| Merit badges | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Fish and Wildlife Management merit badge |
|||
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Created | 1972 | ||
|
|
|||
Merit badges are awards earned by youth members of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), based on activities within an area of study by completing a list of periodically updated requirements. The purpose of the merit badge program is to allow Scouts to examine subjects to determine if they would like to further pursue them as a career or avocation. Originally, the program also introduced Scouts to the life skills of contacting an adult they hadn't met before, arranging a meeting and then demonstrating their skills, similar to a job or college interview. Increasingly, though, merit badges are earned in a class setting at troop meetings and summer camps.
Each merit badge has a pamphlet (booklet) published by the Boy Scouts of America associated with it; the pamphlet contains information on completing the requirements for the badge. Scouts are designated merit badge counselors for each badge, and a Scout would meet with a counselor to demonstrate that he's completed the requirements. The counselor would then 'sign off' on each one.
The award of a merit badge is represented by circular patch with an image representing the badge's topic. The patches for the Eagle-required merit badges are distinguishable by the silver ring on the outside edge. Merit badges are displayed on a sash which can be worn with the Boy Scout uniform on formal occasions.
Every year the National Council reviews and updates a certain number of merit badges. Most recently, the Geocaching, Inventing, and Scouting Heritage merit badges were introduced in 2010 and 2011. The latest merit badge is Chess, which was released on September 7, 2011.[1] Welding merit badge was announced for a release in December 2011,[2] and Search and Rescue and Kayaking merit badges were announced for 2012.[3]
Scouting organizations in other countries issue or have issued merit badges, including Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Spain, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. Austria has a program similar to merit badges for certain age groups.
Contents |
The current requirements for Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouting, includes earning 21 merit badges (10 more added to the 11 already earned through previous rank advancement requirements, bringing the total to a minimum 21 merit badges), including twelve from a required list:
| Name | Created | Requirements revision |
Pamphlet revision |
Related subjects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Business | 1967c | 2002 | 2008 | Business, Economy of the United States |
| American Cultures | 1979 | 2005 | 2008 | Ethnic groups in the United States |
| American Heritage | 1975 | 2005 | 2008 | History of the United States, Historic preservation |
| American Labor | 1987 | 2006 | 2008 | Trade unions |
| Animal Science | 1975 | 2006 | 2008 | Animal husbandry |
| Archaeology | 1997 | 2008 | 2008 | Archaeology |
| Archery | 1911 | 2011 | 2008 | Archery |
| Architecture | 1911 | 2008 | 2008 | Architecture |
| Art | 1911 | 2006 | 2008 | Art |
| Astronomy | 1911 | 2011 | 2008 | Astronomy |
| Athletics | 1911 | 2006 | 2008 | Track and field athletics |
| Automotive Maintenance | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | Auto mechanics |
| Aviation | 1911 | 2006 | 2008 | Aviation |
| Backpacking | 1982 | 2007 | 2008 | Backpacking |
| Basketry | 1927 | 2003 | 2008 | Basket weaving |
| Bird Study | 1914 | 2005 | 2008 | Ornithology |
| Bugling | 1911 | 2003 | 2008 | Bugle |
| Camping | 1911 | 2005 | 2008 | Camping |
| Canoeing | 1927 | 2004 | 2008 | Canoeing |
| Chemistry | 1911 | 2004 | 2008 | Chemistry |
