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ADVANCEMENT CHANGES

2015

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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Prepared:September 2015

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Boy ScoutAdvancement

Requirements Changes

Effective January 1, 2015with updates through May 18, 2015

The Guide to Advancement - 2015 and the current edition of Boy Scout Requirements are the official Boy Scouts of America sources on Boy Scout advancement procedures.

When there is a conflict between two published lists of requirements, such as Boy Scout Requirements (BSA Publication No. 33216) and a Merit Badge pamphlet or the Boy Scout Handbook, the requirements book should normally be considered to be the controlling document, until a newer edition of Boy Scout Requirements is issued. However, the following excerpt from the Guide to Advancement, 2015 explains what to do when merit badge requirements change:

7.0.4.3 What to Do When Requirements Change

The current annual edition of Boy Scout Requirements lists the official merit badge requirements. Once new or revised merit badge requirements appear in this publication, which is released each January, any Scout just beginning work on a merit badge must use the requirements as stated there.

If changes to merit badge requirements are introduced in a revised merit badge pamphlet after the January release of the Boy Scout Requirements book, then the Scout has until the following January 1 to decide what to do. He may continue—or begin work—using the old merit badge requirements and the old pamphlet; or he may switch to—or begin work—using the new requirements and the new pamphlet. Unless it is otherwise stated in the merit badge pamphlet, Boy Scout Requirements, or official communications from the National Council, if a Scout chooses to use the old merit badge requirements and pamphlet, he may continue using them until he has completed the badge.

Page 1 of 37Boy Scout Advancement Changes - Effective January 1, 2015

8/8/2015http://usscouts.org/advance/changes/advchanges15.asp

There is no time limit between starting and completing a badge, although a counselor may determine so much time has passed since any effort took place that the new requirements must be used.

A new edition of Boy Scout Requirements ( #33216 - SKU#620714) was released in February, 2015. It contains changes to each rank from Tenderfoot to Eagle and Eagle Palms and the requirements for 3 new merit badges. Of those 3 badges, 1 was released in 2014, and two others were released in February and May, 2015. Two merit badges have been discontinued, as noted in the 2014 edition. The book also contains changes to the requirements for 20 other merit badges. The changes to 2 of those merit badges were released in the Spring of 2014, after the 2014 Requirements Book was issued. Finally, the "Merit Badge Library" listing on the inside back cover, lists 3 new merit badge pamphlets and 58 merit badge pamphlets with revised publication dates ranging from 2010 to 2015 which are after those listed in the 2014 edition.

Click here for a list of all of the merit badge pamphlets, which identifies the most recent edition of each, whether the old pamphlet can still be used, and when the requirements were last revised.

In addition to the new merit badges listed below, BSA has announced plans to release a few more in the coming years, including Exploring, Multi-Media, Computer Aided Design, and Advanced Computing, but no schedule has been announced for those badges.

Scouts that started work before January 1, 2015, on the Computers merit badge, which is now obsolete (and has been replaced by the Digital Technology merit badge) may CONTINUE working on that badge using the requirements that were in effect at when they started work. However, because the badge has been discontinued, Scouts may no longer START work on the Computers badge. Furthermore, while a Scout that completes the badge may receive advancement credit for earning it, since the badge has been dropped, it may be difficult or impossible to obtain an actual Computers merit badge for the Scout's uniform or merit badge sash, since BSA is no longer producing them, and has removed them from sale at Scout Shops.

Every Scout wishing to advance to Eagle Scout is now required to have earned the Cooking merit badge., It doesn't matter when he earned it, nor whether it was required or not at that time, nor which set of requirements he used. However, only a Scout that started work on the Cooking merit badge before January 1, 2015, (using the pre 2014 requirements) may CONTINUE working on that badge using those requirements. Scouts may no longer START work on the Cooking badge, using the earlier requirements. Scouts starting work on any merit badge must use the CURRENTrequirements.



RANK CHANGES

TenderfootSecond Class

First ClassStarLife

EagleEagle Palms

Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks -Alternative Requirements

NEW Merit Badges issued during 2014

Mining in Society - Released on February 24, 2014Digital Technology (Replaced Computers) - Released on

April 16, 2014

NEW Merit Badges issued in 2015

Signs, Signals, and Codes - Released on February 26, 2015

Animation - - Released on May 18, 2015

Merit Badges DISCONTINUED

Computers (Replaced by Digital Technology)Cinematography (Replaced by Moviemaking)

REVISED Merit Badges

These merit badges had major changes announced and published in the Spring of 2014:

CanoeingSwimming



These merit badges had major changes:

Insect StudyWhitewater

These merit badges had minor changes:

ArchitectureBackpacking

BasketryDraftingEnergy

Environmental ScienceFamily Life

First Aid

Fish and Wildlife Management

FishingMammal StudyPersonal Fitness

Public HealthSustainabilityWater Sports

Wood Carving

Changes to Rank Requirements

Tenderfoot

Changes were made to the wording of requirement 15, and new information was added to the footnotes. The new wording reads as follows:

15. Successfully completeComplete your board of review for the Tenderfoot rank.

NOTE: *For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team” and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach." The requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence. Alternate Requirements for the Tenderfoot rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if they meet the criteria listed on page 13 of this (i.e. the Boy Scout Requirements) book.



Second Class

Changes were made to the wording of requirement 13, and and new information was added to the footnotes. There is an editorial error in the footnotes, however. The note regarding alternate requirements for Scouts with special needs refers to Tenderfoot, instead of Second Class. The new wording (with the editorial error corrected) reads as follows:

13. Successfully completeComplete your board of review for the Second Class rank.

NOTE: *For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team” and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach." The requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence. Alternate Requirements for the Second Class rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if they meet the criteria listed on page 13 of this (i.e. the Boy Scout Requirements) book.

First Class

Changes were made to the wording of requirement 14, and new information was added to the footnotes. There is an editorial error in the footnotes, however. The note regarding alternate requirements for Scouts with special needs refers to Tenderfoot, instead of First Class.. The new wording (with the editorial error corrected) reads as follows:

14. Successfully completeComplete your board of review for the First Class rank.

NOTE: *For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team” and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach." The requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence. Alternate Requirements for the First Class rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if they meet the criteria listed on page 13 of this (i.e. the Boy Scout Requirements) book.

Star

Changes were made to the wording of requirements 5 and 7, and new information was added to the footnotes. The new wording reads as follows:



5. While a First Class Scout, serve actively in your unit for four months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility*** (or carry out a unit leader-assigned leadership project to help your unit): Boy Scout troop.

◦ Patrol leader,◦ Venture patrol

leader◦ assistant senior

patrol leader,◦ senior patrol leader,◦ Venture patrol

leader◦ troop guide,◦ Order of the Arrow

troop representative,

◦ den chief,◦ scribe,◦ librarian,◦ historian,◦ quartermaster,◦ bugler,◦ junior assistant

Scoutmaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor ,◦ troop Webmaster,

or◦ Leave No Trace

trainer.

Varsity Scout team.◦ Captain,◦ cocaptain,◦ program manager,◦ squad leader,◦ team secretary,◦ Order of the Arrow

team representative,◦ librarian,◦ historian,◦ quartermaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor,◦ den chief,◦ team Webmaster,

or◦ Leave No Trace

trainer.

Venturing crew / Sea Scout ship.

◦ President,◦ vice president,◦ secretary,◦ treasurer,◦ den chief,◦ quartermaster,◦ historian,◦ guide,◦ boatswain,◦ boatswain's mate,◦ yeoman,◦ purser,◦ storekeeper,◦ crew/ship

Webmaster, or◦ Leave No Trace

trainer.

Lone Scout.

Leadership responsibility in his school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in his community.

7. Successfully completeComplete your board of review.†

* For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team" and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach."For Venturers working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "crew" and "Scoutmaster" with "Crew Advisor." For Sea Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "ship" and "Scoutmaster" with "Skipper."

** A Scout may chooseChoose any of the 1517 required merit badges in the 12 13categories to fulfill requirement 3. See page 16 of this bookrequirement 3 in the Eagle Scout rank requirements for a complete list of badges required badges for Eagle.

*** Assistant patrol leader is not an approved position of responsibility for the Star rank.



† If the board of review does not approve the Scout’s advancement, the decision may be appealed in accordance with Guide to Advancement topic 8.0.4.0.

Life

Changes were made to the wording of requirements 5 & 8, and new information was added to the footnotes. The new wording reads as follows:

5. While a Star Scout, serve actively in your unit for 6 months in one or more of the positions of responsibility*** listed in requirement 5 for Star Scout (or carry out a unit leader-assigned leadership project to help your unit).

8. Successfully completeComplete your board of review.†

* For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team" and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach."For Venturers working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "crew" and "Scoutmaster" with "Crew Advisor." For Sea Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "ship" and "Scoutmaster" with "Skipper."

** A Scout may chooseChoose any of the 1517 required merit badges in the 12 13categories to fulfill requirement 3. See page 16 of this bookrequirement 3 in the Eagle Scout rank requirements for a complete list of badges required badges for Eagle.

*** Assistant patrol leader is not an approved position of responsibility for the Life rank.

† If the board of review does not approve the Scout’s advancement, the decision may be appealed in accordance with Guide to Advancement topic 8.0.4.0.

Eagle

Although not identified in the list of changes on the inside front cover of the Boy Scout Requirements book, a very minor change was made to the wording of requirement 5, a typo in one footnote was corrected, and a number of new footnotes were added. The new wording and footnotes read as follows:

3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following:

a. First Aid



b. Citizenship in the Communityc. Citizenship in the Nationd. Citizenship in the Worlde. Communicationf. Cookingg. Personal Fitnessh. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesavingi. Environmental Science OR Sustainabilityj. Personal Managementk. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cyclingl. Camping, and

m. Family Life***4. While a Life Scout, serve actively in your unit for a period of 6 months in one or

more of the following positions of responsibility:***

Boy Scout troop.◦ Patrol leader,◦ assistant senior

patrol leader,◦ senior patrol

leader,◦ Venture patrol

leader,◦ troop guide,◦ Order of the

Arrow troop representative,

◦ den chief,◦ scribe,◦ librarian,◦ historian,◦ quartermaster,◦ junior assistant

Scoutmaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor,◦ Webmaster, or◦ Leave No

Trace trainer

Varsity Scout team.◦ Captain,◦ cocaptain,◦ program

manager,◦ squad leader,◦ team secretary,◦ Order of the

Arrow team representative,

◦ librarian,◦ historian◦ quartermaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor, or◦ den chief.◦ Webmaster, or◦ Leave No

Trace trainer

Venturing crew / Sea Scout ship.

