The First Boy Scout Merit Badges (1911) – Origins, Evolution & Badges Still in Use

The Birth of Merit Badges in Scouting

in the United States in 1911…Merit badges were introduced in 1911, one year after the Boy Scouts of America began, adapting some ideas from the UK’s program. The initial list included 57 badges, each designed to encourage Scouts to develop practical skills and discover new hobbies. These badges covered a wide range of topics, from Agriculture and Taxidermy to First Aid and Swimming. The goal was to inspire curiosity and help Scouts build confidence through achievement.

The creation of these original 57 merit badges marked a significant expansion from the initial 13 proficiency badges that had been carried over from the British system. This expansion let Scouts explore specialized skills alongside core outdoor training. The badges were manufactured officially by the Boy Scouts of America and represented the organization’s commitment to comprehensive youth development.

To understand the historical context of merit badges, watching educational content about their evolution can provide valuable visual perspective on how these awards have shaped Scouting culture over more than a century.

How Merit Badges Fit Into Early Ranks

The early ranking system was simpler than today’s structure, with just three main ranks before Eagle Scout. Early ranks included Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class, and Scouts could begin earning merit badges only after reaching First Class rank. This requirement ensured that Scouts had mastered fundamental outdoor skills before pursuing specialized interests.

Five badges held special significance in the early system: First Aid, Athletics, Life-saving, Personal Health, and Public Health. Earning these five specific badges allowed a Scout to wear the Life Scout badge, making them gateway requirements for advancement toward the highest ranks. This system created a clear pathway that balanced general Scouting skills with specialized knowledge in health and safety.

The Athletics badge, for example, required Scouts to demonstrate proficiency in multiple physical activities, while the Life-saving badge tested water rescue skills that could genuinely save lives. Personal Health and Public Health badges emphasized the importance of individual wellness and community responsibility—values that remain central to Scouting today.

Table: The Original 57 Merit Badges (1911) and Their Status Today

Note: This table highlights a selection of original badges and whether they are still available. Many badges have changed names or focus areas over the years to reflect modern interests and safety standards.

The evolution from these original 57 badges to today’s merit badge program shows how Scouting has adapted to changing times while maintaining its core mission. Some badges like Taxidermy and Invention reflected the interests and technology of their era, while others like First Aid and Swimming address timeless human needs. The Invention badge holds the unique distinction of being the least-earned badge in BSA history, with only 10 Scouts completing its requirements during its brief three-year existence from 1911 to 1914.

Understanding this historical foundation helps current Scouts appreciate how the merit badge system has grown from 57 original options to over 130 badges available today. The core principle remains unchanged: encouraging Scouts to explore new interests, develop practical skills, and build confidence through structured achievement.

Which Original Merit Badges Still Exist?

Some of the very first badges remain popular and relevant today. First Aid continues to be a core badge, teaching essential emergency skills that every Scout should master. The badge has evolved over the decades, but its fundamental purpose remains unchanged—preparing Scouts to respond confidently in medical emergencies.

Archery and Swimming are still offered and widely earned, representing two of the most enduring outdoor skills from Scouting’s early days. These badges give today’s Scouts the chance to learn the same skills taught over a century ago, similar to those their predecessors mastered.

Lifesaving (originally Life-saving) remains a challenging and respected badge that builds on swimming skills to teach rescue techniques. The hyphenated name was simplified over time, but the rigorous requirements have kept this badge as one of the more demanding achievements in the aquatics family.

However, many original badges have been discontinued as Scouting evolved. The Invention badge is famous for being the least-earned badge in BSA history, with only 10 Scouts ever earning it before it was retired on October 1, 1914. The badge required Scouts to create something genuinely new and useful—a standard so high that it proved nearly impossible for young people to meet.

Other discontinued badges like Taxidermy and Agriculture reflected the rural focus of early 20th-century America. As the country became more urbanized and Scouting’s mission shifted, these specialized skills gave way to badges that served broader populations and interests.

If you’re interested in rare or discontinued badges, check with your local council or Scout museum—sometimes prototypes or old requirements offer a unique look into Scouting’s past. Many councils maintain historical collections that include original badge designs and documentation from the early years of the program. These artifacts help current Scouts understand how their activities connect to over a century of Scouting tradition.

How and Why Merit Badges Have Changed

The evolution of merit badges tells the story of how Scouting has adapted to changing times and priorities. Starting with 57 badges in 1911, the program expanded to as many as 140 available badges before stabilizing at around 121 by 2006. These numbers show not only organizational decisions but also how Scouting has responded to new technologies, shifting cultural interests, and updated educational priorities.

The reasons behind these changes are both practical and strategic. Badges are sometimes discontinued to make room for new topics that better serve today’s Scouts. For example, the Invention merit badge was discontinued in 1914 after only 10 Scouts earned it in three years—It was discontinued because the requirements were impractical for most Scouts of that era.

Requirements for earning certain badges have evolved significantly over the decades. The First Aid merit badge, for instance, has been updated multiple times to reflect current medical practices and emergency response techniques. What Scouts learned about treating injuries in 1950 differs substantially from today’s evidence-based approaches. These updates ensure that Scouts gain relevant, useful skills rather than outdated information.

