Public speaking helps you share your ideas with confidence. You'll give several talks, from short and unplanned to longer and researched. Every speech gets easier, and these skills help in school, jobs, and leadership.
Why it's worth it
Being able to stand up and say what you mean, clearly and calmly, opens doors everywhere: class presentations, job interviews, your Eagle board of review, and the moment your patrol needs someone to take charge. This badge builds that skill one talk at a time, from a short introduction to a researched speech to running a meeting with real motions and votes. Nerves don't disappear, but you'll learn how to use them, and each talk gets easier than the last.
Start this week
- Set a timer for three minutes and tell a family member about yourself out loud. Notice where you ran out of things to say.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of a Public Speaking counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
- Write down five topics you could talk about for ten minutes without getting bored, like a hobby, a trip, or a skill.
- Ask your Scoutmaster or patrol leader if you could give a short announcement or skill demo at an upcoming troop meeting.
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).
- Requirement 1
Introduce yourself for three to five minutes to a group, such as your troop, a school class, or another audience
Tip: Practice in front of a mirror or your family, and time yourself to stay within the limit.
For example: Plan three parts: where you're from and your family or school life, what you love doing (like fishing or drawing), and something you're working toward. Open with a quick story instead of "Hi, my name is," and practice until it lands between 3 and 5 minutes.
- Requirement 2
Prepare a three- to five-minute talk on any topic you like that uses body language and visual aids
Tip: Pick a topic you love and use simple visuals like a poster, slides, or a real object.
For example: Teach how to pack a backpack for a weekend campout using the real pack as your visual aid. Pull out each item as you explain where it goes and why, and end with a quick recap.
- Requirement 3
Give an unprepared talk of two minutes or more, in a group discussion or to your counselor, on a topic your counselor picks that interests you but you don't know ahead of time
Tip: Ask a friend to give you a random topic, then take a breath, pick two or three points, and start talking.
For example: When you're handed a topic like "your favorite meal," use a simple frame: make a point, give a reason, share an example, and restate the point. Practice by having a family member draw topics from a jar.
- Requirement 4
Choose a subject your audience will find interesting, gather and organize facts on it, and outline it. Then write a speech of eight to 10 minutes, practice it, and give it in a conversational way
Tip: Make an outline first, then practice out loud several times. Record yourself to see what to improve.
For example: Research a topic like how search dogs find lost hikers. Outline an opening hook, three main points with facts, and a strong close. Practice out loud at least five times and record one run to catch filler words.
- Requirement 5
Show you understand parliamentary procedure by either running a discussion or meeting with accepted rules of order or answering questions about those rules
Tip: Learn basic motions and voting, then run a patrol meeting or club meeting using them.
For example: Run a patrol meeting to choose the next campout: call it to order, take a motion ("I move we camp at the lake"), get a second, allow discussion, take an amendment, and call the vote. Keep notes on what happened.
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 town meeting
You'll see parliamentary procedure in action, with motions, seconds, and votes, and hear residents speak during public comment.
How: Go with a parent. Check the city or school district website for the meeting schedule and agenda, which are public.
A speech and debate tournament
Watching students your age give speeches and debate shows you techniques you can borrow right away.
How: A parent can ask the high school's speech or debate coach when the next home tournament is and whether visitors can watch.
Where it can lead
- TeacherSpeaks to a room every day, explaining ideas so people understand them.
- LawyerArgues cases in court and persuades judges and juries.
- Broadcast journalistReports news on radio, TV, or podcasts, often speaking live.
- Elected officialGives speeches, runs meetings, and represents the people who voted for them.
- Sales or communications specialistPresents ideas and products to customers and the public.
Ask yourself
- What happens in your body when you get nervous, and what helps you calm down?
- Which talk felt best, and what did you do differently that time?
- What feedback surprised you, and how did you use it?
- Who is a speaker you admire, and what do they do that you'd like to try?
- Where in your life could speaking up make a real difference this year?
Good questions to ask your counselor or someone who speaks for a living
- Do you still get nervous before you speak, and what do you do about it?
- How do you prepare for a talk when you only have a few minutes' notice?
- What's the best way to start a speech so people want to listen?
- How do you recover if you lose your place or forget a point?
- What makes a visual aid help a talk instead of distracting from it?
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 chances to speak at troop meetings, like leading announcements or a short skill demo.
- Let scouts practice running part of a patrol leaders' council meeting.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- Toastmasters International (opens in a new tab) — Public speaking tips; some clubs have youth programs.
- School speech or debate club — Practice and feedback from peers.
- Public library — Books, videos, and a librarian who can help you dig deeper.
- National Speech and Debate Association (opens in a new tab) — Speech and debate events for middle and high school students.
- Robert's Rules of Order (opens in a new tab) — The official site for the meeting rules used for requirement 5.
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.