Suggested Merits
The advancement trails for Discovery Rangers (grades 3-5), Adventure Rangers (grades 6-8), and Expedition Rangers (grades 9-12) are largely based on the completion of a specified number of skill merits. Groups may choose from a list of over 200 merits currently available. However, some merits require special facilities, gear, or expertise to teach effectively. In order to assist you in identifying merits that may be most suitable for new groups, we recommend the following. The lists below represent the popular merits that typically require little or no previous experience in that subject area, and require facilities and gear commonly available in most churches.
Additional information on merits, as well as specific requirements for each merit, can be found on our Merits Homepage. Merits indicated as “required” are those that must be earned in order to complete the advancement trail for that age group. Details on the advancement system for each age group can be found on the advancement page.
RECOMMENDED MERITS FOR DISCOVERY RANGERS
| Quarter | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Fall | Weather | First Aid Skills* | Wildlife |
| Winter | Models & Design | Art | Hobby |
| Spring | Tool Craft | Safety | Cooking |
| Summer | Bible Knowledge 1* | BGMC | Global Missions 1* |
| Other | Family Life | Church | 104 |
| Leadership | 101 | 102 | 103 |
RECOMMENDED MERITS FOR ADVENTURE RANGERS
| Quarter | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Fall | Emergency Prep. | Healthy Body* | Computers |
| Winter | Carpentry | Home Repair | Puppeteer |
| Spring | Camping | Camp Safety | Fire Safety |
| Summer | Bible Knowledge 2* | Christian Missions | Global Missions 2* |
| Other | Bachelor | Home Safety | 204 |
| Leadership | 201 | 202 | 203 |
RECOMMENDED MERITS FOR EXPEDITION RANGERS
| Quarter | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Fall | Cinematography | Public Health | Citizenship* |
| Winter | Plumbing | Woodworking | Winter Camping |
| Spring | Wilderness Survival | Budget & Finance* | Auto Mechanics |
| Summer | Sixteen Fund. Truths* | Speed the Light | World Missions |
| Other | Fine Arts Festival | American Cultures | 304 |
| Leadership | 301 | 302 | 303 |
Note that this schedule features some significant characteristics:
- One of the three required merits* for each age group is featured each year, which meets the requirements for each group’s annual awards.
- Merits featured in summer quarters are similar between groups, allowing for the possibility of combining groups during the summer months when attendance may be lower.
- Merits featured during the winter quarters involve activities suitable for indoors, while those featured in the spring often involve outdoor activity.
WHAT ABOUT RANGER KIDS?
The advancement trail for Ranger Kids (grades K-2) does not include the completion of merits. It includes “achievement awards” which are similar to merits but much simpler to be more suitable for younger boys. Information on achievement awards can be found in the Ranger Kids curriculum on TRaCclub.