merit badge
{{Short description|Award of Scouting America}}
{{for|the Irish merit badges|Personal progression in Scouting Ireland#Merit badges}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox WorldScouting
|name=Merit badges
|image=File:First Aid Merit Badge.png
|caption=First Aid merit badge
|type=award
|owner=Scouting America
|f-date=1910
|defunct =
|website =
}}
Merit badges are awards earned by members of Scouting America, based on activities within the area of study by completing a list of periodically updated requirements.{{cite web|url=http://www.scouting.org/meritbadges.aspx|title=Merit Badges – Boy Scouts of America|website=www.scouting.org}} 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 vocation. The program also introduces Scouts to life skills such as contacting an adult they had not met before, arranging a meeting, and demonstrating their skills, similar to a job or college interview.
The merit badge award is represented by a circular patch with an image representing the badge's topic. The patches for the Eagle-required merit badges are distinguishable by the silver border on the outside edge. Merit badges are displayed on a sash which can be worn with the Scouts BSA uniform on formal occasions. The National Council reviews and updates badges each year. There are currently 139 merit badges.
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.
Current badges
:The last revision date indicates the date of the latest requirement changes; the copyright or printing dates of merit badge pamphlets may have a different date. The Eagle Scout required merit badges are shaded in gray (see above paragraph for details).{{cite web |url=http://www.usscouts.org/advancementTOC.asp#merit |work=US Scouts.org Advancement section |title=Merit Badge Requirements |access-date=February 9, 2006}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !Created !Requirements !Pamphlet !Number earned since creation (through 2020) !Related subjects |
| American Business
|1967 |2023 |2013 |4,967 |61,953 |
| American Cultures
|1978 |2006 |2013 |2,906 |83,032 |
| American Heritage
|1975 |2020 |2019, 2020 |6,700 |192,552 |
| American Labor
|1987 |2006 |2015 |1,892 |29,926 |
| Animal Science
|1975 |2023 |2020 |2,778 |83,893 |
| Animation{{cite press release|title=Boy Scouts of America Introduces Animation Merit Badge|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boy-scouts-of-america-introduces-animation-merit-badge-300084804.html|website=PR Newswire|access-date=19 May 2015}}
|2015 |2022 |2015 |4,445 |29,817 |
| Archaeology
|1997 |2021 |2008 |2,671 |192,293 |
| Archery
|1911 |2023 |2008 |10,487 |1,797,351 |
| Architecture
|1911 |2023 |2008 |2,734 |237,322 |
| Art
|1911 |2013 |2013 |13,953 |1,436,561 |Art |
| Astronomy
|1911 |2022 |2013 |7,474 |727,496 |
| Athletics
|1911 |2022 |2008 |1,557 |1,081,697 |
| Automotive Maintenance
|2008 |2008 |2012 |7,108 |225,956 |
| Aviation
|1952 |2006 |2008 |8,064 |684,527 |
| Backpacking
|1982 |2007 |2008 |1,640 |233,724 |
| Basketry
|1927 |2003 |2008 |7,388 |2,523,871 |
| Bird Study
|1914 |2005 |2008 |3,950 |612,616 |
| Bugling
|1911 |2020 |2008 |476 |172,979 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Camping
|1911 |2005 |2008 |30,490 |4,954,170 |
| Canoeing
|1927 |2022 |2008 |9,853 |3,166,116 |
| Chemistry
|1911 |2020 |2008 |7,166 |412,187 |
| Chess
|2011 |2011 |2011 |15,454 |239,164 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Citizenship in the Community
|1952 |2005 |2013 |41,987 |3,753,138 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Citizenship in the Nation
|1951 |2022 |2008 |43,247 |3,517,139 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Citizenship in Society
|2021 |2021 |2021 | | |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Citizenship in the World
|1972 |2005 |2008 |42,738 |2,593,491 |
| Climbing
|1997 |2022 |2008 |7,228 |521,055 |
| Coin Collecting
|1938 |2022 |2008 |4,639 |524,111 |
| Collections
|1991 |2021 |2008 |6,429 |168,524 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Communication
|1968 |2003 |2008 |36,675 |2,352,069 |
| Composite Materials
|2006 |2023 |2008 |1,011 |22,472 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Cooking
|1911 |2023 |2014 |36,473 |4,648,594 |
| Crime Prevention
|1996 |2020 |2008 |5,628 |174,749 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Cycling
|1911 |2023 |2008 |5,247 |610,301 |
| Dentistry
|1975 |2022 |2008 |1,924 |152,381 |
| Digital Technology
|2014 |2023 |2014 |8,812 |54,274 |
| Disabilities Awareness