◦ President,◦ vice president,◦ secretary,◦ treasurer,◦ quartermaster◦ historian◦ den chief,◦ guide◦ boatswain,◦ boatswain's

mate,◦ yeoman,◦ purser, ◦ storekeeper ◦ Webmaster, or◦ Leave No

Trace trainer

Lone Scout.Leadership responsibility in his school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in his community.

5. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) A The project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 512-927, in meeting this requirement. (To learn more about the Eagle Scout service project, see the Guide to Advancement, topics 9.0.2.0 through 9.0.2.16.)



7. Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.*** In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations, during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service. (This requirement may be met after age 18; see below.)

Note: As of Jan. 1, 2014, the Cooking merit badge is required for the Eagle Scout rank.

*For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team" and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach." For Venturers working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "crew" and "Scoutmaster" with "Crew Advisor." For Sea Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "ship" and "Scoutmaster" with "Skipper."

* ** You must choose only one merit badge listed in items (h), (i), and (k). If you have earned more than one of the badges listed in items (g) and (j) (h), (i), and (k), choose one and list the remaining badges to make your total of 21.

***Assistant patrol leader and bugler are not approved positions of responsibility for the Eagle Scout rank. Likewise, a unit leader–assigned leadership project should not be used in lieu of serving in a position of responsibility.

****If a Scout believes he has completed all requirements for Eagle, but is denied a unit signature or a Scoutmaster conference, he may request a board of review under disputed circumstances in accordance with Guide to Advancement, topic 8.0.3.2. If the board of review does not approve the Scout’s advancement, the decision may be appealed in accordance with Guide to Advancement, topic 8.0.4.0. Although rarely granted, if a Scout foresees that, due to no fault or choice of his own, he will be unable to complete the Eagle Scout rank requirements before age 18, he may apply for a limited time extension in accordance with 3 topic 9.0.4.0.

Eagle Palms

Changes were made to the wording of requirements 4 and 5, and new information was added to the footnotes. The new wording reads as follows:

4. Take PartParticipate in a Scoutmaster conference.5. Successfully complete yourComplete a board of review.



* For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team" and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach." For Venturers working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "crew" and "Scoutmaster" with "Crew Advisor." For Sea Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "ship" and "Scoutmaster" with "Skipper."

Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks - Alternative Requirements

A new sentence was added to the first paragraph of this article. That paragraph now reads as follows:

A Scout who has a permanent physical or mental disability (or a disability expected to last more than two years or beyond the 18th birthday) and is unable to complete all of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank may, with his parents or guardian, submit a request to the council advancement committee to complete alternative requirements. Below are the procedures for applying for alternative requirements. To help facilitate this process, use the Individual Scout Achievement Plan, No. 512-936, which can be found athttp://www.scouting.org/specialneeds.aspx.

NEW Merit Badges

Mining in Society

This is a NEW Merit Badge that was introduced on February 24, 2014, the official "Earn Date", when Scouts had authorization to begin earning the badge. The requirements are as follows:

1. Do the following:a. Select 10 different minerals. For each one, name a product for which the

mineral is used.b. Explain the role mining has in production and processing things that are

grown.c. From the list of minerals you chose for 1a, determine the countries where

those minerals can be found, and discuss what you learned with your counselor.

2. Obtain a map of your state or region showing major cities, highways, rivers, and railroads. Mark the locations of five different mining enterprises. Find out what resource is processed at each location, and identify the mine as a surface or



underground operation. Discuss with your counselor how the resources mined at these locations are used.

3. Discuss with your counselor the potential hazards a miner may encounter at an active mine and the protective measures used by miners. In your discussion, explain how:

a. The miner's personal protective equipment is worn and used, including a hard hat, safety glasses, earplugs, dust mask or respirator, self-rescue device, and high-visibility vest.

b. Miners protect their hands and feet from impact, pinch, vibration, slipping, and tripping/falling hazards.

c. Monitoring equipment warns miners of imminent danger, and how robots are used in mine rescues.

4. Discuss with your counselor the dangers someone might encounter at an abandoned mine. Include information about the "Stay out—Stay Alive" program.

5. Do one of the following:a. With your parent's approval and your counselor's assistance, use the

Internet to find and take a virtual tour of two types of mines. Determine the similarities and differences between them regarding resource exploration, mine planning and permitting, types of equipment used, and the minerals produced. Discuss with your counselor what you learned from your Internet-based mine tours.

b. With your parent's permission and counselor's approval, visit a mining or minerals exhibit at a museum. Find out about the history of the museum's exhibit and the type of mining it represents. Give three examples of how mineral resources have influenced history.

c. With your parent's permission and counselor's approval, visit an active mine.* Find out about the tasks required to explore, plan, permit, mine, and process the resource mined at that site. Take photographs if allowed, and request brochures from your visit. Share photos, brochures, and what you have learned with your counselor.

d. With your parent's permission and counselor's approval, visit a mining equipment manufacturer or supplier.* Discuss the types of equipment produced or supplied there, and in what part of the mining process this equipment is used. Take photographs if allowed, and request brochures from your visit. Share photos, brochures, and what you have learned with your counselor.

e. Discuss with your counselor two methods used to reduce rock in size, one of which uses a chemical process to extract a mineral. Explain the difference between smelting and refining.

f. Learn about the history of a local mine, including what is or was mined there, how the deposit was found, the mining techniques and processes used, and how the mined resource is or was used. Find out from a historian, community leader, or business person how mining has affected your community. Note any social, cultural, or economic consequences of mining in your area. Share what you have learned with your counselor.

6. Do the following:a. Choose a modern mining site. Find out what is being done to help control

environmental impacts. Share what you have learned about mining and sustainability.

b. Explain reclamation as it is used in mining and how mine reclamation pertains to Scouting's no-trace principles.



c. Discuss with your counselor what values society has about returning the land to the benefit of wildlife and people after mining has ended. Discuss the transformation of the BSA Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve from a mine site to its current role.

7. Do one of the following:a. Explore the anticipated benefits of interplanetary mining. Learn how

NASA and private investors may search for, extract, and process minerals in outer space, and the primary reasons for mining the moon, other planets, or near-Earth asteroids. Find out how exploration and mineral processing in space differ from exploration on Earth. Share what you have learned with your counselor, and discuss the difficulties encountered in exploring, collecting, and analyzing surface or near-surface samples in outer space.

b. Identify three minerals found dissolved in seawater or found on the ocean floor, and list three places where the ocean is mined today. Share this information with your counselor, and discuss the chief incentives for mining the oceans for minerals, the reclamation necessary after mining is over, and any special concerns when mining minerals from the ocean. Find out what sustainability problems arise from mining the oceans. Discuss what you learn with your counselor.

c. Learn what metals and minerals are recycled after their original use has ended. List four metals and two nonmetals, and find out how each can be recycled. Find out how recycling affects the sustainability of natural resources and how this idea is related to mining. Discuss what you learn with your counselor.

d. With your parent's permission, use the Internet and other resources to determine the current price of gold, copper, aluminum, or other commodities like cement or coal, and find out the five-year price trend for two of these. Report your findings to your counselor.

8. Do one of the following:a. With your parent's and counselor's approval, meet with a worker in the

mining industry. Discuss the work, equipment, and technology used in this individual's position, and learn about a current project. Ask to see reports, drawings, and/or maps made for the project. Find out about the educational and professional requirements for this individual's position. Ask how the individual's mining career began. Discuss with your counselor what you have learned.

b. Find out about three career opportunities in the mining industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

c. With your parent's permission and counselor's approval, visit a career academy or community college to learn about educational and training requirements for a position in the mining industry that interests you. Find out why this position is critical to the mining industry, and discuss what you learned with your counselor.

Digital Technology (Replaced Computers)



This is a NEW merit badge. Although the requirements were included in the 2014 Boy Scout Requirements booklet, Scouts could not earn the badge until the official "Earn Date" which was April 16, 2014. This badge replaced the Computers merit badge, which has now been discontinued. However, since it is a NEW badge, with substantially different requirements, Scouts may earn Digital Technology, even if they have already earned Computers.

The requirements are as follows:

1. Show your counselor your current, up-to-date Cyber Chip.2. Do the following:

a. Give a brief history of the changes in digital technology over time. Discuss with your counselor how digital technology in your lifetime compares with that of your parent's, grandparent's, or other adult's lifetime.

b. Describe what kinds of computers or devices you imagine might be available when you are an adult.

3. Do the following:a. Explain to your counselor how text, sound, pictures, and videos are

digitized for storage.b. Describe the difference between lossy and lossless data compression, and

give an example where each might be used.c. Describe two digital devices and how they are made more useful by their

programming.d. Discuss the similarities and differences between computers, mobile

devices, and gaming consoles.e. Explain what a computer network is and describe the network's purpose.

4. Do the following:a. Explain what a program or software application or "app" is and how it is

created.b. Name four software programs or mobile apps you or your family use, and

explain how each one helps you.c. Describe what malware is, and explain how to protect your digital devices

and the information stored on them.5. Do the following:

a. Describe how digital devices are connected to the Internet.b. Using an Internet search engine (with your parent's permission), find ideas

about how to conduct a troop court of honor or campfire program. Print out a copy of the ideas from at least three different websites. Share what you found with your counselor, and explain how you used the search engine to find this information.

c. Use a Web browser to connect to an HTTPS (secure) website (with your parent's permission). Explain to your counselor how to tell whether the site's security certificate can be trusted, and what it means to use this kind of connection.

6. Do THREE of the following. For each project you complete, copy the files to a backup device and share the finished projects with your counselor.

a. Using a spreadsheet or database program, develop a food budget for a patrol weekend campout OR create a troop roster that includes the name, rank, patrol, and telephone number of each Scout. Show your counselor that you can sort the roster by each of the following categories: rank, patrol, and alphabetically by name.



b. Using a word processor, write a draft letter to the parents of your troop's Scouts, inviting them to a troop event.

c. Using a graphics program, design and draw a campsite plan for your troop OR create a flier for an upcoming troop event, incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration.

d. Using a presentation software program, develop a report about a topic approved by your counselor. For your presentation, create at least five slides, with each one incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration.

e. Using a digital device, take a picture of a troop activity. Send or transfer this image to a device where it can be shared with your counselor.

f. Make a digital recording of your voice, transfer the file to a different device, and have your counselor play back the recording.

g. Create a blog and use it as an online journal of your Scouting activities, including group discussions and meetings, campouts, and other events. Include at least five entries and two photographs or illustrations. Share your blog with your counselor. You need not post the blog to the Internet; however, if you choose to go live with your blog, you must first share it with your parents AND counselor AND get their approval.

h. Create a Web page for your troop, patrol, school, or place of worship. Include at least three articles and two photographs or illustrations. Include at least one link to a website of interest to your audience. You need not post the page to the Internet; however, if you decide to do so, you must first share the Web page with your parents AND counselor AND get their approval.

