Boy Scouts provides each boy with the opportunity to learn skills and receive recognition in the form of ranks and merit badges. The requirements for each of the ranks; Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class,Star, Life and Eagle are earn by the boy through his participation in troop meetings, campouts and other activities. Advancement is not mandatory in Troop 461 but it is strongly encouraged. Core parts of the Advancement program are:

1. Actively participate in the troop.
2. Show Scout Spirit by living by the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
3. Attain a specified skill level by meeting the specific requirements for rank or merit badges.
4. Perform service hours or complete a service project.
5. Serve in a leadership position.

When all requirements are completed and initialed by a Scout Leader for each level of rank, your scout must schedule a Scoutmaster Conference. The Scoutmaster will then schedule a Board of Review with the Troop Committee. The Scout must pass the Board of review. This is not a test of rank requirements but a review of the Scout's experience in the troop, a discussion of his concerns and a check on the troop's program.  

There are currently around 118 merit badges offered to the Scouts. There are 21 badges required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. The merit badges provide the boys with an opportunity to become proficient in skills and to be introduced to many subjects. Some badges are required for rank advancement. There are specific requirements to earn each merit badge.The troop maintains a library of merit badge pamphlets, which a boy can borrow when working on a badge. Also, in this site you can find anything you are looking for to check out requirements and other useful information about Boy Scouts.
www.meritbadge.org
The Scout must meet with the Scoutmaster before he start working on a merit badge to obtain familiarity with the badge's requirements, a counselor's name and a signed blue card to present to that counselor. Upon completion of the merit badge, the blue card is then signed by the merit badge counselor and given back to the Scout who will return it to the Scoutmaster and have it recorded with the District. When the merit badge is awarded to the Scout, he will receive the MB patch and one part of the blue card. It's really important for the scout to keep this card if he intends to go all the way to Eagle rank, as he must at that time present all his blue cards to the Advancement Chair at the District level.  

How many merit badges can I work on?

There is no limit to the number of merit badges a Scout can have "open" at one time.   He may start working on Merit Badges the day he signs his registration form and has until his 18th birthday to complete the work.
Some units impose their own limits, but that is NOT BSA policy, and therefore, we do not endorse such restrictions.
That being said, the idea is to LEARN about a particular topic through the Merit Badge Program.  A boy will be best-served if he strives to complete the work for a badge in a short enough time frame that ALL the information/lessons remain relevant.  Again, this is at the Scout's discretion.