2016 Advancement Changes cover.ppt...Scouts that, before January 1, 2015, had started work on the Computers merit badge, which is now obsolete (and which has been replaced by the Digital

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ADVANCEMENT CHANGES

2016

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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Prepared:September 2016

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Boy ScoutAdvancementRequirements

ChangesEffective January 1,

2016with updates through

July 7, 2016

The Guide to Advancement - 2015 and 2016 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

Page 1 of 46Boy Scout Advancement Changes - Effective January 1, 2016

7/14/2016http://usscouts.org/advance/changes/advchanges16.asp

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.

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.

During 2015, after multi-year period of review, BSA proposed changes, to the requirements for the Scout badge, which has now been officially designated a "rank", as well as to the requirements for all of the ranks from Tenderfoot to Eagle, and for Eagle Palms. These changes, in draft form, were announced during 2015 and changes to some of the draft requirements were made at various times during the year. A new edition of the Boy Scout Handbook was issued in January, 2016 and a new edition of Boy Scout Requirements in February, 2016, containing the final, approved, requirements. BSA published an excerpt from the Handbook, containing the revised ranks advancement requirements in late December, 2015. That excerpt is available for download as a PDF, in two forms, 8.5"x11" pages, and 5.5"x8.5" booklet size (designed for printing two up, front and back, on standard 8.5"x11" paper) which can be inserted into Scouts' existing Handbooks.

Those documents can be downloaded from the BSA web site at these URLs:

2016 Boy Scout Rank Requirements 2016 Boy Scout Rank Requirements - Printable Insert

In addition to the changes to the Boy Scout Rank requirements, the new edition of Boy Scout Requirements includes changes to the requirements for 18 merit badges, four with substantial changes, and 14 with minor changes or corrections.

Note that although the Signs, Signals, and Codes merit badge and the Animation merit badge could not be earned by Scouts until they were officially introduced in February, 2015, (Signs, Signals, and Codes) and May, 2015 (Animation) the requirements for those two merit badges were included in the 2015 edition of Boy Scout Requirements, and were included in our 2015 list of advancement changes once they were officially introduced. Consequently, we have not included the requirements for those badges in this document, but we have provided links to the requirements elsewhere on our web site.

Finally, the "Merit Badge Library" listing on the inside back cover, lists all merit badge pamphlets with their most recent (or planned) publication dates. Click here for our 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. Our list also identifies which merit badge pamphlets are available as Kindle books, through Amazon.com, and/or as Digital Interactive merit badge pamphlets through Scoutstuff.org.

Although BSA has previously announced plans to release a few more new merit badges in the coming years, including Exploring, Multi-Media, Computer Aided Design, and Advanced Computing, no current schedule has been announced for when those badges may be available, although the listing of merit badge pamphlets does indicate the Exploration pamphlet will have a revision date of 2016.



Scouts that, before January 1, 2015, had started work on the Computers merit badge, which is now obsolete (and which has been replaced by the Digital Technology merit badge), may CONTINUEworking 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.

RANK CHANGES

ScoutTenderfoot

Second ClassFirst Class

StarLife

EagleEagle Palms

NEW Merit Badges which were issued during 2015

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

Animation - - Released on May 18, 2015

New Merit Badge tentatively scheduled to be issued in 2016

The "Merit Badge Library" includes an entry for an

Exploration merit badge pamphlet with a 2016 revision date,

so it appears that the badge will be made available at some point later in 2016 or early

in 2017.



REVISED Merit Badges

These merit badges had major changes:

CookingLifesaving

PhotographySnow Sports

These merit badges had minor changes:

American Business

American Labor

ArcheryCamping

ChemistryCitizenship in

the CommunityCitizenship in

the World

Emergency Preparedness

Environmental Science

First AidMining in

SocietyPersonal

ManagementRailroading

Skating

This merit badge had changes in 2016, but which were published AFTER the 2016 Boy Scout Requirements booklet was issued:

ForestryHiking

Changes to Rank Requirements

Due to the extensive nature of the changes to all of the rank requirements, this document does not identify the specific changes, but only shows the requirements that took effect on January 1, 2016. However, links to individual web pages showing the details of what changed from the old requirements to the new ones have been provided below.

The rank requirements in the 2016 edition of the Boy Scout Requirements book and the Boy Scout Handbook are official as of Jan. 1, 2016.



• Scouts who joined the Boy Scouts of America on or after Jan. 1, 2016, MUST follow the rank requirements as printed in the Boy Scout Handbook or in the current year’s Boy Scout Requirements book.

• Scouts who joined the BSA prior to Jan. 1, 2016: ◦ • Who are working on the Tenderfoot through First Class ranks MAY continue to

follow the old requirements, but MUST convert to the current requirements upon attaining First Class.

◦ • Who have completed the First Class rank MAY complete the rank they are currently working on in the old requirements, but MUST convert to the current requirements for subsequent ranks.

• Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, all Scouts MUST use the current requirements regardless of rank.

However, if the wording of a completed rank requirement did not change and that requirement was signed off on or prior to Dec. 31, 2016, the approval should be transferred to the corresponding new requirement. For Tenderfoot through First Class ranks, this may include approvals that were previously listed in a different rank. When the rank in progress has new requirements (or new elements of requirements) that were not in a previously completed rank under the previous (2015) requirements, those new requirements or elements will need to be completed in 2017 and beyond.

We have prepared a simple comparison chart showing which of the new requirements have counterparts in the old requirements. When giving credit for work done under the old requirements, Scouts and Scout Leaders should compare the wording to insure that a Scout has indeed met the full current requirement. The chart can be found by Clicking here.

The inside front Cover of the 2016 Boy Scout Requirement book contains this statement:

SCOUT IS NOW A RANK

Scout becomes a rank effective Jan. 1, 2016. All requirements for the Scout rank must be completed as a member of a troop or Varsity team. If you have already completed these requirements as part of the Webelos Scouting Adventure, simply demonstrate your knowledge or skills to your Scoutmaster or other designated leader after joining. Upon joining, a Scout must still meet the age requirements. He must be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old.

The detailed changes can be seen by Clicking here.



Scout

As noted above, Scout became a rank, rather than just a patch identifying new members. The color of the Fleur-de-Lis on the Scout patch was changed from Brown to Gold. The "joining requirements" were replaced with a completely new set of requirements and footnotes. The new wording reads as follows:

All requirements for Scout rank must be completed as a member of a troop. If you already completed these requirements as part of the Webelos Scouting Adventure, simply demonstrate your knowledge or skills to your Scoutmaster or other designated leader after joining the troop.

1.a. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and

Scout slogan. In your own words, explain their meaning.b. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe some ways you have shown

Scout spirit by practicing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan.

c. Demonstrate the Boy Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Explain when they should be used.

d. Describe the First Class Scout badge and tell what each part stands for. Explain the significance of the First Class Scout badge.

e. Repeat from memory the Outdoor Code. In your own words, explain what the Outdoor Code means to you.

f. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance. In your own words, explain its meaning.

2. After attending at least one Boy Scout troop meeting, do the following:a. Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership.b. Describe the four steps of Boy Scout advancement.c. Describe what the Boy Scout ranks are and how they are earned.d. Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned.

3.a. Explain the patrol method. Describe the types of patrols that are used

in your troop.b. Become familiar with your patrol name, emblem, flag, and yell.

Explain how these items create patrol spirit.4.

a. Show how to tie a square knot, two half-hitches, and a taut-line hitch. Explain how each knot is used.

b. Show the proper care of a rope by learning how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope.

5. Demonstrate your knowledge of pocketknife safety.6. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How

to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parents Guide" and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade. 1

7. Since joining the troop and while working on the Scout rank, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.



Notes:

For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team", and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach."

The requirements for the Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence.

1 If your family does not have internet access at home AND you do not have ready internet access at school or another public place or via a mobile device, the Cyber Chip portion of the requirement may be waived by your Scoutmaster in consultation with your parent or guardian.

Tenderfoot The detailed changes can be seen by Clicking here.

Substantial changes were made to the wording of all of the requirements. The requirements have been rearranged under general headings. Some new requirements were added, some requirements were moved from other ranks, and new information was added to the footnotes. The new wording reads as follows:

• CAMPING AND OUTDOOR ETHICS 1.

a. Present yourself to your leader prepared for an overnight camping trip. Show the personal and camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it.

b. Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch.

c. Tell how you practiced the Outdoor Code on a campout or outing.• COOKING

2.a. On the campout, assist in preparing one of the meals. Tell why it is

important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup.b. While on a campout, demonstrate the appropriate method of safely cleaning

items used to prepare, serve, and eat a meal.c. Explain the importance of eating together as a patrol.

• TOOLS3.

a. Demonstrate a practical use of the square knot.b. Demonstrate a practical use of two half-hitches.c. Demonstrate a practical use of the taut line hitch.d. Demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of the knife, saw, and ax.

Describe when each should be used.• FIRST AID AND NATURE

4.a. Show first aid for the following:

◾ Simple cuts and scrapes



◾ Blisters on the hand and foot◾ Minor (thermal/heat) burns or scalds (superficial, or first degree)◾ Bites or stings of insects or ticks◾ Venomous snakebite◾ Nosebleed◾ Frostbite and sunburn◾ Choking

b. Describe common poisonous or hazardous plants, identify any that grow in your local area or campsite location. Tell how to treat for exposure to them.

c. Tell what you can do on a campout or other outdoor activity to prevent or reduce the occurrence of injuries or exposure listed in Tenderfoot requirements 4a and 4b.

d. Assemble a personal first-aid kit to carry with you on future campouts and hikes. Tell how each item in the kit would be used.

• HIKING5.

a. Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Use the buddy system while on a troop or patrol outing.

b. Explain what to do if you become lost on a hike or campout.c. Explain the rules of safe hiking, both on the highway and cross-country,

during the day and at night.• FITNESS

6.a. Record your best in the following tests:

• Pushups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)

• Situps or curl-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)

• Back-saver sit-and-reach ________ (Record the distance stretched)

• 1 mile walk/run ________ (Record the time)b. Develop and describe a plan for improvement in each of the activities listed

in Tenderfoot requirement 6a. Keep track of your activity for at least 30 days.

c. Show improvement (of any degree) in each activity listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a after practicing for 30 days.

• Pushups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)

• Situps or curl-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)

• Back-saver sit-and-reach ________ (Record the distance stretched)

• 1 mile walk/run ________ (Record the time)• CITIZENSHIP

7.a. Demonstrate how to display, raise, lower, and fold the U.S. flag.



b. Participate in a total of one hour of service in one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout slogan and Scout motto.

