Merit Badge History Pages

Where Merit Badges Came From

1. 
   1908

   Robert Baden-Powell

   Founder of the worldwide Scouting movement

   The preface of Scouting for Boys, written in 1908, by Lord Robert Baden-Powell; the founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, included a description of the four components of the Scouting program. The second of those components was, "Handicrafts or hobbies which may help a boy to make his way in life, for which we give 'Proficiency' badges."

2. 
   1910

   William D. Boyce

   Incorporated the Boy Scouts of America

   In 1910, the American Scouting movement was incorporated by William D Boyce and others. The original edition of The Official Handbook for Boys was published in 1911 to standardize the program. In addressing merit badges, known at that time as Badges of Merit, the manual stated:

   "These badges are intended to stimulate the boy's interest in the life about him and are given for general knowledge."

   That purpose has changed little since those early days. Recent editions of the Boy Scout Handbook stated:

   "A merit badge is an invitation to explore an exciting subject... some merit badges encourage you to increase your skill in subjects you already like, while others challenge you to learn about new areas of knowledge ... a merit badge can even lead you toward a lifelong hobby or set you on the way to a rewarding career."

3. 
   1910

   Ernest Thompson Seton

   Author, nature artist and naturalist

   Ernest Thompson-Seton, an author, nature artist, and naturalist from New York, was commissioned to adapt Scouting for Boys into a manual for the new Boy Scouts of America organization (later renamed to Scouting America) and his 1910 publication included 14 Badges of Merit. The following year, a more comprehensive manual was released that is considered the first original handbook. The Official Handbook for Boys listed 57 different merit badges available to Scouts. From that point on, national leaders of the organization have considered and approved merit badges on subjects that interest boys and helped to achieve the purposes of Scouting America.

Milestones

1. 1910

   Seton's first American handbook lists 14 Badges of Merit, but none are made or awarded.

2. 1911

   The Official Handbook for Boys lists 57 merit badges, and the first ones are made and earned.

3. 1912

   Arthur Rose Eldred becomes the first Eagle Scout, a rank that took 21 merit badges.

4. 1919

   The first merit badge pamphlets are printed, giving each badge its own guide.

5. 2010

   For Scouting's 100th anniversary, four retired badges return for one year: Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signaling and Tracking.

6. 2019

   Girls join Scouts BSA and begin earning merit badges.

7. 2025

   Boy Scouts of America becomes Scouting America, and new merit badges carry the Scouting America name on the back.