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2010 Historical Merit Badge Program

2010 Historical Merit Badge Program

Merit badges have been a fixture of the Boy Scouts of America since its inception in 1910. The requirements that generations of boys have completed have taught lifetime citizenship lessons, personal fitness habits, and life skills. They have been the beginnings of countless careers and lifetime hobbies. In the last 99 years there have been many changes in the merit badge offerings.  As society has changed, the Boy Scouts of America has adapted by revising the requirements, implementing name changes, and in some instances, eliminating some badges altogether.  For the 100th Anniversary celebration four vintage merit badges are being released for the Centennial Year only, giving Boy Scouts the hands-on opportunity to experience the exciting past of BSA.

 

Here are the basics of the 2010 Historical Merit Badge program:

 

• An overall goal of the program is for a majority of our registered members to earn one or more of the badges during the Centennial year.
• The merit badges closely resemble the original designs of the merit badges with the exception of the border which is a shiny gold thread that will be immediately identifiable as a 2010 Historical Merit Badge.
• The badges offered have a history that can be traced back to the origins of the BSA.
• The badges offered are not badges that have been morphed into a current merit badge.
• The original merit badge requirements are used wherever possible.
• Adaptations can be made for special needs Scouts.
• The historic merit badges count towards a boy’s rank advancement.
• Work on the badges is not to commence prior to January 1, 2010 and is to be finished no later than December 31, 2010.
• BSA will not create or reprint pamphlets for the merit badges. Instead all information is posted to a special section of the 100th Anniversary web site.
• Requirement can be found at www.scouting.org/100years
• Each unit, district, and council is encouraged to identify qualified counselors for the badges.
• Badges may be earned by individual Scouts, but districts and councils are encouraged to offer opportunities to work on at least some of these merit badges at summer camp or special Anniversary celebration.

Requirements for the four merit badges :