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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Collections
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Collections celebrates the thrill of discovering, cataloging, preserving, and sharing items you love—from sports memorabilia and comics to natural minerals, vinyl records, and toys. You will master archival preservation and display techniques, build a structured catalog system, analyze valuation and hobby economics, and explore careers in museum curation, archiving, and appraisal.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Collector Principles & Ethics
- Cataloging & Provenance Tracking
- Safe Preservation, Storage & Care
- Exhibition, Display & Valuation
6Printable Pages
7Requirements
2021Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Collections Requirements
Every requirement for the Collections merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Collection Overview Report
Prepare a short written report or outline for your counselor, giving a detailed description of your collection, including a short history, why you enjoy your collection, and what you have learned from collecting. Be sure to include why you chose that particular type of collection/collecting method.
2Growth and Development
Explain the growth and development of your collection.
3Preservation, Display, and Cataloging
Demonstrate your knowledge of preserving and displaying your collection.
- a Explain the precautions you need to take to preserve your collection, including handling, cleaning, and storage.
- b Explain how best to display your collection, keeping in mind preserving as discussed above.
- c Explain to your counselor the events available for a hobbyist of this collection, including shows, seminars, conventions, contests, and museum programs and exhibits.
- d Explain to your counselor how you keep track of your collection. Describe your cataloging method.
4Collecting and Investing
Demonstrate your knowledge of collecting and investing. Discuss with your counselor:
- a How investing and speculation would apply to your collection
- b What you would look for in purchasing other collections similar to yours
- c What you would expect in return value if you decided to sell all or part of the collection
5Collection Terms, Valuation, and Sharing
Do the following:
- a Discuss with your counselor at least 10 terms commonly used to describe your collection and be prepared to discuss the definition of each.
- b Show your counselor any two groups from your collection. Explain how you organized your collection and why you chose that method.
- c Explain the monetary value of your collection and where you learned about those values.
- d Explain how your collection is graded for value, physical defects, size, and age. Show the various classifications or ratings used in your collection.
- e List the national, state, or local association(s) related to or associated with your collection.
- f Explain to your counselor the purpose of and reason for the identification number (if applicable), series, brand name (if any), and any other special identification marks.
6Future Plans for the Collection
Discuss with your counselor the plans you have to continue with the collection in the future.
7Career Exploration
Find out about career opportunities in collecting. 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.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Collections requirements in 2021. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/collections/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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