Newest Merit Badges — Coming Soon
Game Design
Estimated release: March 2013
Requirements: TBD
Description: Slated to include both traditional games and video games, this sure-to-be-popular merit badge will test Scouts’ creativity, computer 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
Sustainability
Estimated release: 2013 Jamboree
Note: This merit badge will be Eagle-required. Scouts must earn either this or Environmental Science.
Requirements: TBD
Description: A badge to teach Scouts to use resources responsibly.
Related Post: Cooking, Sustainability merit badges to become Eagle-required
Programming
Estimated release: 2013 Jamboree
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.
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 by May 2013, for summer camp availability
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
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