Some badges have been renamed or combined with others to better reflect modern understanding. The original “Life-saving” badge became “Lifesaving,” and various outdoor skills badges were consolidated or revised during the 1970s program restructuring. This focused on creating a more achievable set of requirements that matched the program’s evolving goals rather than removing outdoor activities.

World events have also shaped merit badge availability. During both World Wars, merit badge pamphlet production was affected by paper rationing, and certain badges were temporarily suspended or modified. The program has always been responsive to the broader context in which Scouts are growing up.

To understand how these changes have unfolded over time, watching historical documentation can provide valuable context for today’s Scouts and leaders.

The video features collector John Smilek discussing the history and evolution of Boy Scout merit badge pamphlets, first sold in 1919 after World War I. He explains how cover designs, categories, and printings changed over decades, influenced by events like wartime paper rationing. Smilek also shares insights into rare editions, collecting tips, and his upcoming reference and pricing guides for enthusiasts.

Merit badge changes have been made to keep requirements relevant and achievable for Scouts. When you’re working on merit badges today, you’re participating in a program that has been continuously refined for over a century. The badges available now represent the distilled wisdom of generations of Scouting leaders who have asked: “What do young people need to learn to become capable, contributing adults?”

For current Scouts, this history offers an important perspective. Rather than viewing merit badge requirements as fixed obstacles, understand them as carefully designed learning experiences that have been tested and refined over decades. The badges that remain in the program have proven their value through sustained relevance and Scout engagement.

Quick Takeaways

• The Boy Scouts of America launched its merit badge program in 1911 with 57 badges that covered everything from practical skills to unique hobbies. These original badges represented the skills and interests that early Scout leaders believed would help young people become well-rounded citizens. The 1911 list included both essential outdoor skills and specialized crafts that reflected the technology and culture of the time.
• Many of the badges that Scouts earn today have deep roots in that original 1911 collection. First Aid, Archery, and Swimming remain popular choices more than a century later, proving their lasting value in Scout development. According to Scouting Magazine, these badges have maintained their relevance because they teach fundamental skills that every Scout can benefit from learning.
• However, not every original badge stood the test of time. Some fascinating badges like Invention and Taxidermy were discontinued as the program evolved to meet changing needs and interests. The Invention merit badge holds the record as the least-earned badge in BSA history—only 10 Scouts completed it during its brief three-year run from 1911 to 1914. The requirements were incredibly challenging, asking Scouts to create something genuinely new and useful, which proved too difficult for most young people to accomplish.
• The evolution of merit badges reflects broader changes in American society and Scout priorities. Of the original 57 badges from 1911, Around 11 remain today in a form similar to their original version, according to research from Scouters.us. This indicates the program has evolved rather than shrunk. The current merit badge program offers around 130+ badges, with new ones regularly added to address modern interests like Digital Technology, Sustainability, and Robotics.
• Understanding this history helps current Scouts appreciate how the program balances tradition with innovation. The badges you’re working on today connect you to more than a century of Scouts who faced similar challenges in developing new skills and pushing their boundaries. Whether you’re learning First Aid (a badge that’s been around since day one) or exploring newer options like Game Design, you’re part of an ongoing tradition of growth and learning that has shaped millions of young leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Merit Badge History

Q: When were the first BSA merit badges awarded?

The first set of 57 merit badges was officially awarded in 1911. This inaugural collection established the foundation of the merit badge program that continues today. The original 57 badges covered a diverse range of skills from practical outdoor abilities to academic subjects and vocational training.

Q: Which original merit badges are still available?

Several badges from that original 1911 collection remain active today. First Aid, Archery, Swimming, and Lifesaving are among the original badges still offered to Scouts. Other surviving badges include Art, Astronomy, Athletics, Camping, Chemistry, and Cooking. These enduring badges demonstrate skills that have remained relevant and valuable across more than a century of Scouting.

Q: Why were some badges discontinued?

Badges were discontinued to keep the program current and to introduce new skills relevant to modern Scouts. As society evolved, certain skills became less practical while new technologies and interests emerged. The merit badge program has always adapted to reflect contemporary needs and opportunities available to young people.

For example, badges like Taxidermy and Blacksmithing gave way to newer options like Computer Programming and Digital Technology. The U.S. Scouting Service Project maintains comprehensive records of these changes throughout Scouting history.

Q: What was the least-earned original merit badge?

The Invention badge holds the distinction of being the rarest merit badge in BSA history, with only 10 Scouts ever earning it before it was discontinued in 1914. This badge required Scouts to create and patent an original invention, which proved extremely challenging for young people to complete. The badge lasted just three years from 1911 to 1914.

The difficulty of obtaining patents and the complexity of the invention process made this badge nearly impossible for most Scouts to achieve. Its brief existence and minimal completion rate make it one of the most sought-after collectible badges among Scouting historians today.

Q: Where can I learn more about the history of merit badges?

The U.S. Scouting Service Project and BSA Badge History pages are excellent resources for further reading. These sites provide comprehensive lists of all merit badges ever offered, including their years of availability and requirement changes over time.

The U.S. Scouting Service Project maintains detailed records of hundreds of merit badges offered since 1910. Their database includes both current and discontinued badges, making it an invaluable resource for understanding how the program has evolved. Additionally, the National Scouting Museum and various Scouting heritage websites offer historical context and visual documentation of badge designs throughout the decades.