• LEADERSHIP8. Describe the steps in Scouting's Teaching EDGE method. Use the Teaching EDGE

method to teach another person how to tie the square knot.• SCOUT SPIRIT

9. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived four different points of the Scout Law in your everyday life.

10. While working toward Tenderfoot rank, and after completing Scout rank requirement 7, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

11. Successfully complete your board of review for the Tenderfoot rank.

Notes:

For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team” and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach."


Alternate Requirements for the Tenderfoot rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if they meet the criteria listed in the Boy Scout Requirements book.

Second Class The detailed changes can be seen by Clicking here.

Substantial changes were made to the wording of all of the requirements. The requirements have been rearranged under general headings, Some new requirements were added, some requirements were moved from other ranks, and new information was added to the footnotes. The new wording reads as follows:

• CAMPING and OUTDOOR ETHICS 1.

a. Since joining, participate in five separate troop/patrol activities, three of which include overnight camping. These five activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On at least two of the three campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you help erect (such as a lean-to, snow cave, or tepee.)

b. Explain the principles of Leave No Trace, and tell how you practiced them while on a campout or outing. This outing must be different from the one used for Tenderfoot requirement 1c.

c. On one of these campouts, select a location for your patrol site and recommend it to your patrol leader, senior patrol leader, or troop guide. Explain what factors you should consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.



• COOKING and TOOLS 2.

a. Explain when it is appropriate to use a fire for cooking or other purposes and when it would not be appropriate to do so.

b. Use the tools listed in Tenderfoot requirement 3d to prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel wood for a cooking fire.

c. At an approved outdoor location and time, use the tinder, kindling, and fuel wood from Second Class requirement 2b to demonstrate how to build a fire. Unless prohibited by local fire restrictions, light the fire. After allowing the flames to burn safely for at least two minutes, safely extinguish the flames with minimal impact to the fire site.

d. Explain when it is appropriate to use a lightweight stove and when it is appropriate to use a propane stove. Set up a lightweight stove or propane stove. Light the stove, unless prohibited by local fire restrictions. Describe the safety procedures for using these types of stoves.

e. On one campout, plan and cook one hot breakfast or lunch, selecting foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutrition model. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Demonstrate how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.

f. Demonstrate how to tie the sheet bend knot. Describe a situation in which you would use this knot.

g. Demonstrate how to tie the bowline knot. Describe a situation in which you would use this knot.

• NAVIGATION 3.

a. Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Use a map to point out and tell the meaning of five map symbols.

b. Using a compass and a map together, take a five-mile hike (or 10 miles by bike) approved by your adult leader and your parent or guardian.2

c. Describe some hazards or injuries that you might encounter on your hike and what you can do to help prevent them.2

d. Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass or an electronic device.

• NATURE 4. Identify or show evidence of at least ten kinds of wild animals (such as

birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, mollusks) found in your local area or camping location. You may show evidence by tracks, signs, or photographs you have taken.

• AQUATICS 5.

a. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.b. Demonstrate your ability to pass the BSA beginner test. 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.

c. Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects.



d. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible. Explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.

• FIRST AID 6.

a. Demonstrate first aid for the following: ◾ Object in the eye◾ Bite of a warm blooded animal◾ Puncture wounds from a splinter, nail, and fishhook ◾ Serious burns (partial thickness, or second degree)◾ Heat exhaustion◾ Shock◾ Heatstroke, dehydration, hypothermia, and

hyperventilationb. Show what to do for "hurry" cases of stopped breathing, stroke,

severe bleeding, and ingested poisoning.c. Tell what you can do while on a campout or hike to prevent or

reduce the occurrence of the injuries listed in Second Class requirements 6a and 6b.

d. Explain what to do in case of accidents that require emergency response in the home and the backcountry. Explain what constitutes an emergency and what information you will need to provide to a responder.

e. Tell how you should respond if you come upon the scene of a vehicular accident.

• FITNESS 7.

a. After competing Tenderfoot requirement 6c, be physically active at least 30 minutes a day for five days a week for four weeks. Keep track of your activities.

b. Share your challenges and successes in completing Second Class requirement 7a. Set a goal for continuing to include physical activity as part of your daily life and develop a plan for doing so.

c. Participate in a school, community, or troop program on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss your participation in the program with your family, and explain the dangers of substance addictions. Report to your Scoutmaster or other adult leader in your troop about which parts of the Scout Oath and Law relate to what you learned.

• CITIZENSHIP 8.

a. Participate in a flag ceremony for your school, religious institution, chartered organization, community, or Scouting activity.

b. Explain what respect is due the flag of the United States.c. With your parents or guardian, decide on an amount of money

that you would like to earn, based on the cost of a specific item you would like to purchase. Develop a plan written plan to earn the amount agreed upon and follow that plan; it is acceptable to



make changes to your plan along the way. Discuss any changes made to your original plan and whether you met your goal.

d. At a minimum of three locations, compare the cost of the item for which you are saving to determine the best place to purchase it. After completing Second Class requirement 8c, decide if you will use the amount that you earned as originally intended, save all or part of it, or use it for another purpose.

e. Participate in two hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Tell how your service to others relates to the Scout Oath.

• LEADERSHIP 9.

a. Explain the three R's of personal safety and protection.b. Describe bullying; tell what the appropriate response is to one

who might be bullying you or bullying another person.• SCOUT SPIRIT

10. Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived four different points of the Scout Law (not to include those used for Tenderfoot requirement 9) in your everyday life.

11. While working toward Second Class rank, and after completing Tenderfoot requirement 10, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

12. Successfully complete your board of review for the Second Class rank.

Notes:



Alternate Requirements for the Second Class rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if they meet the criteria listed in the Boy Scout Requirements book.

2 If you use a wheelchair or crutches, or if it is difficult for you to get around, you may substitute "trip" for "hike" in requirement 3b and 3c.

First Class The detailed changes can be seen by Clicking here.

Substantial changes were made to the wording of all of the requirements. The requirements have been rearranged under general headings. Some new requirements were added, some requirements were moved from other ranks, and new information was added to the footnotes. The new wording reads as follows:



• CAMPING and OUTDOOR ETHICS1.

a. Since joining, participate in 10 separate troop/patrol activities, six of which include overnight camping. These 10 activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On at least five of the six campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you help erect. (such as a lean-to, snow cave, or tepee.)

b. Explain each of the principles of Tread Lightly! and tell how you practiced them while on a campout or outing. This outing must be different from the one used for Tenderfoot requirement 1c and Second Class requirement 1b.

• COOKING2.

a. Help plan a menu for one of the above campouts that includes at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner and that requires cooking at least two of the meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutrition model and how it meets nutritional needs for the planned activity or campout.

b. Using the menu planned in First Class requirement 2a, make a list showing a budget and food amounts needed to feed three or more boys. Secure the ingredients.

c. Show which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.

d. Demonstrate the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage of fresh meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, and other perishable food products. Show how to properly dispose of camp garbage, cans, plastic containers, and other rubbish.

e. On one campout, serve as cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup.

• TOOLS3.

a. Discuss when you should and should not use lashings.b. Demonstrate tying the timber hitch and clove hitch.c. Demonstrate tying the square, shear, and diagonal lashings by joining two or

more poles or staves together.d. Use lashings to make a useful camp gadget or structure.

• NAVIGATION4.

a. Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.)

b. Demonstrate how to use a handheld GPS unit, GPS app on a smartphone or other electronic navigation system. Use a GPS to find your current location, a destination of your choice, and the route you will take to get there. Follow that route to arrive at your destination.

• NATURE5.

a. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants found in your local area or campsite location. You may show evidence by fallen leaves or fallen fruit that you find in the field, or as part of a collection you have made, or by photographs you have taken.



b. Identify two ways to obtain a weather forecast for an upcoming activity. Explain why weather forecasts are important when planning for an event.

c. Describe at least three natural indicators of impending hazardous weather, the potential dangerous events that might result from such weather conditions, and the appropriate actions to take.

d. Describe extreme weather conditions you might encounter in the outdoors in your local geographic area. Discuss how you would determine ahead of time the potential risk of these types of weather dangers, alternative planning considerations to avoid such risks, and how you would prepare for and respond to those weather conditions.

• AQUATICS6.

a. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.3b. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.c. Identify the basic parts of a canoe, kayak, or other boat. Identify the parts of

a paddle or an oar.d. Describe proper body positioning in a watercraft, depending on the type and

size of the vessel. Explain the importance of proper position.e. With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and

rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.)

• FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS7.

a. Demonstrate bandages for a sprained ankle and for injuries on the head, the upper arm, and the collarbone.

b. By yourself and with a partner, show how to:◾ Transport a person from a smoke-filled room◾ Transport for at least 25 yards a person with a sprained ankle.

c. Tell the five most common signals of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

d. Tell what utility services exist in your home or meeting place. Describe potential hazards associated with these utilities, and tell how to respond in emergency situations.

e. Develop an emergency action plan for your home that includes what to do in case of fire, storm, power outage, or water outage.

f. Explain how to obtain potable water in an emergency.• FITNESS

8.a. After completing Second Class requirement 7a, be physically active at least

30 minutes every day for five days a week for four weeks. Keep track of your activities.

b. Share your challenges and successes in completing First Class requirement 8a. Set a goal for continuing to include physical activity as part of your daily life.

• CITIZENSHIP9.

a. Visit and discuss with a selected individual approved by your leader (for example, an elected official, judge, attorney, civil servant, principal, or teacher) the constitutional rights and obligations of a U.S. citizen.



b. Investigate an environmental issue affecting your community. Share what you learned about that issue with your patrol or troop. Tell what, if anything, could be done by you or your community to address the concern.

c. On a Scouting or family outing, take note of the trash and garbage you produce. Before your next similar outing, decide how you can reduce, recycle, or repurpose what you take on that outing, and then put those plans into action. Compare your results.

d. Participate in three hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. The project(s) must not be the same service project(s) used for Tenderfoot requirement 7b and Second Class requirement 8e. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout Law.

• LEADERSHIP10. Tell someone who is eligible to join Boy Scouts, or an inactive Boy Scout, about

your Scouting activities. Invite him to an outing, activity, service project or meeting. Tell him how to join, or encourage the inactive Boy Scout to become active. Share your efforts with your Scoutmaster or other adult leader.

• SCOUT SPIRIT11. Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you

have done your duty to God and how you have lived four different points of the Scout Law (different from those points used for previous ranks) in your everyday life.

12. While working toward First Class rank, and after completing Second Class requirement 11, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

13. Successfully complete your board of review for the First Class rank.

NOTES:



Alternate Requirements for the First Class rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if they meet the criteria listed in the Boy Scout Requirements book.

