Archery takes focus, steady breathing, and patience, and it's a lot of fun once you get the feel of it. This badge teaches you safety first, then equipment, scoring, and real shooting. With practice you'll see your groups get tighter and your scores climb.
Why it's worth it
Archery rewards calm more than strength. Once you learn to breathe, anchor, and release the same way every time, you'll watch your arrows start landing closer together, and that's a great feeling. It's a sport you can do at any age and size, in Olympic competition, at summer camp, or in a backyard club. The focus you build at the shooting line helps on test days and anywhere else you need a steady head.
Start this week
- Learn the whistle commands this week: two whistles to approach the line, one to shoot, three to go get arrows, and a series of five or more to stop shooting at once. Quiz a family member on them.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of an Archery counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
- Find out when you can shoot on a supervised range, such as summer camp, a council camporee, or an archery club's beginner night.
- Start a simple score log in a notebook with columns for date, distance, bow type, and score.
Stay safe
- Shoot only on a Scouting-approved range under a qualified range master or instructor, and follow their whistle commands every time.
- Never dry-fire a bow (drawing and releasing without an arrow); it can break the bow and hurt you.
Requirements · 5
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).
Note: All shooting in requirement 5 must be supervised by a certified USA Archery Level 1 Instructor or qualified camp range staff (an NCS Range Activities Director, or a Rangemaster over 18 trained by one or by a Level 1 Instructor).
- Requirement 1
Archery safety
Tips for this section: Learn the range commands and safety rules until you can explain them easily. Always wait for the signal before retrieving arrows.
Example for this section: Explain the range like you're teaching a new Scout: arrows only nocked at the shooting line, bows pointed downrange, never shoot straight up, and walk, don't run, to pull arrows. Then show how to stand beside the target while pulling so no one gets hit by a nock.
- Requirement 1a
Explain what a projectile is and why anything that fires one at high speed needs careful, respectful handling and may only be used in approved places
- Requirement 1b
Explain the five range safety rules
- Requirement 1c
Explain the four whistle commands used on an archery range
- Requirement 1d
Explain how to pull arrows from the target safely and put them back in your quiver
- Requirement 1e
Tell your counselor your state and local laws on owning and using archery equipment
- Requirement 2
Arrows
Tips for this section: Hold real arrows and name each part out loud. Ask the range officer to show you how to check arrows for damage.
Example for this section: Lay out an arrow and name each part: point, shaft, fletching, cock feather, and nock. Compare wood, aluminum, and carbon arrows, then show how to check one by flexing it gently and listening for cracks.
- Requirement 2a
Name and point out the parts of an arrow
- Requirement 2b
Describe at least three kinds of arrows
- Requirement 2c
Name the four main materials arrow shafts are made from
- Requirement 2d
Make or repair arrows. Choose 1 of 2
- Requirement 2d1
Build a complete arrow starting from a bare shaft, using suitable equipment you have access to
- Requirement 2d2
Show arrow repair: check the shafts, then get ready and put on at least three new vanes, one new point, and one new nock (wood, fiberglass, or aluminum arrows; use as many arrows as needed)
- Requirement 2e
Explain how to care for and store arrows properly
- Requirement 3
Archery gear and terms
Tips for this section: Practice using archery terms during your shooting sessions. Learn how to use, care for, and store your tab, arm guard, and quiver.
- Requirement 3a
Explain why archers use tabs, arm guards, shooting gloves, and quivers, and how to use, care for, and store each
- Requirement 3b
Explain these terms: draw length, draw weight, mechanical release, barebow
- Requirement 4
Rounds, styles, and scoring
Tips for this section: Score a few practice targets with a buddy. Ask your instructor about the different rounds and styles of archery.
Example for this section: Score a target with your counselor: on the five-color target each ring has a value from 10 in the center to 1 on the outside, and an arrow touching a line gets the higher score. Then explain how target, field, and 3-D archery differ.
- Requirement 4a
Explain how an end differs from a round
- Requirement 4b
Explain how field, target, and 3-D archery differ
- Requirement 4c
Explain how to score the five-color World Archery Federation target
- Requirement 4d
Explain how to score NFAA field targets (black and white) and NFAA indoor targets (blue)
- Requirement 5
Shooting option. Choose 1 of 2
Tips for this section: Shoot only on a supervised range with a qualified instructor. Focus on a steady routine and keep a simple score log to track progress.
Example for this section: A practice plan could be three range sessions working through USA Archery's 11 Steps of Shooting in order, scoring each end of arrows and noting one thing to fix next time, like a dropped bow arm.
