Family Life
Resources
- Family Life Merit Badge Pamphlet
- Family Life Class Preparation Page
- Family Life Workbook
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Related
Family Life Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of October 16, 2025
as of October 16, 2025
1.
Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss this with your
counselor. Tell why families are important to individuals and to society.
Discuss how the actions of one member can affect other members.
Resources:
- Why Family Matters in Shaping Teens' Passions and Identity (podcast)
- Introduction to Family Life (video)
- What Is a Family (video)
2.
List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this
with your parent or guardian and with your counselor.
Resource:
3.
Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores (at least five) and do
them for 90 days. Keep a record of how often you do each of them. Discuss
with your counselor the effect your chores had on your family.
Resources:
4.
With the approval of your parent or guardian and your counselor, decide on
and carry out an individual project that you would do around the home that
would benefit your family. After completion, discuss the objective or goal
and the results of the project with your family and then your counselor.
Resources:
- Handy Teen Finishes House (video)
- How to Start a Project (video)
5.
Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your
family. After completing the project, discuss the following with your
counselor:
Resource:
- Time Management (video)
a.
The objective or goal of the project
b.
How individual members of your family participated
c.
The results of the project.
6.
Do the following:
Note: Some of the issues surrounding requirement 6 for the family
meeting could be considered of a personal nature. Use discretion when
reviewing this requirement with the Scout.
Discussion of each of these subjects will very likely carry over to
more than one family meeting.
a.
Discuss with your counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting.
Resource:
- Conflict Resolution (video)
b.
Prepare a meeting agenda that includes the following topics, review it
with your parent or guardian, and then carry out one or more family
meetings:
Resource:
- Family Meeting (video)
1.
How living the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law
contributes to your family life
Resource:
- Scout Oath and Law (video)
2.
The greatest dangers and addictions facing youth in today's society
(examples include mental health challenges, use of tobacco
products, alcohol, or drugs and other items such as debts, social
media, etc.)
Resources:
3.
The growing-up process and how the body changes, and making
responsible decisions dealing with sex. This conversation may take
place with only one parent or guardian.
4.
Personal and family finances
Resources:
5.
A crisis situation within your family and whom you can turn to for
support during these situations.
Resource:
- Family Bonding (video)
6.
The effect of technology on your family
Resource:
7.
Good etiquette and manners.
Resource:
- Etiquette (video)
7.
Discuss with your counselor your understanding of what makes an effective
parent or guardian and why, and your thoughts on the parent or guardian's
role and responsibilities in the family.
Resources:
- What Makes a Good Parent (video)
- How to Parent a Teen From a Teen's Perspective (video)
- Being a Parent (video)
