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Merit Badge Testing: Scouting's R&D Lab

from the desk of Katie Espinosa Newton

Did you know you can test out Merit Badges?

Scouts BSA Test Lab

There are 135 Merit Badges, and Scouting America is constantly evaluating these to determine what is popular, unpopular, outdated, and what might need to be retired. They are also continually working on new Merit Badges in the Scouts BSA Test Lab.


Any Scout can help develop these Test Lab Badges! Complete the requirements before the experiment time ends, and fill out a survey to participate. In the survey, you will vote for or against this becoming a Merit Badge. You can also suggest changes to make it more engaging. Any Test Lab Badges that a Scout completes and submits a survey for, and that are chosen to become an official Merit Badge, will earn you credit for that badge!


Right now, there are three in the Test Lab, and some of them hit close to home for us in the Conquistador Council. Auctioneering, Wildland Fire Management, and Life Skills, which all expire June 30, 2026! I am personally excited to see our Scouts try out the Auctioneering


Test Lab Badge

Click Here more information on the Scouts BSA Test Lab

Click Here For the 2024 Merit Badge Rankings

Comments

A Scout folding the American flag
Scout Law

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Scout Oath

Scout Oath

On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country,
and to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times
to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Accessibility Statement

Conquistador Council, Scouting America

Conquistador Council, Scouting America is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for everyone. We strive to ensure that our website and digital content can be accessed and used by people of all abilities.

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Our Commitment

We are continually working to improve the accessibility and usability of our website. Our goal is to follow recognized accessibility best practices, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and to make information about Scouting programs, events, resources, and opportunities available to all members of our community.

Our accessibility efforts may include:

Providing alternative text for meaningful images and graphics.
Using clear headings and logical page structures.
Maintaining readable text and appropriate color contrast.
Providing descriptive links and buttons.
Supporting keyboard navigation whenever possible.
Providing important information contained in flyers or graphics in accessible text formats when possible.
Reviewing digital documents and other resources for accessibility.
Ongoing Improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing effort. As our website, programs, and digital resources change, we will continue to review and improve accessibility wherever possible.

Some content on our website may be provided by third parties or link to external websites and resources that are not controlled by Conquistador Council. While we encourage accessible digital experiences, we cannot control the accessibility of third-party content.

Need Assistance?

If you experience difficulty accessing any part of our website, encounter an accessibility barrier, or need information provided in an alternative format, please contact Conquistador Council.

When contacting us, please describe the page, document, or information you were attempting to access and the accessibility issue you encountered. We will make reasonable efforts to provide the information or assistance you need.

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Conquistador Council, Scouting America
2603 N Aspen Ave.
Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: (575) 622-3461
Email: info@nmscouts.org

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We welcome feedback about the accessibility of our website and appreciate your help as we continue working to make Scouting information and opportunities accessible to everyone.

Last reviewed: August 2026

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