Merit badge

Merit badges are awards earned by members of Scouting America, based on activities within the area of study by completing a list of periodically updated requirements.

[1] The purpose of the merit badge program is to allow Scouts to examine subjects to determine if they would like to further pursue them as a career or vocation.

Merit badges are displayed on a sash which can be worn with the Scouts BSA uniform on formal occasions.

Offered only in 2010, the Historical Merit Badge program, part of the Boy Scouts of America centennial, allowed Scouts to earn the discontinued Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signalling, and Tracking (originally called Stalking) merit badges.

The patches for these historical merit badges are distinguished by a gold ring on the outside edge.

A sample merit badge sash: From left to right, starting at top; 1 Swimming, Mammal Study, Environmental Science; 2 Basketry, Wood Carving, Dog Care; 3 Wilderness Survival, Emergency Preparedness, Bird Study; 4 Public Speaking, Scholarship, Law; 5 Rifle Shooting, Archery, Metalwork; 6 Fish and Wildlife Management, Citizenship in the Nation, Orienteering; 7 Citizenship in the Community, Communications, Personal Management; 8 Sustainability, Reptile Study, Lifesaving; 9 Forestry, Citizenship in the World, Safety