1911 Gardening
1934 Public Health
1936 Civics
1942 Camping
1947 Dog Care
1961 Forage Crops
1972 Collections
1992 White Water
2002 Fish & Wildlife Mgt.
2010 Tracking
Return to Scouters' Pages Home
1911 Gardening |
1934 Public Health |
1936 Civics |
1942 Camping |
1947 Dog Care |
1961 Forage Crops |
1972 Collections |
1992 White Water |
2002 Fish & Wildlife Mgt. |
2010 Tracking |
- Introduction To Steve Henning's Merit Badge List
- Merit Badges In Current Use And Their Predecessor(s)
- Most Popular and Least Popular Merit Badges
- Merit Badges No Longer In Use and Their Predecessor(s)
- Who Earned the Most Merit Badges
- How are Merit Badges Worn
- Illustration of all Merit Badges from 1942 in PDF format
- 2010 Historic Merit Badges Program
- Related Links
I went through every edition of the BSA handbook and compiled the following list. I have cross-checked with many lists, but errors may still be present. This list was compiled on February 24, 1996, and updated September 24, 2008. It will change if new information is discovered. The years are the best estimate of when the merit badges were used, but may be off by a year in some cases. Some were minor name changes such as leather work/leatherwork/leatherworking and mammals/mammal study and did not result in new requirements, a new merit badge book or a new badge design. The latest changes were the addition of Scouting Heritage Merit Badge, Geocaching Merit Badge, Inventing Merit Badge and the temporary resurrection of 4 historic merit badges: Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signaling, and Tracking. The badge code numbers are shown in parentheses. This numbering scheme was adopted in 1987 and the Eagle required merit badges had numbers 1 through 14. Numbers 120 and up were added after the list was created in 1987. For an overview of the BSA Merit Badge Program, read the BSA Introduction to Merit Badges.
1910 BSA Handbook (called the Book of Organization) by Chief Scout, Ernest Thompson Seton, had 14 "Badges of Merit". They were: Ambulance, Clerk, Cycling, Electrician, Fireman, Gardener, Horseman, Marksmanship, Master-of-Arms, Musician, Pioneer, Seamanship, Signaler, and Stalkers.
The 1911 Handbook carried over all the 1910 Badges of Merit except the Master-at-Arms Badge of Merit. The Master-at-Arms Badge involved mastering 3 of the following combat skills: single stick, boxing, ju jitsu, wrestling, quarterstaff and fencing. The 1911 Handbook changed the term to Merit Badge and changed the names of the other 13 merit badges:
Ambulance was changed to First Aid;
Clerk was changed to Business;
Cyclist was changed to Cycling;
Electrician was changed to Electricity;
Fireman was changed to Firemanship;
Gardener was changed to Gardening;
Horseman was changed to Horsemanship;
Marksman was changed to Marksmanship;
Musician was changed to Music;
Pioneer was changed to Pioneering;
Seaman was changed to Seamanship;
Signaler was changed to Signaling;
Stalker was changed to Stalking.
There were a total of 57 merit badges in the 1911 handbook. These included the 13 above that were carried over and the following which were added: Agriculture, Angling, Archery, Architecture, Art, Astronomy, Athletics, Automobiling, Aviation, Bee Farming, Blacksmithing, Bugling, Business, Camping, Carpentry, Chemistry, Civics, Conservation, Cooking, Craftsmanship, Dairying, First Aid to Animals, Forestry, Handicraft, Interpreting, Invention, Leather Working, Life Saving, Machinery, Masonry, Mining, Ornithology, Painting, Pathfinding, Personal Health, Photography, Plumbing, Poultry Farming, Printing, Public Health, Scholarship, Sculpture, Surveying, Swimming, and Taxidermy.
Merit badges are designed to emphasize the ability “to do” rather than just knowledge. They were designed to “introduce a boy to life” including careers , hobbies, and other skills. Of the 129 current merit badges, 27 remain from the group of 57 original 1911 merit badges, 4 are historic merit badges brought back for just the year 2010, and 98 have been introduced since 1911. An additional 88 merit badges were created after 1911 but were subsequently dropped. So, all together, there have been a total of 240 different merit badges.