7. Do the following:a. Explain to your counselor each of these protections and why they exist:

copyright, patents, trademarks, trade secrets.b. Explain when it is permissible to accept a free copy of a program from a

friend.c. Discuss with your counselor an article or a news report about a recent legal

case involving an intellectual property dispute.8. Do TWO of the following:

a. Describe why it is important to properly dispose of digital technology. List at least three dangerous chemicals that could be used to create digital devices or used inside a digital device.

b. Explain to your counselor what is required to become a certified recycler of digital technology hardware or devices.

c. Do an Internet search for an organization that collects discarded digital technology hardware or devices for repurposing or recycling. Find out what happens to that waste. Share with your counselor what you found.

d. Visit a recycling center that disposes of digital technology hardware or devices. Find out what happens to that waste. Share what you learned with your counselor.

e. Find a battery recycling center near you and find out what it does to recycle batteries. Share what you have learned with your counselor about the proper methods for recycling batteries.

9. Do ONE of the following:a. Investigate three career opportunities that involve digital technology. Pick

one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this



profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

b. Visit a business or an industrial facility that uses digital technology. Describe four ways digital technology is being used there. Share what you learned with your counselor.

Animation

This is a NEW merit badge. Although the requirements were included in the 2015 Boy Scout Requirements booklet, Scouts could not earn the badge until the official "Earn Date" which was May 18, 2015. The requirements are as follows:

1. General knowledge.Do the following:

a. In your own words, describe to your counselor what animation is.b. Discuss with your counselor a brief history of animation.

2. Principles of animation.Choose five of the following 12 principles of animation, and discuss how each one makes an animation appear more believable:

• squash and stretch, • anticipation, • staging, • straight-ahead action and pose to pose, • follow through and overlapping action, • slow in and slow out, • arcs, • secondary action, • timing, • exaggeration, • solid drawing, • appeal.

3. Projects.With your counselor's approval, choose two animation techniques and do the following for each:

a. Plan your animation using thumbnail sketches and/or layout drawings.b. Create the animation.c. Share your animations with your counselor. Explain how you created

each one, and discuss any improvements that could be made.4. Animation in our world.

Do the following:a. Tour an animation studio or a business where animation is used, either

in person, via video, or via the Internet. Share what you have learned with your counselor.

b. Discuss with your counselor how animation might be used in the future to make your life more enjoyable and productive.

5. Careers.Learn about three career opportunities in animation. Pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required for this profession.



Discuss your findings with your counselor. Explain why this profession might interest you.

Signs, Signals, and Codes

This is a NEW merit badge. Although the requirements were included in the 2015 Boy Scout Requirements booklet, Scouts could not earn the badge until the official "Earn Date" which was February 26, 2015. The requirements are as follows:

1. Discuss with your counselor the importance of signs, signals, and codes, and why people need these different methods of communication. Briefly discuss the history and development of signs, signals, and codes.

2. Explain the importance of signaling in emergency communications. Discuss with your counselor the types of emergency or distress signals one might use to attract airborne search-and-rescue personnel if lost in the outdoors or trying to summon assistance during a disaster. Illustrate these signaling examples by the use of photos or drawings.

3. Do the following:a. Describe what Morse code is and the various means by which it can be

sent. Spell your first name using Morse code. Send or receive a message of six to 10 words using Morse code.

b. Describe what American Sign Language (ASL) is and how it is used today. Spell your first name using American Sign Language. Send or receive a message of six to 10 words using ASL.

4. Give your counselor a brief explanation about semaphore, why it is used, how it is used, and where it is used. Explain the difference between semaphore flags and nautical flags. Then do the following:

a. Spell your first name using semaphore. Send or receive a message of six to 10 words using semaphore.

b. Using illustrations or photographs, identify 10 examples of nautical flags and discuss their importance.

5. Explain the braille reading technique and how it helps individuals with sight impairment to communicate. Then do the following:

a. Either by sight or by touch, identify the letters of the braille alphabet that spell your name. By sight or touch, decode a braille message at least six words long.

b. Create a message in braille at least six words long, and share this with your counselor.

6. Do the following:a. Describe to your counselor six sound-only signals that are in use today.

Discuss the pros and cons of using sound signals versus other types of signals.

b. Demonstrate to your counselor six different silent Scout signals. Use these Scout signals to direct the movements and actions of your patrol or troop.

7. On a Scout outing, lay out a trail for your patrol or troop to follow. Cover at least one mile in distance and use at least six different trail signs and



markers. After the Scouts have completed the trail, follow no-trace principles by replacing or returning trail markers to their original locations.

8. For THREE of the following activities, demonstrate five signals each. Tell what the signals mean and why they are used:

a. Sports official's hand signs/signalsb. Heavy-equipment operator's hand signalsc. Aircraft carrier catapult crew signalsd. Cyclist's hand signalse. An activity selected by you and your counselor

9. Share with your counselor 10 examples of symbols used in everyday life. Design your own symbol. Share it with your counselor and explain what it means. Then do the following:

a. Show examples of 10 traffic signs and explain their meaning.b. Using a topographical map, explain what a map legend is and discuss

its importance. Point out 10 map symbols and explain the meaning of each.

c. Discuss text-message symbols and why they are commonly used. Give examples of your favorite 10 text symbols or emoticons. Then see if your counselor or parent can identify the meaning or usage of each symbol.

10. Briefly discuss the history of secret code writing (cryptography). Make up your own secret code and write a message of up to 25 words using this code. Share the message with a friend or fellow Scout. Then share the message and code key with your counselor and discuss the effectiveness of your code.

DISCONTINUED Merit Badges

Computers

Subsequent to the release of the Digital Technology Merit Badge in 2014, this badge has been discontinued as of January 1, 2015.

If a Scout started work on this merit badge before the end of 2014, he may continue work toward completing the badge and receive advancement credit for it. However, the actual badge (patch) may be hard to obtain. See Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.4.3.

Cinematography

This badge was renamed "Moviemaking", with a few minor changes to the requirements. The same badge is used.



REVISED Merit Badges

Canoeing

New requirements were published on Scouting.org in June, 2014. and a new edition of the Canoeing merit badge pamphlet was to be issued. The requirements were rearranged as follows, and the wording of a number of them was revised:

• Old requirements 1, 2, and 4 were replaced by new requirements 1a - 1c.• Old requirement 3 became requirement 2.• Old requirements 5a-5k became requirements 3a-3c, 4a-4b, 5a-5b, 6, and 7a-7c.• Old requirements 6a-6h became requirements 8a-8d and 9a-9d.• Old requirement 7a-g became requirements 10a-g, and a new requirement 10h was

added.• Old requirement 8 became requirement 11.• Old requirement 9 became requirement 12, the introduction was revised, and old

requirement 9e was dropped.• Old requirement 10a was replaced with requirements 13a and 13b, and 10b-10f became

13c-13g.

Scouts that started the badge during 2014 could use either the old or new requirements. Scouts that started after December 31, 2014, must use the new requirements. The changes are as follows:

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while canoeing, including hypothermia, heat reactions, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, and blisters.Do the following:

a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in canoeing activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

b. Review prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that could occur while canoeing: blisters, cold-water shock and hypothermia, dehydration, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, sprains, and strains.

c. Discuss the BSA Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to canoeing activities.

2. Do the following:a. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person.

Explain how such conditions are recognized.b. Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training

device approved by your counselor.2. 3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA

swimmer test: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes:



sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.4. Discuss the following:

a. The BSA Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to canoeing activities.b. The most common weather and water-related hazards encountered while

canoeing and how to deal safely with each one.3. 5. Do the following:

a. Name and point out the major parts of a canoe.b. Describe how the length and shape of a canoe affect its performance.c. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials used to

make canoes.d. Name and point out the parts of a paddle. Explain the difference between a

straight and bent-shaft paddle and when each is best used.e. Demonstrate how to correctly size a paddle for a paddler in a sitting

position and a kneeling position.f. Name the different types of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and explain

when each type should be used.g. Show how to properly fit and test a PFD of correct size.h. Discuss the general care and maintenance of canoeing equipment.i. Discuss what personal and group equipment would be appropriate for a

canoe camping trip. Describe how personal and group equipment can be packed and protected from water.

j. Demonstrate how to load and secure equipment in a canoe.k. Using appropriate knots, demonstrate how to secure a canoe to a rack on

land, a vehicle, or a canoe trailer.4. Do the following:

a. Name and point out the parts of a paddle. Explain the difference between a straight and bent-shaft paddle and when each is best used.

b. Demonstrate how to size correctly a paddle for a paddler in a sitting position and a kneeling position.

5. Do the following:a. Discuss with your counselor the characteristics of life jackets

most appropriate for canoeing and tell why a life jacket must always be worn while paddling.

b. Demonstrate how to select and properly fit the correct size life jacket.

6. Discuss with your counselor the general care and maintenance of canoes, paddles, and other canoeing equipment.

7. Do the following:a. Discuss what personal and group equipment would be

appropriate for a canoe camping trip. Describe how personal and group equipment can be packed and protected from water.



b. Using the containers and packs from requirement 7a, demonstrate how to load and secure the containers and other equipment in the canoe.

c. Using appropriate knots, including a trucker’s hitch, tautline hitch, and bowline, demonstrate how to secure a canoe to a vehicle or a trailer, or if these are not available, a rack on land.

8. 6. With a companion, wearing the proper PFD and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following:

a. Safely carry and launch the canoe from a dock or shore (both, if possible).b. Safely land the canoe on a dock or shore (both, if possible) and return it to

its proper storage location.c. Demonstrate kneeling and sitting positions in a canoe and explain the

proper use for each position. d. Change places while afloat in the canoe.e. In deep water, exit the canoe and get back in without capsizing.f. Capsize the canoe and demonstrate how staying with a capsized canoe will

support both paddlers.g. Swim, tow, or push a swamped canoe 50 feet to shallow water. In the

shallow water, empty the swamped canoe and reenter it.h. In deep water, rescue a swamped canoe and its paddlers by emptying the

swamped canoe and helping the paddlers safely reenter their boat without capsizing.

9. With a companion, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following:

a. In deep water, exit the canoe and get back in without capsizing.

b. Safely perform a controlled capsize of the canoe and demonstrate how staying with a capsized canoe will support both paddlers.

c. Swim, tow, or push a swamped canoe 50 feet to shallow water. In the shallow water, empty the swamped canoe and reenter it.

d. In deep water, rescue a swamped canoe and its paddlers by emptying the swamped canoe and helping the paddlers safely reenter their boat without capsizing.

