Schools will sometimes use merit badges to reward children and youth who have knowledge in particular areas such as math, science, reading and writing and other skills. The Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts of America, for example, reward youth with merit badges in a variety of subjects. Merit badges are presented to celebrate achievements in learning more about subjects such as chemistry, carpentry, art, animal science, law, music and more. Students consult their club organizer or supervisor to find out what they must do for the merit badge. For example, for the chemistry badge in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, students must describe three examples of safety equipment used in a chemistry lab and their functions, describe what a material safety data sheet is, obtain a data sheet for both paint and an insecticide, and discuss the safe storage of chemicals. Students must also conduct several chemistry experiments.
Many sports clubs and societies offer merit badges. Swimming, karate and running clubs as well as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts also offer badges for physical activities. Akitas Judo Clubs provide merit badges for kids who perform the different karate moves properly. Swimming clubs, such as Club Fit, also provide badges to denote the level of swimming that the youth has reached.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts offer badges for moral character. Badges such as the citizenship in the world or nation, disabilities awareness, emergency preparedness and family life are awarded based on outstanding moral character. The Peace Corp and Junior Cadets also focus on on charity.
Most of these clubs and organizations offer opportunities for kids to earn merit badges for their unique skills or passions. The Junior Cadets, for example, provide badges for students who like to collect objects such as coins or stamps. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts award merit badges in areas such as space exploration, traffic safety, textile, painting and music. There are even museums and organizations with merit badge programs, such as the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia and the canoe and climbing badge awarded by the ACE Adventure Center in Oak Hill, West Virginia.