3 See the Swimming merit badge requirements for details about the BSA Swimmer test.

Star The detailed changes can be seen by Clicking here.

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

1. Be active in your troop for at least four months as a First Class Scout.2. As a First Class Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and

Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.



3. Earn six merit badges, including any four from the required list for Eagle. You may choose any of the 17 merit badges on the required list for Eagle to fulfill this requirement. See Eagle rank requirement 3 for this list.

Name of Merit Badge Date Earned(Eagle required) _________________________ _________________________

(Eagle required) _________________________ _________________________

(Eagle required) _________________________ _________________________

(Eagle required) _________________________ _________________________

_________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________

4. While a First Class Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster.

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

◦ Patrol leader,◦ assistant senior

patrol leader,◦ senior patrol

leader,◦ troop guide,◦ Order of the

Arrow troop representative,

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

Scoutmaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor,◦ webmaster, or◦ outdoor ethics

guide 4

Varsity Scout team.◦ Captain,◦ co-captain,◦ program manager,◦ squad leader,◦ team secretary,◦ Order of the

Arrow teamrepresentative,

◦ librarian,◦ historian,◦ quartermaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor,◦ den chief,◦ webmaster, or◦ outdoor ethics

guide

Venturing crew / Sea Scout ship.

◦ President,◦ vice president,◦ secretary,◦ treasurer,◦ den chief,◦ quartermaster,◦ historian,◦ guide,◦ boatswain,◦ boatswain's mate,◦ yeoman,◦ purser,◦ storekeeper, or◦ webmaster,

Lone Scout.

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

6. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parents Guide" and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade. 5

7. While a First Class Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference8. Successfully complete your board of review for the Star rank. 6



Notes:

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" ot; ot; ot; For Sea Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "ship" and for "Scoutmaster" with "Skipper".

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

5 If your family does not have internet access at home AND you do not have ready internet access at school or another public place or via a mobile device, the Cyber Chip portion of the requirement may be waived by your Scoutmaster in consultation with your parent or guardian.

6 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 The detailed changes can be seen by Clicking here.

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

1. Be active in your troop for at least six months as a Star Scout.2. As a Star Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout

Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Law in your everyday life.

3. Earn five more merit badges (so that you have 11 in all), including any three additional badges from the required list for Eagle.

Name of Merit Badge Date Earned(Eagle required)*

_________________________ _________________________

(Eagle required)*

_________________________ _________________________

(Eagle required)*

_________________________ _________________________

_________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________



* You may choose any of the 17 merit badges on the required list for Eagle to fulfill this requirement. See Eagle rank requirement #3 in the Eagle Scout rank requirements for this list.

4. While a Star Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. At least 3 hours of this service must be conservation related.

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

◦ Patrol leader,◦ assistant senior

patrol leader,◦ senior patrol

leader,◦ troop guide,◦ Order of the


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

Scoutmaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor,◦ webmaster, or◦ outdoor ethics

guide 7

Varsity Scout team.◦ Captain,◦ co-captain,◦ program manager,◦ squad leader,◦ team secretary,◦ Order of the

Arrow team representative,

◦ librarian,◦ historian,◦ quartermaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor,◦ den chief,◦ webmaster, or◦ outdoor ethics

guide


◦ President,◦ vice president,◦ secretary,◦ treasurer,◦ den chief,◦ quartermaster,◦ historian,◦ guide,◦ boatswain,◦ boatswain's mate,◦ yeoman,◦ purser,◦ storekeeper, or◦ webmaster,

Lone Scout.

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

6. While a Star Scout, use the Teaching EDGE method to teach another Scout (preferably younger than you) the skills from ONE of the following choices, so that he is prepared to pass those requirements to his Scoutmaster's satisfaction.

a. Tenderfoot - 4a and 4b (first aid)b. Second Class - 2b, 2c, and 2d (cooking/camping)c. Second Class - 3a and 3d(navigation)d. First Class - 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d (tools)e. First Class - 4a and 4b (navigation)f. Second Class - 6a and 6b (first aid)g. First Class - 7a and 7b (first aid)h. Three requirements from one of the required Eagle merit badges, as

approved by your Scoutmaster.7. While a Star Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference8. Successfully complete your board of review for the Life rank. 8

Notes:



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."

7 Assistant patrol leader is not an approved position of responsibility for the Star, Life, or Eagle rank.

8 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 The detailed changes can be seen by Clicking here.

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

1. Be active in your troop for a period of at least six months as a Life Scout.2. As a Life Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout

Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God, how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life, and how your understanding of the Scout Oath and Scout Law will guide your life in the future. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious (if not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference), educational, employer (if employed), and two other references.

3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than required for the Life rank), including these 13 merit badges:

a. First Aidb. 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



You must choose only one of the merit badges listed in categories h, i, and k. Any additional merit badge(s) earned in those categories may be counted as one of your eight optional merit badges used to make your total of 21.

Name of Merit Badges Date Earned1. _________________________ _________________________2. _________________________ _________________________3. _________________________ _________________________4. _________________________ _________________________5. _________________________ _________________________6. _________________________ _________________________7. _________________________ _________________________8. _________________________ _________________________9. _________________________ _________________________10. _________________________ _________________________

4. While a Life Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:9

Boy Scout troop.◦ Patrol leader,◦ assistant

senior patrol leader,

◦ senior patrol leader,

◦ troop guide,◦ Order of the


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

assistant Scoutmaster,

◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor,◦ webmaster, or◦ outdoor ethics

guide.9

Varsity Scout team.◦ Captain,◦ co-captain,◦ program

manager,◦ squad leader,◦ team

secretary,◦ Order of the

Arrow team representative,

◦ librarian,◦ historian◦ quartermaster,◦ chaplain aide,◦ instructor,◦ den chief.◦ webmaster, or◦ outdoor ethics

guide.


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

mate,◦ yeoman,◦ purser, ◦ storekeeper,

or ◦ webmaster

Lone Scout. Leadership responsibility in your school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in your 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 the Boy Scouts of America.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster 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 9.0.2.15.)

6. While a Life Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

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.

8. Successfully complete your board of review for the Eagle Scout rank.10 (This requirement may be met after age 18 in accordance with Guide to Advancement, topic 8.0.3.1.)11

Notes:

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."

9 Assistant patrol leader and bugler are not approved positions of responsibility for the Eagle Scout rank. Likewise, a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project cannot be used in lieu of serving in a position of responsibility.

10 APPEALS & EXTENSIONS

If a Scout believes he has completed all requirements for the Eagle Scout rank, but is denied a board of review, 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.

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 Guide to Advancement topic 9.0.4.0. Time extensions are rarely granted.

11 AGE REQUIREMENT ELIGIBILITY.

Merit badges, badges of rank, and Eagle Palms may be earned by a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or qualified Venturer or Sea Scout. He may earn these awards until his 18th birthday. Any



Venturer or Sea Scout who achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout in a troop or Varsity Scout in a team may continue working toward the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks and Eagle Palms.

An Eagle Scout board of review may occur, without special approval, within three months after the 18th birthday. Local councils must preapprove those held three to six months afterward. To initiate approval, the candidate, his parent or guardian, the unit leader, or a unit committee member attaches to the application a statement explaining the delay. Consult the Guide to Advancement, topic 8.0.3.1,in the case where a board of review is to be conducted more than six months after a candidate's 18th birthday.

If you have a permanent physical or mental disability, or a disability expected to last more than two years, or beyond age 18, you may become an Eagle Scout by qualifying for as many required merit badges as you can and qualifying for alternative merit badges for the rest. If you seek to become an Eagle Scout under this procedure, you must submit a special application to your local council service center. Your application must be approved by your council advancement committee before you can work on alternative merit badges.

A Scout or Venturer with a disability may also work toward rank advancement after he is 18 years of age if he meets the guidelines outlined in section 10 of the Guide to Advancement.

Eagle Palms The detailed changes can be seen by Clicking here.

Changes were made to the wording of requirements 2, 5, and 6. The new wording reads as follows:

After becoming an Eagle Scout, you may earn Palms by completing the following requirements:

1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 3 months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after the award of last Palm.**

2. Since earning the Eagle Scout rank or your last Eagle Palm, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.

3. Make a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability.4. Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or last

Palm.***.5. While an Eagle Scout participate in a Scoutmaster conference.6. Successfully complete your board of review for the Eagle Palm.

Notes:



*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."

** Eagle Palms must be earned in sequence, and the three-month tenure requirement must be observed for each Palm.

***Merit Badges earned any time since becoming a Boy Scout may be used to meet this requirement.

You may wear only the proper combination of Palms for the number of merit badges you earned beyond the rank of Eagle. The Bronze Palm represents 5 merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15.

REVISED Merit Badges

Cooking

The requirements were rearranged by subject, and renumbered and some changes to the wording were also made. Some new requirements were added, and some were dropped. The following listing shows the subjects covered by each requirement and the old and new numbering.

Old New Comment Old New Comment Old New Comment Old New Comment Old New Comment

Health and Safety Nutrition Cooking at Home Camp CookingTrail and backpacking meals

1a 1a 2a 2a 5 4 6 5a 7 6a1b 1b 2b 2b 5a 4a 6a 5b 7a 6b1c 1c 2c 2c 5b 4b 6b 5c 7b 6c

1d --- dropped 2d 2d 5c 4c6c & 6d

5d merged 7c 6d

1e 1d 3a 2e 5d 4d 6e 5e 7d --- dropped--- 1e added 3b --- dropped 5e 4e 6f 5f 7e 6e

Cooking Basics --- 4f new 6g --- dropped Food-related Careers

4a 3a --- 5g new 8 74b 3b --- 5h new4c--- 3c new



The changes to the requirements are as follows:

Note: The meals prepared for Cooking merit badge requirements 5, 6, and 7 4, 5, and 6 will count only toward fulfilling those requirements and will not count toward rank advancement. Meals prepared for rank advancement may not count toward the Cooking merit badge. You must not repeat any menus for meals actually prepared or cooked in requirements 5, 6, and 7 4, 5, and 6.

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

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

b. Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could occur while preparing meals and eating, including burns and scalds, cuts, choking, and allergic reactions.

c. Describe how meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy products, and fresh vegetables should be stored, transported, and properly prepared for cooking. Explain how to prevent cross-contamination.

d. Describe the following food-related illnesses and tell what you can do to help prevent each from happening:

1. Salmonella2. Staphylococcal aureus3. Escherichia coli (E. coli)4. Clostridium botulinum (Botulism)5. Campylobacter jejuni6. Hepatitis7. Listeria monocytogenes8. Cryptosporidium9. Norovirus

e. Discuss with your counselor food allergies, food intolerance, and food-related illnesses and diseases, and your awareness. Explain why someone who handles or prepares food needs to be aware of these concerns.

e. Discuss with your counselor why reading food labels is important. Explain how to identify common allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, and shellfish.

