Merit badges have been a long-standing tradition for boy scouts. For adolescents, it’s a symbol of pride that showcases their dedication and commitment to their interests.
They give scouts a chance to explore new subjects and learn valuable skills. With over 135 merit badges, there’s practically a badge for just about anything!
This guide will share the list of all 135+ merit badges and perhaps inspire you to create badges for your organization!
History of Boy Scout Merit Badges
Since first introduced in 1911, the Boy Scouts Association has created hundreds of merit badges. The ever-changing roster reflects many historical changes — World War II, the Cold War, the dawn of the Space Age, and the arrival of the internet.
Let’s look at how some merit badges were introduced based on historical relevance:
- Automobiling, 1911—Fewer than 1% of the entire US population owned a vehicle when Boy Scouts learned to drive.
- Airplane Design, 1942—Boy Scouts introduced the spinoff Air Scouts during WWII.
- Atomic Energy, 1963—Scouts learned the science behind the nuclear threat.
List of Merit Badges
Merit badges are prestige awards given to scouts for learning more about the area of interest and valuable skills in Scoutcraft. Below is a list of all 139 merit badges scouts can earn:
- American Business
Scouts explore the free enterprise system, profits, labor relations, interest rates, banks, etc.
- American Culture
The American Culture merit badge teaches scouts about the many cultures that influence the United States and how to appreciate each other’s culture, art, and history.
- American Heritage
This merit badge introduces scouts to American History, such as historic places, the history of the US flag, their family history, and more.
- American Labor
Scouts learn the importance of labor relations and workers’ rights by investigating subjects like working conditions and wages.
- Animal Science
Working on the requirements of this badge teaches scouts how to care for various breeds of livestock, such as horses, beef cattle, hogs, sheep, and dairy animals.
- Animation
Scouts learn to create animations using moving images and produce compelling stories.
- Archaeology
Scouts learn how artifacts of ancient history give us insight into how our ancestors lived.
- Archery
Scouts develop mastery of archery skills such as using a longbow, recurve bow, and compound bow.
- Architecture
The Architecture badge recognizes learning about how the design of buildings affects their environment and use.
- Art
Scouts learn to express themselves through media such as watercolors, pen and ink, oil paints, sculpting, and two-dimensional artwork.
- Astronomy
The Astronomy merit badge awards learning about telescopes, planets, constellations, and stars.
- Athletics
Scouts learn the basics of staying fit by exploring nutrition topics and participating in various sports.
- Automotive Maintenance
The Automotive Maintenance merit badge helps scouts learn about how to maintain vehicles.
- Aviation
While working on the Aviation badge, scouts learn about planning for a flight and maintaining an aircraft.
- Backpacking
Scouts participate in backpacking treks, where they learn compass skills, treating water, leaving no trace, and other survival knowledge.
- Basketry
Working on this merit badge teaches scouts how to weave items using natural materials such as a square basket or camp stool seat.
- Bird Study
The Bird Study merit badge trains scouts on providing a healthy environment for birds.
- Bugling
Scouts learn to care for a bugle and serve as troop buglers.
- Camping
Campers learn the fundamentals of planning a safe campout.
- Canoeing
The Canoeing merit badge is for those who have mastered the ins and outs of canoeing.
- Chemistry
The Chemistry curriculum teaches how substances can interact with one another through a variety of experiments.
- Chess
Scouts develop their chess and critical thinking skills by learning the rules and how to have a tactical advantage over opponents.
- Citizenship in Society
This program teaches scouts about inclusion, diversity, and equality.
- Citizenship in the Community
Scouts discover how to be active members within their local community by doing service work and learning about the government.
- Citizenship in the Nation
Scouts working on this badge learn about the duties, rights, and obligations of being a United States citizen.
- Citizenship in the World
Scouts explore what it takes to be a member of the global community.
- Climbing
The Climbing merit badge awards climbing and rappelling skills, which involve using verbal signals and caring for the equipment.
- Coin Collecting
The Coin Collecting merit badge demonstrates the ability to collect and store coins.
- Collections
Scouts learn the basics of collecting, categorizing, and preserving items they appreciate.
- Communication
Scouts learn to share information via oral, visual, written, and digital mediums.
- Composite Materials
Scouts gain a deep appreciation for composite materials and how to work with resins.
- Cooking
The cooking badge awards skills in planning, preparing, and cooking meals at home, camp, and on the trail.
