a city or country to which no other groups ever came. Tell what you think the city or country might be like today. Now tell what you think it might be like if the three groups you chose lived there at the same time.
- 3
Tell about some differences between the religious and social customs of the three groups. Tell about some ideas or ways of doing things that are similar in the three groups.
- 4
Tell about a contribution made to our country by three different people, each from a different racial, ethnic, or religious background.
- 5
Give a talk to your Scout unit or class at school on how people from different groups have gotten along together. Lead a discussion on what can be done to help various groups understand one another better.
Merit badge names and emblems are trademarks of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America). Eagle Compass is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scouting America. Requirements are summarized for planning purposes; the official requirements are authoritative.
How to Earn the American Cultures Merit Badge
1. Get a blue card and a counselor
Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start American Cultures, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.
2. Plan around the setting
American Cultures is usually earned on your own with a counselor. Schedule regular check-ins with your counselor so partial progress does not stall.
3. Budget the time
Expect about a month for a moderate badge like this one. Working with a partner or at a merit badge clinic can shorten it.
4. Track every requirement
Keep notes as you complete each item so your counselor can sign off without re-doing work. Eagle Compass tracks all 10 American Cultures requirements for you.
American Cultures Merit Badge FAQ
Is the American Cultures merit badge required for Eagle Scout?
No. American Cultures is an elective merit badge. It can count as one of the 8 elective badges needed for Eagle Scout, alongside the 13 Eagle-required badges.
How long does the American Cultures merit badge take?
Most scouts finish American Cultures in about a month, depending on counselor availability and how the requirements are scheduled.
Where do scouts usually earn the American Cultures merit badge?
American Cultures is most often earned on your own with a counselor. Any registered merit badge counselor for American Cultures can sign off requirements.
How many requirements does the American Cultures merit badge have?
American Cultures has 5 main requirements with 5 sub-requirements, for 10 items in total.