2. Nutrition. Do the following:a. Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, give

five examples for EACH of the following food groups, the recommended number of daily servings, and the recommended serving size:

1. Fruits2. Vegetables3. Grains4. Proteins5. Dairy

b. Explain why you should limit your intake of oils and sugars.c. Determine your daily level of activity and your caloric need based on your

activity level. Then, based on the MyPlate food guide, discuss with your counselor an appropriate meal plan for yourself for one day.



d. Discuss your current eating habits with your counselor and what you can do to eat healthier, based on the MyPlate food guide.

e. Discuss the following food label terms: calorie, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, sugar, protein. Explain how to calculate total carbohydrates and nutritional values for two servings, based on the serving size specified on the label.

3. Do the following:a. Discuss the following food label terms: calorie, fat, saturated fat, trans fat,

cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, sugar, protein. Explain how to calculate total carbohydrates and nutritional values for two servings, based on the serving size specified on the label.

b. Refer to "How to Read a Food Label" in the Cooking merit badge pamphlet, and name ingredients that help the consumer identify the following allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, and shellfish.

4. Cooking Basics. Do the following:a. Discuss EACH of the following cooking methods. For each one, describe

the equipment needed, , how temperature control is maintained,and name at least one food that can be cooked using that method: baking, boiling, broiling, pan frying, simmering, steaming, microwaving, andgrilling, foil cooking, and use of a Dutch oven.

b. Discuss the benefits of using a camp stove on an outing vs. a charcoal or wood fire.

c. Discuss how the Outdoor Code and no-trace principles pertain to cooking in the outdoors.Describe with your counselor how to manage your time when preparing a meal so components for each course are ready to serve at the same time.

4. 5. Cooking at home. Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, plan a menu for three full days of meals (three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners) plus one dessert. Your menu should include enough to feed yourself and at least one adult, keeping in mind any special needs (such as food allergies) of those to be served and how you kept your foods safe and free from cross-contamination. List the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve these meals. Then do the following:

a. Create a shopping list for your meals showing the amount of food needed to prepare and serve each meal, and the cost for each meal.

b. Share and discuss your meal plan and shopping list with your counselor.c. Using at least five of the seven 10 cooking methods from requirement 4 3,

prepare and serve yourself and at least one adult (parent, family member, guardian, or other responsible adult) one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, and one dessert from the meals you planned.*

d. Time your cooking to have each meal ready to serve at the proper time. Have an adult verify the preparation of the meal to your counselor.

e. After each meal, ask a person you served to evaluate the meal on presentation and taste, then evaluate your own meal. Discuss what you learned with your counselor, including any adjustments that could have



improved or enhanced your meals. Tell how better planning and preparation help ensure a successful meal.

f. Explain how you kept perishable foods safe and free from cross-contamination.

5. 6. Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, plan a menu for your patrol or a similar size group of up to eight youth, including you) for a camping trip. Include five meals AND at least one snack OR one dessert. List the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve these meals. Then do the following:Camp cooking. Do the following:

a. (a) Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, plan a menu for your patrol (or a similar size group of up to eight youth, including you) for a camping trip. Your menu should include enough food for each person, keeping in mind any special needs (such as food allergies) and how you keep your foods safe and free from cross-contamination. These five meals must include at least one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, AND at least one snack OR one dessert. List the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve these meals.

b. a. Create a shopping list for your meals showing the amount of food needed to prepare and serve each meal, and the cost for each meal.

c. b. Share and discuss your meal plan and shopping list with your counselor.d. c. In the outdoors, using your menu plan for this requirement,

cook two of the five meals you planned in requirement 6 using either a lightweight stove or a low-impact fire. Use a different cooking method from requirement 3 for each meal.** The same fireplace may be used for both meals. You must also cook a third meal using either a Dutch oven OR a foil pack OR kabobs. Serve this meal all of these meals to your patrol or a group of youth.**d. In the outdoors, cook one of the meals you planned in requirement 6.Use either a Dutch oven, OR a foil pack, OR kabobs. Serve this meal to your patrol or a group of youth.**

e. In the outdoors, prepare a dessert OR a snack and serve it to your patrol or a group of youth.**

f. After each meal, have those you served evaluate the meal on presentation and taste, and then evaluate your own meal. Discuss what you learned with your counselor, including any adjustments that could have improved or enhanced your meals. Tell how better planning and preparation help ensure successful outdoor cooking.

g. Explain how you kept perishable foods safe and free from cross-contamination.Explain to your counselor how you cleaned the equipment, utensils, and the cooking site thoroughly after each meal. Explain how you properly disposed of dishwater and of all garbage.

h. Discuss how you followed the Outdoor Code and no-trace principles when preparing your meals.



6. 7. Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, plan a menu for trail hiking or backpacking that includes one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, and one snack. These meals must not require refrigeration and are to be consumed by three to five people (including you). List the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve these meals. Then do the following:Trail and backpacking meals. Do the following:

a. (a) Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, plan a menu for trail hiking or backpacking that includes one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, and one snack. These meals must not require refrigeration and are to be consumed by three to five people (including you). Be sure to keep in mind any special needs (such as food allergies) and how you will keep your foods safe and free from cross-contamination. List the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve these meals.

b. a. Create a shopping list for your meals, showing the amount of food needed to prepare and serve each meal, and the cost for each meal.

c. b. Share and discuss your meal plan and shopping list with your counselor. Your plan must include how to repackage foods for your hike or backpacking trip to eliminate as much bulk, weight, and garbage as possible.

d. c. While on a trail hike or backpacking trip, prepare and serve two meals and a snack from the menu planned for this requirement 7. At least one of those meals must be cooked over a fire, or an approved trail stove (with proper supervision).**d. For each meal prepared in requirement 7c, use safe food-handling practices. Clean up equipment, utensils, and the site thoroughly after each meal. Properly dispose of dishwater, and pack out all garbage.

e. After each meal, have those you served evaluate the meal on presentation and taste, then evaluate your own meal. Discuss what you learned with your counselor, including any adjustments that could have improved or enhanced your meals. Tell how better planning and preparation help ensure successful trail hiking or backpacking meals.

f. Discuss how you followed the Outdoor Code and no-trace principles during your outing. Explain to your counselor how you cleaned any equipment, utensils, and the cooking site after each meal. Explain how you properly disposed of any dishwater and packed out all garbage.

7. 8. Food-related careers. Find out about three career opportunities in cooking. Select 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.

*The meals for requirement 5 4 may be prepared on different days, and they need not be prepared consecutively. The requirement calls for Scouts to plan, prepare, and serve one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner to at least one adult; those served need not be the same for all meals.



**Where local regulations do not allow you to build a fire, the counselor may adjust the requirement to meet the law. The meals in requirements 6 and 7 5 and 6 may be prepared for different trips and need not be prepared consecutively. Scouts working on this badge in summer camp should take into consideration foods that can be obtained at the camp commissary.

Lifesaving

Most of the requirements had changes to the wording. A new requirement 2 was added, old requirement 5 was replaced with new requirement 6, old requirements 7c, 7d, and 9a were dropped, old requirement 7e was replaced with new requirement 9, and old requirements 2-4 and 6-15 were renumbered as 3-5, 7, 8, and 10-17. A note regarding requirement 15b was also added.

NOTE: Requirement 1b was inadvertently omitted from the text in the 2016 Boy Scout Requirements book.

The changes are as follows:

1. Before doing requirements 2 through 15 17a. Complete Second Class requirements 8a through 8c 5a through 5d and

First Class requirements 9a through 9d 6a, 6b, and 6e. Second Class requirements 8a through 8c 5a through 5d:

(8a) (5a) Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.(8b) (5b) Demonstrate your ability to pass the BSA beginner test. Jump 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) (5c) 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.(5d) Explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.

First Class requirements 9a through 9c 6a, 5b, and 6e: (6a) Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.(9a) (6b) Tell what precautions should be taken for a safe trip afloat.(9b) Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.(9c) (6e) 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).

b. Swim continuously for 400 yards using each of the following strokes in a strong manner for at least 50 continuous yards: front crawl, sidestroke,



breaststroke, and elementary backstroke.NOTE: This requirement was inadvertently omitted from the text in the 2016 Boy Scout Requirements book.

2. Discuss and review with your counselor the principles of BSA Safe Swim Defense.

3. 2. Explain the following: a. Common drowning situations and how to prevent them.b. How to identify persons in the water who need assistance.c. The order of methods in water rescue.d. How rescue techniques vary depending on the setting and the condition of

the person needing assistance.e. Situations for which in-water rescues should not be undertaken.

4. 3. Demonstrate "reaching" rescues using various items such as arms, legs, arm, leg, towels, shirts, paddles, and poles.

5. 4. Demonstrate "throwing" rescues using various items such as a line lines, ring buoys bouy, rescue bags bag, and free-floating supports support. Successfully place at least one such aid within reach of a practice victim 25 feet from shore.5.Show or explain the use of rowboats, canoes, and other small craft in performing rescues.

6. With your counselor's approval, view in-person or on video a rowing rescue performed using a rowboat, canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard. Discuss with your counselor how effectively and efficiently the rescue was performed.

7. 6. List various items that can be used as rescue aids in a noncontact swimming"go" rescue. Explain why buoyant aids are preferred.

8. 7. Perform the following equipment-based Correctly demonstrate rescues forof a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore in deep water using two types of buoyant aids provided by your counselor. Use a proper entry and a strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject to determine his condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.

a. Present a rescue tube to the one aid to a subject, release it, and escort the victim swim at a safe distance as the subject moves to safety.

b. Present a rescue tube to the In a separate rescue, present the other aid to a subject and use it to tow the victim subject to safety.

c. Present a buoyant aid other than a rescue tube to the subject, release it, and escort the victim to safety.

d. Present a buoyant aid other than a rescue tube to the subject and use it to tow the victim to safety.

e. Remove street clothes in 20 seconds or less and use a non-buoyant aid, such as a shirt or towel, to tow the subject to safety. Explain when it is appropriate to remove heavy clothing before attempting a swimming rescue.

9. Discuss with your counselor when it is appropriate to remove heavy clothing before attempting a swimming rescue. Remove street clothes in 20 seconds or less, enter the water, and approach a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore in deep water. Speak to the subject and use a nonbuoyant aid, such as a shirt or towel, to tow the subject to safety.



10. 8. Explain Discuss with your counselor the importance of avoiding contact with an active victim subject and describe demonstrate lead-and-wait tacticstechniques.