- Crime Prevention
The Crime Prevention badge teaches scouts best practices to protect themselves during instances that may lead to crime.
- Cycling
Scouts gain an appreciation for outdoor excursions by learning the skills of road and mountain biking.
- Dentistry
The Dentistry badge awards knowledge about dental techniques and keeping gums and teeth healthy.
- Digital Technology
The Digital Technology badge focuses on learning digital information storage and transmission.
- Disabilities Awareness
Scouts gain an appreciation for people with disabilities and how offering accessibility can improve fairness.
- Dog Care
The Dog Care badge is a milestone for scouts trained in pet ownership and how to train a pup.
- Drafting
The Drafting badge covers manual drawings and computer-aided design, skills needed in engineering and architecture.
- Electricity
Scouts learn about the use cases for electricity, how to use it safely, and avoid hazards.
- Electronics
The skills needed to earn this badge include safely changing, repairing, and building electronic devices.
- Emergency Preparedness
Skills for this include learning how to react during natural disasters, fires, vehicle crashes, water safety, home emergencies, and more.
- Energy
Scouts must perform an energy audit and reduce their energy consumption over two weeks.
- Engineering
The Engineering merit badge teaches scouts how to build products and structures.
- Entrepreneurship
Scouts learn everything about starting their own business, from investing to promoting their products or services.
- Environmental Science
The Environmental Science badge gives a crash course on endangered species, pollution, ecology, and other environmental topics.
- Exploration
This badge encourages scientific and field exploration.
- Family Life
Scouts learn family values by conducting family meetings and doing service projects together.
- Farm Mechanics
The Farm Mechanics badge awards skills in repairing and maintaining farm equipment.
- Fingerprinting
Students learn to take sets of fingerprints and identify patterns.
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- Fire Safety
Scouts learn the most effective ways to prevent fires.
- Fire Aid
The first-aid crash course covers handling emergencies, shock, broken bones, cuts, heart attacks, convulsions, cramps, dehydration, heatstroke, and more.
- Fish and Wildlife Management
Scouts learn about fish, mammals, birds, and other wildlife populations.
- Fishing
The Fishing badge recognizes skills with fishing equipment and the basics of catching, cleaning, and cooking fish.
- Fly Fishing
Scouts learn all about the art of fly fishing, including preparing for a safe fishing outing and abiding by the local regulations.
- Forestry
This Forestry badge rewards knowledge about the value of forests to our climate, economy, endangered species, and wildlife habitats.
- Game Design
Scouts learn how to analyze an existing game and even design a new game.
- Gardening
The Gardening merit badge rewards knowledge of plant vegetables, flowers, and essential gardening techniques.
- Genealogy
Scouts learn how to research family history.
- Geocaching
The Geocaching merit badge assesses skills in using GPS and finding items with it.
- Geology
This badge rewards knowledge of rocks, mineral resources, and the earth’s history.
- Golf
Scouts learn how to play golf, including which clubs to use, how to grip and stance, and putt the golf ball.
- Graphic Arts
The Graphics Arts merit badge recognizes graphic design and artistic accomplishments.
- Health Care Professions
Scouts explore the types of healthcare fields and how these professionals keep people healthy.
- Hiking
Awarded skills for this include planning a safe hike by considering the route, weather, equipment, and potential hazards.
- Home Repairs
The badge allows scouts to explore ways to fix and maintain a home.
- Horsemanship
Scouts demonstrate their newfound knowledge of horsemanship by riding and grooming a horse.
- Indian Lore
The Indian Lore merit badge is an opportunity to learn the rich history of Native Americans.
- Insect Study
Scouts observe insects, identify their characteristics, and learn how to avoid hazardous ones.
- Inventing
This is an opportunity for participants to make a prototype and learn about intellectual property rights.
- Journalism
The journalism merit budget introduces scouts to print and live journalism and how to conduct an interview.
- Kayaking
Skills required to earn this badge include gliding across the water with a kayak and familiarity with paddling knowledge and kayaking equipment.
- Landscaping Architecture
Working on this badge teaches the basics of landscape design, arrangement, and the area’s intended use.
- Law
Scouts gain insight into the history of law and different types of law.
- Leatherwork
The Leatherwork badge rewards skills in leatherwork techniques and safely handling tools.
- Lifesaving
Scouts learn lifesaving skills, such as rescue techniques and when to use them.