|1993 |2023 |2008 |6,334 |156,539 |
| Dog Care
|1938 |2003 |2008 |4,136 |449,515 |Dogs |
| Drafting
|1965 |2008 |2008 |1,026 |231,905 |
| Electricity
|1911 |2021 |2008 |6,235 |859,444 |
| Electronics
|1963 |2021 |2008 |4,063 |259,193 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Emergency Preparedness
|1972 |2023 |2016 |24,733 |2,082,381 |
| Energy
|1976 |2005 |2008 |2,162 |96,783 |Energy |
| Engineering
|1967 |2008 |2008 |7,800 |213,737 |
| Entrepreneurship
|1997 |2006 |2008 |3,284 |42,254 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Environmental Science
|1972 |2023 |2008 |23,571 |3,016,109 |
| Exploration
|2017 |2020 |2017 |1,464 |10,012 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Family Life
|1991 |2023 |2013 |48,408 |1,455,287 |
| Farm Mechanics
|1928 |2023 |2008 |1,424 |233,871 |
| Fingerprinting
|1938 |2003 |2008 |18,898 |1,891,477 |Fingerprinting |
| Fire Safety
|1995 |2004 |2008 |7,918 |2,675,073 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|First Aid
|1911 |2022 |2008 |31,636 |7,370,988 |
| Fish and Wildlife Management
|1972 |2021 |2008 |4,874 |718,006 |
| Fishing
|1952 |2021 |2008 |13,601 |2,126,476 |
| Fly Fishing
|2002 |2021 |2008 |2,439 |52,650 |
| Forestry
|1911 |2005 |2008 |4,269 |1,213,719 |
| Game Design
|2013 |2023 |2013 |7,740 |92,506 |
| Gardening
|1911 |2002 |2008 |2,782 |397,570 |
| Genealogy
|1972 |2023 |2008 |6,020 |261,683 |
| Geocaching
|2010 |2010 |2010 |5,811 |149,929 |
| Geology
|1953 |2023 |2008 |7,484 |747,259 |
| Golf
|1976 |2023 |2008 |2,369 |185,837 |Golf |
| Graphic Arts
|1987 |2006 |2008 |2,228 |69,365 |
| Healthcare Professions
|2021 |2021 |2021 | | |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Hiking
|1921 |2023 |2008 |5,977 |1,370,957 |
| Home Repairs
|1943 |2022 |2008 |3,442 |2,435,429 |
| Horsemanship
|1911 |2011 |2008 |4,798 |693,845 |
| Indian Lore
|1931 |2008 |2008 |7,240 |1,292,119 |
| Insect Study
|1985 |2008 |2008 |1,734 |180,460 |
| Inventing{{cite web |url=http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/06/inventing-mb.html |title=Boy Scouts and Lemelson-MIT Program introduce Inventing merit badge |date=June 17, 2010 |work=Scouting |access-date=June 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620211855/http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/06/inventing-mb.html |archive-date=June 20, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}
|2010 |2023 |2010 |1,833 |29,178 |
| Journalism
|1927 |2006 |2008 |1,516 |113,468 |
| Kayaking
|2012 |2020 |2016 |11,083 |261,710 |
| Landscape Architecture
|1967 |2008 |2008 |1,400 |90,412 |
| Law
|1974 |2003 |2008 |5,962 |218,325 |Law |
| Leatherwork
|1951 |2002 |2008 |10,855 |2,637,286 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Lifesaving
|1911 |2021 |2008 |5,842 |3,150,759 |Lifeguarding |
| Mammal Study
|1985 |2023 |2008 |7,845 |1,302,419 |
| Metalwork
|1927 |2007 |2008 |4,273 |1,202,235 |
| Mining in Society
|2014 |2022 |2014 |3,789 |29,397 |
| Model Design and Building
|1963 |2020 |2008 |1,359 |235,108 |
| Motorboating
|1961 |2021 |2008 |2,638 |635,883 |
| Moviemaking
|2013 |2013 |2013 |5,779 |61,305 |
| Multisport{{cite magazine |url=https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2025/02/28/scouting-america-launching-multisport-merit-badge/
|title=Scouting America launching Multisport merit badge; here are the requirements |author=Aaron Derr |date=February 28, 2025 |magazine=Scouting }} |2025 |2025 | | | |
| Music
|1911 |2003 |2008 |10,069 |1,388,218 |
| Nature
|1952 |2023 |2008 |6,056 |1,737,920 |
| Nuclear Science
|2005 |2011 |2008 |3,493 |210,965 |
| Oceanography
|1964 |2003 |2008 |4,442 |336,423 |
| Orienteering
|1973 |2003 |2008 |5,337 |888,402 |
| Painting
|1911 |2020 |2008 |3,163 |584,778 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Personal Fitness
|1952 |2023 |2008 |40,355 |2,793,990 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Personal Management
|1972 |2003 |2008 |40,897 |2,100,383 |
| Pets
|1958 |2003 |2008 |8,333 |690,228 |Pets |
| Photography
|1911 |2021 |2015 |11,618 |590,968 |
| Pioneering
|1911 |2022 |2008 |6,129 |2,492,888 |
| Plant Science
|1974 |2023 |2008 |1,653 |58,456 |
| Plumbing
|1911 |2004 |2008 |2,761 |417,612 |
| Pottery
|1927 |2008 |2008 |2,842 |427,803 |
| Programming
|2013 |2023 |2013 |4,473 |29,163 |
| Public Health
|1911 |2021 |2008 |11,510 |1,539,459 |
| Public Speaking
|1932 |2002 |2008 |5,570 |684,343 |
| Pulp and Paper
|1972 |2006 |2008 |4,054 |150,884 |
| Radio
|1923 |2008 |2008 |3,550 |205,747 |
