Interactive digital merit badge pamphlets

Rollout of interactive digital merit badge pamphlets begins

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Bryan Wendell in Advancement, Boy Scouting, Merit Badges, Technology // 45 Comments

This is an exciting time to be a Scout.
The Boy Scouts of America just released its first wave of interactive digital merit badge pamphlets, and they’re insanely cool.
Starting now, Boy Scouts (and troop leaders and merit badge counselors) can download digital versions of the pamphlets for Cooking, First Aid, Animation and Robotics merit badges. More are coming soon (see the list below).
These digital pamphlets are the same price as their print siblings ($4.99), but you get so much more for your money. In addition to everything in the paper versions, Scouts who use the digital versions get:

• Videos, including “how-to” clips, career bios, virtual tours and multimedia experiences
• Search, so you can find what you need quickly
• Simulations, animations, photo slideshows and graphics
• Interactive Q&A’s

A look inside

What’s it like inside an interactive digital merit badge pamphlet? I took an inside look in the video below.
No, I mean literally. I shrunk myself down and went inside an iPad to check these things out. Take a look:

Which merit badges are becoming digital?

These are the first four, out now:

• Animation
• Cooking
• First Aid
• Robotics

The next wave of four should be out in July:

• Communications
• Digital Technology
• Family Life
• Personal Fitness

Then the next wave should debut in September: 

• Camping
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Swimming

And another wave is expected in December.

Where can I learn more?

You can consider Boys’ Life to be your hub for all things related to these interactive digital merit badges pamphlets. Bookmark this page to find FAQs, links to buy the interactive digital merit badge pamphlets, sample videos and more great content than our old buddy Pedro could shake his tail at.

How do I buy these awesome things?

See this step-by-step guide.