- Requirement 5a
Option A: recurve bow or longbow (also Genesis bow)
- Requirement 5a1
Name and point out the parts of the recurve bow or longbow you shoot
- Requirement 5a2
Explain proper care and storage for longbows and recurve bows
- Requirement 5a3
Show and explain the 11 Steps of Shooting from USA Archery, using your bow
- Requirement 5a4
Demonstrate how to correctly string a longbow or recurve bow
- Requirement 5a5
Use a bow square to find the nocking point on your bow's string and mark it with dental floss, a crimp-on, or another method
- Requirement 5a6
Qualifying score. Choose 1 of 2
- Requirement 5a6a
One round with a recurve bow or longbow and finger release. Choose 1 of 4
- Requirement 5a6a1
NFAA field round of 14 targets, scoring at least 60 points
- Requirement 5a6a2
Scouting America field round of 14 targets, scoring at least 80 points
- Requirement 5a6a3
World Archery/USA Archery indoor round, scoring at least 80 points (you may shoot this round outdoors if easier)
- Requirement 5a6a4
NFAA indoor round, scoring at least 50 points (you may shoot this round outdoors if easier)
- Requirement 5a6b
Score at least 150 points with 30 arrows shot in 5-arrow ends at 10 yards on an 80 cm (32 in) five-color target, using all 10 scoring rings
- Requirement 5b
Option B: compound bow
- Requirement 5b1
Name and point out the parts of the compound bow you shoot
- Requirement 5b2
Explain how to care for and store compound bows properly
- Requirement 5b3
Show and explain the 11 Steps of Shooting from USA Archery, using your bow
- Requirement 5b4
Explain why a compound bow's string or cable must be replaced by an archery shop
- Requirement 5b5
Find the nocking point on your bow's string and mark it with dental floss, a crimp-on, or another method
- Requirement 5b6
Qualifying score. Choose 1 of 2
- Requirement 5b6a
One round with a compound bow and finger release. Choose 1 of 4
- Requirement 5b6a1
NFAA field round of 14 targets, scoring at least 70 points
- Requirement 5b6a2
Scouting America field round of 14 targets, scoring at least 90 points
- Requirement 5b6a3
World Archery/USA Archery indoor round, scoring at least 90 points (you may shoot this round outdoors if easier)
- Requirement 5b6a4
NFAA indoor round, scoring at least 60 points (you may shoot this round outdoors if easier)
- Requirement 5b6b
Score at least 160 points on an 80 cm (32 in) five-color target using all 10 scoring rings: 15 arrows at 10 yards, then 15 at 15 yards, all in 5-arrow ends
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
An archery club or public range
Many clubs have beginner nights with loaner bows and coaches who can check your form.
How: Have a parent check the club's website or call to ask about youth or beginner sessions, and go together.
Your council's summer camp archery range
Camp ranges have certified staff, equipment, and scheduled time for merit badge work.
How: Look at the camp's merit badge schedule with your Scoutmaster and sign up early. Bring your score log.
Where it can lead
- Archery coachTeaches form and mental focus at clubs, camps, and schools; certification programs are available.
- Camp program directorRuns shooting sports and other programs at summer camps, often starting as a range staff member.
- Bow technicianTunes, repairs, and fits bows and arrows for archers.
- Wildlife conservation officerEnforces hunting laws and teaches hunter education, including bowhunting safety.
Ask yourself
- What do you think will be hardest for you at first: stance, aim, or staying calm?
- What does your body feel like on a shot that goes exactly where you wanted?
- Which part of your shot routine still changes from arrow to arrow, and who could help you fix it?
- How did keeping a score log change how you practiced?
- Where else in your life could the patience you use at the shooting line help you?
Good questions to ask your counselor or a certified archery instructor
- What's the most common mistake you see new archers make?
- How do I know what draw weight and arrow length fit me?
- What's the difference between shooting recurve and compound, and how do I choose?
- How do you stay calm when you're shooting in a competition?
- Where can I keep shooting after I finish the badge?
Helpful reads
- Earning a merit badge, step by step, From picking a badge to getting the final signature: how to find a counselor, set up meetings safely, work the requirements, and keep your progress., Youth · Families · 6 min read
- Contacting counselors, experts, and organizations, Email and phone scripts, who to ask for, how to follow up, and how to say thanks, with a parent copied every time., Youth · Families · 7 min read
- Choosing your next merit badge, How to pick a badge you'll actually finish: start with what you care about, balance Eagle-required and just-for-fun badges, and make the most of camp., Youth · Families · 6 min read
For leaders & parents
- Plan time at summer camp or a local archery range with certified instructors.
- Encourage scouts to keep a score log so they can see their improvement over time.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- Council summer camp or archery range — Supervised ranges with trained instructors and equipment.
- Local archery clubs and shops — Help with equipment fitting and practice opportunities.
- USA Archery (opens in a new tab) — The national organization for Olympic-style archery, with clubs, youth programs, and coaching info.
- National Field Archery Association (opens in a new tab) — Field archery, where you shoot at targets set along a trail through the woods.
- National Archery in the Schools Program (opens in a new tab) — School-based archery with youth tournaments across the country.
Pairs well with
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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.