A director of the Boy Scout division of the BSA stated at a Boy Scout Program conference at Philmont that a merit badge is never officially dropped. They are just omitted from all literature, the cloth badge is not made, and there are no books published. Apparently someone that has the most recent set of requirements can use them. I am not sure how one goes about getting an approved counselor. That could be a problem, however that hasn't stopped some people. A case in point is the Rabbit Raising Merit Badge that was dropped in 1993. BSA records indicate that 49 Rabbit Raising Merit Badges were earned in 2003. Using a realistic approach, my definition for the final year for a merit badge is the last year it appears in BSA literature as a valid merit badge even though it may be earned many years after that.
The following lists indicate in parenthesis any assigned merit badge code number; any preceding merit badge that may be related; and the number of each merit badge issued in 2007. I am indebted to several people who provided new sources of information, especially Fred Duersch, Jr. and Paul S. Wolf. Return to top.
American Business (15) 1967-present (Business 1911-66) 539 in 2007
American Cultures (17) 1979-present 2,334 in 2007
American Heritage (16) 1975-present 4,274 in 2007
American Labor (121) 1987-present 1,060 in 2007
Animal Science (18) 1975-present (Animal Industry 1928-75) 2,608 in 2007
Archeology (132) 1997-present 5,522 in 2007
Archery ~~ (19) 1911-present 46,550 in 2007
Architecture (20) 1911-present 2,104 in 2007
Art (21) 1911-present 27,112 in 2007
Astronomy (22) 1911-present 10,087 in 2007
Athletics ~~ (23) 1911-present 5,959 in 2007
Automotive Maintenance (127) 2008-present (Auto Mechanics 1992-2008) 7,480 in 2007
Aviation (25) 1911-42 &'52-pres. (Aerodynamics, etc. 1942-52) 16,483 in 2007
Backpacking (26) 1982-present 4,974 in 2007
Basketry (27) 1927-present (Craftsmanship 1911-26) 28,256 in 2007
Bird Study (29) 1914-present (Ornithology 1911-13) 5,327 in 2007
Bugling (32) 1911-present 684 in 2007
Camping * (1) 1911-present 58,022 in 2007
Canoeing (33) 1927-present 41,684 in 2007
Carpentry (139) 2010 (Carpentry 1911-52)
Chemistry (34) 1911-present 5,944 in 2007
Cinematography (126) 1990-present 4,839 in 2007
Citizenship in the Community *(2)1952-pres.(Citizenship/Civics 1947-51) 48,498 in 2007
Citizenship in the Nation * (3) 1951-pres.(Citizenship/Civics 1947-51) 54,368 in 2007
Citizenship in the World * (4) 1972-present (World Brotherhood 1952-72) 58,608 in 2007
Climbing (133) 1997-present 22,495 in 2007
Coin Collecting (35) 1938-present 4,909 in 2007
Collections (128) 1991-present 5,011 in 2007
Communications * (5) 1965-present 54,214 in 2007
Composite Materials (137) 2008-present new in 2008
Computers (36) 1967-present 13,702 in 2007
Cooking ~ (38) 1911-present 24,025 in 2007
Crime Prevention (131) 1996-present 5,158 in 2007
Cycling *** ~~ (39) 1911-present (Cyclist ~~~ 1910-11) 6,754 in 2007
Dentistry (40) 1975-present 3,974 in 2007
Disabilities Awareness (60) 1993-pres. (Handicap Awareness (60) 1985-93) 3,964 in 2007
Dog Care (41) 1938-present 2,948 in 2007
Drafting (42) 1965-present (Mechanical Drawing 1933-64) 1,501 in 2007
Electricity (43) 1911-present (Electrician ~~~ 1910-11) 1,034 in 2007
Electronics (44) 1963-present 5,680 in 2007
Emergency Preparedness ** (6) 1972-present 44,987 in 2007
