Whether you’re trying to convince your patrol to cook something other than hot dogs on a campout, giving a speech at a Court of Honor, or just figuring out how to email a merit badge counselor without sounding awkward, communication skills show up everywhere in Scouting and in life. The Eagle-required Communication merit badge will push you to get better at all of it: speaking, listening, writing, and persuading.
However, many Scouts report that communication is one of the trickiest Eagle-required badges. It’s not like First Aid, where you can study the answers and move on. You actually have to do things: give a speech in front of people, interview someone, attend a public meeting, and plan an event. That said, the skills you’ll pick up here are ones you’ll use for the rest of your life, so it’s worth the effort! 😀
This is Part 1, covering Requirements 1-5. You’ll start by examining your own communication habits, then build persuasion and public speaking skills, conduct an interview, and practice active listening at a real public meeting. Once you’re done here, head over to Part 2 (Requirements 6-9) where you’ll teach a skill, create written content, plan a ceremony, and explore communication careers.
If you have other Eagle-required merit badges to earn, I’d recommend checking out my Difficulty Ranking Guide to Every Eagle-required Badge. There, you’ll also find the links to my other merit badge guides, as well as a description and summary of each badge’s requirements. I’m certain this resource will be helpful to Scouts on their road to Eagle!
Also, remember that ScoutSmarts should just serve as your starting point for merit badge research. In school, we’re taught not to plagiarize, and the same is true for Scouting worksheets. Answer these questions in your own words, do further research, and I promise you’ll gain much more from every merit badge you earn!
Take a few minutes to read through each of the Communication merit badge requirements below. Then, I’ll walk you through every one with tips, videos, and templates to help you plan your projects and build real communication skills along the way. Let’s get into it!
What Are The Communication Merit Badge Requirements?
- Do ONE of the following:
- 1a) For one day, keep a log in which you describe your communication activities. Keep track of the time and different ways you spend communicating, such as talking person-to-person, listening to teachers, listening to the radio or podcasts, watching television, using social media, reading books and other print media, and using any electronic communication device. Discuss with your counselor what your log reveals about the importance of communication in your life. Think of ways to improve your communication skills.
- 1b) For three days, keep a journal of your listening experiences. Identify one example of each of the following, and discuss with your counselor when you have listened to each: obtain information, be persuaded, appreciate or enjoy something, and understand someone’s feelings.
- 1c) In a small-group setting, meet with other Scouts or with friends. Have them share personal stories about significant events in their lives that affected them in some way. Take note of how each Scout participates in the group discussion and how effectively each Scout communicates their story. Report what you have learned to your counselor about the differences you observed in effective communication.
- 1d) List as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others (face-to-face, by telephone, letter, email, text messages, social media, and so on). For each type of communication, discuss with your counselor an instance when that method might not be appropriate or effective.
- Do ONE of the following:
- 2a) Think of a creative way to describe yourself using, for example, a collage, short story or autobiography, drawing or series of photographs, or a song or skit. Using the aid you created, make a presentation to your counselor about yourself.
- 2b) Choose a concept, product, or service in which you have great confidence. Build a sales plan based on its good points. Try to persuade the counselor to agree with, use, or buy your concept, product or service. After your sales talk, discuss with your counselor how persuasive you were.
- Write a five-minute speech. Give it at a meeting of a group.
- Interview someone you know fairly well, like, or respect because of his or her position, talent, career, or life experiences. Listen actively to learn as much as you can about the person. Then prepare and deliver to your counselor an introduction of the person as though this person were to be a guest speaker, and include reasons why the audience would want to hear this person speak. Show how you would call to invite this person to speak.
- Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue. Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Prepare an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor.
- With your counselor’s approval, develop a plan to teach a skill or inform someone about something. Prepare teaching aids for your plan. Carry out your plan. With your counselor, determine whether the person has learned what you intended.
- Do ONE of the following:
- 7a) Write to the editor of a magazine or your local newspaper to express your opinion or share information on any subject you choose. Send your message by fax, email, or regular mail.
