Archery

Archery merit badge requirements

1. Do the following:

   a. State and explain the Range Safety Rules.

   1. Three safety rules when on the shooting line.

   2. Three safety rules when retrieving arrows.

   3. The four whistle commands used on a range and their related verbal commands.

   b. State and explain the general safety rules for archery. Demonstrate how to safely carry arrows in your hands.

   c. Tell about your local and state laws for owning and using archery equipment.

2. Do the following:

   a. Name and point out the parts of an arrow.

   b. Describe three or more different types of arrows.

   c. Name the four principle materials for making arrow shafts.

   d. Do the following:

   1. Make a complete arrow from a bare shaft using appropriate equipment available to you.

   OR

   2. To demonstrate arrow repair, inspect the shafts and prepare and replace at least three vanes, one point, and one nock. You may use as many arrows as necessary to accomplish this. The repairs can be done on wood, fiberglass, or aluminum arrows.

   e. Explain how to properly care for and store arrows.

3. Do the following:

   a. Explain the proper use, care, and storage of, as well as the reasons for using tabs, arm guards, shooting gloves, and quivers.

   b. Explain the following terms: cast, draw weight, string height, aiming, spine, mechanical release, and barebow.

   c. Make a bowstring using appropriate materials.

4. Explain the following:

   a. The importance of obedience to a range officer or other person in charge of a range.

   b. The difference between an end and a round.

   c. The differences among field, target, and 3-D archery.

   d. How the five-color World Archery Federation target is scored.

   e. How the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) black-and-white field targets and blue indoor targets are scored.

5. Do ONE of the following options:

   Option A - Using a Recurve Bow or Longbow

   a. Name and Point to the parts of the recurve bow or longbow you are shooting.

   b. Explain how to properly care for and store recurve bows and longbows.

   c. Show the ten steps of good shooting for the bow you are shooting.

   d. Demonstrate the proper way to string a recurve bow or longbow.

   e. Using a bow square, locate and mark with dental floss, crimp-on, or other method, the nocking point on the bowstring of the bow you are using.

   f. Do ONE of the following:

   1. Using a recurve bow or longbow and arrows with a finger release, shoot a single round of one of the following BSA, USA Archery, or NFAA rounds:

   a. An NFAA field round of 14 targets and make a score of 60 points.

   b. A BSA Scout field round of 14 targets and make a score of 80 points.

   c. A Junior 900 round and make a score of 180 points.

   d. A World Archery/USA Archery indoor round I and make a score of 80 points.

   e. An NFAA indoor round and make a score of 50 points.

   (The indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.)

   OR

   2. Shooting 30 arrows in five-arrow ends at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target at 10 yards and using the 10 scoring regions, make a score of 150.

   OR

   3. As a member of the USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development program (JOAD), earn your indoor or outdoor green, purple, and gray achievement award pins using a recurve bow or longbow.

   OR

   4. As a member of the NFAA's Junior Division, earn a Cub or Youth 100-score Progression patch.

   Option B - Using a Compound Bow

   a. Name and point to the parts of the compound bow you are shooting.

   b. Explain how to properly care for and store compound bows.

   c. Show the ten steps of good shooting for the compound bow you are shooting.

   d. Explain why it is necessary to have the string or cable on a compound bow replaced at an archery shop.

   e. Locate and mark with dental floss, crimp-on, or other method, the nocking point on the bowstring of the bow you are using.

   f. Do ONE of the following:

   1. Using a compound bow and arrows with a finger release, shoot a single round of ONE of the following BSA, NAA,or NFAA rounds:

   a. An NFAA field round of 4 targets and make a score of 70 points.

   b. A BSA Scout field round of 14 targets and make a score of 90 points.

   c. A Junior 900 round and make a score of 200 points.

   d. A World Archery/USA Archery indoor round I and make a score of 90 points.

   e. An NFAA indoor round and make a score of 60 points.

   (The indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.)

   OR

   2. Shooting at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target at 15 yards and using the 10 scoring regions, make a minimum score of 160. Accomplish this in the following manner:

   Shoot 15 arrows in five-arrow ends, at a distance of 10 yards

   AND

   Shoot 15 arrows in five-arrow ends, at a distance of 15 yards.

   OR

   3. As a member of the USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development program (JOAD), earn your indoor or outdoor green, purple, and gray achievement award pins using a compound bow.

   OR

   4. As a member of the NFAA's Junior Division, earn a Cub or Youth 100-score Progression patch.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Scouts BSA Requirements, 2019 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #648914)

A FREE workbook for Archery is available here! (PDF or Word) with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Archery requirements.

usscouts.org has PDF and Word versions of workbooks for Scouts BSA ranks and merit badges, Cub Scouting ranks and adventures, and STEM Nova awards.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." The Archery merit badge pamphlet can purchased at ScoutSthop.org or at your local Scout Shop.
• "Get a signed Application for Merit Badge ... from your unit leader." An electronic, fillable, and printable PDF file version is available.

• Scout merit badges: Archery  •  Athletics  •  Climbing  •  Cycling  •  Fishing  •  Fly-Fishing  •  Golf - Hiking  •  Horsemanship  •  Orienteering  •  Rifle Shooting  •  Shotgun Shooting  •  Skating  •  Small-Boat Sailing  •  Snow Sports  •  Sports  •  Swimming  •  Water Sports  •  Whitewater
• Venturing: Quest Award; Ranger Award electives: Cave Exploration  •  COPE  •  Cycling  •  Equestrian  •  Fishing  •  Hunting  •  Mountaineering  •  Shooting Sports  •  Winter Sports

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many youths have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)
• See Submitting New Merit Badge Ideas for guidance on how to submit suggestions for new merit badges to BSA.