Boy Scout Requirement Changes
1995-97

Ranks: Joining, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle.

Merit Badges: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

The following changes were made to the requirements for various merit badges in the 1995-97 edition of Boy Scout Requirements:

Ranks

no changes

Merit Badges

Agribusiness

Merit badge has been dropped.
 
American Cultures
The preamble has been reworded to read:

Choose TWO groups that have different racial, cultural, national, or ethnic backgrounds. Use these groups to complete requirements 1, 2, and 3. Also complete requirement 4 and either requirement 5(a) or 5(b).

In requirement 3, the phrase "which are almost the same" has been replaced by the phrase "that are similar."

In requirement 4, add the sentence "Their backgrounds may be religious, such as Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc." to the end of the requirement.

Requirement 5(b) has been rewritten as follows:

5. (b) Tell about some achievements of the United Nations accomplished by people of many cultures and beliefs working in one organization. Tell how the U.N. has dealt with some problems caused by conflicts between different groups.
Architecture
The requirements have been completely rewritten:
 
  1. Tour your community and list the different building types you see. Try to identify buildings that can be associated with a specific period of history. Make a sketch of the building you most admire.
  2. Arrange to meet with an architect. Ask to see the architect's office and to talk about the following:
    1. Careers in architecture
    2. Educational requirements
    3. Tools an architect uses
    4. Processes involved in a building project
  3. Arrange to visit a construction project with the project's architect. Ask to see the construction drawings so that you can compare how the project is drawn on paper to how it is actually built. Notice the different building materials. Find out how they are to be used, why they were selected, and what determines how they are being put together.
  4. Interview the owner or occupant of a home or other building (your "client"). Find out what your client's requirements would be for designing a new home or business facility.
  5. Measure your bedroom. Make an accurately scaled drawing of the floor plan indicating walls, doors, windows, and furniture. Neatly label your drawing, including your name and the date. (Drawing scale: 1/4"=1 foot)
Backpacking
New requirement 1 has been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while backpacking, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
 
Old requirements 1 through 6 have been renumbered as 2 through 7. Old requirement 7 has been deleted.
 
Beekeeping
Merit badge has been dropped.
 
Botany
Merit badge has been dropped.
 
Camping
New requirement 1 has been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while camping, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
 
Old requirements 1 through 9 have been renumbered as 2 through 10.
 
Canoeing
New requirements 1 and 2 have been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while canoeing, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR on an adult mannequin for at least three minutes.
 
Old requirements 1 through 8 have been renumbered as 3 through 10.

In requirement 3 (old requirement 1) the phrase "Before doing other requirements" has been replaced with "Before doing the following requirements."

Consumer Buying
Merit Badge has been dropped.
 
Cooking
New requirement 1 has been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while cooking, including burns and scalds.
 
Old requirements 1 through 3 have been renumbered as 2 through 4 and all references to other requirements have been adjusted accordingly.
 
Cycling
New requirement 1 has been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while cycling, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
 
Old requirements 1 through 8 have been renumbered as 2 through 9.
 
Firemanship
Name changed to Fire Safety
 
General Science
Merit Badge has been dropped.
 
Hiking
New requirement 1 has been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while hiking, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
 
Old requirements 1 through 5 have been renumbered as 2 through 6.
 
Indian Lore
Minor editorial and other changes have been made throughout the requirements. The new requirements are:
 
  1. Give the history of one American Indian tribe, group, or nation that lives or has lived near you. Visit it, if possible. Tell about dwellings, kind of life, tribal government, religious beliefs, family and clan relationships, language, dress, food preparation, means of getting around, how they played, if they were warlike or peaceful, where descendants of the group now live, and how they live.
  2. Do TWO of the following. Use information about a specific group or tribe to complete the requirements:
    1. Make an item of clothing worn by a member of the tribe.
    2. Make and decorate three items approved by your counselor used by the tribe.
    3. Make an authentic model of a dwelling used by any Indian tribe, group, or nation.
    4. Visit a museum to see Indian artifacts. Talk about them with your counselor. Identify at least ten artifacts by tribe or nation, their shape, size, and use.
  3. Do ONE of the following:
    1. Learn three games played by a group or tribe. Teach and lead one game with a Scout group.
    2. Learn and show how a tribe cooked or prepared food. Make three food items.
    3. Give a demonstration showing how a specific Indian group hunted, fished, or trapped.
  4. Do ONE of the following:
    1. Write or briefly describe how life would have been different for the European settlers if there had been no Indians to meet them when they came to this continent.
    2. Sing two songs in an Indian language. Explain their meaning.
    3. Learn in an Indian language at least twenty-five common terms and their meanings.
    4. Show twenty-five signs in Indian sign language. Include those that will help you ask for water, food, and where the path or road leads.
    5. Learn in English an Indian story of at least three hundred words, or any number of shorter stories adding up to three hundred words. Tell the story or stories at a Scout meeting or campfire.
    6. Write or tell about eight things adopted by others from the Indians.
    7. Learn twenty-five Indian place-names. Tell their origins and meanings.
    8. Name five well-known American Indian leaders, either from the past or people who are alive today. Give their tribes or nations. Describe what they did or do now that makes them notable.
    9. Learn about the Iroquois Confederacy, including how and why it was formed. Tell about its governing system, and its importance to the framers of our Constitution.
Lifesaving
Old requirement 14 (CPR) has been deleted. Requirement 15 has been renumbered as 14.
 
