North Shore and Chicago-Area Merit Badge Classes
Last updated Sept. 29, 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
Farm Mechanics
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
9:00 AM–4:00 PM at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta, Burlington, WI.
Safety
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
9:00–11:30 AM at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta, Burlington, WI.
Emergency Preparedness
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
1:15–5:00 PM at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta, Burlington, WI.
Citizenship in the World
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
1:30–4:00 PM at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta, Burlington, WI.
Fish and Wildlife Management
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
1:30–4:30 PM at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta, Burlington, WI.
Mammal Study
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
9:00 AM–12:00 PM at the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center, Glen Ellyn, IL.
Radio
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
About 6:00 PM, Jamboree on the Air, at Camp Kishwaukee, Plano, IL.
Rifle Shooting
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
6:00–8:00 PM at the Conservation Club of Kenosha County, Bristol, WI. 16 Scouts max.
Environmental Science and Fish and Wildlife Management
Saturday, Oct. 17 and 24, 2026
Conservation Merit Badge Program at Indiana Dunes. Both Saturdays.
Oceanography
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
10:00 AM–12:30 PM at Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL. Finish requirements 1–6 and 9 beforehand.
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.
Merit Badge College
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
8:00 AM–4:00 PM CT at Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN. The badge list is not posted yet.
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.
Wilderness Survival
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
9:00 AM–12:00 PM at Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook, IL.
Stamp Collecting
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026
10:00 AM–4:00 PM at the Westin Chicago Northwest, Itasca, IL, during ChicagoPex. Register by Nov. 19.
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.
Geology
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026
9:00 AM–12:00 PM at Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook, IL.
Oceanography
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026
10:00 AM–12:30 PM at Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL. Finish requirements 1–6 and 9 beforehand.
February 2027
Merit Badge University
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027
8:30 AM–4:30 PM at Addison Trail High School, Addison, IL. The badge list is not posted yet. Registration opens about 6–8 weeks before.
Gateway Merit Badge Tech
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027
Annual multi-badge day. Save the date. Details and registration are not posted yet.
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.
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. Registration opens about 6–8 weeks before.
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.
Law
One day
Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. A mock court, plus tours of the courthouse, the coroner’s office, and a canine unit.
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.
Evanston Ecology Center
School year
Eagle and nature badges. These fill up quickly. Search for “Scout” in the sidebar.
Oak Brook Park District
Check their listings for dates
Offers nature and outdoor badges throughout the year.
Oceanography
Several times a year
Shedd Aquarium.
Archaeology and Indian Lore
On demand
Buffalo Grove Park District.
Climbing
A custom 4–6 hour session
Upper Limits in Bloomington.
Climbing
At least 6 Scouts
Vertical Endeavors in Glendale Heights.
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!
Burpee Museum
Cleck their listings
Nature merit badges, either virtual or in Rockford, IL.
The Cell
Two Saturday mornings in a row
Emergency Preparedness merit badge.
Epic Merit Badges
Ongoing
Online badges, on Hawaii time.
Harley-Davidson Museum
Saturdays at 8:30 AM and Tuesdays at 6:30 PM (Central Time)
Engineering merit badge.
MeritBadgeCourses.com
Dates posted a few weeks ahead
Eagle-required badges and electives.
Saint Louis Chess Club
On a regular schedule
Chess merit badge.
Requirements
Pamphlets and current requirements are on the Scouting America merit badge page.