11. 9. Perform the following nonequipment rescues for a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Begin in the water from a position near the subject. Speak to the subject to determine his condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.

a. Provide a swim-along assist for a calm, responsive, tired swimmer moving with a weak forward stroke.b. Perform an armpit tow for a calm responsive, tired swimmer resting with a back float.

b. c. Perform a cross-chest carry for an exhausted, passive victim who does not respond to instructions to aid himself responsive subject treading water.

12. 10. In deep water, show how to escape from a victim's grasp on your wrist. Repeat for front and rear holds about the head and shoulders.

13. 11. Perform the following rescues for an unconscious practice subject at or near the surface 30 feet from shore. Use a proper entry and strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject and splash water on him to determine his condition before making contact. Remove Quickly remove the victim from the water, with assistance if needed, and position for CPR.

a. Perform an equipment assist using a buoyant aid.b. Perform a front approach and wrist tow.c. Perform a rear approach and armpit tow.

14. 12. Describe Discuss with your counselor how to respond if a victim submerges before being reached by a rescuer, and do the following:

a. Recover a 10-pound weight in 8 to 10 feet of water using a feetfirst surface dive.

b. Repeat using a headfirst surface dive.15. 13. Demonstrate knowledge of resuscitation procedures:

a. Describe how to recognize the need for rescue breathing and CPR.b. Demonstrate proper CPR technique for at least 3 minutes using a

mannequin designed to simulate ventilations and compressions.Demonstrate CPR knowledge and skills, including rescue breathing, consistent with current guidelines.*

16. 14. Demonstrate management of a spinal injury to your counselor: a. Explain Discuss the causes, signs, and symptoms of a spinal injuryb. Support a face up victim subject in calm, shallow water of standing

depth.c. Turn a subject from a facedown to a faceup position in water of

standing depth while maintaining support.17. 15. Show that you know first aid for With your counselor, discuss causes,

prevention, and treatment of other injuries or illnesses that could occur while swimming or boating, including hypothermia, heat reactions,dehydration, heat-related illnesses, muscle cramps, sunburn, stings, and hyperventilation.



* Your counselor may accept recent training in CPR by a recognized agency as completion of this requirement only if he or she feels your skills are satisfactory and need no additional reinforcement.

For more information about the BSA Swimmer test, see the Swimming merit badge requirements.

Photography

The requirements were substantially replaced. A new requirement 1 was added, old requirements 1 and 5 were revised and renumbered as 2 and 8, old requirement 2 was renumbered as 3, and old requirements 3 and 4 were replaced with 4, 5, 6, and 7. The changes are as follows:

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

encounter while working with photography and what you should do to anticipate, mitigate, prevent, and respond to these hazards. Explain how you would prepare for exposure to environmental situations such as weather, sun, and water.

b. Show your counselor your current, up-to-date Cyber Chip.2. 1. Explain how the following elements and terms can affect the quality of a

picture:a. Light - natural light/ambient, flash natural light (ambient/existing),

low light (such as at night), and artificial light (such as from a flash)

b. Exposure-aperture (f-stops), shutter speed, depth of field ISOc. depth of fieldd. c. Composition-rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, depthe. d. Angle of viewf. e. Stopping Stop action and blur motiong. Timing

3. 2. Explain the basic parts and operation of a film camera or digital camera. Explain how an exposure is made when you take a picture.

4. 3. Discuss with your counselor the differences between a film camera and a digital camera. Describe how computer software allows you to make adjustments to a digital photograph after it is taken.Do TWO of the following, then share your work with your counselor.

a. Photograph one subject from two different angles or perspectives.

b. Photograph one subject from two different light sources—artificial and natural.

c. Photograph one subject with two different depth of fields.



d. Photograph one subject with two different compositional techniques.

5. Photograph THREE of the following, then share your work your counselor.

a. Close-up of a personb. Two to three people interactingc. Action shotd. Animal shote. Nature shotf. Picture of a person—candid, posed, or camera aware

6. 4. Do ONE of the following:Describe how software allows you to enhance your photograph after it is taken. Select a photo you have taken, then do ONE of the following, and share what you have done with your counselor.

a. Produce a picture story using the photojournalistic technique of documenting an event. Share your plan with your counselor and get your counselor's input and approval before you proceed. Then, using either a film camera or a digital camera, produce your approved picture story. Process your images and select eight to 12 images that best tell your story. Arrange your images in order, then mount the prints on a poster board. If you are using digital images, you may create a slide show on your computer or produce printouts for your poster board. Share your picture story with your counselor.Crop your photograph.

b. Choose a topic that interests you to photograph for an exhibit or display. Get your counselor's approval, then photograph (digital or film) your topic. Process your images. Choose 20 of your favorite images and mount them on poster board. Share your display with your counselor. If you are using digital images, you may create a slide show on your computer or produce printouts for your poster board.Adjust the exposure or make a color correction.

c. Show another way you could improve your picture for impact.7. Using images other than those created for requirements 4, 5 or 6,

produce a visual story to document an event to photograph OR choose a topic that interests you to photograph. Do the following:

a. Plan the images you need to photograph for your photo story.b. Share your plan with your counselor, and get your counselor's

input and approval before you proceed.c. Select eight to 12 images that best tell your story. Arrange

your images in order and mount the prints on a poster board, OR create an electronic presentation. Share your visual story with your counselor.

8. 5. Discuss with your counselor the Identify three career opportunities in photography. Pick one that interests you and explain to your counselor how to prepare for such a career. Discuss with your counselor the what education and training such a career would require are required, and why this profession might interest you.



Snow Sports

The requirements were substantially revised. A new requirement 1a was added, old requirements 1, 2, and 3 were revised and renumbered as 1b, 2a, and 2b, new requirements 3, 4, and 5 were added, old requirement 4 was revised and renumbered as 6, and old requirement 5 was renumbered as 7, had revisions to many of the requirements for the Downhill (Alpine) Skiing, Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing, and Snowboarding options, and had a new Snowshoeing option added. The changes are as follows:

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

encounter while participating in snow sport activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

b. 1. Discuss winter sports safety, and show that you know first aid forDiscuss first aid and prevention for the types of injuries or illnesses that could occur while skiing or riding participating in snow sports, including hypothermia, frostbite, shock, dehydration, sunburn, fractures, bruises, sprains, and strains. Tell how to apply splints.

2. Do the following:a. 2. Explain why every skier or snowboarder snow sport participant

should be prepared to render first aid in the event of an accident.b. 3. Explain the procedure used to report an accident to the local ski patrol

for the area where you usually ski or ride, ride, or snowshoe.3. Explain the international trail-marking system.4. Discuss the importance of strength, endurance, and flexibility in

snow sports. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for the option you choose in requirement 7.

5. Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for the option you choose in requirement 7. Discuss how the clothing you have chosen will help keep you warm and protected.

6. 4. Do EACH of the following:a. Tell the meaning of the Your Responsibility Code for skiers and snow-

boarders, and snowshoers. Explain why each rider must follow this code.

b. Explain the Smart Style safety program. Tell why it is important and how it applies to skiers and snowboarders participants at snow sport venues in terrain parks and pipes.

c. Explain the precautions pertaining to avalanche safety, including the responsibility of individuals regarding avalanche safety.

d. Tell the meaning of the Wilderness Use Policy. Explain why each skier and snowboarder must adopt this policy.

7. 5. Complete all of the requirements for ONE of the following options: downhill (Alpine) skiing OR cross-country (Nordic) skiing OR snowboarding OR snowshoeing.



◦ Downhill (Alpine) Skiinga. Show how to use and maintain your own release bindings and

explain the use of two others. Explain the international DIN standard and what it means to skiers.

b. Explain the American Teaching System and a basic snow-skiing progression.

c. c. Name the major ski organizations in the United States and explain their functions.d. Discuss the five types of Alpine skis. Demonstrate two ways to carry skis and poles safely and easily.

d. Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.e. Explain the importance of strength, endurance, and flexibility in downhill skiing. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for skiing.f. Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for downhill skiing. Discuss how the clothing you have chosen will keep you warm and protected.g. Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.h. Explain the international trail-marking system.

e. i. On a gentle slope, demonstrate some of the beginning maneuvers learned in skiing. Include the straight run, gliding wedge, wedge stop, sidestep, and herringbone maneuvers.

f. j. On slightly steeper terrain, show linked wedge turns.g. k. On a moderate slope, demonstrate five to 10 christies.h. l. Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope and demonstrate

the following:1. Short-, medium-, and long-radius parallel turns2. A sideslip and safety (hockey) stop to each side3. Traverse across a slope

i. m. Demonstrate the ability to ski in varied conditions, including changes in pitch, snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.

j. Name the major ski organizations in the United States and explain their functions.

◦ Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiinga. Show your ability to select, use, and repair, if necessary, the correct

equipment for ski touring in safety and comfort.b. Discuss classical and telemark skis. Demonstrate two ways to carry

skis and poles safely and easily.c. Discuss the basic principles of waxing for cross-country ski touring.d. Discuss the differences between cross-country skiing, ski touring, ski

mountaineering, and downhill skiing.e. e. Explain the importance of strength, endurance, and flexibility in

cross-country skiing. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for skiing.f. List the items you would take on a one-day ski tour.

f. g. Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for a one-day ski tour. Discuss the correct use of your clothing and equipment , and



how the clothing you have chosen will keep you warm and protected.h. Demonstrate the proper use of a topographic map and compass.

g. i. Show a degree of stamina that will enable you to keep up with an average ski-touring group your age.j. On a gentle, packed slope, show some basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the straight run, traverse, sideslip side slip , step turn, wedge stop, and wedge turn maneuvers.

h. k. On a cross-country trial (sic - should be "trail"), demonstrate effective propulsion by showing proper weight transfer form (sic - should be "from") ski to ski, pole timing, rhythm, flow, and glide.

i. l. Demonstrate your ability, on a tour, to cope with an average variety of snow conditions.

j. m. Demonstrate several methods of dealing with steep hills or difficult conditions. Include traverses and kick turns going uphill and downhill, sidesteps, pole drag, and ski-pole "glissade."

◦ Snowboardinga. a. Discuss forward-fall injuries. Tell about prevention and what

action must be taken in the event of any type of injury or accident.b. b. Do the following:

1. Demonstrate your ability to select the correct equipment for snowboarding and to use it for safety and comfort.

2. Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for snowboarding. Discuss how the clothing you have chosen will keep you warm and protected.