10. 7. With a companion, wearing the proper PFD and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, use a properly equipped canoe todemonstrate the following paddling strokes as both a bow and stern paddler:

a. Forward strokeb. Backstrokec. Drawd. Pushawaye. Forward sweepf. Reverse or back sweep

For stern paddling only:g. J-strokeh. Rudder stroke



11. 8. Using the strokes in requirement 7, 10, and in an order determined by your counselor, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following tandem maneuvers while paddling on opposite sides and without changing sides. Repeat after switching positions and paddling sides:Each paddler must demonstrate these maneuvers in both the bow and stern and on opposite paddling sides:

a. Pivot or spin the canoe in either direction. b. Move the canoe sideways or abeam in either direction.c. Stop the canoe. d. Move the canoe in a straight line for 50 yards.

12. 9.Wearing the proper PFD and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions,Use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate solo canoe handling:

a. Launch from shore or a pier (both, if possible). b. Using a single-blade paddle and paddling only on one side, demonstrate

proper form and use of the forward stroke, backstroke, draw stroke, pushaway stroke, forward sweep, reverse or back sweep, and J-stroke, and rudder stroke. Repeat while paddling on the other side.

c. While paddling on one side only, paddle a 50-yard course making at least one turn underway and one reverse of direction Repeat while paddling on the other side.

d. Make a proper landing at a dock or shore (both, if possible). Store canoe properly (with assistance, if needed).

e. In deep water, exit the canoe and then get back in without capsizing.13. 10. Discuss the following types of canoeing:

a. Olympic flatwatercanoe sprintb. Flatwater and river touringc. b. Outrigger d. c. Marathon e. d. Freestyle f. e. Whitewater g. f. Canoe poling

Swimming

On May 8, 2014, revised requirements were announced in the April/May 2014 Advancement News, along with a report that a new edition of the Swimming merit badge pamphlet would be issued in time for the 2014 summer camp season. The requirements were rewritten and rearranged as follows:

• Old requirements 1, 5, 6, 7, and 9 became new requirements 1b, 3, 5, 6, 7. • From old requirement 3, Second Class requirement 8c, and First Class requirements 9b

and 9c became new requirements 4a, 2, and 4b. • Portions of old requirements 10a and 10b were merged and became new requirement 8.• Old requirements 2, 4, 8, 10c, and 10d were deleted.• New requirement 1a was added, along with a note to requirement 7.• Minor editing changes were made to some requirements.



Scouts that started the badge during 2014 could use either the old or new requirements. Scouts that started after December 31, 2014, must use the new requirements. The changes are as follows:

1. Do the following:a. Explain to your counselor how Scouting’s Safe Swim Defense

plan anticipates, helps prevent and mitigate, and provides responses to likely hazards you may encounter during swimming activities.

b. Discuss the prevention of and treatment for of health concerns that could occur while swimming, including hypothermia, dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, muscle cramps, hyperventilation, spinal injury, stings and bites, and cuts and scrapes.

2. Do the following:a. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person.

Explain how to recognize such conditionsb. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device

approved by your counselor.Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feet first into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.

3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete Second Class rank requirements 8a-8c 8and First Class rank requirements 9a-9c

◦ Second Class rank requirements:■ (8a) Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.■ (8b) Demonstrate your ability to jump feetfirst into water over your

head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.

■ (8c) Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.

◦ First Class rank requirements:■ (9a) Tell what precautions should be taken for a safe trip afloat.■ (9b) Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete

the BSA swimmer test.Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.



■ (9c) With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water).

Swim continuously for 150 yards using the following strokes in good form and in a strong manner: front crawl or trudgen for 25 yards, back crawl for 25 yards, sidestroke for 25 yards, breaststroke for 25 yards, and elementary backstroke for 50 yards.

4. Demonstrate survival skills by jumping feetfirst into deep water wearing clothes (shoes, socks, swim trunks, long pants, belt, and long-sleeved shirt). Remove shoes and socks, inflate the shirt, and show that you can float using the shirt for support. Remove and inflate the pants for support. Swim 50 feet using the inflated pants for support, then show how to reinflate the pants while still afloat.Do the following:

a. Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.

b. With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.

5. Swim continuously for 150 yards using the following strokes in good form and in a strong manner: front crawl or trudgen for 25 yards, back crawl for 25 yards, sidestroke for 25 yards, breaststroke for 25 yards, and elementary backstroke for 50 yards.6. Do the following:

a. Float faceup face up in a resting position for at least one minute.b. Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes.c. While wearing a properly fitted personal floatation device (PFD) U.S.

Coast Guard–approved life jacket, demonstrate the HELP and huddle positions. Explain their purposes.

d. Explain why swimming or survival floating will hasten the onset of hypothermia in cold water.

6. 7. In water over your head, but not to exceed 10 feet, do each of the following:a. Use the feetfirstfeet first method of surface diving and bring an object up

from the bottom.b. Do a headfirst surface dive (pike or tuck), and bring the object up again.c. Do a headfirst surface dive to a depth of at least 5 feet and swim

underwater for three strokes. Come to the surface, take a breath, and repeat the sequence twice.

8. Do ONE of the following:a. Demonstrate snorkeling and scuba diving knowledge:

1. Demonstrate selection and fit of mask, snorkel, and fins; discuss safety in both pool and open-water snorkeling.

2. Demonstrate proper use of mask, snorkel, and fins for underwater search and rescue.



3. Describe the sport of scuba diving or snorkeling, and demonstrate your knowledge of BSA policies and procedures relating to that sport.

ORb. Demonstrate the following competitive swimming skills:

1. Racing dive from a pool edge or dock edge (no elevated dives from racing platforms or starting blocks)

2. Racing form for 25 yards on one competitive stroke (front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, or butterfly)

3. Racing turns for the stroke that you chose in 8b(2), OR, if the camp facilities cannot accommodate the racing turn, repeat 8b(2) with and additional stroke.

4. Describe the sport of competitive swimming.7. 9. Following the guidelines set in the BSA Safe Swim Defense, in water at least 7

feet deep*, show a standing headfirst dive from a dock or pool deck. Show a long shallow dive, also from the dock or pool deck.* If your state, city, or local community requires a water depth greater than 7 feet, it is important to abide by that mandate.

8. Explain the health benefits of regular aerobic exercise, and discuss why swimming is favored as both fitness and therapeutic exercise.10.Do the following:

a. Explain the health benefits of regular aerobic exercise, and explain why many people today do not get enough of the beneficial kinds of exercise.

b. Discuss why swimming is favored as both a fitness and a therapeutic exercise.

c. Write a plan for a swimming exercise program that will promote aerobic/vascular fitness, strength and muscle tone, body flexibility, and weight control for a person of Scout age. Identify resources and facilities available in your home community that would be needed for such a program.

d. Discuss with your counselor the incentives and obstacles for staying with the fitness program you created in requirement 10c. Explain the unique benefits that could be gained from this program, and discuss how personal health awareness and self discipline would relate to your own willingness and ability to pursue such a program.

Insect Study

New requirements 1 and 7 were added, and old requirement 8 was replaced by new requirement 10. Old requirements 1-7, and 9-11, although unchanged, were renumbered as 2-6, 8, 9, and 11-13. The requirements now read as follows:

1. Do the following:a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards associated

with exposure to ants and bees and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.



b. Discuss the prevention of and treatment for health concerns that could occur while working with ants and bees, including insect bites and anaphylactic shock.

2. 1. Tell how insects are different from all other animals. Show how insects are different from centipedes and spiders.

3. 2. Point out and name the main parts of an insect.4. 3. Describe the characteristics that distinguish the principal families and orders of

insects.5. 4. Do the following:

a. Observe 20 different live species of insects in their habitat. In your observations, include at least four orders of insects.

b. Make a scrapbook of the 20 insects you observe in 4a. Include photographs, sketches, illustrations, and articles. Label each insect with its common and scientific names, where possible. Share your scrapbook with your merit badge counselor.

6. 5. Do the following:a. From your scrapbook collection, identify three species of insects helpful to

humans and five species of insects harmful to humans.b. Describe some general methods of insect control.

7. Explain the symbiotic relationship between bees and humankind. Explain what colony collapse disorder (CCD) is and some of the possible causes. Discuss how CCD affects our food supply.

8. 6. Compare the life histories of a butterfly and a grasshopper. Tell how they are different.

9. 7. Raise an insect through the complete metamorphosis from its larval stage to its adult stage (e.g. raise a butterfly or moth from a caterpillar.*

10. 8.Observe an ant colony or a beehive. Tell that you saw.Do ONE of the following:

a. Observe an ant colony in a formicarium (ant farm). Find the queen and worker ants. Explain to your counselor the different chambers found within an ant colony.

b. Study a hive of bees. Remove the combs and find the queen. Estimate the amount of brood and count the number of queen cells. Explain how to determine the amount of honey in the hive.

11. 9. Tell the things that make social insects different from solitary insects.12. 10. Tell how insects fit in the food chains of other insects, fish, birds, and

mammals.13. 11. Find out about three career opportunities in insect study. Pick one and find

out about the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

Whitewater

The requirements were substantially rewritten and rearranged. The requirements now read as follows:



1. Do the following:a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while

participating in whitewater activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

b. Review with your counselor the prevention, symptoms, and first aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in whitewater activities including cold-water shock; hypothermia; head, neck, and back injuries; heat-related illnesses; sunburn; dehydration; blisters; bruises; cuts; sprains and strains; shoulder dislocation; and submersion injuries.

c. Discuss with your counselor the BSA Safety Afloat policy and the American Whitewater safety guidelines.

2. Do the following:a. Explain the following river features:

■ upstream V, ■ downstream V, ■ riffle, ■ eddy, ■ eddy line, ■ pillow, ■ ledge, ■ bend, ■ shallows, ■ current, ■ drop, ■ horizon line, ■ wave, ■ standing wave, ■ wave train.

b. Explain when, why, and how you should scout a river while ashore and while on the river.

3. Before doing requirements 4 through 12, earn the Canoeing merit badge if you will be using a canoe to earn this merit badge. If you will be using a kayak, earn the Kayaking merit badge. Then do the following:

a. If you will be using a canoe to earn this merit badge, demonstrate strokes and maneuvers from the Canoeing merit badge to the satisfaction of your merit badge counselor. OR

b. If you will be using a kayak to earn this merit badge, demonstrate strokes and maneuvers from the Kayaking merit badge to the satisfaction of your merit badge counselor.