| Chess | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | Chess |
| Cinematography | 1990 | 2008 | 2008 | Cinematography |
| Citizenship in the Community | 1952 | 2005 | 2008 | Citizenship |
| Citizenship in the Nation | 1951 | 2005 | 2008 | Citizenship |
| Citizenship in the World | 1972 | 2005 | 2008 | Global citizenship |
| Climbing | 1997 | 2006 | 2008 | Climbing |
| Coin Collecting | 1938 | 2008 | 2008 | Coin collecting |
| Collections | 1991 | 2008 | 2008 | Collecting |
| Communications | 1968 | 2003 | 2008 | Communications |
| Composite Materials | 2006 | 2006 | 2008 | Composite materials |
| Computers | 1967 | 2005 | 2008 | Computers |
| Cooking | 1911 | 2007 | 2008 | Cooking |
| Crime Prevention | 1996 | 2005 | 2008 | Crime prevention |
| Cycling | 1911 | 2003 | 2008 | Cycling |
| Dentistry | 1975 | 2006 | 2008 | Dentistry |
| Disabilities Awareness | 1993 | 2005 | 2008 | Disability |
| Dog Care | 1938 | 2003 | 2008 | Dogs |
| Drafting | 1965 | 2008 | 2008 | Technical drawing |
| Electricity | 1911 | 2004 | 2008 | Electricity |
| Electronics | 1963 | 2004 | 2008 | Electronics |
| Emergency Preparedness | 1972 | 2008 | 2008 | Emergency management |
| Energy | 1976 | 2005 | 2008 | Energy |
| Engineering | 1967 | 2008 | 2008 | Engineering |
| Entrepreneurship | 1997 | 2006 | 2008 | Entrepreneurship |
| Environmental Science | 1972 | 2006 | 2008 | Environmental science |
| Family Life | 1991 | 2005 | 2008 | Family values |
| Farm Mechanics | 1928 | 2008 | 2008 | Agricultural machinery |
| Fingerprinting | 1938 | 2003 | 2008 | Fingerprinting |
| Fire Safety | 1995 | 2004 | 2008 | Fire safety |
| First Aid | 1911 | 2007 | 2008 | First aid |
| Fish and Wildlife Management | 1972 | 2004 | 2008 | Wildlife management |
| Fishing | 1952 | 2002 | 2008 | Fishing |
| Fly Fishing | 2002 | 2002 | 2008 | Fly fishing |
| Forestry | 1911 | 2005 | 2008 | Forestry |
| Gardening | 1911 | 2002 | 2008 | Gardening |
| Genealogy | 1972 | 2005 | 2008 | Genealogy, Family history |
| Geocaching | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | Geocaching |
| Geology | 1953 | 2005 | 2008 | Geology |
| Golf | 1976 | 2002 | 2008 | Golf |
| Graphic Arts | 1987 | 2006 | 2008 | Graphic design |
| Hiking | 1921 | 2007 | 2008 | Hiking |
| Home Repairs | 1943 | 2002 | 2008 | Home repairs |
| Horsemanship | 1911 | 2011 | 2008 | Equestrianism |
| Indian Lore | 1931 | 2008 | 2008 | Native American culture |
| Insect Study | 1985 | 2008 | 2008 | Entomology |
| Inventing[5] | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | Invention |
| Journalism | 1927 | 2006 | 2008 | Journalism |
| Landscape Architecture | 1967 | 2008 | 2008 | Landscape architecture |
| Law | 1974 | 2003 | 2008 | Law |
| Leatherwork | 1951 | 2002 | 2008 | Leather crafting |
| Lifesaving | 1911 | 2008 | 2008 | Lifeguard |
| Mammal Study | 1985 | 2003 | 2008 | Zoology |
| Medicine | 1991 | 2002 | 2008 | Medicine |
| Metalwork | 1927 | 2007 | 2008 | Metalworking |
| Model Design and Building | 1963 | 2003 | 2008 | Scale models |
| Motorboating | 1961 | 2008 | 2008 | Motorboat |
| Music | 1911 | 2003 | 2008 | Music |
| Nature | 1952 | 2003 | 2008 | Nature |
| Nuclear Science | 2005 | 2011 | 2008 | Nuclear physics |
| Oceanography | 1964 | 2003 | 2008 | Oceanography |
| Orienteering | 1973 | 2003 | 2008 | Orienteering |
| Painting | 1911 | 2008 | 2008 | Paint |
| Personal Fitness | 1952 | 2006 | 2008 | Physical fitness |
| Personal Management | 1972 | 2003 | 2008 | Personal finances, time management |
| Pets | 1958 | 2003 | 2008 | Pets |
| Photography | 1911 | 2005 | 2008 | Photography |
| Pioneering | 1911 | 2006 | 2008 | Pioneering |
| Plant Science | 1974 | 2005 | 2008 | Botany |
| Plumbing | 1911 | 2004 | 2008 | Plumbing |
| Pottery | 1927 | 2008 | 2008 | Pottery |
| Public Health | 1911 | 2005 | 2008 | Public health |
