Woodwork and the Trail to Eagle
Woodwork 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.
Woodwork Merit Badge Requirements
Summary of the 5 main requirements for Woodwork. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.
- 1
Do the following:
- a.Explain to your counselor the hazards you may encounter while participating in woodwork activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
- b.Show that you know first aid for injuries that could occur while woodworking, including splinters, scratches, cuts, severe bleeding, and shock.
- c.Earn the Totin' Chip recognition.
- 2
Do the following:
- a.Describe how timber is grown, harvested, and milled. Tell how lumber is cured, seasoned, graded, and sized.
- b.Collect and label blocks of six kinds of wood useful in woodworking.
- 3
Do the following:
- a.Show the proper care, use, and storage of all working tools and equipment that you own or use at home or school.
- b.Sharpen correctly the cutting edges of two different tools.
- 4
Using a saw, plane, hammer, brace, and bit, make something useful of wood.
- 5
Create your own woodworking project. Begin by making working drawings, list the materials you will need, and then build your project.
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 Woodwork Merit Badge
1. Get a blue card and a counselor
Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Woodwork, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.
2. Plan around the setting
Woodwork 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 12 Woodwork requirements for you.
Woodwork Merit Badge FAQ
Is the Woodwork merit badge required for Eagle Scout?
No. Woodwork 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 Woodwork merit badge take?
Most scouts finish Woodwork in about a month, depending on counselor availability and how the requirements are scheduled.
Where do scouts usually earn the Woodwork merit badge?
Woodwork is most often earned on your own with a counselor. Any registered merit badge counselor for Woodwork can sign off requirements.
How many requirements does the Woodwork merit badge have?
Woodwork has 5 main requirements with 7 sub-requirements, for 12 items in total.
