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Archery
Archery
Merit Badge
Scouting America Merit Badge Hub

Archery

Merit Badge Overview

Archery is a fun way for Scouts to exercise minds as well as bodies, developing a steady hand, a good eye, and a disciplined mind. This merit badge can provide a thorough introduction to those who are new to the bow and arrow—but even for the experienced archer, earning the badge can help to increase the understanding and appreciation of archery.
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Archery

Merit Badge Requirements

The previous version of the Merit Badge requirements can be found in Scoutbook

The requirements will be fed dynamically using the scout book integration 9
1. Do the following:

2. Do the following:

3. Do the following:

4. Explain the following:

5. Working under the supervision of a certified USA Archery Level 1 Instructor or a certified long-term camp staff member (i.e., a National Camping School [NCS] Range Activities Director; or a Rangemaster over age 18 who is trained by a NCS Range Activities Director or by a USA Archery Level 1 Instructor), do ONE of the following options:

Note:When using a Genesis bow, apply the requirements in Option A.
Resource: How Is a Compound Bow Different From a Recurve Bow? (video)
  • Option A—Recurve Bow or Longbow. Do ALL of the following:
  • (6) Do ONE of the following:
  • (a) Using a recurve bow or longbow and arrows with a finger release, shoot a single round of ONE of the following:
  • (1) An NFAA field round of 14 targets and make a score of 60 points
  • (2) A Scouting America field round of 14 targets and make a score of 80 points
  • (3) A World Archery/USA Archery indoor round and make a score of 80 points (Indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.)
  • (4) An NFAA indoor round and make a score of 50 points (Indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.)
  • (b) Shooting 30 arrows in five-arrow ends at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target at 10 yards and using the 10 scoring regions, make a score of 150 points.
  • (1) Name and point to the parts of the recurve or longbow you are shooting.
    Resource: Recurve Bow Measurement Chart (photo)
  • (2) Explain how to properly care for and store recurve bows and longbows.
    Resource: How To Store a Recurve Bow (video)
  • (3) Demonstrate and explain USA Archery's 11 Steps of Shooting for the bow you are shooting.
    Resource: Steps of Shooting (video)
  • (4) Demonstrate the proper way to string a recurve bow or longbow.
    Resource: How To String a Recurve Bow (video)
  • (5) Using a bow square, locate and mark with dental floss, crimp-on, or other method, the nocking point on the bowstring of the bow you are using.
    Resource: How To Mark a Nock on a Recurve Bow (video)
  • Option B—Compound Bow. Do ALL of the following:
  • (6) Do ONE of the following:
  • (a) Using a compound bow and arrows with a finger release, shoot a single round of ONE of the following:
  • (1) An NFAA field round of 14 targets and make a score of 70 points
  • (2) A Scouting America field round of 14 targets and make a score of 90 points
  • (3) A World Archery/USA Archery indoor round and make a score of 90 points (Indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.)
  • (4) An NFAA indoor round and make a score of 60 points (Indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.)
  • (b) Shooting at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target using the 10 scoring regions, make a minimum score of 160 points. Accomplish this in the following manner:
    Shoot 15 arrows in five-arrow ends, at a distance of 10 yards
    AND
    Shoot 15 arrows in five-arrow ends, at a distance of 15 yards.
  • (1) Name and point to the parts of the compound bow you are shooting.
    Resource: compound_bow.png (photo)
  • (2) Explain how to properly care for and store compound bows.
  • (3) Demonstrate and explain USA Archery's 11 Steps of Shooting for the bow you are shooting.
    Resource: Steps of Shooting (video)
  • (4) Explain why it is necessary to have the string or cable on a compound bow replaced at an archery shop.
  • (5) Locate and mark with dental floss, crimp-on, or other method, the nocking point on the bowstring of the bow you are using.
    Resource: How To Mark a Nock on a Compound Bow (video)
  • (a) Explain what a projectile is, and why any device that shoots a projectile at high speed must be handled with care and respect, and used only in approved locations.
    Resource: High-Speed Collisions in Space - Experiments with a Carrot Gun (video)

NOTE: The official merit badge pamphlets are now free and downloadable HERE or can be purchased at the Scout Shop.
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Get the Archery Merit Badge Pamphlet

Merit Badge Pamphlets are now free and publicly available. Note: Always check stg.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/ for the latest requirements.

Archery

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