Signs, Signals, and Codes — Merit Badge

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Active Scouts

Scout Progress

Scout	AWARD	Req 1	Req 2	Req 3		Req 4			Req 5		Req 6		Req 7	Req 8Complete any 3					Req 9			Req 10
Scout		1	2	3a	3b	4a	4b	4c	5a	5b	6a	6b	7	8a	8b	8c	8d	8e	9a	9b	9c	10
Jack P.Star	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Oliver K.First Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Oliver V.Star	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Oscar B.Tenderfoot	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Quinn B.Second Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□

Requirements

From the official BSA merit badge pamphlet — wording is paraphrased here. Confirm against the current pamphlet for sign-off.

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For the whole badge

Discuss the importance and history of signs, signals, and codes

Explain emergency signaling; discuss distress signals for airborne SAR, with photos or drawings

Describe Morse code; spell your first name and send/receive a 6-10 word message in Morse

Describe ASL and its use today; spell your first name and send/receive a 6-10 word message in ASL

Explain semaphore — why, how, and where it is used

Explain the difference between semaphore flags and nautical flags

Spell your name and send/receive a 6-10 word semaphore message; identify 10 nautical flags and their importance

By sight or touch, identify braille letters spelling your name; decode a braille message of 6+ words

Create a braille message at least six words long and share it

Describe six sound-only signals in use today; discuss pros and cons vs other signals

Demonstrate six silent Scout signals; use them to direct your patrol or troop

Lay out a 1+ mile trail with 6+ trail signs for your patrol; restore markers afterward (LNT)

(Do any 3 of the following)

Sports official's hand signs/signals

Heavy-equipment operator's hand signals

Aircraft carrier catapult crew signals

Cyclist's hand signals

An activity selected with your counselor

Show examples of 10 traffic signs and explain their meaning

Explain a topographic map legend; point out 10 map symbols and their meanings

Discuss text-message symbols; give 10 favorite text symbols/emoticons and test someone on them

Discuss cryptography history; make up a secret code, write a message up to 25 words, share and discuss