| Public Speaking | 1932 | 2002 | 2008 | Public speaking |
| Pulp and Paper | 1972 | 2006 | 2008 | Pulp, Papermaking |
| Radio | 1923 | 2008 | 2008 | Radio |
| Railroading | 1952 | 2003 | 2008 | Rail transport |
| Reading | 1929 | 2003 | 2008 | Reading |
| Reptile and Amphibian Study | 1993 | 2005 | 2008 | Reptile, Amphibian |
| Rifle Shooting | 1988 | 2001 | 2008 | Rifle, Shooting |
| Rowing | 1933 | 2006 | 2008 | Rowing |
| Robotics | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | Robotics |
| Safety | 1927 | 2006 | 2008 | Safety |
| Salesmanship | 1927 | 2003 | 2008 | Sales |
| Scholarship | 1911 | 2004 | 2008 | Scholarship |
| Scouting Heritage | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | History of the Boy Scouts of America |
| Scuba diving | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | Scuba diving |
| Sculpture | 1911 | 2007 | 2008 | Sculpture |
| Shotgun Shooting | 1988 | 2005 | 2008 | Shotgun, shooting |
| Skating | 1973 | 2005 | 2008 | Ice skating, Roller skating |
| Small-Boat Sailing | 1964 | 2004 | 2008 | Sailing |
| Snow Sports | 1999 | 2007 | 2008 | Skiing, Snowboarding |
| Soil and Water Conservation | 1952 | 2004 | 2008 | Soil conservation, Water conservation |
| Space Exploration | 1965 | 2004 | 2008 | Space exploration |
| Sports | 1972 | 2011 | 2008 | Sports |
| Stamp Collecting | 1932 | 2007 | 2008 | Stamp collecting |
| Surveying | 1911 | 2004 | 2008 | Surveying |
| Swimming | 1911 | 2008 | 2008 | Human swimming |
| Textile | 1973 | 2003 | 2008 | Textiles |
| Theater | 1967 | 2005 | 2008 | Theatre |
| Traffic Safety | 1975 | 2006 | 2008 | Road traffic safety |
| Truck Transportation | 1973 | 2005 | 2008 | Truck driver |
| Veterinary Medicine | 1995 | 2005 | 2008 | Veterinary medicine |
| Water Sports | 1969 | 2007 | 2008 | Waterskiing |
| Weather | 1927 | 2006 | 2008 | Weather |
| Whitewater | 1987 | 2005 | 2008 | Whitewater rafting |
| Wilderness Survival | 1974 | 2007 | 2008 | Wilderness, Survival skills |
| Wood Carving | 1923 | 2006 | 2008 | Wood carving |
| Woodwork | 1923 | 2003 | 2008 | Woodworking |
Merit badge colleges (or merit badge universities), which are also called merit badge weekends or merit badge midways when held at a camporee or jamboree, are events held where several troops or merit badge counselors come together and focus on teaching merit badges. There is some controversy whether Eagle-required merit badges should be available. Some believe that Scouts wishing to earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout should be able to seek out counselors for those badges themselves and do the requirements solo. Others believe all merit badges should be available to all Scouts.
Into the 1990s, a number of merit badge counselors developed worksheets as a way for Scouts to document their work. Counselors could teach to a group but still verify each Scout's progress. Today, worksheets have given way to workbooks with added graph paper, blank maps and diagrams, logs, charts, checklists, links, and other resources as needed. Merit badge workbooks are used by counselors, summer camps, and merit badge colleges. Workbooks have also been developed for ranks, Cub Scout belt loops, and Webelos activity pins.
The Historical Merit Badge program, part of the Boy Scouts of America centennial, allowed Scouts to earn the discontinued Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signalling, and Tracking (previously called Stalking) merit badges during the year of 2010. The patches for these historical merit badges are distinguishable by a gold ring on the outside edge. All were based on Merit Badges that were among the original 57 issued in 1911. As of 1 January 2011, these merit badges are no longer offered. [6] [7]
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||