North Shore and Chicago-Area Merit Badge Classes

Last updated Oct. 20, 2026

Troop 28 is part of the Northeast Illinois Council (NEIC). Three nearby Councils also offer local merit badge classes.

Merit badges classes shown below were found on these Council calendars (check their event pages to confirm dates and details):

NEIC Three Fires Three Harbors Pathway to Adventure Non-Council events

October 2026

Oceanography

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

10:00 AM–12:30 PM at Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL. Finish requirements 1–6 and 9 beforehand. Sold out.

Event info

November 2026

Nuclear Science and Public Health

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026

At Scouting University Leader Training Day. 8:00 AM–4:00 PM at Wildwood Presbyterian Church, Grayslake, IL.

Event info

Merit Badge College

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026

8:00 AM–4:00 PM CT at Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN. Registration closes Nov. 12 at 11:59 PM.

Event info

Nuclear Science

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026

10:00 AM–4:00 PM at the UW–Madison Mechanical Engineering Building, Madison, WI, plus a reactor tour. 65 Scouts max.

Event info

Wilderness Survival

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026

9:00 AM–12:00 PM at Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook, IL.

Event info

Geology

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026

10:00 AM–12:00 PM at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, IL.

Event info

Stamp Collecting

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026

10:00 AM–4:00 PM at the Westin Chicago Northwest, Itasca, IL, during ChicagoPex. Registration is on the waitlist.

Event info

December 2026

Nuclear Science

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026

10:00 AM–4:00 PM at the UW–Madison Mechanical Engineering Building, Madison, WI, plus a reactor tour. 65 Scouts max.

Event info

Northern Lights Merit Badge Academy

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026

8:30 AM–4:15 PM CT at Rome Corners Intermediate School, Oregon, WI, hosted by Troop 50 (check-in 7:45–8:15 AM; lunch included; registration closes Dec. 2 at 11:59 PM). Badges include Eagle-required Citizenship in the Community, Nation, and World, Communication, Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, and Sustainability, plus electives like Wildland Fire Management, Search and Rescue, Wilderness Survival, Cybersecurity, and Photography; some have prerequisites.

Event info

Environmental Science

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026

10:00 AM–12:00 PM at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, IL.

Event info

Geology

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026

9:00 AM–12:00 PM at Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook, IL.

Event info

Oceanography

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026

10:00 AM–12:30 PM at Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL. Finish requirements 1–6 and 9 beforehand. Sold out.

Event info

Rifle Shooting

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026

Indoor class at Camp Sol R. Crown, Trevor, WI. Registration is on the waitlist.

Event info

February 2027

Merit Badge University

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027

8:30 AM–4:30 PM at Addison Trail High School, Addison, IL. Registration begins Friday, Dec. 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Event info

Gateway Merit Badge Tech

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027

Annual multi-badge day. Save the date. Details and registration are not posted yet.

Event info

March 2027

Law

Saturday, March 6, 2027

8:00 AM–3:45 PM at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. A mock court, plus tours of the courthouse, the coroner’s office, and a canine unit.

Event info

Rifle Shooting

Sunday, March 7, 2027

Indoor class at Camp Sol R. Crown, Trevor, WI.

Event info

May 2027

Merit Badge University

Saturday, May 1, 2027

8:00 AM–4:30 PM at Camp Big Timber, Elgin, IL. The badge list is not posted yet. Online registration opens near the end of February 2027.

Event info

Recurring in-person merit badge programs

Programs that run regularly in the Chicago and Milwaukee area:

Merit Badge University

Twice a year

A great day of classes, serves hundreds of Scouts.

Event info

Law

One day

Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. A mock court, plus tours of the courthouse, the coroner’s office, and a canine unit.

Event info

Engineering

Saturdays, or a private session for 6 or more Scouts

Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. The class covers all nine requirements. Plan on 1–2 hours of work beforehand.

Event info

Evanston Ecology Center

School year

Eagle and nature badges. These fill up quickly. Search for “Scout” in the sidebar.

Event info

Oak Brook Park District

Check their listings for dates

Offers nature and outdoor badges throughout the year.

Event info

Oceanography

Several times a year

Shedd Aquarium.

Event info

Buffalo Grove Park District

Check their listings

Merit badge workshops at the Raupp Museum. A class needs at least 5 Scouts to run.

Event info

Rolling Meadows Park District

Check their listings

A dozen or more merit badge classes on Saturdays throughout the year. Mr. C is a great counselor and a valuable resource.

Event info

Climbing

A custom 4–6 hour session

Upper Limits in Bloomington.

Event info

Climbing

At least 6 Scouts

Vertical Endeavors in Glendale Heights.

Event info

Virtual merit badge programs

Counselors around the country also teach online. One place to learn about them is the Virtual Merit Badge Classes Facebook group. Check the time zone before you sign up!