       
Scout, Tenderfoot,
2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life, & Eagle Scout Rank
Age Requirements & Eligibility
Merit badges, badges of rank, and Eagle Palms are for
boys who are registered Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts. Any registered
Boy Scout or Varsity Scout may earn these awards until his 18th birthday.
Any Venturer who achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout or
Varsity Scout in a troop may continue working for the Star, Life,
and Eagle ranks and Eagle Palms while registered as a Venturer up
to his 18th birthday.
 2009
- 2010 Merit Badge Helps  
There are currently 121 merit badges in the merit badge program.
Each one has a corresponding merit badge pamphlet, and the series
is written with the 12-year-old Boy Scout in mind. In addition,
the pamphlets are designed for a very broad audience of Scouts.
The pamphlets are available from Scouting retailers, including our
Norris & Deicke Scout Shops. To provide the Scouting experience
to as many boys as possible, the BSA considers the diversity
of the Scouts served regarding region, economics, ethnicity,
and social and religious background.
While the pamphlet is not required for the Scout to earn the merit
badge, it helps the counselor to know what the Scout may be studying
and the level of learning expected of the Scout. Many of the merit
badge pamphlets contain suggested projects and other activities or
demonstrations to help the Scout fulfill the requirements or to stimulate
other ideas from the Scout and his merit badge counselor. Each book
also contains a helpful resources section.
For official requirements, the current-year Boy Scout Requirements
book takes precedence. However, once a Scout has started working
on a merit badge, he may stay with the requirements in effect when
he started. He will not be required to meet newly introduced changes
unless the BSA's National Council places a specific timeline on the
implementation of new requirements.
This link will take you to the official Text list of the current
Merit Badges the BSA offers, with the current requirements.
Boy
Scout Rank
This is the first rank a boy joining a Boy Scout troop
may earn.
Tenderfoot
Rank
Tenderfoot Rank Advancement Change - Effective January
1, 2008 - Revised requirement 9: Explain
the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal
safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Describe what a bully
is and how you should respond to one. -This change will be
represented in the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book and the revised
ninth printing of the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.
Second Class
Rank
2nd Class Rank Advancement Change -
Effective January 1, 2008 - New requirement
8b: Explain the three R’s of
personal safety and protection. -This change will be represented in the 2008 Boy
Scout Requirements book and the revised ninth printing of the 11th
edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.
First
Class Rank
1st Class Rank Advancement Change -
Effective January 1, 2008 - New requirement 12: Describe
the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet.
Describe a cyber bully and how you should respond to one. -This
change will be represented in the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book
and the revised ninth printing of the 11th edition of the Boy Scout
Handbook.
Star
Rank
-
Star
Rank - Requirements for
earning the Star Rank
Life
Rank
-
Life
Rank - Requirements for
earning the Life Rank
Eagle
Scout Rank
Bronze,
Gold & Silver Eagle Palms
|
Boy Scout Rank Advancement Information
