As promised, the Scouts BSA Test Lab is growing! Two exciting new concepts are now available for Scouts to explore and provide feedback on.
A Sewing and Needlework merit badge and a Physics merit badge have been added to the Test Lab lineup as heavily requested topics from Scouts and Scouters alike.
What is the Test Lab?
A product of the National Scouts BSA Committee, the Test Lab is a way for Scouts to try out potential new merit badge concepts, share their experiences and help decide what becomes official.
“We want to give our youth as much of a say as possible,” says Test Lab Chairman Scott Berger. “The Test Lab is a brand-new way to get input on new ideas that, over the years, people have written in about.”
The current merit badge program introduces Scouts to sports, crafts, sciences, trades and careers they might never experience otherwise. And with 139 merit badges already available, you might think every topic is covered. But times change and so do the interests of young people.
That’s where the Test Lab comes in.
What’s in store for the new concepts?
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Sewing and Needlework: With a focus on practical life, this badge covers hand-stitching, machine sewing and creative projects. As so many Scouts have requested this topic, it promises to teach an array of skills every Scout can use.
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Physics: Are your Scouts curious about motion and energy (hello, teenage Pinewood Derby fans)? This badge brings science to life through hands-on experiments and real-world applications.
Other Test Lab badges
The original three badges, Auctioneering, Wildland Fire Management and Life Skills, are still active too. There’s plenty of time for Scouts to explore and weigh in.
Are the Test Lab concepts real badges?
No — not yet, at least. Test Lab badges don’t count toward rank advancement, but Scouts are encouraged to work on them and gain the best part of pursuing badges: real-life skills.
Plus, if enough interest and feedback come in, these badges could become official.
Other digital merit badge experiences
Scouting America is committed to making merit badges more digitally accessible than ever. See for yourself, and encourage your Scouts to visit the Test Lab to give their input on these cool new concepts.
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