4. Do ONE of the following:a. If you are completing these requirements as a tandem canoeist, perform the

following on calm water:1. Demonstrate the following strokes in the bow:

■ cross forward, ■ bow draw, ■ cross bow draw, ■ bow pry, ■ Duffek,



■ sculling draw, and ■ sculling pushaway (reverse scull).

2. Demonstrate the following strokes in the stern:■ stern draw, ■ stern pry, ■ sculling draw, ■ sculling pushaway (reverse scull), and ■ forward with stern pry.

3. Demonstrate a high brace, low brace, and a righting pry.OR

b. If you are completing these requirements as a solo canoeist, perform the following on calm water:

1. Demonstrate the following strokes:■ cross forward, ■ bow draw, ■ cross bow draw, ■ stern draw, ■ pry, ■ stern pry, ■ Duffek, ■ sculling draw, ■ sculling pushaway (reverse scull), and ■ forward with stern pry.

2. Demonstrate a high brace, low brace, and righting pry.OR

c. If you are completing these requirements as a solo kayaker, perform the following on calm water:

1. Demonstrate the following strokes:■ Duffek, ■ bow draw, ■ rudder, and ■ sculling draw.

2. Demonstrate a high brace and low brace. 5. Do the following:

a. Explain the International Scale of River Difficulty and apply the scale to the stretch of river approved by your counselor.

b. Identify the specific characteristics of the river that are factors in your classification according to the International Scale.

c. Discuss how the level of flow changes a river from one class to another and what effects different flow rates have on the features of a river and its hazards.

6. Explain the importance of communication during every whitewater outing. Demonstrate knowledge and ability to use the following American Whitewater Universal River Signals, both visual and auditory:

◦ "Stop," ◦ "Are you OK?," ◦ "Help/emergency," ◦ "Run river right," ◦ "Run river left," and ◦ "All clear-come ahead."

7. Do ONE of the following:



a. If completing this merit badge in a canoe, describe the various types of canoes used on moving water and how they differ in design, materials, and purpose. OR

b. If completing this merit badge in a kayak, describe the various types of kayaks used on moving water and explain how they differ in design, materials, and purpose.

8. Discuss the personal and group equipment necessary for a safe whitewater outing and how and why it is used. Explain how to pack and protect these items.

9. Do the following:a. Demonstrate your ability to read a Class II section of river approved by

your counselor. Describe the most desirable paths or lines of travel as well as alternative routes and options. Point out how to use the existing water features to your advantage, and explain how to best avoid the hazards present.

b. Wearing a proper life jacket and being appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, perform the following skills in moving water in a properly equipped whitewater craft of your choice (tandem canoe, solo canoe, or solo kayak). If a tandem canoe is used, the skills must be demonstrated from both the bow and stern positions.

1. Launch and land. 2. Paddle forward in a straight line. 3. Backpaddle. 4. Ferry upstream. 5. Ferry downstream. 6. Eddy turn. 7. Peel out.

10. Explain and demonstrate the following to your counselor:a. Self-rescue and procedures when capsized in moving water, including a

wet exit if necessary b. Proper use of a throw rope to rescue a swimmer in whitewaterc. Proper technique for receiving a throw rope as a swimmerd. Portaging - where portaging would be appropriate, and when and how to do

it e. The whitewater buddy system using at least three persons and three craft

11. Discuss the use of inflatable rafts on moving water. In your discussion, explain the special safety precautions that should be taken when using an inflatable raft and the risks of "tubing" on moving water.

12. Participate in a whitewater trip using either a canoe or kayak on a Class I or Class II river. Help to prepare a written plan, specifying the route, schedule, equipment, safety precautions, and emergency procedures. Determine local rules and obtain permission from landowners and land managers in advance. Explain what steps you have taken to comply with BSA Safety Afloat and the American Whitewater safety guidelines. Execute the plan with others.

Architecture

The note following requirement 3b was revised. The note now reads as follows:



Note: To visit a construction site will require advance planning. You will need permission from your parents, counselor, the architect, and the construction site manager. A construction site is a very dangerous place. While there, you will need to closely follow the site manager's directions and comply with all the safety procedures, including wearing a hard hat protective eyewear, and proper footwear. Be aware of the changing conditions at the site, and stay with the architect or site manager.

Backpacking

Requirement 3d was added, requirements 6b and 8a were revised, and requirement 9 was revised and rearranged. The changes are as follows:

3.d. Explain the purpose of an emergency response plan.

6.b. While on a trek, use a map and compass to establish your position on the

ground at least three times at three different placeslocations, OR use a GPS receiver unit to establish your position on a topographic map and on the ground at least three times at three different places locations.

8.a. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of three the different types of

backpacking stoves using at least three different types of fuel.9. Do the following:

a. Write a plan that includes a schedule for a patrol/crew backpacking hike that includes a scheduleof at least 2 miles.

b. Conduct a prehike inspection of the patrol and its equipment.c. b. Show that you know how to properly pack your personal gear and your

share of the crew’s gear and food. d. c. Show you can properly shoulder your pack and adjust it for proper wear.e. Conduct a prehike inspection of the patrol and its equipment.

While carrying your pack,using the plan you developed for requirement 9a, carry your fully loaded pack to complete a hike of at least 2 miles.

Basketry

Requirement 1 was replaced. The requirement now reads as follows:

1. Describe precautions you should take to safely use basketry tools and materials.Do the following:

a. Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while using basketry tools and materials, and what



you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

b. Discuss the prevention of and first-aid treatment for injuries, including cuts, scratches, and scrapes, that could occur while working with basketry tools and materials.

Drafting

Requirements 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b were revised. The changes are as follows:

2.a. Architectural: Make a scale drawing of an architectural project. The

architectural drawing may be a floor plan, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical service plan; elevation plan; or landscaping plan. Use an architect's scale and show dimensions to communicate the actual size if features. Include any important sectional drawings, notes, and considerations necessary for construction.

b. Mechanical: Make a scale drawing of some mechanical device or interesting object. The mechanical drawing may be of the orthographic or isometric style. Use an engineer's scale and show dimensions to communicate the actual size of features. Include any important sectional drawings, notes, and manufacturing considerations.

3.a. Architectural: Make a scale drawing of an architectural project. The

architectural drawing may be a floor plan, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical service plan; elevation plan; or landscaping plan. Use an architect's scale and show dimensions to communicate the actual size if features. Include any important sectional drawings, notes, and considerations necessary for construction.

b. Mechanical: Make a scale drawing of some mechanical device or interesting object. The mechanical drawing may be of the orthographic or isometric style. Use an engineer's scale and show dimensions to communicate the actual size of features. Include any important sectional drawings, notes, and manufacturing considerations.

Energy

Requirements 2a and 4b were revised. The changes are as follows:

2.a. Explain how THREE of the following devices use energy, and explain their

energy conversions: toaster, greenhouse, lightbulb, bow drill, cell phone,nuclear reactor, sweat lodge.

4.



b. Describe ways you and your family can use energy resources more wisely. In preparing your discussion, consider the energy required for the things you do and use on a daily basis (cooking, showering, using lights, driving, watching TV, using the computer). Explain what is meant by sustainable energy sources. Explain how you can change your energy use through reuse and recycling.

Environmental Science

Requirement 3e2 was revised. The changes are as follows:

3.e.

2. Do research on one species that was endangered,or threatened, or of special concern but whichthat has now recovered. Find out how the organism recovered, and what its new status is. Write a 100-word report on the species and discuss it with your counselor.

Family Life

Requirement 3 was revised. Requirement 6b was revised with a new subject and a footnote added. The changes are as follows:

3. Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores (at least five) and do them for 90 days. Keep a record of how often you do each of them. Discuss with your counselor the effect your chores had on your family.

6. After this discussion, plan and carry out a family meeting* to include the following subjects:

b.3. How your chores in requirement 3 contributed to your

role in the family4. 3. Personal and family finances5. 4. A crisis situation within your family6. 5. The effect of technology on your family7. 6. Good etiquette and manners

*This conversation may take place with only one or both of your parents or guardians.

First Aid

Requirement 2b was revised. The requirement now reads as follows:



2.b. Explain the term triage. Explain the steps necessary to assess and

handle a medical emergency until help arrives.

NOTE: The 2015 edition of Boy Scout Requirements has a typo in requirement 2b. The word "access" is incorrectly used, when the correct term is "assess".

Fish and Wildlife Management

Requirements 5b and 7c were revised. The changes are as follows:

5.b. Construct, erect, and check regularly bird feeders and keep written records

of the kinds of birds visiting the feeders in the winter.7.

c. Examine the stomach contents of three species of fish and record the findings. It is not necessary to catch any fish for this option. You must(may) visit a cleaning station set up for fishermen or find another, similar alternative.

Note: The last sentence of requirement 7c has read "You may visit ..." in the merit badge pamphlet, and "You must visit ..." in Boy Scout Requirements since it was added in 2004.

Fishing

There was a minor difference in requirement 4 between the 2014 Boy Scout Requirementsbooklet and the Fishing merit badge pamphlet. That discrepancy has now been corrected in the 2015 Boy Scout Requirements booklet. The revised requirement now reads as follows:

4. Demonstrate how to tie the following knots: improved clinch, Palomar, turle, blood loop (barrel knot), and double surgeon's loop. Explain how and when each knot is used.

Mammal Study

Requirements 3c and 4b were revised. The changes are as follows:

3.c. From study and reading, write a simple life history of one nongame

mammal that lives in your area. Tell how this mammal lived before its habitat was affected in any way by humans. Tell how it reproduces, what it eats, and its natural habitat. Describe its dependency upon plants, upon



other animals (including humans), and how they depend upon it. Tell how it is helpful or harmful to humankind.

4.b. Take good pictures of two kinds of mammals in the wild. Record lightthe

date(s), time of day, weather conditions, film used, exposureapproximate distance from the animal, habitat conditions, and any other factors, including notes on the activities of the pictured animalsyou feel may have influenced the animal’s activity and behavior.

Personal Fitness

Requirements 1a, 3d, and 3h were revised and now match the requirements found in the merit badge pamphlet. Those changes are as follows:

1.a. Before completing requirements 2 through 9, have your health-care

practitioner give you a physical examination, using the Scout medical examination form. Describe the examination. Tell what questions you werethe doctor asked about your health. Tell what health or medical recommendations were the doctor made and report what you have done in response to the recommendations. Explain the following:

3.d. Are your body weight and composition what you would like them to be,

and do you know how to modify them safely through exercise, diet, and behavior modificationlifestyle?

h. Do you sleep well at night and wake up feeling refreshed and energized forready to start the new day?

