Family Life Merit Badge

Family Life and the Trail to Eagle

Family Life is one of the 13 Eagle-required merit badges. There is no substitute for it. Every scout who earns Eagle must complete Family Life, 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.

Long-lead badge: start early

Family Life includes a tracking period of at least 90 days. Scouts who leave it until their Life-to-Eagle push often run out of time before their 18th birthday. Start the tracking requirement as soon as you have a counselor.

Family Life Merit Badge Requirements

Summary of the 6 main requirements for Family Life. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.

1
Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss it with your counselor.
2
List several of the values and traditions important in your family. Discuss these with your counselor.
3
Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores and discuss with your counselor how they contribute to the family.
4
With the approval of your parents or guardians and your counselor, plan and carry out a project that benefits your family.
5
Plan and carry out a family meeting.
6
List 10 qualities that are important in a family.

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 Family Life Merit Badge

1. Get a blue card and a counselor

Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Family Life, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.

2. Plan around the setting

Family Life 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 3 months for a moderate badge like this one. The 90-day tracking period is the floor, not the average.

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 6 Family Life requirements for you.