RIVIERA SCOUTING - Torrance, CA

Earning your Cooking Badge!

The Cooking Merit Badge is one of the harder Eagle required badges to complete.  We advise Scouts to start working on their Cooking Badge requirements right away.   To earn the Cooking Badge, know the following:

  • Car Camping Section 5. Scouts MUST be Grubmaster on TWO separate Troop Car Camping trips.
  • Trail Camping Section 6. Scouts MUST attend one Troop backpacking trip and the planning meetings. (You don’t need to be assigned as Grubmaster to get credit).
  • At Home Cooking Section 4. Scouts MUST complete this at home and with an adult present. 

Learn more:  Click to expand each topic below.

Getting Credits: Your Grubmaster paperwork is important! Keep it!

  1. Always log your Outings in your Handbook Camping Log.  Write down when you were Grubmaster.
  2. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep copies of your FORMS B AND C for EACH campout you were Grubmaster.  These forms are proof you completed your 1st Class reqs and Cooking Badge reqs 5a-h.
    • The first time you are GM: Get 1st Class Cooking reqs signed off in your handbook.
    • The second time you are GM: Request a Blue Card for Cooking Badge and meet with the counselor.
    • After your first Backpacking trip, meet with the counselor again.
  3. When meeting your Counselor, always bring your Blue Card, your Handbook, and the Grubmaster FORMS or other paperwork to show you completed the requirements.

I've completed my Campout Cooking. Now what?
  1. If you haven’t requested the Blue Card yet, do so now.
  2. Go to MeritBadge.org: Download the Cooking Merit Badge workbook. (You will only need to complete pages 1-18 and 24- 26, and 32-33.  The other pages are not needed).
  3. Complete requirements 4a-4e AT HOME COOKING in the workbook. Get an adult’s signature on PAGE 17 in the WORKBOOK to verify you did these requirements at home.  Adults may also assist with pricing and other questions.
  4. Complete the remaining requirements.  These may be completed in a workshop or at home.
  5. Meet with the Cooking Badge Counselor. Bring your Blue Card and a print out of your workbook and any campout paperwork, if needed.
Should I take the Cooking Badge at Summer Camp? Must I complete the workbook?
  • We don’t recommend Scouts take Cooking Badge at Summer Camp, due to all the pre-requisites.  It’s best to ask the Cooking Badge Counselor before signing up.
  • Troop Leaders try to include an annual Cooking Badge workshop, which covers the same requirements done at summer camp or outside classes.  Or you can work on these reqs at home.
  • You should always type or write your answers in your workbook, to prove your work.
  • Badge requirements sometimes change – your written progress will allow you to complete the version you started, and not be responsible for any new requirements.