Energy (45) 1976-present 2,620 in 2007
Engineering (46) 1967-present 5,733 in 2007
Entrepreneurship (134) 1997-present (Business 1911-66) 1,332 in 2007
Environmental Science *(7)1972-pres.(Conservation of Natural Resources'66-72) 72,279 in 2007
Family Life * (129) 1991-present (Citizenship in the Home 1952-72) 51,225 in 2007
Farm Mechanics (48) 1928-present 1,951 in 2007
Fingerprinting (49) 1938-present 39,482 in 2007
Fire Safety (50) 1995-present (Firemanship (50) 1911-95) 13,661 in 2007
First Aid * (8) 1911-present (Ambulance 1910) 82,274 in 2007
Fish & Wildlife Mgmt.(51) 1972-present (Wildlife Mgmt. 1952-72) 15,002 in 2007
Fishing ~~ (52) 1952-present (Angling 1911-51) 26,769 in 2007
Fly Fishing (136) 2002-present (Fishing merit badge still exists) 685 in 2007
Forestry ~~ (54) 1911-present 14,684 in 2007
Gardening (55) 1911-present (Gardener ~~~ 1910-11) 1,715 in 2007
Genealogy (56) 1972-present 4,387 in 2007
Geocaching (145?) 2010-present
Geology (58) 1953-present (Rocks & Minerals 1937-53) 19,525 in 2007
Golf (59) 1976-present 6,831 in 2007
Graphic Arts (122) 1987-pre. (Printing/Communications (88) 1982-88) 2,373 in 2007
Hiking *** ~~ (61) 1921-present 7,781 in 2007
Home Repairs (62) 1943-present (Handicraft 1911-42) 4,292 in 2007
Horsemanship ~~ (63) 1911-present (Horseman ~~~ 1910-11) 11,771 in 2007
Indian Lore (64) 1931-present 29,624 in 2007
Invention (144) 2010-present (Invention 1911-17)
Insect Study (65) 1987-present (Insect Life 1923-86) 1,536 in 2007
Journalism (66) 1927-present 1,113 in 2007
Landscape Architecture (67) 1967-present (Landscaping 1959-66) 1,649 in 2007
Law (68) 1974-present 5,545 in 2007
Leatherwork (69) 1951-present (Leather Work 1928-51) 50,852 in 2007
Lifesaving ** ~ (9) 1911-present 27,676 in 2007
Mammal Study (71) 1987-present (Mammals 1972-86) 28,888 in 2007
Medicine (130) 1991-present 3,644 in 2007
Metalwork (74) 1927-present (Craftsmanship 1911-26) 10,683 in 2007
Model Design & Building (75) 1963-present 2,282 in 2007
Motorboating ~~ (76) 1961-present 13,324 in 2007
Music (77) 1911-present (Musician ~~~ 1910-11) 15,114 in 2007
Nature ~ (78) 1952-present 16,441 in 2007
Nuclear Science (24) 2005-present (Atomic Energy 1963-04) 4,595 in 2007
Oceanography (79) 1964-present 9,357 in 2007
Orienteering (80) 1973-present (Pathfinding 1911-52) 19,803 in 2007
Painting (81) 1911-present 4,796 in 2007
Pathfinding (140) 2010 (Pathfinding 1911-52)
Personal Fitness * ~~ ~(10) 1952-present (Physical Development 1914-52) 53,030 in 2007
& Personal Health 1911-52)
Personal Management * (11) 1972-present (Personal Finances 1962-71) 49,861 in 2007
Pets (82) 1958-present 6,287 in 2007
Photography (83) 1911-present 12,447 in 2007
Pioneering (84) 1911-present (Pioneer ~~~ 1910-11) 21,292 in 2007
Plant Science (85) 1974-present 928 in 2007
Plumbing (86) 1911-present 5,366 in 2007
Pottery (87) 1927-present (Craftsmanship 1911-26) 8,574 in 2007
Public Health ~ (89) 1911-present 1,487 in 2007
Public Speaking (90) 1932-present 4,827 in 2007
Pulp & Paper (91) 1972-present 3,492 in 2007
Radio (93) 1923-present (Wireless 1919-23) 5,766 in 2007
Railroading (94) 1952-present 6,378 in 2007
Reading (95) 1929-present 6,168 in 2007
Reptile & Amphibian Study (96) 1993-present (Reptile Study (96) 1927-93) 10,434 in 2007
Rifle Shooting (123) 1987-pres.(Rifle & Shotgun Shooting (97)1967-87) 46,174 in 2007
Rowing (98) 1933-present 16,484 in 2007
