Animation and the Trail to Eagle
Animation 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.
Animation Merit Badge Requirements
Summary of the 5 main requirements for Animation. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.
- 1
General Knowledge. Do the following:
- a.In your own words, describe to your counselor what animation is.
- b.Discuss with your counselor a brief history of animation.
- 2
Principles of Animation. Choose five of the following 12 principles of animation and discuss how each one makes an animation appear more believable: squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, straight-ahead action and pose to pose, follow through and overlapping action, slow in and slow out, arcs, secondary action, timing, exaggeration, solid drawing, appeal.
- 3
Projects. With your counselor's approval, choose two animation techniques and do the following for each:
- a.Technique 1: Plan, create, and share your animation.
- b.Technique 2: Plan, create, and share your animation.
- 4
Animation in our World. Do the following:
- a.Tour an animation studio or a business where animation is used.
- b.Discuss with your counselor how animation might be used in the future.
- 5
Careers. Learn about three career opportunities in animation. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required.
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 Animation Merit Badge
1. Get a blue card and a counselor
Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Animation, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.
2. Plan around the setting
Animation 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 11 Animation requirements for you.
Animation Merit Badge FAQ
Is the Animation merit badge required for Eagle Scout?
No. Animation 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 Animation merit badge take?
Most scouts finish Animation in about a month, depending on counselor availability and how the requirements are scheduled.
Where do scouts usually earn the Animation merit badge?
Animation is most often earned on your own with a counselor. Any registered merit badge counselor for Animation can sign off requirements.
How many requirements does the Animation merit badge have?
Animation has 5 main requirements with 6 sub-requirements, for 11 items in total.
