Scouting America launches tech-focused merit badges for Scouts
The new badges aim to prepare Scouts for a tech-driven future with lessons in digital safety, ethics and innovation.
WASHINGTON — Scouting America is launching new merit badges in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, bringing its century-old mission further into the digital age.
The new badges, now available through the Scouts BSA program, have the goal of empowering “young people to master the skills of tomorrow alongside expert counselors, preparing them to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”
Through the badge program, Scouts will explore topics like algorithmic bias, encryption and online safety.
“Scouting has always been about preparing young people for life,” Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America said in a press release. “Today, that means more than mastering outdoor skills — it’s about understanding the digital world and its impact on our lives.”
The AI merit badge offers a hands-on introduction to one of today’s most rapidly evolving technologies. Scouts will learn how AI works, where it appears in everyday life and what it means for the future of work and society. The badge also challenges Scouts to think critically about ethics, including issues like data privacy, deepfakes and automation.
The cybersecurity badge teaches Scouts how to recognize digital threats such as viruses and phishing, and how to protect personal information online. The curriculum includes lessons in password creation, encryption, system vulnerabilities and the implications of cyberbullying.
Krone said the badges are designed to prepare youth for career paths in high-demand fields like software development, digital forensics and AI engineering.
“These aren’t just new badges — they’re a leap into the future,” Krone said. “We’re equipping Scouts with skills that unlock career opportunities, foster digital citizenship and cultivate curiosity about how the world works, online and offline.”
Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, says the rollout is part of a broader effort to ensure its programs reflect the skills needed in a tech-driven world.