Safety ~ (12) 1927-present (Safety First 1916-26) 3,605 in 2007
Salesmanship (99) 1927-present 5,254 in 2007
Scholarship (100) 1911-present 6,607 in 2007
Scouting Heritage (143) 2010-present
Scuba Diving (138) 2009-present new in 2009
Sculpture (101) 1911-present 9,901 in 2007
Shotgun Shooting (124) 1987-pres.(Rifle & Shotgun Shooting (97)1967-87) 22,986 in 2007
Signaling (141) 2010 (Signaling 1911-92)
Skating (103) 1973-present 2,920 in 2007
Small Boat Sailing (105) 1964-present (Seamanship 1911-64) 17,852 in 2007
Snow Sports (135) 1999-present (Skiing (104) 1938-99) 10,671 in 2007
Soil & Water Conservation ~ (106)1952-present (Soil Management 1928-52) 13,630 in 2007
Space Exploration (107) 1965-present 19,943 in 2007
Sports ~~ (13) 1972-present 10,968 in 2007
Stamp Collecting (108) 1931-present 1,057 in 2007
Surveying (109) 1911-present 1,166 in 2007
Swimming *** ~ (14) 1911-present 74,108 in 2007
Textile (110) 1973-present (Textiles 1927-72) 3,677 in 2007
Theater (111) 1967-present (Dramatics 1932-66) 1,937 in 2007
Tracking (142) 2010 (Stalking 1911-52)
Traffic Safety (112) 1975-present (Automotive Safety 1962-74) 5,817 in 2007
Truck Transportation (113) 1973-present 3,167 in 2007
Veterinary Medicine (114) 1995-pres. (Veterinary Science (114) 1973-95) 2,355 in 2007
Water Sports (115) 2007-present (Waterskiing (115) 1969-2007) 3,556 in 2007
Weather (116) 1927-present 16,001 in 2007
Whitewater (125) 1987-present 3,557 in 2007
Wilderness Survival (117) 1973-present 40,496 in 2007
Wood Carving (118) 1927-present (Craftsmanship 1911-26) 45,659 in 2007
Woodwork (119) 1927-present (Craftsmanship 1911-26) 4,621 in 2007
Key: * indicates required for Eagle Scout rank
** indicates one of 2 is Eagle required (must complete Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving)
*** indicates one of 3 is Eagle required (must complete Cycling, Hiking, or Swimming)
~ indicates formerly Eagle required
~~ indicates formerly an Eagle multiple choice.
~~~ indicates from the 1910 BSA Handbook (called the book of organization)
by Chief Scout, Ernest Thompson Seton, had 14 Badges of Merit. The
first Handbook recognized presently by the BSA was in 1911.
Most Popular Merit Badges in 2007
|
Least Popular Merit Badges in 2007
|
* On required list for Eagle Scout rank
** Required for Eagle (must complete Cycling, Hiking, or Swimming)
*** Required for Eagle (must complete Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving)
Most of the very popular merit badges are the Eagle Scout rank required badges. Approximately 50,000 of each of these are earned each year. Other popular merit badges include camp handicrafts such as leatherwork and carving; popular camp activities such as archery, rifle shooting, canoeing, indian lore, and wilderness survival; and others that are frequently done as a troop such as fingerprinting,
In looking at the list some general conclusions can be drawn. Slightly more Scout are into Music than Sports, 15,114 to 10,968. There is a lot of interest in the classic Scouting skills of first aid, swimming, lifesaving, cooking, climbing, and nature study. Nature study accounts for 10 of the more popular merit badges: Environmental Science, Mammal Study, Fishing, Geology, Nature, Weather, Forestry, Soil and Water Conservation, and Reptile Study. Hiking has dropped to the middle of the pack along with Cycling, Scholarship and Reading.