- 7b) Create a webpage or blog of special interest to you (for instance, your troop or crew, a hobby, or a sport). Include at least three articles or entries and one photograph or illustration, and one link to some other webpage or blog that would be helpful to someone who visits the webpage or blog you have created. Note: It is not necessary to post your webpage or blog to the internet, but if you decide to do so, you must first share it with your parent or guardian and counselor and get their permission.
- 7c) Use desktop publishing to produce a newsletter, brochure, flyer, or other printed material for your troop or crew, class at school, or other group. Include at least one article and one photograph or illustration.
- Plan a troop or crew court of honor, campfire program, or an interfaith worship service. Have the patrol leaders’ council approve it, then write the script and prepare the program. Serve as master of ceremonies.
- Find out about three career opportunities in communication. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
Communication Activities
Requirement 1 asks you to examine how communication works in your daily life. You only need to complete ONE of the four options below (1a, 1b, 1c, or 1d). Each option teaches you something different about communication, so pick the one that interests you most! If you’re not pressed for time, work on the activity you feel could teach you the most in the long run. You use communication every day of your life, so it’s definitely a skill worth improving. 😉
1a) For one day, keep a log in which you describe your communication activities. Keep track of the time and different ways you spend communicating, such as talking person-to-person, listening to teachers, listening to the radio or podcasts, watching television, using social media, reading books and other print media, and using any electronic communication device. Discuss with your counselor what your log reveals about the importance of communication in your life. Think of ways to improve your communication skills.
For this option, you’ll track every way you communicate throughout a single day. You’ll probably be surprised at just how much time you spend communicating! Most teens spend 7+ hours per day consuming media alone, and that doesn’t even count face-to-face conversations or texting.
Here’s a simple template you can use for your communication log:
| Time | Communication Activity | Method Used | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Talked with family at breakfast | Face-to-face | 15 min |
| 7:30 AM | Checked social media on phone | Electronic device | 10 min |
| 8:00 AM | Listened to teacher in class | Listening | 50 min |
| 12:00 PM | Texted friend about homework | Text message | 5 min |
| 3:30 PM | Listened to a podcast while walking | Radio/podcast | 20 min |
| 6:00 PM | Watched YouTube videos | Television/streaming | 45 min |
| 8:00 PM | Read a book before bed | Print media | 30 min |
After completing your log, look for patterns. When did you communicate most? Which methods did you use most often? When you meet with your counselor, discuss what your log reveals and brainstorm ways you could improve. For example, could you practice more active listening in class or spend less time scrolling social media?
1b) For three days, keep a journal of your listening experiences. Identify one example of each of the following, and discuss with your counselor when you have listened to each: obtain information, be persuaded, appreciate or enjoy something, and understand someone’s feelings.
This option focuses specifically on listening, which is one of the most underrated communication skills. Over three days, you’ll identify four different types of listening:
| Listening Purpose | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Obtain information | Listening to learn facts or instructions | A teacher explaining a new math concept |
| Be persuaded | Listening to someone trying to change your mind | A friend convincing you to watch a new show |
| Appreciate or enjoy | Listening for pleasure or entertainment | Enjoying a favorite song or podcast |
| Understand feelings | Listening to connect emotionally with someone | A friend telling you about a tough day |
Here’s a great TED-Ed video (5:07) on what makes a truly great listener:
Keep a simple journal entry for each day noting when you experienced each type of listening. You don’t need to find all four types in one day. Spread them across the three days and discuss your observations with your counselor.
1c) In a small-group setting, meet with other Scouts or with friends. Have them share personal stories about significant events in their lives that affected them in some way. Take note of how each Scout participates in the group discussion and how effectively each Scout communicates their story. Report what you have learned to your counselor about the differences you observed in effective communication.
This option is great if you want to practice observing communication in action. Gather 3-5 Scouts or friends and ask each person to share a meaningful story about something that affected their life. While they’re speaking, pay close attention to how each person communicates differently.