| Railroading
|1952 |2022 |2008 |4,105 |275,919 |
| Reading
|1929 |2022 |2008 |5,635 |1,508,324 |
| Reptile and Amphibian Study
|1993 |2023 |2008 |3,526 |682,587 |
| Rifle Shooting
|1988 |2001 |2008 |11,081 |1,533,240 |
| Robotics
|2011 |2011 |2011 |5,452 |123,337 |
| Rowing
|1933 |2021 |2008 |2,118 |1,763,164 |
| Safety
|1927 |2020 |2008 |6,305 |2,959,333 |
| Salesmanship
|1927 |2023 |2008 |5,121 |362,051 |
| Scholarship
|1911 |2004 |2008 |7,287 |1,307,274 |
| Scouting Heritage
|2010 |2010 |2010 |6,517 |62,290 |
| Scuba Diving
|2009 |2009 |2009 |1,323 |24,100 |
| Sculpture
|1911 |2007 |2008 |3,188 |350,848 |
| Search and Rescue
|2012 |2012 |2012 |4,082 |79,782 |
| Shotgun Shooting
|1988 |2005 |2008 |5,631 |627,238 |
| Signs, Signals, and Codes
|2015 |2015 |2015 |4,580 |38,454 |
| Skating
|1973 |2005 |2008 |1,700 |184,647 |
| Small-Boat Sailing
|1964 |2023 |2008 |3,142 |725,921 |
| Snow Sports
|1999 |2023 |2008 |5,860 |493,109 |
| Soil and Water Conservation
|1952 |2004 |2008 |5,067 |1,174,015 |
| Space Exploration
|1965 |2020 |2008 |8,750 |667,365 |
| Sports
|1972 |2023 |2008 |3,557 |1,184,127 |Sports |
| Stamp Collecting
|1932 |2007 |2008 |1,278 |395,283 |
| Surveying
|1911 |2004 |2008 |603 |157,073 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Sustainability
|2013 |2020 |2013 |8,477 |49,748 |
| style="background:#c0c0c0;"|Swimming
|1911 |2023 |2008 |21,220 |6,659,181 |
| Textile
|1973 |2003 |2008 |1,929 |157,902 |Textiles |
| Theater
|1967 |2021 |2008 |1,592 |97,833 |
| Traffic Safety
|1975 |2022 |2008 |5,758 |194,271 |
| Truck Transportation
|1973 |2005 |2008 |1,991 |151,364 |
| Veterinary Medicine
|1995 |2005 |2008 |2,552 |92,251 |
| Water Sports
|1969 |2007 |2008 |1,064 |266,295 |
| Weather
|1927 |2006 |2008 |9,215 |651,891 |
| Welding
|2012 |2012 |2012 |4,709 |86,233 |
| Whitewater
|1987 |2020 |2008 |1,508 |105,245 |
| Wilderness Survival
|1974 |2007 |2008 |11,604 |1,805,803 |
| Wood Carving
|1923 |2006 |2008 |9,430 |2,462,368 |
| Woodwork
|1923 |2021 |2008 |3,066 |999,863 |
{{notelist}}
Historical program
Offered only in 2010, the Historical Merit Badge program, part of the Boy Scouts of America centennial, allowed Scouts to earn the discontinued Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signalling, and Tracking (originally called Stalking) merit badges. The patches for these historical merit badges are distinguished by a gold ring on the outside edge. All were based on merit badges that were among the original 57 issued in 1911.{{cite journal|url=http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/01/historical-merit-badges-help-boy-scouts-celebrate-scoutings-past.html |title=Historical merit badges help Boy Scouts celebrate Scouting's past |date=January 12, 2010 |journal=Scouting |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |access-date=January 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115072250/http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/01/historical-merit-badges-help-boy-scouts-celebrate-scoutings-past.html |archive-date=January 15, 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/mb141.asp|title=Historic Signaling Merit Badge|website=www.usscouts.org}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/32215/mb/library.html |title=Merit Badge Library |access-date=June 6, 2007 |date=June 2007 |work=Boy Scout Requirements |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200429/http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/32215/mb/library.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.usscouts.org/mb/mbbooks.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001003032428/http://usscouts.org/mb/mbbooks.html|title=Current Merit Badge Pamphlet and Merit Badge Requirement Revision Dates |access-date=June 6, 2007 |date=June 5, 2007 |work=U.S. Scouting Service Project |archive-date=2000-10-03}}
- {{cite web |url=http://home.earthlink.net/~scouters/mb.html |title=Merit Badges, Past and Present |access-date=June 6, 2007 |author=Steve Henning |date=July 20, 1999 |work=Henning's Scouters' Pages }}
External links
{{Commons category|Scouting badges of the United States}}
{{Wiktionary|merit badge}}
- {{cite web|title=Introduction to Merit Badges|url=http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges.aspx|publisher=Boy Scouts of America}}
{{Scoutorg BSA}}
{{Scouting}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Merit Badge (Boy Scouts Of America)}}
Category:Advancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America