As previously announced, BSA will be introducing four new merit badges this year. The requirements for geocaching have been released, although the pamphlet has not yet been issued. Click for more information.
Historical Merit Badges
The Historical Merit Badge Program is now official. Merit bades may be earned using the published requirements. Note that in some cases the requirements are different than the draft requirements previously made available.
In honor of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary, today’s generation of Scouts will get the unique opportunity to experience some of the activities their predecessors enjoyed. That’s possible thanks to the BSA’s new Historical Merit Badge Program, a set of four discontinued merit badges that today’s Scouts can earn. These merit badges are Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signaling, and Tracking.
Boys must start and finish all requirements before Dec. 31, 2010; after that these merit badges will go back on the “retired” list.
Merit badge pamphlets will not be printed for these four merit badges. Copies of the original pamphlets, along with current information and the requirements, can be downloaded from the National website.
These merit badges can be used for advancement. As with all merit badges, work must be approved by a merit badge counselor properly registered for that merit badge.
Merit Badge Counselors are needed for this program. If you are interested in helping for the year, please contact Council Advancement Chair, Susan Best.
New Boy Scout Rank Requirements
The rank requirement changes contained in the new Centennial Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook are now in effect (as of January 1, 2010). If a Scout started work toward a rank before January 1, 2010, using the requirements that were current before January 1, 2010, he may complete THAT RANK ONLY using the old requirements. Any progress toward a rank that is begun after January 1, 2010, must use the requirements as they are presented in the Boy Scout Handbook (34622) or in the 2010 Boy Scout Requirements book (34765). The fact that a Scout can work on the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class simultaneously does NOT mean that he is "working toward all three ranks." He can NOT use the old requirements for all three. Similarly, if a Scout has multiple merit badges, he is NOT "working toward Star, Life, and Eagle." He may only use the old requirements for the NEXT rank he completes.
In addition to the new rank requirements, some of the other requirements have been re-worded and some have been renumbered to accommodate the new requirements.
Be sure to review and understand these changes.
New for Cub Scouts
Video Games is one of 13 new belt loops and pins in the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. It’s been more than 10 years since the program expanded.
In late January, Scout shops across the country should begin selling a new edition of the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide (No. 34299), which will include these additions:
Academics Subjects:
Disabilities Awarezess
Family Travel
Good Manners
Nutrition
Pet Care
Photography
Reading and Writing
Video Games
Sports:
Hiking
Hockey
Horseback Riding
Kickball
Skateboarding
New Merit Badges
he Boy Scouts of America has announced the release of the Scuba Diving merit badge. Click for more information.
Four other new merit badges will appear over the course of the coming year:
Inventing (First quarter 2010)
Geocaching (Second quarter 2010)
Scouting Heritage (Second quarter 2010)
Robotics (Fourth quarter 2010)
ALL EAGLE SCOUT RANK APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL OFFICE MUST USE THE 2009 EDITION. The application can be downloaded from the Life to Eagle section of this website.
Cradle of Liberty Council, BSA Eagle Scout Council Shoulder Patch Click on the Link below for information on obtaining a First Edition Cradle of Liberty Council Eagle Scout CSP. Quantity limited, when they run out they will not be reproduced.
