2025 has been a groundbreaking year for Scouting America. The organization introduced two revolutionary new merit badges—Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity—along with multiple updated requirements for existing badges. If you’re a Scout looking to stay ahead of the curve, these new badges represent an incredible opportunity to develop cutting-edge skills while earning recognition that impresses Eagle boards of review.
This guide walks you through the newest merit badges of 2025, their requirements, how to complete them quickly, and why they matter for your Scouting journey.
The 2025 Merit Badge Revolution
New Badges Launched October 2025
Artificial Intelligence Merit Badge
Scouting America officially launched the AI merit badge in October 2025, making it one of the most sought-after badges this year. This badge teaches Scouts to work with AI tools responsibly and understand the technology shaping the future.
Cybersecurity Merit Badge
Released simultaneously with the AI badge, Cybersecurity teaches practical digital defense skills—something every Scout needs in today’s threat landscape.
Updated Badge Requirements (Effective January 2025)
Scouting America made significant updates to many existing badges in 2025, including:
- First Aid Merit Badge (major overhaul)
- Animal Science (updated requirements)
- Archery (clarified standards)
- Astronomy (new observational requirements)
- Aviation (modernized content)
- Cycling (now specifies manually-powered cycles only—no e-bikes)
- Cooking (refined clarity on community requirement)
Deep Dive: Artificial Intelligence Merit Badge
What You’ll Learn
The AI merit badge isn’t just about knowing what AI is—it’s about understanding how AI works, why it matters, and how to use it responsibly. Here’s what you’ll tackle:
Requirement 1: AI Basics & History
- Understand different types of AI (narrow vs. general AI, machine learning, generative AI)
- Learn the history of AI development
- Identify real-world AI applications in everyday life (smartphones, recommendation algorithms, self-driving cars, etc.)
- Explore how AI differs from traditional software
Requirement 2: How AI Works
- Study machine learning concepts
- Learn about training data and algorithms
- Understand neural networks and how they mimic brain function
- Hands-on: Interact with Scoutly (Scouting America’s official AI chatbot) to see AI in action
Requirement 3: Ethics & Responsibility
- Analyze data privacy concerns
- Examine AI bias and fairness issues
- Discuss job displacement and economic impact
- Understand deepfakes and misinformation
- Explore ethical frameworks for AI development
Requirement 4: Career Exploration
- Research AI careers (data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI ethicist, etc.)
- Interview an AI professional or industry expert
- Create a vision for your potential AI career path
Requirement 5: AI Project
- Complete an original project that either uses AI or teaches others about AI
- Examples: Build a simple machine learning model, create an educational video about AI, develop an AI chatbot prototype, conduct a survey on AI perceptions
How to Complete the AI Badge Fast (4-6 Weeks)
Week 1: Fundamentals
- Watch Scouting America’s official AI tutorial (free on scouting.org)
- Play with Scoutly AI Chatbot to understand how it works
- Read about AI history on reputable sources (OpenAI blog, MIT Technology Review)
- Complete Requirement 1 & 2
Week 2: Ethics & Impact
- Research AI bias case studies (hire discrimination algorithms, facial recognition accuracy gaps, etc.)
