Troop 120 Cooking Merit Badge Guidance
One of the more challenging Eagle-required merit badges is the Cooking merit badge, as you have to plan ahead to cook the required meals using different cooking techniques. You also can not double-dip rank advancement cooking and merit badge cooking. Based on recent discussions with our Cooking Merit Badge Counselors (MBCs), here are our requests and recommendations:
You can “open a blue card” at any time for this merit badge by asking Mr. Roth or Mrs. Roth for a blue card to start your badge. If you already took a class (for example, at summer camp), then you likely have a partial (not yet complete) blue card that was handed back to you.
In either case, email Mr. Bailey (bell04@carolina.rr.com), our primary merit badge counselor for cooking, and Mr. Ochsner (dao@ochsnerefs.com), our backup counselor, to let them know you have begun working on it. It’s important to communicate with your merit badge counselor (MBC) throughout the process on all your merit badges.
You can do requirements 1,2,3,4,7 at any time and review with your MBC. But note that for 4b, you need to review your meals and plans with your counselor ahead of time.
Requirements 5&6 will likely be done on Troop campouts (although you can organize a similar patrol-sized group of youths on your own; discuss with your MBC first).
For #5 (camp cooking), you must:
Create your meals that meet the requirement ahead of time and share with your MBC.
Be present two Mondays prior to the campout when we do patrol meal planning.
Request to cook one or more of those meals for your badge. Patrols can suggest alterations to your meal.
Send the final meal plan to your MBC.
For #6, the same requirements, but it has to be a campout that supports trail cooking. Talk to your MBC and outdoor coordinator if you’re having problems finding opportunities.
Please make the subject of your email as follows: Troop 120 – Cooking MB – {Scout Name} – {Subject}. Replace “{Subject}” with what you’re emailing about.
Because cooking is required for both rank advancement and merit badge work, the following needs will be given priority:
Life Scout 16 or older working on Eagle.
Any Scout attempting to complete First Class cooking rank requirement.
Life Scout <16 where this is the last Eagle-required merit badge needed.
Other Scouts working on the cooking merit badge.
Tenderfoot and Second Class cooking requirements (note that many of these can be met by helping older scouts with their badges and advancement).
Please attempt to complete the cooking requirements for the first 3 ranks before asking to complete the First Class cooking requirement (unless no one else has a request to cook on that campout).
Please complete the cooking requirements for your first four ranks before requesting cooking for requirements 5&6 of the cooking merit badge on Troop campouts.
Note that if you started the cooking merit badge in the past, you can continue using those requirements. If you start now, you must use the new 2024 requirements. Here are links to workbooks on usscouts.org that have the requirements for different years:
2024 requirements: Word, PDF. USE THIS IF YOU ARE STARTING NOW!
2023 requirements: I can’t find a 2023 workbook for this. You can see the differences in this document under Cooking.
Lastly, please read the requirements before and while you’re planning to do them. Follow them carefully, as the instructions are very specific!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Bailey and Mr. Ochsner and CC troop120mb@gmail.com. Remember all communication must have more than one adult leader on it for 2-deep.
Rank Cooking Requirements (not merit badge related)
Although not part of the Cooking Merit Badge, it is helpful to Patrol Leaders and Patrol Mentors to know the cooking requirements at each rank. This section is NOT required for the merit badge but only used as a resource for those doing rank advancement in cooking as well.
Tenderfoot:
2a. On the campout, assist in preparing one of the meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup.
2b. While on a campout, demonstrate the appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve, and eat a meal.
2c. Explain the importance of eating together as a patrol.
Second Class:
2e. On one campout, plan and cook one hot breakfast or lunch, selecting foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutritional model. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Demonstrate how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.
First Class (best done all at once as grocer and cook for all meals):
2a. Help plan a menu for one of the above campouts that includes at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner, and that requires cooking at least two of the meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutritional model and how it meets nutritional needs for the planned activity or campout.
2b. Using the menu planned in First Class requirement 2a, make a list showing a budget and the food amounts needed to feed three or more youth. Secure the ingredients.
2c. Show which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.
2d. Demonstrate the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage of fresh meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, and other perishable food products. Show how to properly dispose of camp garbage, cans, plastic containers, waste water, and other rubbish.
2e. On one campout, serve as cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup.
