The Badge Archive

(This Badge is Discontinued)
Scouting America’s Merit Badge program

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Focuses on the concepts of ethical leadership, empathy, and inclusion, requiring Scouts to research key terms, analyze historical and contemporary examples of ethical decision-making, and engage in facilitated discussions regarding diversity and conflict resolution.

Resources?

• Counselor Training – Atlanta Area Council
• Counselor Training – Capitol Area Council

Our Summary* of requirements:

1. Research terms (identities, diversity, equality, equity, inclusion, discrimination, ethical leadership, and upstander) and describe how these concepts connect to the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
2. Define personal views on leadership and ethical decision-making, then research and present a specific example of a leader who navigated a difficult ethical choice, including the options they faced and the resulting outcome.
3. Reflect on a past ethical decision you made and its outcome. Then, identify three potential ethical scenarios you may face in the future, explaining how your responses would align with the Scout Oath and Law. Finally, describe how you will use these lessons to act as an “upstander” and assist others in your daily life.
4. Recite the Scout Oath and Law, then select two scenarios involving social conflict, such as verbal harassment, digital bullying, or exclusion based on a person’s background. For each, describe how you would use leadership to help those involved and demonstrate a commitment to helping others who may have different backgrounds or identities.
5. Identify personal actions you can take to make your Scouting unit more welcoming. Share a specific past experience where you helped a fellow Scout feel included, and describe strategies to ensure all members of your unit are heard and involved in planning and decision-making.
6. With a parent or guardian’s approval, connect with a peer of a different background or identity (such as a different trait, belief, or characteristic) and discuss what makes your respective identities meaningful to you. During this conversation, choose one of the following two options to discuss:
   • Option 1: Share a real-life situation where you felt excluded from a group. Discuss how you felt, how you reacted, what you learned, and if anyone supported you.
   • Option 2: Discuss an imaginary situation involving being turned away from a lunch table at a new school. Analyze how that experience would feel and what actions could be taken to change the outcome.
7. Identify an individual in your community, school, or Scouting who has made a positive impact on diversity and inclusion, or research a historical figure if a local person is unavailable. Investigate what inspired them, the specific challenges they overcame, and what led to their success, then discuss with your counselor how you can apply those lessons to your own life.
8. With a parent or guardian’s help, research a specific historical event that improved how society treats or welcomes a group of people. Discuss this event with your counselor, explaining what happened and the lessons you learned from its positive outcome.
9. Identify three or more areas of your life outside of Scouting where you can actively improve your leadership skills. Discuss with your counselor how you will practice active listening, stand up for others, and create an environment where everyone is comfortable sharing thoughts and everyone feels their ideas are valued and they are included.
10. Discuss with your counselor the harms of stereotyping and how it can lead to prejudice or discrimination. Share specific ideas for challenging assumptions in your daily life and ways to celebrate the unique qualities of every individual.
11. Reflect on your roles in school, work, or the community to identify how you can personally foster a more inclusive environment. Explain to your counselor how valuing different perspectives improves social interactions and leads to success, providing three examples of the risks of limiting input and three examples of how diverse ideas drive innovation.

_{^{* – This summary is based off the Scouting America’s requirement list.}}

The Badge Archive summaries are created to help provide a clear idea of what is involved in earning a Merit Badge. It’s always best to review the official requirements before attempting to pass the requirements with a Merit Badge Counselor.

Scouting America Information and Details

Go to the Official Scouting America Merit Badge page.

Printable PDF (Archived Copy)

Additional Information

This badge was in development for several years following a June 2020 commitment by the BSA to introduce a diversity-themed merit badge. It was unique because it was the first “discussion-based” required badge that intentionally did not include a printed merit badge pamphlet, a fact frequently noted in counselor orientation guides from 2021 and 2022.

It was released on November 1, 2021. On February 22, 2026, it was announced that any Scout completing Eagle requirements on or after July 1, 2022, would be required to complete the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge. It was discontinued abruptly on February 27, 2026.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
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Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
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See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
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