Here are some things to watch for during the group discussion:
- Body language: Do they make eye contact? Are they fidgeting or standing confidently?
- Voice: Do they speak clearly? Too quietly? Too fast?
- Organization: Does their story have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
- Engagement: Do they pull the group in, or does attention drift?
- Emotion: Do they convey genuine feeling, or does the story fall flat?
After the session, take notes on what made some storytellers more effective than others. Report your observations to your counselor, highlighting the biggest differences you noticed between effective and less effective communicators.
1d) List as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others (face-to-face, by telephone, letter, email, text messages, social media, and so on). For each type of communication, discuss with your counselor an instance when that method might not be appropriate or effective.
If you’re trying to earn the Communication merit badge quickly, requirement 1d is one of the fastest options. Below, I’ve put together a list covering many of the different ways you can communicate with others. While reading, brainstorm a few other methods of communication that you can later discuss with your counselor! 🙂
| Communication Method | Method Benefits | When It’s NOT Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Face to Face | The ideal method. Good for important or sensitive information. You can read body language and tone. | When people are far apart or when you need a written record of the conversation. |
| Video Chat | See each other’s faces over long distance. Builds familiarity and trust. | In crowded areas, poor internet, or when discussing very sensitive topics. |
| Phone Call | Hear the other person’s voice. Quick way to catch up or share news. | Can’t see body language. Not ideal for detailed or technical discussions. |
| Allows thoughtful, professional messages. Creates a written record. | Slow reply timeline. Not useful for urgent matters or emotional topics. | |
| Text Message | Fast response time. Can send images and links. Convenient. | Messages can be misunderstood without tone. Not appropriate for serious or formal topics. |
| Social Media | Reach many people at once. Share updates, photos, and ideas broadly. | Public posts can be taken out of context. Not private or secure. |
| Letter (Mail) | Very appreciated and meaningful. Letters can be kept forever. | Very slow. Letters cost money to send and can be lost in the mail. |
| Sign Language / Gestures | Essential for communicating with deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals. Also useful in noisy environments. | Only works if both people know sign language. Limited vocabulary for complex topics. |
| Blog / Website | Share detailed information with a large audience. Can include images, links, and multimedia. | Requires internet access. No guarantee anyone will read it. Not interactive. |
Now, it’s time to think outside the box and come up with a few of your own communication methods! Different types of communication are effective for delivering different messages. While completing the rest of this merit badge, consider how you can use different methods to more powerfully convey your point.
Scout Connection: Think about how many different communication methods your troop uses in a single week: emails from the Scoutmaster, texts in the patrol group chat, face-to-face meetings, social media posts about upcoming events. Each method serves a different purpose, and knowing when to use which method is a key leadership skill.
Creative Expression and Persuasion
Requirement 2 gives you two options. You only need to complete ONE of them (2a or 2b). Option 2a focuses on creative self-expression, while 2b focuses on persuasion and sales skills.
2a) Think of a creative way to describe yourself using, for example, a collage, short story or autobiography, drawing or series of photographs, or a song or skit. Using the aid you created, make a presentation to your counselor about yourself.
If you’re a creative person, this is a fun way to express who you are! The key is to pick a format that you enjoy and that highlights what makes you unique. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Photo collage: Arrange photos of your hobbies, family, favorite places, and achievements on a poster board. Walk your counselor through each image.
- Short autobiography: Write a 1-2 page story about your life, focusing on key moments that shaped who you are today.
- Drawing/art: Create an illustration that represents your values, interests, or goals. Explain the symbolism to your counselor.
- Song or skit: Perform a short song, rap, or skit that introduces who you are. This takes guts, but it’s memorable!
If you’d like, you could also take inspiration from one of my all-time favorite Scouting Skits! These are downright hilarious, and great for any troop campfire program. If you use one of these skits as a structure to talk about yourself, that could be an interesting and creative way to complete this requirement!
