Calendar of New Merit Badges
Information provided by Bryan on Scouting Blog
Merit Badge Calendar
Last update: Feb. 23, 2017
Updated merit badges
(Most-recent update listed first)
Cooking
Update released Jan. 1, 2016
Note: This merit badge became Eagle-required on Jan. 1, 2014.
New requirements: Click here.
Related blog post: 2016 update to the Eagle-required Cooking MB
Photography
Update released Jan. 1, 2016
Revised requirements do a much better job teaching Scouts how to take quality photographs with smartphones and digital cameras
New requirements: Click here.
Lifesaving
Update released Jan. 1, 2016
- Added principles of BSA Safe Swim Defense
- Added requirement to watch video or live demonstration of rescue performed using a rowboat, canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard
- Updated CPR mentions to reflect the fact that CPR techniques frequently change.
New requirements: Click here.
Snow Sports
Updated released Jan. 1, 2016
Snowshoeing joins downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding as an option for earning the badge
New requirements: Click here.
Swimming
Update released May 2014
New requirements and blog post: Click here.
Moviemaking (was Cinematography)
Update released October 2013
Note: This merit badge received a name
change and a few requirements tweaks. The merit badge formerly called
Cinematography is now Moviemaking, which better reflects the
requirements.
New requirements and blog post: Click here.
Cycling
Update released at 2013 Jamboree.
New requirements: Click here.
Related blog post: The trail to Cycling merit badge just got a bit rougher
Newest Merit Badges (Available Now)
(Newest listed first)
Exploration
Released: December 2016
Requirements: Click here.
Description: After learning about the
history and importance of exploration, Scouts plan, prepare for and go
on an actual expedition.
Related blog post: Requirements released.
Animation
Released: May 19, 2015
Requirements: Click here.
Description: Computer or traditional
animation tasks that will test a Scout’s creativity, artistic skills,
and storytelling abilities.
Related blog post: Requirements released.
Signs, Signals, and Codes
Released: Feb. 26, 2015
Requirements: Click here.
Description: American Sign Language (ASL)
is the third most used language in the United States. The Signs,
Signals, and Codes merit badge will cover Morse code, ASL, Braille,
signaling, trail markings, and other nonverbal communications. Did you
know that some of these have even saved people’s lives?
Related blog post: Requirements released.
Digital Technology
Released: April 16, 2014
Requirements: Click here.
Note: This merit badge will replace
Computers merit badge, but Scouts may earn and wear both merit badges.
More details about the phase-out of Computers MB here.
Description: Technology has come a long
way since Computers merit badge was first introduced in 1967. This badge
will teach Scouts about technology in the digital age.
Mining in Society
Released: Monday, Feb. 24, 2014
Requirements: Click here
Description:
Mining has been an important part of the United States since the 19th
century. Today, the U.S. mining industry employes 3 million people,
directly and indirectly, and is a major contributor to the global mining
landscape. I expect this merit badge will cover the history of mining,
explore the status of mining in the 21st century, and introduce Scouts
to modern mining careers.
Related blog posts:
Here’s the Mining in Society MB patch and first two requirements
Scouts preview Mining in Society at 2013 jamboree
Sustainability
Estimated release: 2013 Jamboree with a July 15 earn date.
Note: This merit badge will be Eagle-required. Scouts must earn either this or Environmental Science.
Requirements: TBD
Description: A badge to teach Scouts about
climate change, species extinction, resource extraction, green
chemistry, recycling, and zero-waste manufacturing.
Related Post: Cooking, Sustainability merit badges to become Eagle-required
Programming
Estimated release: 2013 Jamboree with a July 15 earn date.
Requirements: TBD
Description: A tech-focused merit badge for the 21st Century.
Digital Technology (will replace Computers)
Estimated release: 2013 (after Jamboree)
Requirements: TBD
Description: Technology has come a long
way since Computers merit badge was first introduced in 1967. This
badge, which replaces Computers, will teach Scouts about technology in
the digital age.
Mining in Society
Launch: February 2014 at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration’s Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City
Requirements: TBD
Description: Mining has been an important
part of the United States since the 19th century. Today, the U.S. mining
industry employes 3 million people, directly and indirectly, and is
a major contributor to the global mining landscape. I expect this merit
badge will cover the history of mining, explore the status of mining in
the 21st century, and introduce Scouts to modern mining careers.
Animation
Estimated release: 2014
Requirements: TBD
Description: Computer or traditional
animation tasks that will test a Scout’s creativity, artistic skills,
and storytelling abilities.
Signs, Signals, and Codes
Estimated release: 2014
Requirements: TBD
Description: American Sign Language (ASL)
is the third most used language in the United States. The Signs,
Signals, and Codes merit badge will cover Morse code, ASL, Braille,
signaling, trail markings, and other nonverbal communications. Did you
know that some of these have even saved people’s lives?
Multi-Media
Estimated release: 2014
Requirements and description: TBD
Computer-Aided Design
Estimated release: 2014-2015
Requirements: TBD
Description: Teaching boys to use computer
systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or
optimization of a design.
Advanced Computing
Estimated release: 2014-2015
Requirements: TBD
Description: The next generation of computing.
Major Updates in the Works
Cycling
Update expected at 2013 Jamboree.
Current requirements (pre-update)
Details: Adds a mountain biking option for Scouts.
Related blog post: The trail to Cycling merit badge just got a bit rougher
Cooking
Update expected after 2013 Jamboree
Note: This merit badge will become Eagle-required on Jan. 1, 2014
Current requirements (pre-update)
Details: Coming soon, but I’m hearing rumors that it will better incorporate the BSA’s healthy living initiatives.
Related blog post: Cooking, Sustainability merit badges to become Eagle-required
Newest Merit Badges — Available Now
NEWEST LISTED FIRST
Game Design
Released on March 6, 2013
Requirements: Click here.
Description: Slated to include both
traditional games and video games, this sure-to-be-popular merit badge
will test Scouts’ creativity, problem-solving skills, and planning
abilities.
Related Post: First look at Game Design merit badge, including details on how to help launch the badge at the 2013 jamboree
Search and Rescue
Released on Aug. 20, 2012
Requirements: Click here.
Description: Scouts won’t fly helicopters,
but they’ll get practice in finding and rescuing people in case a real
emergency ever happens.
More information: In the BSA’s press release
Kayaking
Released on June 13, 2012
Pamphlet cover image: here
Requirements: Click here.
Description: A basic-level merit badge for flat-water kayaking — whitewater kayaking will still fall under Whitewater merit badge.
Welding
Released on Feb. 24, 2012
Requirements
Bryan on Scouting post: “Requirements, launch info, video”
Robotics
Released on April 11, 2011
Requirements
Bryan on Scouting post: “Robotics merit badge launch includes all-new interactive resource center”
Chess
Released in September 2011
Requirements
Bryan on Scouting post: “Human chess match will celebrate the new Chess merit badge”
Geocaching
Released in December 2010
Requirements
Bryan on Scouting post: “Smartphones: The modern-day camper’s Swiss Army knife?”
Scouting magazine story: “The Real Game Boys”
Inventing
Released in June 2010
Requirements
Bryan on Scouting post: “Boy Scouts and Lemelson-MIT Program introduce Inventing merit badge”
Scouting Heritage
Released in May 2010
Requirements
Bryan on Scouting post: “Boy Scouts of America releases Scouting Heritage merit badge”
Scuba Diving
Released on Dec. 1, 2009
Requirements
Bryan on Scouting post: “Scuba diving merit badge released”