Wondering which merit badges are the newest? Looking for release info on upcoming merit badges? I’ve got you covered.
This regularly updated page will keep you and your troop in the know!
You’ll find:
- Merit badges coming soon
- Merit badges with major updates in the works
- The newest merit badges that have already been released
- Chronological list of updates to this page
Newest Merit Badges — Coming Soon
Sustainability
Estimated release: 2013 Jamboree with a July 15 earn date.
Note: This merit badge will be Eagle-required. Scouts must earn either this or Environmental Science.
Requirements: TBD
Description: A badge to teach Scouts about climate change, species extinction, resource extraction, green chemistry, recycling, and zero-waste manufacturing.
Related Post: Cooking, Sustainability merit badges to become Eagle-required
Programming
Estimated release: 2013 Jamboree with a July 15 earn date.
Requirements: TBD
Description: A tech-focused merit badge for the 21st Century.
Digital Technology (will replace Computers)
Estimated release: 2013 (after Jamboree)
Requirements: TBD
Description: Technology has come a long way since Computers merit badge was first introduced in 1967. This badge, which replaces Computers, will teach Scouts about technology in the digital age.
Mining in Society
Launch: February 2014 at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration’s Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City
Requirements: TBD
Description: Mining has been an important part of the United States since the 19th century. Today, the U.S. mining industry employes 3 million people, directly and indirectly, and is a major contributor to the global mining landscape. I expect this merit badge will cover the history of mining, explore the status of mining in the 21st century, and introduce Scouts to modern mining careers.
Animation
Estimated release: 2014
Requirements: TBD
Description: Computer or traditional animation tasks that will test a Scout’s creativity, artistic skills, and storytelling abilities.
Signs, Signals, and Codes
Estimated release: 2014
Requirements: TBD
Description: American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most used language in the United States. The Signs, Signals, and Codes merit badge will cover Morse code, ASL, Braille, signaling, trail markings, and other nonverbal communications. Did you know that some of these have even saved people’s lives?
Multi-Media
Estimated release: 2014
Requirements and description: TBD
Computer-Aided Design
Estimated release: 2014-2015
Requirements: TBD
Description: Teaching boys to use computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design.
Advanced Computing
Estimated release: 2014-2015
Requirements: TBD
Description: The next generation of computing.
Major Updates in the Works
Cycling
Update expected at 2013 Jamboree.
Current requirements (pre-update)
Details: Adds a mountain biking option for Scouts.
Related blog post: The trail to Cycling merit badge just got a bit rougher
Cooking
Update expected after 2013 Jamboree
Note: This merit badge will become Eagle-required on Jan. 1, 2014
Current requirements (pre-update)
Details: Coming soon, but I’m hearing rumors that it will better incorporate the BSA’s healthy living initiatives.
Related blog post: Cooking, Sustainability merit badges to become Eagle-required
Newest Merit Badges — Available Now
NEWEST LISTED FIRST
Game Design
Released on March 6, 2013
Requirements: Click here.
Description: Slated to include both traditional games and video games, this sure-to-be-popular merit badge will test Scouts’ creativity, problem-solving skills, and planning abilities.
Related Post: First look at Game Design merit badge, including details on how to help launch the badge at the 2013 jamboree
Search and Rescue
Released on Aug. 20, 2012
Requirements: Click here.
Description: Scouts won’t fly helicopters, but they’ll get practice in finding and rescuing people in case a real emergency ever happens.
More information: In the BSA’s press release
Kayaking
Released on June 13, 2012
Pamphlet cover image: here
Requirements: Click here.
Description: A basic-level merit badge for flat-water kayaking — whitewater kayaking will still fall under Whitewater merit badge.
Welding
Released on Feb. 24, 2012
Bryan on Scouting post: “Requirements, launch info, video”
Robotics
Released on April 11, 2011
Bryan on Scouting post: “Robotics merit badge launch includes all-new interactive resource center”
Chess
Released in September 2011
Bryan on Scouting post: “Human chess match will celebrate the new Chess merit badge”
Geocaching
Released in December 2010
Bryan on Scouting post: “Smartphones: The modern-day camper’s Swiss Army knife?”
Scouting magazine story: “The Real Game Boys”
Inventing
Released in June 2010
Bryan on Scouting post: “Boy Scouts and Lemelson-MIT Program introduce Inventing merit badge”
Scouting Heritage
Released in May 2010
Bryan on Scouting post: “Boy Scouts of America releases Scouting Heritage merit badge”
Scuba Diving
Released on Dec. 1, 2009
Bryan on Scouting post: “Scuba diving merit badge released”
Chronological list of page updates
Page updates (newest first):
April 30, 2013 — Details on release for Sustainability, Cycling update, and Programming. Added patch image for Sustainability.
March 7, 2013 — Added Game Design MB requirements link.
Feb. 27, 2013 — Added Mining in Society MB to list of merit badges coming soon.
Feb. 14, 2013 — Added launch date for Game Design MB
Oct. 18, 2012 — Lots of updates. Added Sustainability, Digital Technology, Computer-Aided Design, Multi-Media, Advanced Computing, and more info on updates to Cycling and Cooking.
Aug. 27, 2012 — Added link to Search and Rescue MB requirements
June 21, 2012 — Added Signs, Signals, and Codes MB preview
June 13, 2012 — Added link to Kayaking MB requirements
June 6, 2012 — Added Search and Rescue merit badge image and link to BSA press release.
June 5, 2012 — Added Cycling merit badge to the “Major Updates” section.
May 25, 2012 — Added Kayaking release date, patch design, and pamphlet cover image.
May 10, 2012 — Added link to Game Design first look (see below).
April 16, 2012 — Added Programming, Animation (details below).
April 4, 2012 — Page created.
Looking for requirements for all the current merit badges? Click here.
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