2b) Choose a concept, product, or service in which you have great confidence. Build a sales plan based on its good points. Try to persuade the counselor to agree with, use, or buy your concept, product or service. After your sales talk, discuss with your counselor how persuasive you were.
I’d recommend you complete requirement 2b, and create a persuasive presentation on a concept, product, or service that you believe in. You’ll be able to use the same topic to complete requirement 3, which asks you to deliver a five-minute speech to your unit. Two requirements, one preparation!
The key to a great sales talk is understanding how persuasion actually works. Over 2,000 years ago, Aristotle identified three pillars of persuasion that speakers still use today. Here’s how to apply them in your sales talk:
| Persuasion Tool | What It Means | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Ethos (credibility) | Why should the audience trust you? | Share your personal experience with the product/concept |
| Logos (logic) | What facts support your argument? | Use statistics, comparisons, or practical benefits |
| Pathos (emotion) | How do you make the audience feel? | Tell a story about how the product changed someone’s life |
This TED-Ed video (4:29) on rhetoric gives you a great visual explanation of these three pillars in action:
For a more practical take on building a persuasive speech, also check out this video (7:37):
Now that you know the elements that go into a good presentation, it’s time to start outlining your own ideas. Right now, take a second to write down a single guiding argument that you can craft your speech around. Then, using the system explained in the videos above, note down the main points you’ll be covering. Once you have a complete outline, it’s time to start practicing!
Public Speaking
3) Write a five-minute speech. Give it at a meeting of a group.
In preparing to speak with your counselor and a group, you’ll need to learn the fundamentals of public speaking. The key to effective communication is confidence. Being confident in yourself and your message will help you to persuade others.
Here’s a step-by-step structure you can follow when writing your five-minute speech:
| Section | Duration | What to Include |
|---|---|---|
| Hook | ~30 seconds | Open with a surprising fact, question, or short story that grabs attention |
| Introduction | ~30 seconds | State your main topic and why it matters to the audience |
| Point 1 | ~1 minute | Your first supporting argument with an example or fact |
| Point 2 | ~1 minute | Your second supporting argument with an example or fact |
| Point 3 | ~1 minute | Your third supporting argument with an example or fact |
| Conclusion | ~1 minute | Summarize your points and end with a memorable closing statement or call to action |
A few more public speaking tips that helped me:
- Don’t read from a script word-for-word. Use bullet points or note cards with key phrases instead. Your delivery will sound much more natural.
- Make eye contact with different people in the audience. This creates a personal connection and keeps everyone engaged.
- Pause for emphasis. A well-timed pause after a key point is more powerful than rushing through your speech.
- Practice in front of a mirror or a family member. Getting comfortable speaking out loud is half the battle.
- It’s OK to be nervous! Even professional speakers get butterflies. The nervousness usually fades after the first 30 seconds.
Scout Tip: I’d recommend recording yourself delivering the presentation at least three times before delivering it publicly. Watch each recording and take note of areas you can improve. Pay attention to filler words (“um,” “like,” “you know”), eye contact, pacing, and whether you’re speaking loudly and clearly enough. Once you’re confident delivering your message, you’ll be prepared to ace requirements 2 and 3!
For more on the art of public speaking, check out this TED talk (7:57) by Chris Anderson, the curator of TED:
Also worth watching: this video (5:51) on practical presentation tips. (I know it’s the same guy from the persuasion video, but his content provides some of the best communication info online. I’ve checked :P)
Interviewing and Active Listening
4) Interview someone you know fairly well, like, or respect because of his or her position, talent, career, or life experiences. Listen actively to learn as much as you can about the person. Then prepare and deliver to your counselor an introduction of the person as though this person were to be a guest speaker, and include reasons why the audience would want to hear this person speak. Show how you would call to invite this person to speak.
This is your opportunity to conduct an exciting in-person interview! First, think of a few interesting people that you’d easily be able to speak with. Reach out and find one who’d be willing to tell you about their lives and experiences. Arrange to meet at a time that works with their schedule.