Machinery
Merit badge has been dropped.
 
Masonry
Merit badge has been dropped.
 
Metals Engineering
Merit badge has been dropped.
 
Motorboating
New requirements 1 and 2 have been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while motorboating, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR on an adult mannequin for at least three minutes.
Old requirements 1 through 4 have been renumbered as 3 through 6.

In requirement 3 (old requirement 1) the phrase "Before doing other requirements" has been replaced with "Before doing the following requirements."

Pets
Requirement 4(c) has been eliminated and 4(d) has been renumbered as 4(c). Requirement 4(b) now reads:

4. (b) Start a friend raising a pet like yours. Help your friend get a good start.

Radio
The requirements have been rewritten as follows:
 
  1. Explain what radio is. Include in your explanation: the differences between broadcast radio and hobby radio, and the differences between broadcasting and two-way communicating. Also discuss broadcast radio and amateur radio call signs and using phonetics.
  2. Sketch a diagram showing how radio waves travel locally and around the world. How do the broadcast radio stations, WWV and WWVH, help determine what you will hear when you listen to a radio?
  3. Do the following:
    1. Draw a chart of the electromagnetic spectrum covering 100 kilohertz (khz) to 1000 megahertz (Mhz).
    2. Label the LF, MF, HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave portions of the spectrum on your diagram.
    3. Locate on your chart at least eight radio services such as AM and FM commercial broadcast, CB, television, amateur radio (at least four ham radio bands), and police.
    4. Discuss why some radio stations are called DX and others are called local. Explain who the FCC and the ITU are.
  4. Explain how radio waves carry information. Include in your explanation: transceiver, transmitter, amplifier, and antenna.
  5. Learn the safety precautions for working with radio gear, particularly Dc and Rf grounding.
  6. Do the following:
    1. Explain the differences between a block diagram and a schematic diagram.
    2. Draw a block diagram that includes a transceiver, amplifier, microphone, antenna, and feedline.
    3. Explain the differences between an open circuit, a closed circuit, and a short circuit.
    4. Draw ten schematic symbols. Explain what three of the represented parts do. Find three electrical components to match to three of these symbols.
  7. Do ONE of the following (a, b, or c):
    1. Amateur radio
      1. Describe some of the activities that amateur radio operators can do on the air, once they have earned an amateur radio license.
      2. Carry on a 10-minute real or simulated ham radio contact using voice or Morse code; use proper call signs, Q signals, and abbreviations. (Licensed ham radio operators may substitute five QSL cards as evidence of contacts with amateur radio operators from at least three different call districts.)
      3. With the help of a local amateur radio operator, talk to and properly log at least two Morse code radio contacts. Record signal reports. Explain how often amateur radio operators must give their call signs during a radio contact.
      4. Explain at least five Q signals or amateur radio terms you hear while listening.
      5. Explain some differences between the Novice Class license and the Technician Class license requirements and privileges. Explain who gives amateur radio exams.
      6. Explain how you would make an emergency call on voice or Morse code. Tell why the FCC has an amateur radio service.
      7. Explain handheld transceiver versus home "base" stations. Explain about mobile amateur radios and amateur radio repeaters.
    2. Broadcast radio
      1. Prepare a program schedule for radio station "KBSA" of exactly one-half hour, including music, news, commercials, and proper station identification. Record your program on audio tape using proper techniques.
      2. Listen to and properly log fifteen broadcast stations; determine for five of these their transmitting power and general areas served.
      3. Explain at least eight terms used in commercial broadcasting such as segue, cut, and fade.
      4. Discuss the educational and licensing requirements and career opportunities in broadcast radio.
    3. Shortwave listening
      1. Listen across several shortwave bands for two four-hour periods, one in the early morning, the other in the early evening. Log the stations properly and locate them geographically on a globe.
      2. For several major foreign stations (BBC in Great Britain or HCJB in Ecuador, for example), list several frequency bands used by each.
      3. Compare your morning and evening logs, noting the frequencies on which your selected stations were loudest during each session. Explain the differences in signal strength from one period to the next.
      4. Discuss the purpose of and careers in shortwave communications.
  8. Visit a radio installation approved in advance by your counselor (ham radio station, broadcast station, or public service communications center, for example). Discuss what types of equipment you saw in use, how it was used, what types of licenses required to operate and maintain the equipment, and the purpose of the station.
 