When a new merit badge is adopted, usually the least popular merit badge is in danger of being dropped.
Aerodynamics 1942-52 (Aviation 1911-42)
Aeronautics 1942-52 (Aviation 1911-42)
Agribusiness (120) 1987-95 (Farm & Ranch Management (47) 1980-87)
Agriculture 1911-75
Airplane Design 1942-52 (Aviation 1911-42)
Airplane Structure 1942-52 (Aviation 1911-42)
Ambulance ~~~ 1910-11
Angling 1911-51
Animal Industry 1928-75
Atomic Energy (24) 1963-04
Auto Mechanics (127) 1992-2008
Automobiling 1911-63
Automotive Safety 1962-74 (Automobiling 1911-63)
Aviation 1911-42 (Aviation in use again since 1952)
Bee Keeping 1915-55 (Beefarming 1911-14)
Beef Production 1928-75
Beefarming 1911-14
Beekeeping (28) 1956-95 (Bee Keeping 1915-55)
Blacksmithing 1911-52
Bookbinding (30) 1927-87 (Craftsmanship 1911-26)
Botany (31) 1921-95
Business 1911-66 (Clerk ~~~ 1910-11)
Carpentry 1911-52
Cement Work 1927-52 (Craftsmanship 1911-26)
Citizenship (Civics) 1947-51 (Civics 1911-46)
Citizenship in the Home 1952-72 (Citizenship (Civics) 1947-51)
Citrus Fruit Culture 1931-52
Civics 1911-46
Clerk ~~~ 1910-11
Conservation 1911-52
Conservation of Natural Resources ~ 1966-72 (Conservation 1911-52)
Consumer Buying (37) 1975-95
Corn Farming 1928-75
Cotton Farming 1931-75
Craftsmanship 1911-26
Cyclist ~~~ 1910-11
Dairying 1911-75
Dramatics 1932-66
Electrician ~~~ 1910-11
Farm & Ranch Management (47) 1980-87 (Farm Records 1959-80)
Farm Arrangement 1960-73 (Farm Home & Its Planning 1928-59)
Farm Arrangements 1974-79 (Farm Arrangement 1960-73)
Farm Home & Its Planning 1928-59
Farm Layout & Building Arrangements 1928-59
Farm Records & Bookkeeping 1928-58
Farm Records 1959-80 (Farm Records & Bookkeeping 1928-58)
Firemanship ~ (50) 1911-95 (Fireman ~~~ 1910-11)
First Aid To Animals 1911-72
Food Systems (53) 1978-87 (Agriculture 1911-75)
Forage Crops 1959-75 (Grasses, Legumes, & Forage Crops 1938-58)
Foundry Practice 1923-52
Fruit & Nut Growing 1953-75 (Fruit Culture/Nut Culture 1928-54
& Citrus Fruit Culture 1931-52)
Fruit Culture 1928-54
Gardener ~~~ 1910-11
General Science (57) 1972-95 (Zoology 1930-72)
Grasses, Legumes, & Forage Crops 1938-58
Handicap Awareness (60) 1985-93 (Handicapped Awareness 1980-85)
Handicapped Awareness 1980-85
Handicraft 1911-42
Hog & Pork Production 1928-58
Hog Production 1959-75 (Hog & Pork Production 1928-58)
Horseman ~~~ 1910-11
Insect Life 1923-86
Interpreting 1911-52
Invention 1911-17
Landscape Gardening 1930-58
Landscaping 1959-66 (Landscape Gardening 1930-58)
Leather Work 1928-51 (Leatherworking 1911-27)
Leathercraft 1927-52 (Craftsmanship 1911-26)
Leatherworking 1911-27
Machinery (70) 1911-95
Mammals 1972-86
Marksman ~~~ 1910-11
Marksmanship ~~ 1911-66 (Marksman ~~~ 1910-11)
Masonry (72) 1911-95
Master-at-Arms ~~~ 1910-11 (consisted of single stick, boxing, ju jitsu,
wrestling, quarter staff and fencing.)