- Mammal Study
This badge awards knowledge about the habitats and characteristics of mammals.
- Medicine
The Medicine merit badge introduces scouts to various healthcare career fields and how various health professions interact.
- Metalwork
Scouts learn how to work with various types of metal.
- Mining in Society
The Mining in Society merit badge awards knowledge of mining and transporting materials.
- Model Design and Building
The Model Design and Building merit badge teaches the different types of models in building design, like mechanical, industrial, and architectural models.
- Motorboating
Everything from operating a motorized watercraft to maintaining them is essential for the Motorboating merit badge.
- Moviemaking
Scouts learn to develop motion picture films and operate a camcorder to record them.
- Music
The Music badge rewards learning instrumental and vocal techniques.
- Nature
Scouts learn about wildlife and plants and how they connect to all living matter.
- Nuclear Science
The Nuclear Science merit badge recognizes knowledge about radiation hazards and how forces and matter interact.
- Oceanography
Scouts perform hands-on aquatic activities and examine how marine scientists study the oceans.
- Orienteering
The Orienteering merit badge recognizes skills in navigating with a compass and map.
- Painting
The Painting merit tests for different painting techniques such as patching materials, applying coatings, priming, and caulking.
- Personal Fitness
Participants develop an exercise plan and carry it out for 12 weeks.
- Personal Management
Scouts learn fundamental personal management skills, such as saving money, investing, and time management.
- Pets
The Pets merit badge awards knowledge of caring for and raising pets.
- Photography
This badge is for photography skills, including exposure, lighting, composition, angle, depth of field, and other photographic techniques.
- Pioneering
This badge allows scouts to build structures with spars and ropes.
- Plant Science
The Plant Science badge involves investigating the importance of crops and learning to grow plants.
- Plumbing
Scouts get to study the world of plumbing and pipe fitting and practice using those tools.
- Pottery
Scouts create items from clay using various pottery methods.
- Programming
This badge assesses skills in programming and coding.
- Public Health
Participants gain a deeper understanding of how to prevent the spread of disease.
- Public Speaking
The Public Speaking merit badge recognizes skills in giving impromptu speeches and leading discussions.
- Pulp and Paper
Scouts learn how paper products are manufactured, the history of papermaking, forest management, and recycling.
- Radio
An introduction to the world of broadcast radio, participants learn about the different components of a radio.
- Railroading
The Railroading merit badge is a chance to learn how trains move passengers and freight.
- Reading
BSA Scouts read books in various academic subjects and perform services like reading to children.
- Reptile and Amphibian Study
Scouts observe or maintain reptiles, such as frogs, lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and alligators.
- Rifle Shooting
Scouts learn firearm safety and shooting pellet air rifles, muzzleloaders, and modern rifles.
- Robotics
The Robotics curriculum teaches design and testing robots to perform basic tasks.
- Rowing
The Rowing merit badge requires scouts to demonstrate they can control a rowboat.
- Safety
Scouts learn how to prevent crimes and accidents, including inspecting a home for hazards and having situational awareness.
- Salesmanship
The skills to earn this badge include communicating effectively and presenting a product or service.
- Scholarship
Scouts learn the importance of scholarship and the skills needed to succeed in school.
- Scouting Heritage
The Scouting Heritage badge focuses on learning the origins of scouting and how it has evolved.
- Scuba Diving
The Scuba Merit Badge awards knowledge about aquatic ecosystems and obtaining an Open Water Diver certification.
- Sculpture
The Sculpture badge tasks scouts with creating 3D objects using wood or clay.
- Search & Rescue
The Search and Rescue badge covers essential skills, like participating in a SAR mission and understanding the command structure and terminology.
- Shotgun Shooting
Scouts acquire the skills for caring for and safely handling shotguns.
- Signs, Signals, and Codes
This badge tests for the basics of morse code, semaphore, braille, and sign language.
- Skating
Scout completes the requirements of this badge by ice skating, in-line skating, or roller skating.
- Small-Boat Sailing
While performing the requirements, scouts learn to sail during various conditions, such as against the wind.
- Snow Sports
The Snow Sports merit badge is for excellence in cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and alpine skiing.
- Soil and Water Conservation
This curriculum covers the importance of soil and water conservation and related topics such as water treatment, pollution, aquifers, and watersheds.
- Space Exploration
Scouts learn about the history of space exploration and spacecraft.