- Watch one documentary about AI ethics (suggestions: “Coded Bias,” “AlphaGo,” AI-related TED talks)
- Interview a tech professional about AI ethics
- Complete Requirement 3
Week 3: Career Research
- Explore LinkedIn profiles of AI professionals
- Research universities offering AI programs
- Complete Requirement 4
Week 4-5: Project Work
- If building a model: Use free tools like Google Teachable Machine or MIT App Inventor to create a simple AI project
- If creating educational content: Record videos or write articles explaining AI concepts
- If conducting research: Collect survey data from classmates about AI attitudes
- Complete Requirement 5
Week 6: Counselor Review
- Meet with your counselor (virtual meeting is fine)
- Present your project and discuss what you learned
- Get sign-off
Pro Tips for Speed:
- Start your project idea in Week 1, so you have maximum time to refine it
- Use Khan Academy’s free AI intro course to supplement Scouting’s materials
- Find an AI-expert counselor (tech industry workers, college professors, etc.) who can provide deeper mentorship
- Keep a learning journal throughout—it makes the counselor meeting smoother
Deep Dive: Cybersecurity Merit Badge
What You’ll Learn
Cybersecurity is a high-demand career field with thousands of unfilled positions. This badge teaches you practical security skills that protect you, your family, and organizations from real threats. Here’s what’s covered:
Requirement 1: Cyber Threats & Vulnerability
- Identify common cyber threats (malware, viruses, ransomware, spyware, adware)
- Understand phishing and social engineering attacks
- Learn about password weaknesses and brute-force attacks
- Recognize common security vulnerabilities in software and systems
Requirement 2: Defense Mechanisms
- Create strong, unique passwords (and use password managers)
- Understand firewalls and how they work
- Learn about antivirus and anti-malware software
- Explore multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Study encryption basics and why it matters
Requirement 3: Online Safety & Digital Ethics
- Understand the dangers of oversharing personal information
- Learn about deepfakes and manipulated media
- Recognize cyberbullying and harassment
- Study intellectual property theft and plagiarism
- Understand the legal consequences of hacking and unauthorized access
- Learn about children’s online privacy (COPPA, etc.)
Requirement 4: Hands-On Security Practice
- Set up a secure email account with MFA
- Audit your own digital life for security gaps
- Practice identifying phishing emails
- Configure security settings on social media accounts
- Create a personal cybersecurity improvement plan
Requirement 5: Career Exploration
- Research cybersecurity careers (penetration testers, security analysts, incident responders, etc.)
- Interview a cybersecurity professional
- Explore education pathways (college degrees, certifications like CompTIA Security+, etc.)
Requirement 6: Cybersecurity Project
- Create an educational project that teaches others about cybersecurity
- Examples: Security awareness presentation for your school, create a cybersecurity guide for families, develop a security checklist for small businesses, write a blog series on cyber threats
How to Complete the Cybersecurity Badge Fast (4-6 Weeks)
Week 1: Threats & Basics
- Watch Scouting America’s official cybersecurity tutorial
- Research common cyberattacks using resources from CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency)
- Audit your own passwords using
haveibeenpwned.com - Complete Requirements 1 & 2 (basics)
Week 2: Practical Security
- Set up a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password free trial, or LastPass)
- Enable multi-factor authentication on your email and social accounts
- Read cybersecurity best practices from reputable sources
- Complete Requirement 4 (hands-on practice)
Week 3: Online Safety & Ethics
- Research and document online safety concerns using the NCMEC (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children) resources
- Study deepfakes and misinformation
- Complete Requirement 3
Week 4: Career & Project Planning
- Interview a cybersecurity professional (find them through LinkedIn, your network, or your counselor)
- Research education pathways
- Outline your project idea
- Complete Requirement 5
Week 5-6: Project Execution & Sign-Off
- If creating a presentation: Use Canva or PowerPoint to build an engaging security awareness presentation
- If writing guides: Document security best practices for a specific audience
- Meet with counselor and discuss your work
- Get sign-off
Pro Tips for Speed:
- CISA has free, excellent resources—use these extensively
- Connect with a cybersecurity professional early (a neighbor, parent of a friend, someone in tech)
- Your project should be educational—focus on teaching others, not hacking or testing systems
- Film your project presentation as a backup; some counselors prefer video evidence
Other Updated Merit Badges in 2025
First Aid Merit Badge (Major Revisions)
The First Aid badge underwent significant changes in 2025. New requirements emphasize:
- Modern CPR/AED guidelines
- Mental health first aid
- Opioid overdose response (Narcan/naloxone use)
- Digital health resources
If you earned First Aid before 2025, you can keep your old badge. But new Scouts should use the updated requirements.
