beekeeping and upcoming merit badge updates

[AlFansome]

Just got this from BSA off of our district's e-mail list (formatted for readability):

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Below is information on how the BSA is addressing requests for reinstating the Beekeeping merit badge. We have carefully considered how the beekeeping hobby and industry can have a more integral presence in the BSA's merit badge program.

 

Background

The Beekeeping merit badge was offered from 1915 until 1995. From 1980 to 1994, the number of youth earning this merit badge ranged from 700 to 1,000 per year. That decline in interest eventually led to its demise in 1995.

 

Future

After receiving input from youth members and review by merit badge volunteers and professionals, we have formulated a way to bring greater exposure of beekeeping to youth. The plan includes the following:

 

Emphasis of the importance of bees and their symbiotic relationship with humankind may be added to or enhanced in as many as eight existing merit badges.

 

Merit Badge - Estimated Revision Date

 

Environmental Science - 2011-2012

Pulp and Paper - 2011-2012

Bird Study - 2012-2013

Insect Study - 2012-2013

Forestry - 2013-2014

Plant Science - 2013-2014

Gardening - 2014-2015

Nature - 2014-2015

 

The first merit badge to receive the addition will be Environmental Science, which is requried for all Eagle Scouts. Annually, nearly 73,000 youth earn this merit badge.

 

When fully integrated into the targeted merit badges, more than 100,000 Scouts each year will discover the importance of bees and beekeeping as part of a larger environmental picture.

 

Beekeeping projects, such as working with a colony or harvesting honey, will be considered for addition to one or more existing merit badges so that highly motivated youth members can use their beekeeping activities to help fulfill merit badge requirements.

 

We believe this plan will increase the awareness of honeybees and their critical impact on our environment, and prepare America's young people to help care for this important natural resource.

 

If you have any further questions, please contact merit.badge@scouting.org