For sale is an original 1950s BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA MERIT BADGE SASH with an assortment of 24 different merit badges. Boy Scouts earn merit badges based on activities within the area of study by completing a list of periodically updated requirements. The award of a merit badge is represented by a circular patch with an image representing the badge’s topic. The purpose of the merit badge program is to allow Scouts to examine subjects to determine if they would like to further pursue them as a career or vocation. Originally, the program also introduced Scouts to the life skills of contacting an adult they had not met before, arranging a meeting and then demonstrating their skills, similar to a job or college interview. Today, merit badges are typically earned in a class setting at troop meetings and summer camps. Judging from the types of merit badges earned, this scout would have worked on these badges during the 1950s. The sash is in excellent condition. A top notch Boy Scout collectible.
This sash includes the following vintage merit badges (the dates in the parenthetical note the date range the Boy Scouts offered this type of merit badge):
1. Public Health (1911-present)
2. Citizenship in the Nation (1951-present)
3. Swimming (1911-present)
4. Citizenship in the Community (1952-present)
5. Rowing (1933-present)
6. First Aid (1911-present)
7. Lifesaving (1911-present)
8. Canoeing (1927-present)
9. Personal Fitness (1952-present)
10. Cooking (1911-present)
11. Public Speaking (1932-present)
12. Home Repairs (1943-present)
13. Reading (1929-present)
14. Nature (1952-present)
15. Camping (1911-present)
16. Safety (1927-present)
17. Hiking (1921-present)
18. Scholarship (1911-present)
19. Firemanship (1911-95)
20. Forestry (1911-present)
21. Citizenship In The Home (1952-72)
22. Wildlife Management (1952-72)
23. Chemistry (1911-present)
24. Pioneering (1911-present)
The Boy Scouts of America grew out of the international Scouting movement founded by Robert Baden-Powell in 1908. Chicago publisher W.D. Boyce was impressed by the popularity of Baden-Powell’s U.K.-based organization, and in 1910 formally created the Boy Scouts of America. Based on its initial mission to teach boys “patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred values,” the Boy Scouts focused on these broad goals as learned through outdoor activities and hands-on life skills.
