Good communication helps you make friends, lead your patrol, and succeed in school and work. This badge builds your listening, speaking, and writing skills through real practice. You'll get more confident each time you speak up.
Why it's worth it
Almost everything you'll want to do, from leading your patrol to getting a job to standing up for something you believe in, depends on whether people understand you. This badge gives you real practice: a speech, an interview, a public meeting, and a program you plan and run. Each time you speak up, it gets a little easier, and you'll notice you're also becoming a better listener.
Start this week
- Tonight at dinner or in the car, try listening to someone for five minutes without interrupting, then sum up what they said and ask if you got it right.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of a Communication counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
- Check your town or school board's website for the next public meeting and put it on the family calendar.
- Make a list of three topics you know well enough to talk about for five minutes.
Requirements · 9
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).
- Requirement 1
Observing how people communicate. Choose 1 of 4
Tips for this section: Try listening without interrupting during a conversation, then summarize what you heard. Notice body language too.
Example for this section: Keep a three-day listening journal and find one of each kind: a teacher explaining homework (to gain information), an ad for new shoes (to be persuaded), a favorite podcast (to enjoy), and a friend telling you about a rough day (to understand feelings). Note how you listened differently each time.
- Requirement 1a
For one day, log how you communicate and for how long: in person, listening to teachers, radio or podcasts, TV, social media, reading, and electronic devices; discuss with your counselor what the log shows about communication in your life and how you could improve your skills
- Requirement 1b
Keep a journal of your listening for three days; find one time you listened to gain information, to be persuaded, to enjoy something, and to understand someone's feelings, and discuss each with your counselor
- Requirement 1c
Meet in a small group with Scouts or friends who share personal stories about important events in their lives; note how each person takes part and how well they tell their story, then report to your counselor the differences you saw
- Requirement 1d
List as many ways to communicate as you can (face-to-face, phone, letter, email, text, social media, and more); for each, discuss with your counselor a time it might not work well or fit the situation
- Requirement 2
Presenting and persuading. Choose 1 of 2
Tips for this section: Be creative with a poster, video, or story about yourself. If persuading, pick a topic you care about and give strong reasons.
- Requirement 2a
Create something that describes you in a creative way, such as a collage, short story or autobiography, drawing, photo series, song, or skit, and use it to present yourself to your counselor
- Requirement 2b
Pick a concept, product, or service you strongly believe in and build a sales plan around its strengths; try to persuade your counselor to agree with, use, or buy it, then discuss how persuasive you were
- Requirement 3
Write a speech that runs five minutes and deliver it at a group's meeting
Tip: Choose a topic you know well. Practice in front of a mirror or family and time yourself.
For example: A five-minute speech might be "Why every Scout should learn to paddle a canoe": an opening story from summer camp, three reasons, and a closing challenge. Time yourself out loud twice; most people talk faster when nervous.
- Requirement 4
Interview someone you know, like, or respect for their position, talent, career, or life experiences, listening actively; then introduce them to your counselor as if they were a guest speaker, saying why an audience would want to hear them, and show how you'd phone to invite them
Tip: Prepare questions ahead of time. Listen closely and ask follow-up questions about what interests you.
For example: Interview a grandparent, coach, or neighbor about what their job was like when they started, with a parent present. Prepare five questions, but follow up on anything surprising: "Wait, you drove a forklift at 16?"
- Requirement 5
Attend a public meeting your counselor approves (such as a city council, school board, or debate) where several views on one issue are shared; listen actively, take careful notes, and give your counselor an objective report covering every view
Tip: Take notes on the different viewpoints shared. Report fairly, even on views you disagree with.
For example: At a city council or school board meeting, write down each speaker's main point on a topic like a new skate park. In your report, explain each side fairly, even the one you disagree with.
- Requirement 6
With your counselor's approval, plan how to teach someone a skill or inform them about something, make teaching aids, carry out the plan, and decide with your counselor whether the person learned what you intended
Tip: Pick a skill you know well. Use simple visual aids and let your learners try it themselves.
