Advancement Changes in the 2005 Boy Scout Requirements Book

[PaulSWolf]

I received my copy of Boy Scout Requirements 2005 yesterday. after a quick review, here are general comments regarding the changes listed in the inside front cover:

Rank Changes: 2 ranks listed

Venturing Positions were added to the lists of "Positions of Responsibility" in Star Req. 5 and Eagle Req. 4. These positions had been included in other documents already, so there's no real change.

Special Opportunities: 1 badge listed

Scuba BSA requirements added to the book. These had been published elsewhere already, so there's no real change.

Merit Badges: 27 badges listed

In the list below, two descriptions to note:

"Midyear changes" refers to changes I described earlier this year, when new MB pamphlets were issued. Nothing has changed since then.

"Previously noted change that was missed last year." refers to changed requirements that occured in new pamphlets issued midyear in 2003, but which were not included in the 2004 Requirements Book.

Archery - minor wording changes to 2 reqs., and correction of one typo.
Astronomy - Midyear changes
Canoeing - rewrite
Camping - previously noted change that was missed last year.
Chemistry - rewrite
Cit. Comm. - rewrite
Cit. Nation - rewrite
Cooking - one typo corrected.
Cycling - previously noted changes that were missed last year.
Electricity - rewrite
Electronics - previously noted changes that were missed last year.
Emerg. Prep. - one typo corrected.
Family Life - rewrite
Fire Safety - Midyear changes
First Aid - minor changes and one typo fixed.
Fish & Wildlife Mgt. - Midyear changes
Medicine - one minor change
Metalwork - one minor change
Nuclear Science - rewrite and rename (new patch)
Plumbing - Midyear changes
Railroading - one minor change
Scholarship - I saw nothing changed from 2004. I'll look at the pamphlet tonight. They may have forgotten to change the text in the RB, like they did for Cycling and Electronics last year.
Small Boat Sailing - rewrite
Soil & Water Cons. - Midyear changes
Space Explor. - Midyear changes
Surveying - Midyear changes
Theater - a few minor changes.

I'll be working on the detailed summary for the next few evenings, and will get the information to "Optimist" as soon as I can. I'll also post them somewhere on the web until usscouts.org s back on line.

[PaulSWolf]

Followup to my earlier message.

Scholarship Merit Badge did, indeed, have new requirements listed in the new pamphlet, which were not included in the 2005 requirements Book by an editorial error.

[teepeeayy]

Paul, if I missed something forgive me, but could you explain your listings after each merit badge? I don't think I understand the timing of the changes. Does "re-write" mean the requirements will change, and the pamphlet will be issued in the (near) future? Same thing with re-wordings, typos, etc. What's the timing on the changes, and does that mean new pamphlets are to be issued?

[PaulSWolf]

Paul, if I missed something forgive me, but could you explain your listings after each merit badge? I don't think I understand the timing of the changes. Does "re-write" mean the requirements will change, and the pamphlet will be issued in the (near) future? Same thing with re-wordings, typos, etc. What's the timing on the changes, and does that mean new pamphlets are to be issued?

"re-write" means that there are new requirements for the badge,either in whole or a substantial part, that appear in the 2005 edition of Boy Scout Requirements with a January 1, 2005 effective date. Most, if not all, of them also have new Merit Badge Pamphlets that were issued either in late 2004 or early 2005 (i.e. Copyright 2004 or 2005)

The ones listed as "midyear changes" had new pamphlets (Copyright 2004 ) with similarly rewritten new requirements issued a few months ago, but after the 2004 issue of Boy Scout Requirements. Those could be used as soon as the new books were issued, or Scouts could continue to use the old requirements if they started before 1/1/05. I had earlier listed detailed analyses of these on the usscouts.org website. They'll be included in my detailed analysis when it's complete and I can post it on the web somewhere.

"previously noted change that was missed last year." means that new pamphlets with new requirements were issued in 2003, but because of editing errors, did NOT appear in the 2004 issue of Boy Scout Requirements. Those could also be used as soon as the new books were issued, or Scouts could also continue to use the old requirements if they started before 1/1/05.

"minor changes" are just that - one or two words changed or a typo was corrected, but no substantial changes in the requirements were made.

My analysis, when it is complete will show ALL of the changes with detailed explanations.

[optimist]

The requirements pages on MeritBadge.com are now updated with the information Paul compiled. I'm working on getting the worksheets updated as soon as possible.

[RWSmith]

Thanks, both of you. What you two have done for Scouting, via the Internet alone, is immeasurable.

[PaulSWolf]

For those interested in seeing exactly what changed, and how, my detailed analysis is on line at http://users.adelphia.net/~pwolf/USScou ... ges05.html

That's a temporary URL until the usscouts.org web site is back on line.

[klsscout]

Although the requirements have changed or have been updated on this site, why does it take national bsa forever to get the books out ?

[wagionvigil]

$$

[Mick Scouter]

I agree. Check my other post tonight on alternative ways of still making $$ and sharing the information. BSA need to get up to date with technology.

[wagionvigil]

It will happen eventually BUT just when I am not sure.

[ynotquilt]

Does anyone know which merit badges have been updated since the 2005 requirement book came out? Other than Astronomy, which I know have requirements left out, are there any others with errors?

Thanks!

[wagionvigil]

check on www.Meritbadge.com
or
www.USSCOUTS.ORG