Mechanical Drawing 1933-64
Metallurgy 1965-71
Metals Engineering (73) 1972-95 (Metallurgy 1965-71)
Mining 1911-37
Musician ~~~ 1910-11
Nut Culture 1928-54
Ornithology 1911-13
Pathfinding 1911-52
Personal Finances 1962-71
Personal Health 1911-52
Physical Development 1914-52
Pigeon Raising 1933-80
Pioneer ~~~ 1910-11
Poultry Farming 1911-13
Poultry Keeping 1914-75 (Poultry Farming 1911-13)
Printing 1911-81
Printing/Communications (88) 1982-87 (Printing 1911-81)
Rabbit Raising (92) 1943-93
Reptile Study (96) 1927-93 (Reptiles 1926)
Reptiles 1926
Rifle & Shotgun Shooting (97) 1967-87 (Marksmanship 1911-66)
Rocks & Minerals 1937-53 (Mining 1911-37)
Safety First 1916-26
Seaman ~~~ 1910-11
Seamanship 1911-64 (Seaman ~~~ 1910-11)
Sheep Farming 1928-75
Signaller ~~~ 1910-11
Signaling (103) 1911-92 (Signaller ~~~ 1910-11)
Skiing (104) 1938-99
Small Grains & Cereal Foods 1943-1958
Small Grains 1959-75 (Small Grains & Cereal Foods 1943-1958)
Soil Management 1928-52
Stalker ~~~ 1910-11
Stalking 1911-52 (Stalker ~~~ 1910-11)
Taxidermy 1911-52
Textiles 1927-72
Veterinary Science (114) 1973-95 (First Aid To Animals 1911-72)
Waterskiing (115) 1969-2007
Wildlife Management ~~ 1952-72 (Conservation 1911-52)
Wireless 1919-23
Wood Turning 1930-52
World Brotherhood 1952-72 (Citizenship (Civics) 1947-51)
Zoology 1930-72
Key: ~ indicates formerly Eagle required
~~ indicates formerly an Eagle multiple choice.
~~~ indicates from the 1910 BSA Handbook (called the book of organization)
by Chief Scout, Ernest Thompson Seton, had 14 "Badges of Merit". The
first Handbook recognized presently by the BSA was in 1911.
This list was compiled by Steve Henning using Scout Handbooks and Boy Scout Requirements and was compiled on February 24, 1996, and updated frequently since then. The Merit Badges which started in 1911 are the original ones. The evolution is an arbitrary process and in some cases is a name change and in others there is little connection and is noted for interest. Thanks to Fred Duersch, Jr., and Paul S. Wolf for finding several errors.
For a copy of the requirements for current merit badges and recent changes to the requirements, visit the Boy Scout Requirements site at: http://usscouts.org/mb/framesindex.html
Paul S. Wolf created an Excel Spreadsheet of all past and present merit badges for all years from 1910 to 2006. To view a simplified version of the spreadsheet, click here. Note: this is a 360 KB file and requires MicroSoft Excel or compatible application to open.
Fred Duersch, Jr., has published several guides to collecting Merit Badges, including the Merit Badge Field Guide and Green Khaki Crimped-Edge Merit Badges.
The BSA Merit Badge Counselors Guide is on line at: http://scouting.org/BoyScouts/GuideforMeritBadgeCounselors.aspx
The BSA Merit Badge Counselor Instructors Guide is on line at: http://scouting.org/boyscouts/trainingmodules/merit%20badge%20counselor%20instructors%20guide.aspx
"This module will guide new and potential merit badge counselors through their responsibilities in the role and will give them an understanding of the methods of counseling Scouts. It is intended as a short orientation course for new merit badge counselors before they begin working with Scouts."
At the "Troop, Crew and Pack 179, Virginia Beach, VA" website I found:
"Eagle Scout John Stanford from Limestone, NY earned the most merit badges ever. The total was 142 and he had a total of 8 silver palms by his 18th birthday."