For example: Teach younger Scouts how to tie a bowline with a big rope and a drawing of the "rabbit and the tree." Plan 15 minutes: explain, show, let them try, then check each knot.
- Requirement 7
Writing and publishing. Choose 1 of 3
Tips for this section: Choose an option that fits your interests. Have a parent review your writing before you share or publish it.
- Requirement 7a
Send a letter (by email, fax, or regular mail) to a magazine or local newspaper editor sharing your opinion or information on a subject you pick
- Requirement 7b
Build a webpage or blog about an interest of yours, such as a sport, a hobby, or your troop or crew, with three or more articles or posts, at least one photo or illustration, and a link to another helpful site; you don't have to post it online, but if you do, show it to a parent or guardian and your counselor and get their permission first
- Requirement 7c
Use desktop publishing to make a newsletter, brochure, flyer, or other printed piece for your troop or crew, school class, or another group, with at least one article and one photo or illustration
- Requirement 8
Plan a court of honor or campfire program for your troop or crew, or an interfaith worship service; once the patrol leaders' council approves it, write the script, prepare the program, and act as master of ceremonies
Tip: Work with your Scoutmaster or chaplain aide to plan the program. Make a timed outline so it runs smoothly.
For example: For a court of honor, write a timed outline: opening flag ceremony (5 minutes), welcome, rank advancements, merit badges, special recognition, closing. List who does each part and what props you need.
- Requirement 9
Learn about three careers in communication; pick one, find out the education, training, and experience it needs, and discuss with your counselor why it might interest you
Tip: Look into jobs like journalist, teacher, or public relations specialist, and talk with someone in the field.
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A city council, school board, or county commission meeting
You'll see real people trying to persuade officials in two or three minutes, which is a great lesson in what works and what doesn't.
How: Check the government website for the agenda and go with a parent. Most meetings are open to the public; arrive early to sign in and find a seat.
A local newspaper, radio, or TV station
See how a story goes from an idea to something people read or hear, and how reporters check their facts.
How: Have an adult call or email the station or newsroom to ask whether they offer tours for youth groups, and go with your patrol.
Where it can lead
- Journalist or reporterInterviews people, checks facts, and turns events into stories on a deadline.
- TeacherExplains ideas every day and reads a room to know when students are lost.
- Public information officerSpeaks for a fire department, city, or agency during emergencies and events.
- Broadcast or audio technicianRuns the cameras, microphones, and sound boards that get a message out; often trained at a community college.
- Sign language interpreterHelps deaf and hearing people communicate in schools, hospitals, and courtrooms.
Ask yourself
- When do you find it easy to speak up, and when do you stay quiet?
- What did you notice about how other people listen once you started paying attention?
- How did you feel right before your speech, and how did you feel right after?
- What did you learn from the person you interviewed that changed how you see them?
- Which way of communicating, talking, writing, or making something, feels most like you?
Good questions to ask your counselor or someone who communicates for a living
- How do you get ready for a big talk or a hard conversation?
- What's the best feedback you ever got about your writing or speaking?
- How do you explain something complicated so anyone can understand it?
- What do you do when you realize your audience isn't following you?
- How has the way people communicate at work changed since you started?
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
- Give scouts real chances to speak, like leading a game or giving a report at meetings.
- Let the scout plan an upcoming campfire program or court of honor.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- Scoutmaster and troop leaders — Can help you plan a court of honor or campfire program.
- School speech or English teacher — Feedback on your writing and speaking.
- Local government meetings — Public meetings where you can observe different viewpoints.
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (opens in a new tab) — Clear guides for writing letters, reports, and persuasive pieces.
- National Speech & Debate Association (opens in a new tab) — Speech and debate events for middle and high school students.
- Toastmasters International (opens in a new tab) — Tips on speaking in public and handling nerves, from a nonprofit that teaches it.
Pairs well with
Helps you earn
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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.