The text describing the requirements for the Aerobic Fitness, Flexibility, and Strength, and Body Composition Tests was removed from the Boy Scout Requirements Book. The current Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet lists the requirements for those tests. Although the requirements for the Flexibility test have not changed, the requirements for the Aerobic Fitness and Strength tests have changed slightly, and the Body Composition Test has been replaced with a Body Composition Evaluation that involves a calculation of the BMI percentile. The requirements for those tests and the evaluation are found in the merit badge pamphlet. In addition, the merit badge pamphlet has different wording for requirements 6 and 8 than what appears in Boy Scout Requirements.

The differences in requirements 6 and 8 between the merit badge pamphlet and the Boy Scout Requirements booklet, plus the changes which were made to the Aerobic Fitness and Strength tests, and the Body Composition Test/Evaluation, which are only in the current Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet, are as follows:

6. Before doing requirements 7 and 8, complete the aerobic fitness, flexibility, andmuscular strength tests, andalong with the body composition tests



evaluation as described in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet. Record your results and identify those areas where you feel you need to improve.

8. Complete the physical fitness program you outlined in requirement 7. Keep a log of your fitness program activity (how long you exercised; how far you ran, swam, or biked; how many exercise repetitions you completed; your exercise heart rate; etc.). Repeat the aerobic fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility tests every two weeks and record your results. After the 12th week, repeat all of the required activities in each of the three tests test categories, record your results, and show improvement in each one. For the body composition testevaluation, compare and analyze your preprogram and postprogram body composition measurements. Discuss the meaning and benefit of your experience, and describe your long-term plans regarding your personal fitness.

• Aerobic Fitness Test1. Run/walk as far as you can as fast as you can in nine minutes

• Strength TestsRecord your performance on all three tests.You must do the sit-ups exercise and one other (either push-ups or pull-ups). You may also do all three for extra experience and benefit.

• Body Composition Test Have your parent, counselor, or other adult take and record the following measurements:

◦ Circumference of the right upper arm, midway between the shoulder and the elbow, with the arm hanging naturally and not flexed.

◦ Shoulders, with arms hanging by placing the tape two inches below the top of the shoulders around the arms, chest, and back after breath expiration.

◦ Chest, by placing the tape under the arms and around the chest and back at the nipple line after breath expiration.

◦ Abdomen circumference at the navel level (relaxed).◦ Circumference of the right thigh, midway between the hip and knee, and

not flexed.

If possible, have the same person take the measurements whenever you are ready to be remeasured to chart your progress.

Body Composition Evaluation (Calculating Your BMI percentile):

• Step 1 - Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.• Step 2 - Divide the figure you get in No. 1 above by your height in

inches.• Step 3 - Divide the figure you get in No. 2 above by your height in

inches to get your BMI.• Step 4 - Use the chart in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet

to determine the BMI percentile for your age.

As an example, if you are 15 years old, you weigh 130 pounds, and you are 5'8" (68") tall, then:



1. 130 x 703 = 913902. 91390 / 68 = 13443. 1344 / 68 = 20. This means your BMI is 20.4. From the chart in the pamphlet, you are at the 50th

percentile.

Public Health

Requirements 1, 2c, 5a, and 7a were revised. The changes are as follows:

1. Explain what public health is. Explain how Escherichia colt (E. coli), tetanus, AIDS, encephalitis, salmonellosis, and Lyme disease are contracted. Then, pick any four of the following diseases and explain how each one is contracted and possibly prevented: gonorrhea, West Nile virus, botulism, influenza, syphilis, hepatitis, emphysema, meningitis, herpes, lead poisoning. For all 10 diseases, explain the type or form of the disease (viral, bacterial, environmental, toxin), any possible vectors for transmission, ways to help prevent exposure or the spread of infection, and available treatments.

2.c. Using the diseases you chose for requirement 1, discuss the diseases for

which there is currently no treatment or immunization. If treatments or immunizations are available for the diseases you chose, discuss others on the list.

5.a. Visit a municipal wastewater treatment facility OR a solid-waste

management operation in your community. Describe how the facility safely treats and disposes of sewage or solid waste. Describe how sewage and solid waste should be disposed of under wilderness camping conditions OR visit the mosquito abatement district facility in your community. Tell how your community attempts to control the mosquito population and why.

7.a. Compare the four leading causes of mortality (death) in your community

for any of the past five years with the four leading causes of morbidity (incidence of disease) in your community. Explain how the public health agency you visited is trying to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates of these leading causes of illness and death.

Sustainability

Requirement 2-Water-A was revised. The changes are as follows:

2.WATER



A. Develop and implement a plan that attempts to reduce your family's water usage. Examine your family's water bills reflecting usage for three months (past or current).As a family, discuss water usage. To aid in your discussion, if past water bills are available, you may choose to examine a few. As a family, choose three ways to help reduce consumption. Implement those ideas for one month. Share what you learn with your counselor, and tell how your plan affected your family's water usage. ORSince water bills are not always accessible, any Scout who wishes to, may use the following as an alternative to 2A above. This alternative will become the official requirement 2A upon the next reprinting of the Sustainability merit badge pamphlet.Develop and implement a plan that attempts to reduce your family's water usage. As a family, discuss water usage. To aid in your discussion, if past water bills are available, you may choose to examine a few. As a family, choose three ways to help reduce water consumption. Implement those ideas for one month. share what you learn with your counselor, and tell how you think your plan affected your family's water usage.

Water Sports

Requirement 4b was revised. Those changes are as follows:

4.b. Name the different types of personal flotation devices (PFDs) life

jackets, and explain when each type should be used. Show how to choose and properly fit a PFDlife jacket.

Wood Carving

Requirements 4c, 4d, and 6 were revised. The changes are as follows:

4.c. "V" cutd. c. Score line or Stop cut

d. Stop cut6. Plan your own or select a project from this the Wood Carving merit badge

pamphlet and complete a simple carving in the round.

This analysis was prepared as a service to Scouts and Scouters nationwidePaul S. Wolf

SecretaryUS Scouting Service Project, Inc.



Printed copies of this document may be freely distributed for use in the Scouting program, so long as the source is acknowledged, but copying the information to another web site is NOT

authorized.

A PDF version of this document can be found and downloaded by clicking here.

Page updated on: May 11, 2015

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Current Merit Badge Pamphlet and Requirement Revision Dates

The following Table shows the latest Copyright / Revision dates for each of the Merit Badge Pamphlets currently in effect, and the date of the last change to the Requirements for each badge. In addition, it contains the current (and previous) BSA Publication Numbers and current SKU numbers for each pamphlet. The table also includes the dates from the "Merit Badge Library" listing on the inside back cover of the 2015 Boy Scout Requirements book.

When the content has been updated in a Merit Badge Pamphlet, BSA no longer changes the publication number from 33123 to 33123A, 33123B, etc. to indicate a new edition. BSA now keeps the publication number constant, but assigns a new inventory (SKU - Stock Keeping Unit) number to the booklet. The publication number appears in the copyright statement near the front of the book, and below the UPC code on the back cover. The SKU appears on the back cover, above the UPC Code.

All of the Merit Badge pamphlets were reissued, with new publication numbers, on August 1, 2008. In many of them, the only changes at that time were the addition of color to the pamphlet contents and covers, while others have had major or minor changes to the text and/or requirements. As indicated in the "Merit Badge Library" listing in the current (2015) Boy Scout Requirementsbooklet, there are only 7 merit badges with pamphlets with copyright dates of 2008 or earlier. For those 7 badges, the old and new pamphlets are interchangeable, with the only difference being the color illustrations. However, 5 of those (Citizenship in the Nation, Environmental Science, First Aid, Forestry, and Motorboating) have had new SKU numbers assigned, indicating that new pamphlets are being prepared. That leaves only Journalism and Surveying yet to be updated. So, in general, with those few exceptions, Scouts should no longer use the old black and white pamphlets. In the first table below, where the OLD Publication Number and Copyright Date is shown in Bold Orange Italic Strikeout text, the old pamphlet should NOT be used.

As new pamphlets are issued, when they contain new requirements, Scouts have the option of starting with the new requirements as soon as the pamphlets are issued, or they may start work using the old requirements until the next edition of Boy Scout Requirements is issued. If a Scout starts work after a new edition of Boy Scout Requirements is issued, he must use the new requirements. In any case, once a boy starts with a set of requirements he can continue using them until he completes the badge or turns 18. If he started using the old requirements, he also has the option of switching to the new requirements (which may in fact mean starting over in some cases). So long as he meets all of the requirements (either old or new) he can earn the badge. However, he can't use, for example, old requirements 1, 3, and 5 and new requirements 2, 4, and 6-8.

If you find a pamphlet with a later publication or copyright date or a different stock (SKU) number than what we have listed below, please write us, with the Merit Badge name, BSA publication and stock (SKU) numbers (e.g.. 35859 - 610461) and the Copyright date. (If it just says Copyright 2005, 2008 Printing, that just means it's a new printing with no changes to the text. That includes the majority of the books reissued in the new color format in August 2008.) If the booklet also has revised requirements, a copy of those requirements would also be appreciated so we can update this site.

The Requirements Revision Dates in the tables below reflect the year the revisions first appear in Boy Scout Requirements. So, for example, the changes to Canoeing and Swimming merit badges which were made in the Spring of 2014 are indicated as effective in 2015.

Selected merit badge pamphlets (including English versions of all the Eagle Required merit badges), and a some other BSA literature is available for purchase as Kindle books, through Amazon.com, and BSA has recently begun selling a few as Digital Interactive merit badge pamphlets through Scoutstuff.org. Those available in Digital Interactive format and/or a Kindle books are identified below. However, to our knowledge, there is NOWHERE on the web where you can find FREE complete copies of any of the merit badge pamphlets published by BSA (except the four 2010 Historic badges which were available ONLY as PDFs). The contents of all of the pamphlets are copyright by BSA, and they use the proceeds from the sale of the pamphlets to defray the cost of revising them periodically.

Always check the current edition of Boy Scout Requirements, or this site, when starting a merit badge, to be sure you have the most up to date requirements, as they may have changed since the pamphlet was printed.

Music and Bugling, while separate Merit Badges, with separate requirements, are covered in one pamphlet - Music and Bugling.

Page 1 of 10Current Merit Badge Pamphlet and Requirement Revision Dates

8/8/2015http://www.usscouts.org/mb/mbbooks.asp

Architecture and Landscape Architecture, which are also separate Merit Badges, with separate requirements, are also covered in a single pamphlet - Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Prior to 2008, there were separate pamphlets for each badge.