Cycling Merit Badge Update
The 2025 update clarified that the Cycling badge requires “manually-powered cycles”—meaning no electric bikes. This prevents e-bikes from counting, ensuring the badge emphasizes physical exertion and human-powered transportation.
Requirement Changes by Merit Badge (2025 Updates)
| Badge | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| First Aid | Major overhaul—new mental health and opioid response content |
| Animal Science | Updated requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 |
| Archery | Clarified shooting standards |
| Astronomy | Requirements 4, 6, 8, 9 refined for accuracy |
| Aviation | All 5 requirements updated with modern content |
| Cycling | Now specifies manually-powered bikes only |
| Cooking | Refined wording on community requirement |
Strategy: Which New Badge Should You Earn First?
Choose AI If You:
- Love technology and innovation
- Want to explore a cutting-edge career path
- Are comfortable with abstract concepts
- Want to impress colleges with forward-thinking skills
Choose Cybersecurity If You:
- Care about digital safety and protection
- Want practical, immediately-applicable skills
- Are interested in a high-demand career
- Prefer hands-on learning over theory
Choose Both If You:
- Are ambitious and have 10+ weeks
- Want to differentiate yourself as an Eagle Scout candidate
- Are passionate about technology
- Want maximum career exploration
Common Mistakes Earning New Badges in 2025
Using Outdated Requirements
The requirements changed January 1, 2025. Don’t use old versions from 2024 or earlier. Always check scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/ for the current version.
Rushing the Project Requirement
Both AI and Cybersecurity badges require meaningful projects. Don’t just watch videos and call it done—actually build or create something. Your counselor will ask detailed questions about your project.
❌ Choosing the Wrong Counselor
Find a counselor with genuine expertise. An AI engineer or a cybersecurity professional will provide better mentorship than a general merit badge counselor. Ask around—your Scoutmaster often knows experts in the community.
Skipping the Interview Requirement
Both badges require interviewing a professional. This isn’t optional. Use LinkedIn, ask your parents’ networks, or contact universities. Most professionals are happy to answer 20 minutes of questions from a curious Scout.
Not Documenting Everything
Take screenshots, save links, photograph your work, and keep notes. New badges often generate questions from counselors. Documentation proves you did the work.
FAQs: 2025 New Merit Badges
Q: Can I start these badges if I’m not at a high rank?
A: Yes! Merit badges have no rank restrictions. Scouts at any rank can earn AI or Cybersecurity badges.
Q: Do I need special equipment for AI or Cybersecurity badges?
A: No. Both badges can be completed with just a computer and internet access. You don’t need expensive software—there are free tools for everything.
Q: How do these badges help with Eagle Scout?
A: While neither is Eagle-required, having multiple tech badges shows leadership in emerging fields. Many Eagle candidates earning these badges report stronger board of review experiences because it shows initiative and future-readiness.
Q: What if I’m not tech-savvy?
A: Perfect—that’s exactly who these badges are for! You don’t need to be a programmer or hacker. The badges teach fundamentals, and your counselor will guide you through unfamiliar concepts.
Q: Can I do these badges at my troop meeting?
A: These badges work best individually or in small groups, not full troop meetings. Work with your counselor one-on-one or in a small seminar format.
Your 2025 Action Plan
- This Week: Visit scouting.org and read the official AI and Cybersecurity requirements
- Next Week: Identify which badge interests you most
- Week 3: Connect with a qualified merit badge counselor
- Week 4: Start Requirement 1 using online resources
- Week 8-10: Complete your project
- Week 11: Get counselor sign-off
- Week 12+: Consider earning the second badge
Bonus: Test Lab Badges Coming Soon
Beyond the official 2025 badges, Scouting America is testing new concepts in their “Test Lab”:
- Sewing & Needlework (high demand from Scouts)
- Physics (popular for Pinewood Derby enthusiasts)
- Wildland Fire Management
- Auctioneering
- Life Skills
Test Lab badges don’t count toward rank advancement, but Scouts can work on them for free and provide feedback. If enough Scouts are interested, these could become official badges by 2026.