- Sports
The Sports program teaches youth to keep physically fit and play competitive individual and team sports.
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- Stamp Collecting
This curriculum covers the meaning behind different stamp designs and how to preserve them.
- Surveying
This program teaches how to mark and record land boundaries, which helps with understanding how GPS works.
- Sustainability
Scouts learn ways to conserve energy at home, such as through housing, food, and consumption choices.
- Swimming
Swimmers learn techniques like strokes and water rescue methods and must demonstrate competence in these skill sets.
- Textile
Scouts receive an education in fabric and textile manufacturing.
- Theater
The Theater program is an introduction to life on the stage, including skills like directing, acting, lighting, sound, hair and makeup, and costume design.
- Traffic Safety
Scouts learn to be safer drivers, passengers, and cyclists.
- Truck Transportation
Scouts learn the various aspects of moving goods from one location to another.
- Veterinary Medicine
Scouts find out all the specialties in veterinary science and how they contribute to public health.
- Water Sports
The Water Sports badge requires scouts to demonstrate the skills of water skiing or wakeboarding.
- Weather
Scouts learn about meteorology, explore climates, and learn how humans have altered their environment.
- Welding
Scouts learn the procedures for welding and the potential hazards.
- Whitewater
This badge is an award for skills in reading the flow of water and the ability to travel on fast-flowing water by kayak or canoe.
- Wilderness Survival
The Wilderness Survival program covers wilderness survival, like building a natural shelter, putting a first aid kit together, and lighting a fire without matches.
- Wood Carving
Scouts become skilled at making items out of wood and handling carving tools.
- Woodwork
The Woodwork badge involves receiving hands-on experience with woodworking projects.
How To Get Merit Badges
Earning a merit badge requires achieving competence and meeting the stated requirements, whether showing, demonstrating, making, listing, etc. Follow the steps below:
1. Select Subject
Read the merit badge requirements that interest you, and ask your unit leader to refer you to a designated counselor.
2. Scout Buddy System
Find a parent, legal guardian, or registered adult to attend each meeting with you.
3. Inform Merit Badge Counselor
Contact your merit badge counselor about how to meet the requirements.
4. Start Work Toward Badge (Unless Specified Elsewhere)
Begin working on the requirements and use all available resources around you, such as public libraries, schools, troops, and your counselor.
5. Showcase Your Results
Once you’ve completed the requirements, call the counselor to test you on each checkpoint.
6. Receive Badge
Congrats, you’ve passed! Give the signed application to your BSA unit leader to receive your merit badge!
Where Can You Purchase Merit Badges for Boy Scouts?
Boy Scout badges are proprietary, so you can only obtain them from the Boy Scouts of America. It’s best to contact your Council Scout Shop to explain that you need to purchase some replacement merit badges.
What Merit Badges Can The/Studio Create?
At The/Studio, we create beautifully embroidered merit badges for any occasion to award skills in various hobbies, achievements, events, crafts, trends, and more. We offer both iron-on and sew-on backings to make application easy.
Here are examples of merit badges that you can make:
Girl Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of America merit badges aren’t proprietary, and The/Studio can help design them for your Girl Scout! Girl Scout badges are great for awarding any time a Girl Scout explores new interests, develops new skills, and achieves another milestone.
You can create badges for everything from being a good neighbor and gardening to learning to design a website or play a musical instrument.
Educational Institutions
Some institutions, like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have begun awarding educational badges to students. These merit badges demonstrate competence in specific skills and subjects such as math, science, history, chemistry, biology, and more.
A study performed by Gallup found that only half of the children feel engaged in school. Merit badges encourage engagement by rewarding specific achievements.
Summer Camp
A summer camp program is a chance for children to build positive character traits, gain real-world knowledge, and develop confidence. A merit badge encourages positive behavior by rewarding kids for learning new skills.
Campers can earn merit badges for doing camp-related activities, including winning special competitions, playing sports, learning wilderness survival methods, and more.
Need a Custom Merit Badge For Your Organization? The/Studio Can Help!
Merit badges are easily customizable, allowing organizations to have bespoke badges that suit any occasion and appeal to kids and adults.
While The/Studio can’t create merit badges for BSA, we can custom embroider merit badges of all shapes and sizes. Submit your design, and we’ll create a mock-up for you.
Shop our on-demand custom embroidered patches today, or chat with an expert for help.
