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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.
2010 BOY SCOUT ADVANCEMENT & MERIT BADGE CHANGES:
Effective 2010. All the Rank and Merit badge requirement Changes can be viewed by clicking on this link. Boy Scout Advancement Changes - 2010
A new 12th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook (34622) was issued in the summer of 2009. That book contains new requirements for each rank listed below, which did not officially take effect until January 1, 2010. Scouts working toward ranks in 2009 could use the new requirements, or could continue to use the old requirements, at their option. 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.
The Boy Scouts of America has also issued a definitive definition of "Active":
A Scout will be considered "active" in his unit if he is
1. Registered in his unit (registration fees are current)
2. Not dismissed from his unit for disciplinary reasons
3. Engaged by his unit leadership on a regular basis (informed of unit activities through Scoutmaster conference or personal contact, etc.
4. In communication with the unit leader on a quarterly basis.
(Units may not create their own definition of active; this is a national standard.)
If the Scout does not initiate communication, the unit leader is to contact the Scout and ask if the youth wishes to remain in Scouting. If the answer is negative, then the unit leader should no longer communicate with the Scout. If the answer is affirmative, the unit leader should provide the unit calendar. After six months of non participation, the unit leader may cease to contact with the youth and drop the Scout from the unit at recharter time.
The Scout may return to the unit at any time while on the unit charter. At any time a Scout is dropped from a charter, the youth may re-apply to a unit for readmission; the acceptance of the application is at the discretion of the unit. The youth would be reinstated at the rank and level that can be documented by either the Scout or the unit.
 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.
NEW ... INVENTING MERIT BADGE- June 2010
The Boy Scout of America is pleased to announce the release of a new merit badge. Inventing. Learn more about it, Scouts can earn it & adults will be needed to become Merit Badge Counselors for it! Enjoy!
 NEW ... GEOCACHING MERIT BADGE
The Boy Scout of America is pleased to announce the release of a new merit badge. Geocaching. Learn more about it, Scouts can earn it & adults will be needed to become Merit Badge Counselors for it! Enjoy!
NEW...Scuba Diving Merit Badge
The Boy Scouts of America Announces the Scuba Diving Merit Badge. The Scuba Diving merit badge pamphlet will be available in December at our Norris & Deicke Service Centers.
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
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Star Rank - Requirements for earning the Star Rank
Life Rank
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Life Rank - Requirements for earning the Life Rank
Eagle Scout Rank
Bronze, Gold & Silver Eagle Palms
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