Show your ability to select the correct equipment for snowboarding and to use it for safety and comfort.

c. c. Show how to use and maintain your own bindings, and explain the use of the different binding methods. Explain the need for leashes.

d. d. Discuss the four types of snowboards. Demonstrate how to carry a snowboard easily and safely.

e. e. Demonstrate exercises and activities that will get you fit for snowboarding.f. Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.

f. g. Explain the international trail-marking system.h. Demonstrate the basic principles of waxing a snowboard.

g. i. Do the following:1. On a gentle slope, demonstrate beginning snowboarding

maneuvers. Show basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the sideslipping side slipping maneuver.

2. On slightly steeper terrain, show traversing.h. j. On a moderate slope, demonstrate an ollie, a nose-end grab, and a

wheelie.i. k. Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope and

demonstrate the following:1. Skidded, carved, and jump turns2. Stops3. Riding fakie

j. l. Demonstrate your ability to ride in varied conditions, including changes in pitch, snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.



k. m. Name the major snowboarding organizations in the United States and explain their functions.

◦ Snowshoeing Optiona. Name the parts of a snowshoe.b. Explain how to choose the correct size of snowshoe.c. Describe the different types of snowshoes and their

specialized uses. Discuss factors to consider when choosing a snowshoe.

d. Explain how to properly care for and maintain snowshoes.

e. Describe how to make an emergency snowshoe.f. Describe areas that are best for snowshoeing. Discuss

some advantages and dangers of backcountry snowshoeing.

g. Discuss the benefits of snowshoeing.h. Demonstrate the most efficient ways to break trail, climb

uphill, travel downhill and traverse a slope.i. Take a two-mile snowshoe hike with a buddy or your

troop.j. Demonstrate your ability, on a hike, to cope with an

average variety of snow conditions.

American Business

Requirement 2a was revised. The changes to the wording are as follows:

2.a. Visit a bank or credit union. Talk with one of the officers or staff. Chart

the organization of the bank financial institution. Show its relationship with other banks, business and industry.

American Labor

Requirement 3 was revised. The changes to the wording are as follows:

3. Explain to your counselor what labor unions are, what they do, and what services they provide to members. In your discussion, show that you understand the concepts of labor, management, collective bargaining, negotiation, union shops, open (nonunion) shops, grievance procedures, mediation, arbitration, work stoppages, strikes, and lockouts.



Archery

In Requirement 5, under both OPTION A and OPTION B, requirement f(3) was revised. The changes to the wording are as follows:

• Option A - Using a Recurve Bow or Longbow f.

3. As a member of the USA Archery NAA's Junior Olympic ArcheryDevelopment Program (JOAD), qualify as a Yeoman, Junior Bowman, and Bowman achieve the level of green, purple, and gray stars as part of a JOAD Club indoor or outdoor season with your chosen style of archery equipment.

• Option B - Using a Compound Bowf.

3. As a member of the USA Archery NAA's Junior Olympic ArcheryDevelopment Program (JOAD), qualify as a Yeoman, Junior Bowman, and Bowman achieve the level of green, purple, and gray stars as part of a JOAD Club indoor or outdoor season with your chosen style of archery equipment.

Camping

Requirement 3 was revised. An added sentence in requirement 3 which correctly appears in the merit badge pamphlet and online at Scouting.org, was inadvertently omitted from the text in the 2015 edition of Boy Scout Requirements. The text was corrected in the 2016 Boy Scout Requirements book. The correct wording is as follows:

3. Make a written plan for an overnight trek and show how to get to your camping spot using a topographical map and compass OR a topographical map and a GPS receiver. If no GPS receiver unit is available, explain how to use one to get to your camping spot.

Chemistry

Requirements 1b, 1c, and 7b were revised. The changes to the wording are as follows:

1.b. Describe what a material safety data sheet (MSDS) (SDS) is and tell why

it is used.c. Obtain an (MSDS) (SDS) for both a paint and an insecticide. Compare and

discuss the toxicity, disposal, and safe-handling sections for these two common household products.



b. Using resources found at the library and in periodicals, books, and the Internet (with your parent's permission), learn about two different kinds of work done by chemists, chemical engineers, chemical technicians, or industrial chemists. For each of the four jobs positions, find out the education and training requirements.

Citizenship in the Community

Requirements 2a and 7 were revised. The changes are as follows:

2.a. On a map of your community or using an electronic device, locate and

point out the following:1. Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county

courthouse, and public works/services facility2. Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home3. Parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, and trails4. 3. Historical or other interesting points of interest

7. Do the following:a. Choose a Identify three charitable organization organizations outside

of Scouting that interests interest you and brings bring people in your community together to work for the good of your community.

b. Pick ONE of the organizations you chose for requirement 7a.Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.

c. With your counselor's and your parent's approval, contact the organization you chose for requirement 7b and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.

Citizenship in the World

Requirement 4c was revised. The changes are as follows:

4.c. Select TWO of the following organizations and describe their role in the

world.1. The United Nations and UNICEF2. The World Court3. Interpol4. 3. World Organization of the Scout Movement5. 4. The World Health Organization



6. 5. Amnesty International7. 6. The International Committee of the Red Cross8. 7. CARE (Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere)9. European Union

Emergency Preparedness

Requirements 2a, 2b, 3b, 6, 7, and 8 were revised. Requirement 8b was deleted. Requirements 6a, 7, 8a, and 8b were renumbered as 8a, 7a, 7b, and 8b. The changes are as follows:

2.a. Discuss with your counselor the aspects of emergency preparedness:

1. Prepare for emergency situations2. Respond to emergency situations3. Recover from emergency situations4. Mitigate and prevent Prevent emergency situations5. Mitigate losses in emergency situations

Include in your discussion the kinds of questions that are important to ask yourself as you consider each of these.

b. Make a chart that demonstrates your understanding of each of the aspects of emergency preparedness in requirement 2a (prepare, respond, recover, prevent and mitigate, and prevent) with regard to 10 of the situations listed below. You must use situations 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 below in boldfacebut you may choose any other five listed here for a total of 10 situations. Discuss this chart with your counselor.

1. Home kitchen fire2. Home basement/storage room/garage fire3. Explosion in the home4. Automobile accident5. Food-borne disease (food poisoning)6. Fire or explosion in a public place7. Vehicle stalled in the desert8. Vehicle trapped in a blizzard9. Flash flooding in town or in the country

10. Mountain/backcountry accident11. Boating accident12. Gas leak in a home or a building13. Tornado or hurricane14. Major flood15. Toxic chemical spills and releases16. 15. Nuclear power plant emergency17. 16. Avalanche (snowslide or rockslide)18. 17. Violence in a public place

3.b. A room structure filled with carbon monoxide

6. Do the following:



a. Describe the National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS)Tell the things a group of Scouts should be prepared to do, the training they need , and the safety precautions they should take for the following emergency services:

1. Crowd and traffic control 2. Messenger service and communication. 3. Collection and distribution services.4. Group feeding, shelter, and sanitation.

b. Identify the local government or community agencies that normally handle and prepare for the emergency services listed under 6a, and similar to those of the NIMS or ICS. Explain explain to your counselor how a group of Scouts could volunteer to help in the event of these types of emergencies.

1. How the NIMS/ICS can assist a Boy Scout troop when responding in a disaster

2. How a group of Scouts could volunteer to help in the event of these types of emergencies

c. Find out who is your community's emergency management director and learn what this person does to prepare for, respond to, recover from, prevent, and mitigate and prevent emergency situations in your community. Discuss this information with your counselor and apply what you discover to the chart you created for requirement 2b.

7. Take part in an emergency service project, either a real one or a practice drill, with a Scouting unit or a community agency.Do the following:

a. Take part in an emergency service project, either a real one or a practice drill, with a Scouting unit or a community agency.

b. Prepare a written plan for mobilizing your troop when needed to do emergency service. If there is already a plan, explain it. Tell your part in making it work.

8. Do the following:a. Prepare a written plan for mobilizing your troop when needed to do

emergency service. If there is already a plan, explain it. Tell your part in making it work.Tell the things a group of Scouts should be prepared to do, the training they need , and the safety precautions they should take for the following emergency services:

1. Crowd and traffic control2. Messenger service and communication.3. Collection and distribution services.4. Group feeding, shelter, and sanitation.

b. Take part in at least one troop mobilization. Before the exercise, describe your part to your counselor. Afterward, conduct an "after-action" lesson, discussing what you learned during the exercise that required changes or adjustments to the plan.c. Prepare a personal emergency service pack for a mobilization call. Prepare a family kit (suitcase or waterproof box) for use by your family in



case an emergency evacuation is needed. Explain the needs and uses of the contents.

Environmental Science

Requirements 3e2 was revised and 3g was added. The changes are as follows:

3.e.

2. Do research on one species that was endangered, or threatened, or of special concern but that which 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.

g. Pollination1. Using photographs or illustrations, point out the

differences between a drone and a worker bee. Discuss the stages of bee development (eggs, larvae, pupae). Explain the pollination process, and what propolis is and how it is used by honey bees. Tell how bees make honey and beeswax, and how both are harvested. Explain the part played in the life of the hive by the queen, the drones, and the workers.

2. Present to your counselor a one-page report on how and why honey bees are used in pollinating food crops. In your report, discuss the problems faced by the bee population today, and the impact to humanity if there were no pollinators. Share your report with your troop or patrol, your class at school, or another group approved by your counselor.

3. Hive a swarm OR divide at least one colony of honey bees. Explain how a hive is constructed.

First Aid

Requirement 2b was revised (including correction of an error in the 2015 Boy Scout Requirements book). The changes are as follows:

2.b. Explain Define the term triage. Explain the steps necessary to access

assess and handle a medical emergency until help arrives.



Mining in Society

In Requirement 1a an editorial error in the 2015 Boy Scout Requirements book was corrected. The change is as follows:

1.a. Select 10 different materials minerals. For each one, name a product for

which the mineral is used.

Personal Management

Requirements 2a, 5, and 9e were revised. The changes are as follows:

2.a. Prepare a budget reflecting your expected income (allowance, gifts, wages),

expenses, and savings. Track and record your actual income, expenses, and savings for 13 consecutive weeks. (You may use the forms provided in the merit badge pamphlet, devise your own, or use a computer generated version.) When complete, present the records showing the results to your merit badge counselor.

5. Select five publicly traded stocks from the business section of the newspaper. Explain to your merit badge counselor the importance of the following information for each stock:

a. Current priceb. How much the price changed from the previous dayc. The 52-week high and the 52-week low prices

9.e. If necessary, develop Develop a budget for your project.

Railroading

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

5.b. Explain to your merit badge counselor why railroad safety around

rights-of-way are is important for safety.7.

d. Explain the use and function of the EOTD (end-of-train device) or FRED (Flashing rear end device) used on the last car of most freight trains.



