Correcting errors is by far the most common improvement brought to National staff’s attention. These include: misspelled words, misplaced or dangling modifiers, and mathematical or grammatical errors. Another type of error is discovering the wrong knot or technique was used to explain a step or process. For example, a unit leader once noted in an earlier version of the Canoeing merit badge an illustration showing the truck-er’s hitch being tied incorrectly. If tied as shown in the pamphlet, the knot would collapse under strain, causing equipment damage and possible injury to others.
Reframing a statement for better clarity is another improvement worth mentioning. Case in point: in the 2010 Horsemanship merit badge pamphlet edition, the following sentence appeared in one of the sidebars: “Stallions should never be chosen for young or novice riders.” The subject-matter expert who reviewed the pamphlet suggested reframing the sentence to better reflect BSA’s cautionary approach. Her recommendation lead to a new sentence in the current pamphlet which reads: “Common sense should be exercised when deciding whether or not to put a young or novice rider on a stallion.”
Revising or removing a requirement deemed too advanced for younger Scouts is another improvement considered actionable. Horsemanship requirement 11(f) required Scouts to lope or canter a horse in a half-circle not more than 30 feet in radius. The requirement was removed after several horse trainers asserted a level of skill was necessary to accomplish the requirement successfully. Merit badges certainly should be challenging, but they must also be attainable by Scouts.
Shortly after the Sustainability merit badge was rolled-out at the 2013 National Jamboree, a district volun-teer pointed out a concern in requirement 2a. The requirement originally read:
“Develop and implement a plan that attempts to reduce your family’s water usage. Examine your family’s water bills reflecting usage for three months (past or current). As a family, choose three ways to help reduce consumption. Implement those ideas for one month. Share what you learn with your counselor, and tell how your plan affected your family’s water usage.”
As written, it would be highly unlikely for Scouts living in apartment dwellings or rural communities where some families get their water supply from wells to pro-duce a water bill needed to successfully complete the requirement. Hence, the following alternative was approved by the National Advancement Committee:
“Develop and implement a plan that attempts to reduce your family's water usage. As a family, discuss water usage. To aid in your discussion, if past water bills are available, you may choose to examine a few. As a family, choose three ways to help reduce water consumption. Implement those ideas for one month. Share what you learn with your counselor, and tell how you think your plan affected your family's water usage.”
This option became new requirement 2a that went into effect when the pamphlet was reprinted in 2014.
Though rare, it becomes necessary to change the name of a merit badge because the title does not represent what the badge is about. When Cinematography was reviewed, a film director noted the merit badge’s name represented a process used in making a film, not the overall art of film-making. Thus, to remain true to the spirit of the badge, Cinematography was changed to Moviemaking in 2014.
One final area worth noting: ensuring every badge is relevant for today’s youth. For example, requirements that specified using dated techniques or re-sources have been updated to include current technology popular among young people. So, if a project required the use of a film camera to take pictures, the text now includes use of an electronic device such as a cell phone. Likewise, where reading newspapers were required to gather data for a report, Scouts can now surf the internet to complete requirements. Such improvements are necessary in order to ensure Scouts are experiencing a quality program that’s keeping up with the times.
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