Key to the colors used in the tables below:Green text = Change to pamphlet or new merit badge name

Brown Text = Merit Badge Library lists a date which does not correspond to the most recent editionFuschia text = a new Merit Badge pamphlet SKU assigned (but which may or may not be available yet).

Bold Orange Italic Strikeout text = Old pamphlet which should no longer be used.

The information in the tables below reflects pamphlets and requirements issued through May 20 2015.

New pamphlets for a number of additional merit badges were issued during 2014 and at the start of 2015, and some some pamphlets which were prepared but not released even earlier will now be made available, as indicated below. Where two SKU numbers and copyright dates are shown in the table below, a new version of the pamphlet is going to be issued, but may not yet be available.

The information on current publication dates is based on the Merit Badge Library listing in the 2015 Boy Scout Requirements booklet, the listing on Scoutstuff.org, and a physical inspection of pamphlets on sale at a local Scout Shop.

MERIT BADGE PamphletPublication & SKU Numbers and Revision Datesand Merit Badge Requirements Revision Dates

Merit Badge

ID number

Merit Badge Name

Old Pamphlet

PublicationNumber

OldPamphlet Copyright

Date

CurrentPamphlet

PublicationNumber

CurrentPamphlet

SKUNumber

CurrentPamphlet Copyright

Date

Available as a

Kindle Book

and/or as a

Digital Interactive pamphlet

BSA Listed

Pamphlet Revision

Date

Requirements Revision

Date

Boy Scout Requirements 33215 2009 33216 620714 2015

Guide to Advancement 33088 620573 2015

15 American Business 33325A 2002 35850 35850 2013 2013 2003

17 American Cultures 33399A 2005 35851 35851 2013 2013 2006

16 American Heritage 33398A 2005 35852 35852 2013 2013 2014

121 American Labor 33326A 2006 35853 35853 2006 2010 2006

18 Animal Science 33395B 2006 35854 35854 2014 2014 2007

158 Animation 35778 620096 2015 Digital 2015 2015

132 Archaeology 35000A 2006 35855 619346 2014 2014 2014

19 Archery 33259A 2004 35856 618435 2013 2013 2014

20

Architecture(Architecture and

Landscape Architecture Pamphlet)

33304A 2004 35857 35822 2010 2014 2015

21 Art 33320B 2006 35858 616348 2013 2013 2014

22 Astronomy 33303A 2004 35859 616828 2013 2013 2013

23 Athletics 33324A 2006 35860 35860 2006 2012 2012

127 Automotive Maintenance 33241A 2000 35861 615770 2012 2012 2013

25 Aviation 33293B 2006 35862 619565 2014 2014 2014

26 Backpacking 33232C 2007 35863 619696 2014 2014 2015

27 Basketry 33313A 2003 3586435864 /619632

2003 / 2014

2014 2015

29 Bird Study 33300B 2005 35865 35865 2013 2013 2013

32 33341A 2003 35921 619150 2013 2013 2012



Bugling(Music and Bugling

Pamphlet)

1Camping

(Eagle)

{English Version}

33256B 2005 35866 35866 2005 Kindle 20112012

{Spanish Version}

619133

33 Canoeing 33305B 2004 35867 618654 2014 Kindle 2014 2015

34 Chemistry 33382A 2004 35868 35868 2004 2011 2006

147 Chess 35973 613560 2011 2011 2013

2Citizenship in

the Community(Eagle)

{English Version}

33249A 2005 35870 35870 2012 Kindle 20122013

{Spanish Version}

619134

3Citizenship in the Nation

(Eagle)33248A 2005 35871

35871 / 620375

2005 Kindle 2005 2005

4Citizenship in the World

(Eagle)33260A 2005 35872 35872 2005 Kindle 2012 2006

133 Climbing 35001B 2006 35873 35873 2011 2011 2012

35 Coin Collecting 33390A 2002 35874 35874 2008 2008 2010

128 Collections 33242B 2003 35875 35875 2013 2013 2009

5Communication

(Eagle)

{English Version}

33258B 2003 35876 35819 2013 Kindle 20132014

{Spanish Version}

619137

137 Composite Materials 33252 2006 35877 35877 2012 2012 2014

38 Cooking (Eagle)

{English Version}

33349B 2007 35879 617899 2014Kindle & Digital

20132014

{Spanish Version}

619138

131 Crime Prevention 33400A 2005 35880 35880 2005 2012 2006

39 Cycling (Eagle) 33226A 2003 35881 616618 2013 Kindle 2013 2013

40 Dentistry 33394C 2006 35882 35829 2006 2012 2010

154 Digital Technology 35733 618663 2014 Kindle 2013 2014

60 Disabilities Awareness 33370A 2005 35883 619566 2014 2014 2014

41 Dog Care 33289A 2003 35884 615322 2012 2012 2013

42 Drafting 33262 1993 35885 35885 2008 2013 2015

43 Electricity 33408B 2004 35886 619156 2013 2013 2014

44 Electronics 35003A 2004 35887 35887 2014 2014 2004

6Emergency Preparedness

(Eagle)33368B 2003 35888 615832 2012 Kindle 2012 2013

45 Energy 33335A 2005 35889 619599 2014 2014 2015

46 Engineering 33376A 2000 35890 35890 2008 2012 2009

134 Entrepreneurship 35008A 2006 35891 619347 2013 2013 2014

7Environmental Science

(Eagle)33363B 2006 35892

35892 / 619699

2006 Kindle 2006 2015

129 Family Life(Eagle)

{English Version}

33243A 2005 35893 620001 2014 Kindle 20142015

619142



{Spanish Version}

48 Farm Mechanics 33346B 1997 35894 618703 2008 2014 2009

49 Fingerprinting 33287A 2003 35895 619600 2014 2014 2004

50 Fire Safety 33318A 2004 35896 616243 2012 2012 2013

8 First Aid (Eagle) 33301C 2007 3589735897 / 620609

2007Kindle & Digital

2007 2015

51Fish and Wildlife

Management33307A 2004 35898 619698 2014 2014 2015

52 Fishing 33231A 2002 35899 618587 2013 2013 2015

136 Fly Fishing 33283 2002 35900 35824 2014 2014 2012

54 Forestry 33302A 2005 3590135901 / 618658

2005 2005 2006

151 Game Design 35708 616249 2013 2013 2013

55 Gardening 33240A 2002 35902 616953 2013 2013 2013

56 Genealogy 33383A 2005 35903 35903 2013 2013 2006

145 Geocaching 35836 610765 2010 2010 2010

58 Geology 33284A 2005 35904 35828 2013 2013 2010

59 Golf 33397A 2002 35905 35905 2002 2012 2003

122 Graphic Arts 33374B 2006 35906 35906 2013 2013 2012

61 Hiking (Eagle)

{English Version}

33407D 2007 35907 35907 2007 Kindle 20132013

{Spanish Version}

619144

62 Home Repairs 33247A 2002 35908 35908 2012 2012 2013

63 Horsemanship 33298A 2003 35909 618653 2013 2013 2014

64 Indian Lore 33360A 2003 35910 35910 2008 2011 2014

65 Insect Study 33353A 2002 35911 35911 / 618659

2008 / 2015

2015 2015

144 Inventing 35833 610462 2010 2010 2010

66 Journalism 33350B 2006 35912 35912 2006 2006 2007

149 Kayaking 35702 614941 2012 2012 2012

67

Landscape Architecture(Architecture and

Landscape Architecture Pamphlet)

33355A 2002 35857 35822 2010 2014 2010

68 Law 33389A 2003 35913 35913 2003 2011 2013

69 Leatherwork 33310A 2002 35914 617936 2013 2013 2014

9 Lifesaving (Eagle) 33297B 2001 3591535915 / 618660

2008 Kindle 2008 2009

71 Mammal Study 33271A 2003 3591635916 / 620002

2003 / 2014

2014 2015

130 Medicine 33244A 2002 35917 35825 2012 2012 2010

74 Metalwork 33312C 2007 35918 35918 2012 2012 2008

155 Mining in Society 35737 618952 2014 2014 2014

75Model Design and

Building33280A 2003 35919 35919 2010 2010 2004



76 Motorboating 33345 1992 / 1997

35920 35920 / 618651

2008 2008 2012

156 Moviemaking (formerly Cinematography)

35869 619155 2013 2013 2014

77Music

(Music and Bugling Pamphlet)

33341A 2003 35921 619150 2013 2013 2012

78 Nature 33285A 2003 35922 618656 2014 2014 2014

24 Nuclear Science 33275A 2004 35923 35923 2010 2010 2011

79 Oceanography 33306A 2003 35924 35826 2012 2012 2013

80 Orienteering 33385A 2003 35925 35925 2012 2012 2013

81 Painting 33372A 2002 35926 35926 2012 2012 2009

10Personal

Fitness (Eagle)

{English Version}

33286B 2006 35927 616955 2013 Kindle 20132015

{Spanish Version}

619146

11Personal Management

(Eagle)35002A 2003 35928 35928 2012 Kindle 2012 2004

82 Pets 33281A 2003 35929 617896 2013 2013 2014

83 Photography 33340A 2005 35930 616954 2013 2013 2013

84 Pioneering 33377A 2006 35931 618702 2013 2013 2014

85 Plant Science 33396A 2005 35932 619354 2014 2014 2014

86 Plumbing 33386B 2004 35933 35933 2012 2012 2005

87 Pottery 33314A 2002 35934 35934 2008 2014 2009

153 Programming 35710 616349 2013 2013 2013

89 Public Health 33233A 2005 35935 35935 2005 2014 2015

90 Public Speaking 33373A 2002 35936 616755 2013 2013 2003

91 Pulp and Paper 33343A 2006 35937 616732 2013 2013 2014

93 Radio 33361A 2001 35938 35938 2013 2013 2009

94 Railroading 33292A 2003 35939 35939 2003 2013 2014

95 Reading 33378A 2003 35940 35940 2013 2013 2004

96Reptile and Amphibian

Study33288A 2005 35941 35941 2014 2014 2006

123 Rifle Shooting 33330A 2001 35942 35823 2012 2012 2002

146 Robotics 35972 612017 2011Kindle & Digital

2011 2011

98 Rowing 33404B 2006 35943 618657 2014 2014 2014

12 Safety 33347B 2006 35944 617897 2013 2013 2014

99 Salesmanship 33351A 2003 35945 35945 2013 2013 2014

100 Scholarship 33384A 2004 3594635946 / 619601

2004 2014 2005

143 Scouting Heritage 35970 619355 2014 2014 2014

138 Scuba Diving 35969 35969 2009 2009 2009

101 Sculpture 33322B 2007 35947 35947 2014 2014 2008

150 Search and Rescue 34016 615013 2012 Kindle 2012 2014

124 Shotgun Shooting 33331A 2005 35948 618655 2013 2013 2014

157 35777 620095 2015 2015 2015



Signs, Signals, and Codes

103 Skating 35006B 2005 3594935949 / 620003

2005 / 2015

2015 2006

105 Small Boat Sailing 33356A 2004 35950 35950 2004 2013 2005

135 Snow Sports 33365B 2007 35951 616469 2014 2014 2007

106Soil and Water Conservation

33291A 2004 35952 610016 2004 2013 2005

107 Space Exploration 33354A 2004 35953 616244 2013 2013 2014

13 Sports 35007A 2006 35954 35954 2012 2012 2011

108 Stamp Collecting 33296C 2007 35955 35955 2013 2013 2007

109 Surveying 33327A 2004 35956 35956 2004 2004 2005

152Sustainability

(Eagle)

