Unlike most  programs, our merit badges are pins, not patches, eliminating the
constant need to sew on new patches, or repair the iron on variety.  Nearly every
badge is available at each program level making it easier for an entire troop to
work on the same badge at the same time.   Requirements build upon the skills
or knowledge learned at the lower levels, increasing in difficulty as the girls grow
older.

Badges are divided into 9 Areas of Discovery which are as follows:

Discover  Art
Discover the Home
Discover Technology
Discover Character
Discover the World
Discover  Health & Fitness
Discover Outdoors
Discover Agriculture
Discover Knowledge                

A list of badges can be found by pressing the Badge List button.  Keep in mind
that this list is constantly changing as we come up with new ideas, so check back
frequently.  If you don’t see a badge on the subject your girls wish to learn about,
let us know or  feel free to write your own.  When writing badges, keep in mind
the basic areas we are looking to cover.

1.  Knowledge or skill in the subject
2.  History of the subject
3.  How the subject is used today and what opportunities there are
within the subject area
4.  Careers in the subject
5.  Service to others using what they have learned

We do require that any badges you write as a troop be sent to the Frontier Girls
National Headquarters for approval.  If the badge is approved, we will also
include it in our official badge list for other troops to earn (your troop will be
credited as the author.)

The written badge requirements should serve as a guide to what is expected
from the girls in order to earn a particular badge.  Keep in mind that these
requirements are not written in stone.  A girl may do something other than what is
written so long as it achieves the objectives of the badge.  For example, if the
objective of a requirement is to tell about what patriotism means to you,  it does
not matter if the girl creates a poster, writes a paragraph, gives an oral
presentation, or performs a skit to show what patriotism means to her.  

Keep in mind that our merit badges are not rewards for doing requirements.  
Each badge simply represents something that the girl has taken the time and
effort to learn more about.  Badges are a way for girls to show off areas that they
are knowledgeable in and to show what subjects interest them.  If a girl wants to
wear a pin from Disneyland on her uniform, she may, as long as she does
something like the following:

Learn the history of Walt Disney
Learn about how the park operates or the engineering that went into a specific
ride
Find out how many Disney Worlds there are and which countries they are in
Find out about career opportunities with Disney
Host a Disney movie night
Host a Disney story time for younger girls
Be able to list at least 12 different Disney characters
Be able to list at least 12 different Disney movies
etc.

As you can see, a badge can be written on literally any subject.  Requirements
should be appropriate for the age of the girl and should average 4 requirements
for Otters, 5 for Dolphins, 6 for Butterflies, and 7 for Eagles.  Older girls should
also be required to demonstrate their knowledge in some way by using it for the
benefit of others.  Girls will not be allowed to wear pins that represent any form of
politics, or controversial subjects such as pro-life/pro-choice, gay rights, etc.  
Pins representing individual faiths are acceptable.

Consider the following points when deciding when a girl has completed a badge.  
Has she achieved the objectives set up for the badge?   Did she put a
reasonable amount of time and effort into earning the badge?  Did she provide
community service or pleasure to others while earning the badge?  Did she
complete the required number of requirements in a satisfactory manner?  If you
have answered to yes to these questions, then even if she did not follow the
exact written requirements, she has earned her badge.  Keep these points in
mind when writing your own badges as well.
If you see a need...
Take the Lead!