Only 621 scouts nationwide have earned every one of the 141 merit badges before turning 18, and Brandon Barrett of St. Louis is one of them. Barrett, a 18-year-old Eagle Scout from Troop 344 in Ladue, achieved this rare feat in 2025. His accomplishment places him among an elite group of youth who completed the entire merit badge curriculum. The achievement is highlighted by Scouting America’s record of 130 million participants over the past century.
A Rare Achievement
Scouting America, formerly Boy Scouts of America, began in 1910. From its inception through 2025, only an estimated 621 scouts have earned all 141 merit badges before the 18-year-old deadline for Eagle Scout status. This represents less than one-thousandth of one percent of all scouts. Barrett’s name now appears on that exclusive list.
The Journey Through Scouting
Barrett has been a Scout since first grade, starting at the Cub Scout level. He has spent the last seven years working to earn every merit badge, including several added to the program in recent years. His long-term dedication is evident in the breadth of skills he has mastered. Barrett’s journey illustrates the commitment required to complete the entire merit badge program.
Motivation During COVID
Barrett said he became highly motivated to earn every merit badge during the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote learning disrupted school schedules and he sought productive ways to spend his time. “I just started doing merit badges because I was interested in them,” he said. “I did a lot of them during COVID because school was online.” “I started working on merit badges online and going to different merit badge universities, just to have something to do.”
Skill Acquisition and Challenges
During that time, Barrett worked with merit badge counselors over Zoom and attended merit badge universities in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. He also regularly attended summer camp programs that allowed him to earn multiple merit badges at a time, including camps at S-F Scout Ranch near Farmington, Missouri. “By the time COVID [restrictions] ended, I had around 70 or 80,” he said. “And I was like, ‘Might as well get them all.'”
Barrett said the process behind attaining every merit badge taught him discipline and long-term goal setting. “You have to be dedicated toward a goal,” he said. “It’s important to break it down into steps you can achieve. And not just immediately set the goal of getting all the merit badges from zero. It’s such a long path.”
Favorite Badges and Mentoring
Barrett said his favorite merit badges are small boat sailing and fishing, two of his favorite outdoor activities. He now serves as a merit badge counselor for both, teaching younger scouts. The badges reflect his personal interests and his desire to share knowledge. Barrett’s counseling role demonstrates his commitment to nurturing future Scouts.
Overcoming Difficult Badges
The most challenging ones, he said, were bugling and scuba diving, requiring him to learn a musical instrument and earn a scuba certification from scratch. “A lot of the more difficult ones are also fun because it’s rewarding to achieve something challenging,” said Barrett. “It’s led me to explore different careers and hobbies that I might not have explored otherwise.” Barrett’s pursuit of difficult badges broadened his skill set.
Eagle Scout Rank and Conservation Service
In addition to earning all 141 merit badges, Barrett achieved the rank of Eagle Scout last year, an honor that requires 21 total merit badges, including 14 specifically required for Eagle rank. The honor also required an Eagle Scout service project. For that, Barrett focused on improving the fish habitat for the Missouri Department of Conservation at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. “We created and installed fish habitat to improve the fish populations,” said Barrett. “What we built were [wooded pyramid-shaped structures] called porcupine cribs. You place cinderblocks in them, put them in the lake in strategic spots, and you’ll improve fish habitats.”
Future Plans and Legacy
While Barrett has now aged out of Scouting America’s youth program, he plans to remain involved as an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 344. He hopes his achievements can set a strong example for generations of future scouts. “It’s something other people can look at and say, ‘If he can get all the merit badges, maybe I can get just the 21 needed to achieve Eagle,'” said Barrett. “It’s about helping other people achieve things by showing them it’s possible to achieve big goals.” Barrett is currently a senior in high school and is exploring career paths that will allow him to remain active in Scouting America after graduation. Beyond his merit badges and Eagle rank, Barrett has participated in a wide range of camping trips and scouting programs, including trips to Lake of the Ozarks Scout Reservation, Kia Kima Scout Reservation in Arkansas, all four of Scouting America’s high-adventure bases and the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea. Barrett has also earned a Distinguish Conservation Service Award, which requires the completion of two conservation projects. Along with his Eagle Scout project, he organized the removal of invasive honeysuckle at Beaumont Scout Ranch and led the planting of 250 native tree saplings.
Key Takeaways
- Only 621 scouts nationwide have earned all 141 merit badges before 18.
- Brandon Barrett, an 18-year-old Eagle Scout, achieved this rare feat in 2025.
- Barrett’s journey highlights the value of discipline, goal setting, and community service.
Barrett’s story showcases how dedication to Scouting can lead to extraordinary accomplishments. His work with conservation projects and mentorship of younger Scouts illustrates the broader impact of the program. As he transitions into adulthood, Barrett’s legacy will inspire future generations to pursue ambitious goals and give back to their communities.
