List of merit badges in the Boy Scouts of America

Youth members of the Boy Scouts of America, a U.S.-based organization, may earn awards based on activities within an area of study. These awards are called merit badges, and are earned by completing a list of periodically updated requirements. Each merit badge has a pamphlet published by the Boy Scouts of America associated with it; the pamphlet contains information on completing the requirements for the badge. Certain merit badges are required in order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. Merit badges are displayed on a sash worn as part of the Boy Scout uniform.

Related Topics:
Boy Scouts of America - U.S. - Eagle Scout - Boy Scout uniform

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The current merit badge system began in 1979; three merit badges have not been updated since that time – Athletics, Mammal Study and Pulp and Paper. The most recent new merit badges are Nuclear Science, created in 2005 as a redesigned Atomic Energy badge, Snow Sports, created in 1999 as a redesigned Skiing merit badge, and Fly Fishing, split off from the Fishing merit badge. The most recent completely new merit badges are Archaeology and Entrepeneurship. The Boy Scouts of America are, as of 2005, field-testing a Hunting merit badge {{ref|research}}. There are many discontinued merit badges.

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