{English Version}

35711 616350 2013 Kindle 20132015

{Spanish Version}

619148

>14Swimming

(Eagle)

{English Version}

33352D 2002 35957 619813 2014 Kindle 20142015

{Spanish Version}

619149

110 Textile 33344A 2003 35958 35958 2014 2014 2004

111 Theater 33328B 2005 35959 35959 2014 2014 2005

112 Traffic Safety 33391B 2006 35960 35960 2013 2013 2007

113 Truck Transportation 33371A 2005 35961 35961 2005 2013 2006

114 Veterinary Medicine 35004A 2005 35962 35962 2005 2012 2006

115 Water Sports 33348B 2007 35963 618766 2014 2014 2015

116 Weather 33274B 2006 35964 618364 2013 2013 2014

148 Welding 35974 613561 2012 2012 2012

125 Whitewater 33405B 2005 3596535965 / 618652

2005 / 2015

2015 2015

117 Wilderness Survival 33265B 2007 35966 35966 2007 2012 2013

118 Wood Carving 33309B 2006 35967 619697 2014 2014 2015

119 Woodwork 33316A 2003 35968 35968 2011 2011 2012

The following listings show the current Requirements Revision Dates and the latest Merit Badge Pamphlet Copyright Dates, sorted by Date.

MERIT BADGERequirements and Pamphlets

Most Recent RevisionSorted by Date

Requirements Pamphlets

Animation 2015

Architecture 2015

Backpacking 2015

Basketry 2015

Canoeing 2015

Drafting 2015

Energy 2015

Environmental Science 2015

Animation 2015

Insect Study 2015

Signs, Signals, and Codes 2015

Skating 2015

Whitewater 2015

Animal Science 2014

Archaeology 2014

2014



Family Life 2015

First Aid 2015

Fish & Wildlife Management 2015

Fishing 2015

Insect Study 2015

Mammal Study 2015

Personal Fitness 2015

Public Health 2015

Signs, Signals, and Codes 2015

Sustainability 2015

Swimming 2015

Water Sports 2015

Whitewater 2015

Wood Carving 2015

American Heritage 2014

Archaeology 2014

Archery 2014

Art 2014

Aviation 2014

Communication 2014

Composite Materials 2014

Cooking 2014

Digital Technology 2014

Disabilities Awareness 2014

Electricity 2014

Entrepreneurship 2014

Horsemanship 2014

Indian Lore 2014

Leatherwork 2014

Mining in Society 2014

Moviemaking 2014

Nature 2014

Pets 2014

Pioneering 2014

Plant Science 2014

Pulp & Paper 2014

Railroading 2014

Rowing 2014

Safety 2014

Salesmanship 2014

Scholarship 2014

Scouting Heritage 2014

Search and Rescue 2014

Shotgun Shooting 2014

Space Exploration 2014

Weather 2014

Cycling 2013

Game Design 2013

Programming 2013

Astronomy 2013

Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Aviation 2014

Backpacking 2014

Basketry 2014

Canoeing 2014

Cooking 2014

Digital Technology 2014

Disabilities Awareness 2014

Electronics 2014

Energy 2014

Family Life 2014

Farm Mechanics 2014

Fingerprinting 2014

Fish & Wildlife Management 2014

Fly Fishing 2014

Mammal Study 2014

Mining in Society 2014

Nature 2014

Plant Science 2014

Pottery 2014

Public Health 2014

Reptile and Amphibian Study 2014

Rowing 2014

Scholarship 2014

Scouting Heritage 2014

Sculpture 2014

Snow Sports 2014

Swimming 2014

Textile 2014

Theater 2014

Water Sports 2014

Wood Carving 2014

American Business 2013

American Cultures 2013

American Heritage 2013

Archery 2013

Art 2013

Astronomy 2013

Bird Study 2013

Collections 2013

Communication 2013

Cycling 2013

Drafting 2013

Electricity 2013

Entrepreneurship 2013

Fishing 2013

Game Design 2013

Gardening 2013

Genealogy 2013

Geology 2013



Automotive Maintenance 2013

Bird Study 2013

Chess 2013

Citizenship in the Community 2013

Dog Care 2013

Emergency Preparedness 2013

Fire Safety 2013

Gardening 2013

Hiking 2013

Home Repairs 2013

Law 2013

Oceanography 2013

Orienteering 2013

Photography 2013

Wilderness Survival 2013

Bugling 2012

Camping 2012

Climbing 2012

Fly Fishing 2012

Graphic Arts 2012

Kayaking 2012

Motorboating 2012

Music 2012

Welding 2012

Woodwork 2012

Nuclear Science 2011

Robotics 2011

Sports 2011

Athletics 2010

Coin Collecting 2010

Dentistry 2010

Geocaching 2010

Geology 2010

Inventing 2010

Landscape Architecture 2010

Medicine 2010

Collections 2009

Engineering 2009

Farm Mechanics 2009

Lifesaving 2009

Painting 2009

Pottery 2009

Radio 2009

Scuba Diving 2009

Metalwork 2008

Sculpture 2008

Animal Science 2007

Journalism 2007

Snow Sports 2007

Graphic Arts 2013

Hiking 2013

Horsemanship 2013

Leatherwork 2013

Moviemaking 2013

Music and Bugling 2013

Personal Fitness 2013

Pets 2013

Photography 2013

Pioneering 2013

Programming 2013

Public Speaking 2013

Pulp & Paper 2013

Radio 2013

Railroading 2013

Reading 2013

Safety 2013

Salesmanship 2013

Shotgun Shooting 2013

Small Boat Sailing 2013

Soil & Water Conservation 2013

Space Exploration 2013

Stamp Collecting 2013

Sustainability 2013

Traffic Safety 2013

Truck Transportation 2013

Weather 2013

Athletics 2012

Automotive Maintenance 2012

Citizenship in the Community 2012

Citizenship in the World 2012

Composite Materials 2012

Crime Prevention 2012

Dentistry 2012

Dog Care 2012

Emergency Preparedness 2012

Engineering 2012

Fire Safety 2012

Golf 2012

Home Repairs 2012

Kayaking 2012

Medicine 2012

Metalwork 2012

Oceanography 2012

Orienteering 2012

Painting 2012

Personal Management 2012

Plumbing 2012

Rifle Shooting 2012

Search and Rescue 2012

Sports 2012



Stamp Collecting 2007

Traffic Safety 2007

American Cultures 2006

American Labor 2006

Chemistry 2006

Citizenship in the World 2006

Crime Prevention 2006

Forestry 2006

Genealogy 2006

Reptile and Amphibian Study 2006

Skating 2006

Truck Transportation 2006

Veterinary Medicine 2006

Citizenship in the Nation 2005

Plumbing 2005

Small Boat Sailing 2005

Soil & Water Conservation 2005

Surveying 2005

Theater 2005

Cycling 2004

Electronics 2004

Fingerprinting 2004

Model Design and Building 2004

Personal Management 2004

Reading 2004

Textile 2004

American Business 2003

Golf 2003

Public Speaking 2003

Rifle Shooting 2002

Veterinary Medicine 2012

Welding 2012

Wilderness Survival 2012

Camping 2011

Chemistry 2011

Chess 2011

Climbing 2011

Indian Lore 2011

Law 2011

Robotics 2011

Woodwork 2011

American Labor 2010

Geocaching 2010

Inventing 2010

Model Design and Building 2010

Nuclear Science 2010

Scuba Diving 2009

Coin Collecting 2008

Lifesaving 2008

Motorboating 2008

First Aid 2007

Environmental Science 2006

Journalism 2006

Citizenship in the Nation 2005

Forestry 2005

Surveying 2004

The booklets are now $4.99 each. However, if ordering from the National Supply Service, keep in mind that they are obligated to charge sales tax unless you submit a sales tax exemption form with your order, and that there is a shipping / handling / postage charge of $7.50 for orders up to $50.00 (1-10 pamphlets), $9.95 for orders between $50.01 and $100.00 (11-20 pamphlets), $13.50 for orders between $100.01 and $150.00 (21-30 pamphlets), $18.00 for orders between $150.01 and $200.00 (31-40 pamphlets), and $22.50 for those over $200.00 (41 or more pamphlets), so ordering small quantities in that manner can be VERY expensive on a unit cost basis unless you order other items at the same time. These fees are based on standard ground shipping in the USA. 2-day shipping adds an additional $13.00 to the ground shipping fees, overnight shipping adds another $5.00. International shipping charges range from $25.00 to $62.50.

The toll-free phone number for ordering through the BSA National Supply Division is 1-800-323-0732, or you can order on-line at http://scoutstuff.org.

Here is a table of costs and unit costs for ground shipping of small orders of Merit Badge Pamphlets only: These figures, and the ones in the preceding paragraph are based on the information on the BSA's National Supply web site (scoutstuff.org) as of January 28, 2014 and do not include sales tax, or any other items purchased at the same time.

• 1 booklet would cost $12.49 (4.99 + 7.50 S&H)• 2 would be $17.48 (8.74 each)• 3 would be $22.47 (7.49 each)• 4 would be $27.46 (6.57 each)• 5 would be $32.45 (6.49 each)• 6 would be $37..44 (6.24 each)• 7 would be $42.43 (6.06 each)• 8 would be $47.42 (5.93 each)• 9 would be $52.41 (5.82 each)



• 10 would be $57.40 (49.90 + 7.50 S&H) (5.74 each)• 11 would be $64.84 (54.89 + 9.95 S&H) (5.89 each)• for orders of 12 or more booklets, the unit cost including shipping varies between 5.82 and 5.16

A single purchase of all 134 merit badge pamphlets, covering all 136 merit badges, would cost $668.66 + $22.50 S&H for a total of $691.16. (plus sales tax as applicable)

Page updated on: July 24, 2015

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