Skating

Requirement 1 was revised, and in requirement 2 under the Ice Skating Option, requirement d2 was replaced. The changes are as follows:

1. Do the following:Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that may occur while skating, including hypothermia, frostbite, lacerations, abrasions, fractures, sprains and strains, blisters, heat reactions, shock, and cardiac arrest.

a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards associated with skating and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

b. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while skating, including hypothermia, frostbite, lacerations, abrasions, fractures, sprains and strains, blisters, heat-related reactions, and shock.

2.◦

d.2. Perform forward crossovers in a figure eight pattern.

Explain to your counselor the safety considerations for running or participating in an ice skating race.

Forestry

A new merit badge pamphlet with a copyright date of 2015 was issued but the 2016 edition of Boy Scout Requirements did not include the changes listed below. A new requirement 6 was added, and requirements 6 and 7 were renumbered as 7 and 8. The changes are as follows:

6. In your camp, local recreation area (park or equivalent), or neighborhood, inventory the trees that may be a hazard to structures or people. Make a list by area (campsite, road, trail, street, etc.). Note the species and hazardous condition, and suggest a remedy (removal or trimming). Make your list available to the proper authority or agency.

7. 6. Do the following:a. Describe the consequences to forests that result from FIVE of the following

elements: wildfire, absence of fire, insects, tree diseases, air pollution, overgrazing, deer or other wildlife overpopulation, improper harvest, and urbanization.

b. Explain what can be done to reduce the consequences you discussed in 6a7a .



c. Describe what you should do if you discover a forest fire and how a professional firefighting crew might control it. Name your state or local wildfire control agency.

8. 7. Visit one or more local foresters and write a brief report about the person (or persons). Or, write about a forester's occupation including the education, qualifications, career opportunities, and duties related to forestry.

Hiking

A new merit badge pamphlet with revised requirements was issued after the release of Boy Scout Requirements 2016. The list of injuries and illnesses in requirement 1b was rearranged, requirement 2 was revised, requirements 4 and 5 were replaced with new requirement 4, requirements 6 and 7 were revised and renumbered as 5 and 6, and the footnote was revised. (There were no changes to requirements 1a and 3.) The changes are as follows:

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

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

b. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while hiking, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, sunburn, hyperventilation, altitude sickness, sprained ankle, blisters, insect stings, tick bites, and snakebite, blisters, hyperventilation, and altitude sickness.

2. Explain and, where possible, show the points of good hiking practices. including the principles of Leave No Trace proper outdoor ethics, hiking safety in the daytime and at night, courtesy to others, choice of footwear, and proper care of feet and footwear.

3. Explain how hiking is an aerobic activity. Develop a plan for conditioning yourself for 10-mile hikes, and describe how you will increase your fitness for longer hikes.

4. Make a written plan for a 10-mile hike, including map routes, a clothing and equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch.Take the five following hikes, each on a different day, and each of continuous miles. These hikes MUST be taken in the following order:

One 5-mile hikeThree 10-mile hikesOne 15-mile hike

You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, during each hike, but not for an extended period (example: overnight). Prepare a written hike plan before each hike and share it with your Scoutmaster or a designee. Include map routes, a clothing and equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch. *



5. Take five hikes, each on a different day, and each of at least ten continuous miles. You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, during each hike, but not for an extended period (example: overnight). Prepare a hike plan for each hike.*6. Take a hike of 20 continuous miles in one day following a hike plan you have prepared. You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, but not for an extended period (example: overnight).*

6. 7. After each of the hikes (or during each hike if on one continuous "trek") in requirements 5 and 6 4 and 5, write a short report reflection of your experience. Give dates and descriptions of routes covered, the weather, and anyinteresting things you saw. It may include something you learned about yourself, about the outdoors, or about others you were hiking with.Share this report with your merit badge counselor.

* The required hikes in requirements 5 and 6 can for this badge may be used in fulfilling Second Class (2a) and First Class (3) rank requirements, but only if Hiking merit badge requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been completed to the satisfaction of your counselor. The hikes of requirements 5 and 6 hiking requirements for rank advancement. However, these hikes cannot be used to fulfill requirements of other merit badges.

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.

© 2016 - U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

Page updated on: July 07, 2016



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Current Merit Badge Pamphlet and Requirement Revision Dates

The first table below 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 2016 Boy Scout Requirements book. We have also included three other advancement related publications at the top of the table. A larger list may be found by Clicking here.

The second set of tables are lists of the merit badges, arranged in chronologic order by date of last revision to the pamphlet and date of last revision of the requirements (from most recent to oldest).

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 (2016) Boy Scout Requirementsbooklet, there are only merit badges with pamphlets with copyright dates earlier than 2008 - Journalism and Surveying . For those 2 badges, the old and new pamphlets are interchangeable, with the only difference being the color illustrations. So, in general, with those two exceptions, Scouts should no longer use the old black and white pamphlets. In the tables below, where the OLDPublication Number and Copyright Date are 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, 2015 Printing, that just means it's a new printing with no changes to the text. That included 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 some other BSA literature is available for purchase as Kindle books, through Amazon.com, and BSA has recently begun selling some, again including all of the English versions of the Eagle Required merit badges, 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 legally find FREE complete copies of 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. If you do find a copy on line in PDF form, it was scanned and posted illegally.

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.

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

7/14/2016http://usscouts.org/mb/mbbooks.asp

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

Architecture and Landscape Architecture, which are also separate Merit Badges, with separate requirements, are now covered in a single pamphlet as well - 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 January, 2016.

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 2016 Boy Scout Requirements booklet, the listing on Scoutstuff.org, and a physical inspection of pamphlets on sale at a local Scout Shop.

Boy Scout and Venturing Program PublicationsPublication & SKU Numbers and Revision Dates

Publication Name FormatOld

PublicationNumber

Old SKU

Number

OldCopyright

Date

CurrentPublication

Number

CurrentSKU

Number

CurrentCopyright

Date

Boy Scout HandbookPerfect Bound 34554 34554 2009 621131 2016

Coil Bound 34554 622525 2009 621132 2016Spanish 34718 34718 2009 2016

Boy Scout Requirements Coil Bound 33216 620714 2015 33216 621535 2016Guide to Advancement Stapled 33088 614448 2013 33088 620573 2015

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

15 American Business 33325A 2002 35850 35850 2013 2013 201617 American Cultures 33399A 2005 35851 35851 2013 2013 200616 American Heritage 33398A 2005 35852 35852 2013 2013 2014

121 American Labor 33326A 2006 35853 622089 2015 2015 201618 Animal Science 33395B 2006 35854 35854 2014 2014 2007

158 Animation 5778 620096 2015 Digital 2015 2015132 Archaeology 35000A 2006 35855 619346 2014 2014 201419 Archery 33259A 2004 35856 618435 2016 2016 2016

20

Architecture(Architecture and

Landscape Architecture Pamphlet)

33304A 2004 35857 35822 2010 2014 2015

21 Art 33320B 2006 35858 616348 2013 2013 201422 Astronomy 33303A 2004 35859 616828 2013 2013 201323 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 201527 Basketry 33313A 2003 35864 619632 2014 2014 201529 Bird Study 33300B 2005 35865 35865 2013 2013 2013

32Bugling

(Music and Bugling Pamphlet)

33341A 2003 35921 619150 2013 2013 2012

1 Camping(Eagle)

{English Version} 33256B 2005 35866 35866 2005 Kindle &

Digital 20112016

{Spanish Version} 619133

33 Canoeing 33305B 2004 35867 618654 2014 Kindle 2014 201534 Chemistry 33382A 2004 35868 35868 2004 2011 2016

147 Chess 35973 613560 2011 2011 2013

2Citizenship in

the Community(Eagle)

{English Version} 33249A 2005 35870 35870 2015 Kindle &

Digital 20152016


3 Citizenship in the Nation(Eagle) 33248A 2005 35871 620375 2005 Kindle &

Digital 2014 2005

4 Citizenship in the World(Eagle) 33260A 2005 35872 35872 2015 Kindle &

Digital 2015 2016

133 Climbing 35001B 2006 35873 35873 2011 2011 201235 Coin Collecting 33390A 2002 35874 35874 2008 2008 2010

128 Collections 33242B 2003 35875 35875 2013 2013 2009

5 Communication(Eagle)


Digital 20132014


137 Composite Materials 33252 2006 35877 35877 2012 2012 2014

38 Cooking (Eagle)


Digital 20142016


131 Crime Prevention 33400A 2005 35880 35880 2005 2012 2006

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

40 Dentistry 33394C 2006 35882 35829 2006 2012 2010

154 Digital Technology 35733 618663 2014 Kindle & Digital 2013 2014

60 Disabilities Awareness 33370A 2005 35883 619566 2014 2014 201441 Dog Care 33289A 2003 35884 615322 2012 2012 201342 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

6 Emergency Preparedness(Eagle) 33368B 2003 35888 615832 2015 Kindle &

Digital 2015 2016

45 Energy 33335A 2005 35889 619599 2014 2014 201546 Engineering 33376A 2000 35890 35890 2008 2012 2009

134 Entrepreneurship 35008A 2006 35891 619347 2013 2013 2014

7 Environmental Science(Eagle) 33363B 2006 35892 619699 2015 Kindle &

Digital 2015 2016

TBA Exploration Coming Soon



129 Family Life(Eagle)

{English Version}

33243A 2005 35893 620001 2015 Kindle & Digital

2015

2015{Spanish Version} 619142

48 Farm Mechanics 33346B 1997 35894 618703 2008 2014 200949 Fingerprinting 33287A 2003 35895 619600 2014 2014 200450 Fire Safety 33318A 2004 35896 616243 2012 2012 2013

8 First Aid (Eagle) 33301C 2007 35897 620609 2015 Kindle & Digital 2015 2016

51 Fish and Wildlife Management 33307A 2004 35898 619698 2014 2014 2015

52 Fishing 33231A 2002 35899 618587 2013 2013 2015136 Fly Fishing 33283 2002 35900 35824 2014 2014 201254 Forestry 33302A 2005 35901 618658 2015 2015 2006

151 Game Design 35708 616249 2013 2013 201355 Gardening 33240A 2002 35902 616953 2013 2013 201356 Genealogy 33383A 2005 35903 35903 2013 2013 2006

145 Geocaching 35836 610765 2010 2010 201058 Geology 33284A 2005 35904 35828 2013 2013 201059 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 629414 2016 Kindle &

Digital 20132016


62 Home Repairs 33247A 2002 35908 35908 2012 2012 201363 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 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 201369 Leatherwork 33310A 2002 35914 617936 2013 2013 2014

