Cooking and the Trail to Eagle
Cooking is one of the 13 Eagle-required merit badges. There is no substitute for it. Every scout who earns Eagle must complete Cooking, along with the other 12 required badges and 8 electives, for 21 merit badges in total. See the full breakdown in our Eagle Scout requirements guide.
Cooking Merit Badge Requirements
Summary of the 7 main requirements for Cooking. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.
- 1
Health and Safety. Explain hazards during cooking activities. Show first aid knowledge. Describe proper food storage and handling. Discuss food allergies and food-related illnesses.
- 2
Nutrition. Plan menus for trail and backpacking meals. Create a shopping list. Share and discuss with your counselor.
- 3
Cooking Basics. Discuss cooking methods. Discuss nutritional value. Plan a menu for three full days of camping.
- 4
Cooking at Home. Plan a menu for your family for one day. Prepare and serve the meals.
- 5
Camp Cooking. Cook in an outdoor setting using two methods. Prepare a trail snack.
- 6
Trail and Backpacking Meals. Prepare and serve meals on a trail hike or backpacking trip.
- 7
Find out about three career opportunities in cooking.
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 Cooking Merit Badge
1. Get a blue card and a counselor
Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Cooking, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.
2. Plan around the setting
Cooking is usually earned troop meetings and outings. Coordinate with your troop so the group activities line up with your requirements.
3. Budget the time
Expect about 3 months for a demanding 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 7 Cooking requirements for you.
Cooking Merit Badge FAQ
Is the Cooking merit badge required for Eagle Scout?
Yes. Cooking is one of the 13 Eagle-required merit badges every Eagle Scout must earn.
How long does the Cooking merit badge take?
Most scouts finish Cooking in about 3 months, depending on counselor availability and how the requirements are scheduled.
Where do scouts usually earn the Cooking merit badge?
Cooking is most often earned troop meetings and outings. Any registered merit badge counselor for Cooking can sign off requirements.
How many requirements does the Cooking merit badge have?
Cooking has 7 main requirements, for 7 items in total.