This accomplishment will never be matched since there are only 121 merit badges now. I had an Eagle Scout in the '90s that earned every Merit Badge that was offered, but that was only 126.
The most ever offered in one year was 127 in 1975 and again in 1987. John Stanford must have joined in 1970 or 1971 or 1972. Those were the only years where a person could earn over 140 badges, and then only if one included twice the ones that were basically name changes like:
Since there was no numbering scheme for merit badges until 1987, earning a merit badge that just had the name changed was OK. Today, one can only do it if the new name has a new number, for example:
Snow Sports (134) is different than Skiing (104) so they both can be earned, but Automotive Maintenance (127) is the same as Auto Mechanics (127), and Water Sports (115) is the same as Waterskiing (115) so they can only be earned once.
Merit badge sashes were introduced by the BSA in 1924. They had "2 across" and "3 across" version. From 1924 to 1945 they were tan. From 1946 to 1979 they were khaki. After 1979 there was only the "3 across" version and it was olive green. From 1972 to 1979 there was also a "3 across" dark green sash for Explorers and a light blue "3 across" one for Air Scouts.
The information on wearing of merit badges is very spotty in BSA literature, to say the least, and, in one case, inconsistent. The best example is the photo in BSA catalogs and on scoutstuff.org .
The following is what I could find.
[http://www.scouting.org/media/insigniaguide/06D.aspx]
Right sleeve, position 4 limited to six, merit badge sash no limit.
[http://www.scouting.org/media/insigniaguide/03.aspx?print=1]
Members may wear only temporary patches (no badges of rank) on the back of the merit badge sash. Members may wear only one merit badge sash at a time. A merit badge sash is never worn on the belt.
Merit Badge Sash. If worn, merit badges are attached to front (and back, if needed) of sash.
Venture/Varsity letter is attached at bottom front corner. Temporary insignia may be worn on back.
Scout Handbooks: |
Scoutmaster Handbooks: |
1911 HB with illustration: |
1913 SMHB has no mention of wearing merit badges. |
1914 HB with illustration: |
1923 SMHB with illustration: |
1927 HB with illustration: |
1930 SMHB: 1932 SMHB with illustration: 1938 SMHB with illustration: |
1940 HB as no mention of wearing merit badges. 1945 HB with illustration: |
1946 SMHB has no mention of wearing merit badges. |
1948 HB with illustration: |
|
1959 HB with illustration: |
|
1965 HB with illustration: |
 |
1972 HB with illustration: |
1972 SMHB with illustration: |
1976 HB with illustration: |
|
1979 HB with illustration: |
1981 SMHB with illustration: |
1990 HB: |
1990 SMHB with illustration: |
1998 HB (page 188): |
1998 SMHB has no mention of wearing merit badges. |
2010 is the Centennial of the Boy Scouts of America since the BSA was founded in 1910. As part of the Centennial celebration the 2010 Historic Merit Badge Program was announced on the Scouting Magazine blog http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/ on January 12, 2010. Then on February 2, 2010, the BSA issued a note saying that “the Historic Merit Badge program for the Centennial has been delayed. Although a notice was placed in the Scouting Magazine "Cracker Barrel" blog, it was premature. The requirements published in the brochure are DRAFTS, and have not been finalized or approved yet."
Then on April 1, 2010, the BSA announced the official start of the 2010 Historic Merit Badge Program when boys could begin earning Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signaling, and Tracking: four merit badges brought back for the Centennial year except Tracking. There never was a merit badge called Tracking. What the BSA did was to take the Stalking Merit Badge and rename it Tracking for the purposes of the 2010 Historic Merit Badge Program. The final requirements were the same as the requirements for the original historic merit badges except for Tracking which eliminates the "stalking a human being" requirement. The draft brochure had changed all of the requirements for pathfinding. These changes were dropped from the final version.
The program honors Scouting's rich 100-year history by introducing today's Scouts to the merit badges earned by yesterday's youth. To bring the badges into a 21st-century context, the BSA has created supplemental information guides that will accompany scans of the original merit badge pamphlets.
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