The requirements for several Merit Badges will change in 2009. The requirements will become official on January 1, 2009. However, Scouts may choose to use the new requirements prior to that date with their counselor's approval.
The Boy Scouts of America has begun issuing new editions of ALL of the merit badge pamphlets. They have new, color covers and include color photographs and diagrams. However, the requirements for most Merit Badges have not changed. Several of the new editions contain new information and new requirements.
They requirements for the following Merit Badges have changed: Architecture, Automotive Maintenance, Coin Collecting, Drafting, Emergency Preparedness, Engineering, Farm Mechanics, Indian Lore, Insect Study, Landscape Architecture, Lifesaving, Motorboating, Painting, Pottery, Radio, and Swimming.
In addition, some rank advancement changes have been made. Here are those changes.