...No?

You aren't paying for the merit badge per se, you're paying for the physical manifestation of it. You have to do the work and meet the goals in order to get the merit badge. Once you've earned the merit badge, there's no need to pay for the embroidered patch if you don't want to. It's not going to affect whether or not you are able to get your Eagle.

I mean.. not really? I get the meme but there are a ton of merit badges you can do sitting in your room. I was a scout 15-20 years ago, I remember going through my handbook and doing all of the badges I was able to without going anywhere or buying anything in one weekend and asking my leader for like 15 badges the next day.

Though I may have to correct myself, I think these were belt loops I was earning at this point, I don't remember the difference (I think the fancy sash comes a little later, at which point.. maybe my comment was unnecessary.)

I always appreciate the memes that show up at Lemmy, but this meme reduces the amount of effort that also goes into earning some merit badges. I think it’s funny but kind of tone deaf.

Swing and a miss. Eagle scouts have some crazy community service requirements.