9 Lifesaving (Eagle) 33297B 2001 35915 35915 / 618660 2016 Kindle &

Digital 2016

71 Mammal Study 33271A 2003 35916 620002 2014 2014 2015130 Medicine 33244A 2002 35917 35825 2012 2012 201074 Metalwork 33312C 2007 35918 35918 2012 2012 2008

155 Mining in Society 35737 618952 2014 2014 2016

75 Model Design and Building 33280A 2003 35919 35919 2010 2010 2004

76 Motorboating 33345 1992 / 1997 35920 618651 2015 2015 2012

156 Moviemaking (formerly Cinematography) 35869 619155 2013 2013 2014

77 33341A 2003 35921 619150 2013 2013 2012



Music(Music and Bugling

Pamphlet)

78 Nature 33285A 2003 35922 618656 2014 2014 201424 Nuclear Science 33275A 2004 35923 35923 2010 2010 2011

79 Oceanography 33306A 2003 35924 35826 2012 2012 201380 Orienteering 33385A 2003 35925 35925 2012 2012 2013

81 Painting 33372A 2002 35926 35926 2012 2012 2009

10 Personal Fitness (Eagle)


Digital 20132015


11 Personal Management(Eagle) 35002A 2003 35928 35928 2015 Kindle &

Digital 2015 2016

82 Pets 33281A 2003 35929 617896 2013 2013 201483 Photography 33340A 2005 35930 616954 2016 2016 201684 Pioneering 33377A 2006 35931 618702 2013 2013 201485 Plant Science 33396A 2005 35932 619354 2014 2014 201486 Plumbing 33386B 2004 35933 35933 2012 2012 200587 Pottery 33314A 2002 35934 35934 2008 2014 2009

153 Programming 35710 616349 2013 2013 201389 Public Health 33233A 2005 35935 620004 2014 2014 201590 Public Speaking 33373A 2002 35936 616755 2013 2013 200391 Pulp and Paper 33343A 2006 35937 616732 2013 2013 2014

93 Radio 33361A 2001 35938 35938 2013 2013 200994 Railroading 33292A 2003 35939 35939 2015 2015 201695 Reading 33378A 2003 35940 35940 2013 2013 2004

96 Reptile and Amphibian Study 33288A 2005 35941 35941 2014 2014 2006

123 Rifle Shooting 33330A 2001 35942 35823 2012 2012 2002

146 Robotics 35972 612017 2011 Kindle & Digital 2011 2011

98 Rowing 33404B 2006 35943 618657 2014 2014 2014

12 Safety 33347B 2006 35944 617897 2015 2015 201499 Salesmanship 33351A 2003 35945 35945 2013 2013 2014

100 Scholarship 33384A 2004 35946 619601 2014 2014 2005143 Scouting Heritage 35970 619355 2014 2014 2014138 Scuba Diving 35969 35969 2009 2009 2009101 Sculpture 33322B 2007 35947 35947 2014 2014 2008150 Search and Rescue 34016 615013 2012 Kindle 2012 2014124 Shotgun Shooting 33331A 2005 35948 618655 2013 2013 2014

157 Signs, Signals, and Codes 35777 620095 2015 2015 2015

103 Skating 35006B 2005 35949 620003 2015 2015 2016105 Small Boat Sailing 33356A 2004 35950 35950 2004 2013 2005135 Snow Sports 33365B 2007 35951 616469 2014 2014 2016

106 Soil and Water Conservation 33291A 2004 35952 610016 2013 2013 2005

107 Space Exploration 33354A 2004 35953 616244 2013 2013 201413 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

152 Sustainability(Eagle)

{English Version} 35711 616350 2013 Kindle &

Digital 20132015


>14 Swimming(Eagle)

{English Version} 33352D 2002 35957 619813 2014 Kindle &

Digital 20142015


110 Textile 33344A 2003 35958 35958 2014 2014 2004111 Theater 33328B 2005 35959 35959 2014 2014 2005112 Traffic Safety 33391B 2006 35960 35960 2013 2013 2007113 Truck Transportation 33371A 2005 35961 35961 2005 2013 2006

114 Veterinary Medicine 35004A 2005 35962 35962 2015 2015 2006

115 Water Sports 33348B 2007 35963 618766 2015 2015 2015116 Weather 33274B 2006 35964 618364 2013 2013 2014148 Welding 35974 613561 2012 2012 2012

125 Whitewater 33405B 2005 35965 35965 / 618652 2015 2015 2015

117 Wilderness Survival 33265B 2007 35966 35966 2007 2012 2013118 Wood Carving 33309B 2006 35967 619697 2014 2014 2015119 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

American Business 2016American Labor 2016

Archery 2016Camping 2016

Chemistry 2016Citizenship in the Community 2016

Citizenship in the World 2016Cooking 2016

Emergency Preparedness 2016Environmental Science 2016

First Aid 2016Hiking 2016

Lifesaving 2016Mining in Society 2016

Personal Management 2016Photography 2016Railroading 2016

Skating 2016Snow Sports 2016

Animation 2015Architecture 2015Backpacking 2015

Archery 2016Exploration 2016

Hiking 2016Lifesaving 2016

Photography 2016

American Labor 2010Animation 2015

Citizenship in the Community 2015Citizenship in the World 2015Emergency Preparedness 2015

Environmental Science 2015

Family Life 2015

First Aid 2015Forestry 2015

Insect Study 2015Motorboating 2015

Personal Management 2015Railroading 2015

Safety 2015Signs, Signals, and Codes 2015

Skating 2015Veterinary Medicine 2015



Basketry 2015Canoeing 2015Drafting 2015Energy 2015

Family Life 2015Fish & Wildlife Management 2015

Fishing 2015Insect Study 2015

Mammal Study 2015Personal Fitness 2015

Public Health 2015Signs, Signals, and Codes 2015

Sustainability 2015Swimming 2015

Water Sports 2015Whitewater 2015

Wood Carving 2015

American Heritage 2014Archaeology 2014

Art 2014Aviation 2014

Communication 2014Composite Materials 2014Digital Technology 2014Disabilities Awareness 2014

Electricity 2014Entrepreneurship 2014

Horsemanship 2014Indian Lore 2014Leatherwork 2014

Moviemaking 2014Nature 2014

Pets 2014Pioneering 2014

Plant Science 2014Pulp & Paper 2014

Rowing 2014Safety 2014

Salesmanship 2014Scholarship 2014

Scouting Heritage 2014Search and Rescue 2014Shotgun Shooting 2014Space Exploration 2014

Weather 2014

Cycling 2013Game Design 2013Programming 2013

Astronomy 2013

Automotive Maintenance 2013Bird Study 2013

Chess 2013

Water Sports 2015Whitewater 2015

Animal Science 2014Archaeology 2014

Architecture and Landscape Architecture 2014

Aviation 2014Backpacking 2014

Basketry 2014Canoeing 2014

Citizenship in the Nation 2014Cooking 2014

Digital Technology 2014Disabilities Awareness 2014

Electronics 2014Energy 2014

Farm Mechanics 2014Fingerprinting 2014

Fish & Wildlife Management 2014Fly Fishing 2014

Mammal Study 2014Mining in Society 2014

Nature 2014Plant Science 2014

Pottery 2014Public Health 2014

Reptile and Amphibian Study 2014Rowing 2014

Scholarship 2014Scouting Heritage 2014

Sculpture 2014Snow Sports 2014Swimming 2014

Textile 2014Theater 2014

Wood Carving 2014

American Business 2013American Cultures 2013American Heritage 2013

Art 2013Astronomy 2013Bird Study 2013Collections 2013

Communication 2013Cycling 2013Drafting 2013

Electricity 2013Entrepreneurship 2013

Fishing 2013Game Design 2013

Gardening 2013Genealogy 2013



Dog Care 2013Fire Safety 2013Gardening 2013

Home Repairs 2013Law 2013

Oceanography 2013Orienteering 2013

Wilderness Survival 2013

Bugling 2012Climbing 2012

Fly Fishing 2012Graphic Arts 2012

Kayaking 2012Motorboating 2012

Music 2012Welding 2012

Woodwork 2012

Nuclear Science 2011Robotics 2011Sports 2011

Athletics 2010Coin Collecting 2010

Dentistry 2010Geocaching 2010

Geology 2010Inventing 2010

Landscape Architecture 2010Medicine 2010

Collections 2009Engineering 2009

Farm Mechanics 2009Painting 2009Pottery 2009Radio 2009

Scuba Diving 2009

Metalwork 2008Sculpture 2008

Animal Science 2007Journalism 2007

Stamp Collecting 2007Traffic Safety 2007

American Cultures 2006Crime Prevention 2006

Forestry 2006Genealogy 2006

Reptile and Amphibian Study 2006Truck Transportation 2006Veterinary Medicine 2006

Citizenship in the Nation 2005Plumbing 2005

Small Boat Sailing 2005

Geology 2013Graphic Arts 2013

Horsemanship 2013Leatherwork 2013

Moviemaking 2013Music and Bugling 2013Personal Fitness 2013

Pets 2013Pioneering 2013

Programming 2013Public Speaking 2013

Pulp & Paper 2013Radio 2013

Reading 2013Salesmanship 2013

Shotgun Shooting 2013Small Boat Sailing 2013

Soil & Water Conservation 2013Space Exploration 2013Stamp Collecting 2013

Sustainability 2013Traffic Safety 2013

Truck Transportation 2013Weather 2013

Athletics 2012Automotive Maintenance 2012

Composite Materials 2012Crime Prevention 2012

Dentistry 2012Dog Care 2012

Engineering 2012Fire Safety 2012

Golf 2012Home Repairs 2012

Kayaking 2012Medicine 2012

Metalwork 2012Oceanography 2012Orienteering 2012

Painting 2012Plumbing 2012

Rifle Shooting 2012Search and Rescue 2012

Sports 2012Welding 2012

Wilderness Survival 2012

Camping 2011Chemistry 2011

Chess 2011Climbing 2011

Indian Lore 2011Law 2011



Soil & Water Conservation 2005Surveying 2005Theater 2005

Cycling 2004Electronics 2004

Fingerprinting 2004Model Design and Building 2004

Reading 2004Textile 2004

Golf 2003Public Speaking 2003

Rifle Shooting 2002

Robotics 2011Woodwork 2011

Geocaching 2010Inventing 2010

Model Design and Building 2010Nuclear Science 2010

Scuba Diving 2009

Coin Collecting 2008

Journalism 2006

Surveying 2004

Merit Badge booklets (in print, Kindle, or Interactive Digital form) 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 for the print versions 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 print 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 20, 2016 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: June 11, 2016

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Documents

2016 Advancement Changes cover.ppt...Scouts that, before January 1, 2015, had started work on the Computers merit badge, which is now obsolete (and which has been replaced by the Digital