Here’s a fantastic TED talk (11:44) by Celeste Headlee on how to have better conversations:
Once you’ve explained to them the merit badge requirement, it’s time to start asking questions and learning more about what makes this person interesting! Some effective questions you could ask to get the conversation flowing include:
- Could you tell me about something in your life that you’re incredibly proud of? What part of that has given you the most fulfillment?
- Do you have any advice that you’d give to yourself when you were my age? How do you think that advice would have changed the course of your life?
- What are your main guiding values? What are things that you do, in your career or otherwise, that help you to live out those principles?
- What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome? What did you learn from that experience?
- If you could speak to a room full of teenagers, what’s the one thing you’d want them to know?
During the interview, you’ll want to take brief notes on their most important points. Listen closely, and ask any follow-up questions that occur to you after they’ve finished speaking.
Introducing Your Interviewee as a Guest Speaker:
Afterward, you’ll need to meet with your counselor and introduce your interviewee as though they’ll be appearing as a guest speaker. You’ve probably seen talk show hosts skillfully introduce their guests in the past. Steal their formula and give an awesome introduction to your interviewee by following these 5 steps:
- Greet the audience: ‘Good evening Scoutmaster Jeff! Today, I’d like to introduce you to an amazing person, my uncle, Bob.’
- Compliment your interviewee: ‘Bob is a highly accomplished individual.’
- Mention something special about them: ‘He created a charity that, to date, has fed over 150,000 children in poverty!’
- Tell what the audience will learn: ‘Tonight you’ll learn how Bob overcame enormous difficulty to make his dream of helping others a reality.’
- Introduce the speaker: ‘Without further ado, let me introduce to you the one, the only, Bob MacDonald!’
The same method can even be used when introducing a speaker within your troop. If your troop holds SPL (Senior Patrol Leader) elections and speeches, volunteer to host the next one. Learning to introduce people is a great skill to develop, and one that you’ll likely be using later on in your career! 😀
Finally, you’ll also need to show your counselor how you would call to invite this person to speak. Practice a polite, professional phone call where you introduce yourself, explain the event, mention why they’d be a great speaker, and suggest a date and time.
5) Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue. Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Prepare an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor.
I’d recommend attending your next school board meeting, as the issues covered will be very relevant to you and your education. You should be able to find a schedule of school board meetings on your school’s official website, or by asking anyone that works in the office!
Before you go, watch this CrashCourse video (8:50) on effective note-taking methods:
During the meeting, write down each unique point of view you hear, as well as any supporting arguments that are mentioned. Here’s a simple format for organizing your notes:
| Speaker / Side | Main Point of View | Key Supporting Arguments |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker 1 (e.g., school board member) | Supports the new policy because… | Cites budget savings, improved student safety |
| Speaker 2 (e.g., parent) | Opposes the policy because… | Concerns about reduced after-school programs |
| Speaker 3 (e.g., teacher) | Supports with reservations… | Agrees with goals but wants more teacher input |
Later, you’ll need to prepare an objective report. This means you should fairly represent all viewpoints without inserting your own opinion. Give your parents a short summary of each perspective so that it’ll be fresh in your mind when meeting your merit badge counselor.
Scout Tip: The Citizenship in the Community merit badge also requires that you attend a local meeting where an important issue is discussed! You should be able to complete both merit badge requirements at the same time, since they’re so similar.
Congrats on Finishing Part 1 of the Communication Merit Badge!
Great work getting through Requirements 1-5! You’ve already built skills in active listening, persuasion, public speaking, interviewing, and objective reporting. Give yourself a pat on the back! 🙂
Once you’re ready to continue on to Part 2 of the Communication merit badge (Requirements 6-9), click here.
Also, if you’re interested in the difficulty rankings for every Eagle-required merit badge, you can check out my full guide here. PS: If you’re working on Citizenship in the Community, many of the public meeting and communication skills overlap!