Rowing
New requirements 1 and 2 have been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while rowing, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR on an adult mannequin for at least three minutes.
Old requirements 1 through 9 have been renumbered as 3 through 11.

In requirement 3 (old requirement 1) the phrase "Before doing other requirements" has been replaced with "Before doing the following requirements."

Skiing
The first sentence of the preamble has been deleted. In the downhill (Alpine) requirements some of the requirements have been revised as follows:
 
  1. Tell the meaning of the Skier's Responsibility Code. Explain why it is important to follow this code.
  2. [unchanged]
  3. Show how to use and maintain your own release bindings and explain the use of two others. Explain the international DIN standard and what it means to skiers.
  4. Explain the American Teaching Method and a basic snow-skiing progression.
  5. Explain and discuss the following:
    1. Five types of Alpine skis
    2. Telemark skis
    3. Snowboards
  6. [unchanged]
  7. Explain the parts played by strength, endurance, and flexibility in Alpine skiing. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for skiing.
  8. [Requirement 8 has been renumbered as 8(a) and requirement 9 has been renumbered as 8(b).]
  9. [Requirement 10 has been renumbered as 9 and new requirement 10 has been added:]
  10. Explain the international trail-marking system.
  11. On a gentle slope, demonstrate some of the beginning maneuvers learned in skiing. Include the straight run, gliding wedge, wedge stop, side step, and herringbone maneuvers.
  12. [unchanged]
  13. On a moderate slope, demonstrate five to ten christies.
  14. Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope and demonstrate the following:
    1. Short-, medium-, and long-radius parallel turns
    2. A side-slip and safety (hockey) stop to each side
    3. Traverse across a slope
  15. Demonstrate the ability to ski in varied conditions, including changes in pitch, snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.
In the cross-country (Nordic) requirements some of the requirements have been revised as follows:
  1. [unchanged]
  2. [unchanged]
  3. [unchanged]
  4. Show your ability to select, use, and repair, if necessary, the correct equipment for ski touring in safety and comfort.
  5. Discuss the basic principles of snow craft, including avalanches.
  6. [unchanged]
  7. Discuss the differences between cross-country skiing, ski touring, ski mountaineering, and Alpine skiing.
  8. Explain the parts played by strength, endurance, and flexibility in Nordic skiing. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for skiing.
  9. [unchanged]
  10. [unchanged]
  11. [unchanged]
  12. [unchanged]
  13. On a gentle, packed slope, show some basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the straight run, traverse, side-slip, step turn, wedge stop, and wedge turn maneuvers.
  14. On a cross-country trail, demonstrate effective propulsion by showing proper weight transfer from ski to ski, pole timing, rhythm, flow, and glide.
  15. [unchanged]
  16. Demonstrate several methods of dealing with steep hills or difficult conditions. Include traverses and kick turns going uphill and downhill, side steps, pole drag, and ski-pole "glissade."
 
Small-Boat Sailing
New requirements 1 and 2 have been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while small-boat sailing, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR on an adult mannequin for at least three minutes.
Old requirements 1 through 8 have been renumbered as 3 through 10.

In requirement 3 (old requirement 1) the phrase "Before doing other requirements" has been replaced with "Before doing the following requirements."

Swimming
New requirements 1 and 2 have been added. Old requirement 1 has been renumbered as requirement 3 and has been rewritten as follows:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while swimming, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR on an adult mannequin for at least three minutes.
  3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yard or 75 meters in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards or 25 meters using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards or 100 meters must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating as motionless as possible. Explain how the Safe Swim Defense plan is used to protect Scout troops and other groups when they are swimming.
Old requirements 2 through 7 have been renumbered as 4 through 9.
 
Veterinary Science
Name changed to Veterinary Medicine.

In requirement 4, the phrase "household pet" in the first sentence has been replaced with "pet." In addition, in the last sentence, the phrase "each needs" has been replaced with "each animal needs."

In requirement 7, the phrase "the lungworm of the pig" has been replaced with "dog heartworm."

Waterskiing
New requirements 1 and 2 have been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while waterskiing, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR on an adult mannequin for at least three minutes.
Old requirements 1 through 11 have been renumbered as 3 through 13.

In requirement 3 (old requirement 1) the phrase "Before doing other requirements" has been replaced with "Before doing the following requirements."

Whitewater
New requirements 1 and 2 have been added:
 
  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while working on the Whitewater merit badge, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR on an adult mannequin for at least three minutes.
Old requirements 1 through 11 have been renumbered as 3 through 13.

In requirement 3 (old requirement 1) the phrase "Before doing other requirements" has been replaced with "Before doing the following requirements."

Analysis prepared by:
Bruce E. Cobern (bec@pipeline.com)
Advancement Chairman
Founders District
Queens Council, NY

| Merit Badge Resource Links | MBRC Site Map |

BSA Advancement Program Info

Feedback