New Eagle-Required Citizenship in Society Merit Badge
The Boy Scouts of America Introduces New Citizenship in Society Merit Badge.
On November 1, 2021 the Boy Scouts of America launched the new Citizenship in Society merit badge. This merit badge encourages Scouts to explore important topics around diversity, equity, inclusion and ethical leadership and learn why these qualities are important in society and in Scouting.
Beginning July 1, 2022, the Citizenship in Society merit badge will be required for any youth seeking to achieve the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.
For more details on this merit badge, please visit: www.scouting.org/dei.
Clarification on how the new Citizenship in Society Badge affects the Eagle Scout Rank:
♦ The new badge will be required for Eagle 7/1/2022
♦ It will be the 14th required badge with 7 optional badges required. 21 badges for Eagle will still be required.
♦ Eagle Scout candidates will continue to use the current rank requirements until June 30, 2022 and will not be required to complete the new Citizenship in Society Merit Badge as long as they complete all of the current Eagle Rank requirements before July 1, 2022. They do not have to submit their final Eagle Scout application nor complete their Eagle Scout Board of Review prior to July 1, 2022, but must complete all current Eagle Scout requirements before then.
♦ Starting July 1, 2022, Eagle Scout candidates will be required to complete all Eagle Scout requirements including the new Citizenship in Society merit badge.
♦ As has been the practice, the Local Council will be responsible for verifying in the system the Eagle Scout candidate and their completion of the Eagle Scout requirements. The Local Council will determine those Scouts that meet all requirements before July 1, 2022 under the current requirements, and those Scouts that fall under the new Eagle Scout requirements as of July 1, 2022.
