Three Fires Council

Useful Recognitions and Awards to Suppliment your Advancement Program

The BSA is addressing requests for reinstating the Beekeeping merit badge.   The BSA has carefully considered how the beekeeping hobby and industry can have a more integral presence in the BSA's merit badge program.

Background
The Beekeeping merit badge was offered from 1915 until 1995. From 1980 to 1994, the number of youth earning this merit badge ranged from 700 to 1,000 per year. That decline in interest eventually led to its demise in 1995.

Future
After receiving input from youth members and review by merit badge volunteers and professionals, we have formulated a way to bring greater exposure of beekeeping to youth. The plan includes the following:
• Emphasis of the importance of bees and their symbiotic relationship with humankind may be added to or enhanced in as many as eight existing merit badges.

Merit Badge - Estimated Revision Date

Environmental Science - 2011-2012

Pulp and Paper - 2011-2012

Bird Study - 2012-2013

Insect Study - 2012-2013

Forestry - 2013-2014

Plant Science - 2013-2014

Gardening - 2014-2015

Nature - 2014-2015

• The first merit badge to receive the addition will be Environmental Science, which is requried for all Eagle Scouts. Annually, nearly 73,000 youth earn this merit badge.
• When fully integrated into the targeted merit badges, more than 100,000 Scouts each year will discover the importance of bees and beekeeping as part of a larger environmental picture.
• Beekeeping projects, such as working with a colony or harvesting honey, will be considered for addition to one or more existing merit badges so that highly motivated youth members can use their beekeeping activities to help fulfill merit badge requirements.

We believe this plan will increase the awareness of honeybees and their critical impact on our environment, and prepare America's young people to help care for this important natural resource.

If you have any further questions, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 Earn the Internet Scout Patch - Requirements

The U.S. Scouting Service Project encourages Scouts and Scouters from around the world to learn about the Internet and how to use the Internet safely. Scouts and Scouters that have earned the Internet Scout Patch may wear it proudly as a temporary patch on the Scout Uniform.

  Emergency Preparedness Award - Information & Requirements 

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pleased to partner with the Boy Scouts of America to increase the level of citizen preparedness across the country. DHS has asked the Boy Scouts of America to build upon the foundation of the Ready campaign and to help citizens across the country prepare for emergencies of all kinds. This award is available to all youth and adults at all levels of the Scouting Program.

Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Awards - Requirements