In a blog announcement from BSA today (Feb. 6), the top 20 and bottom 20 merit badges of 2011 were announced. It was no surprise that within the top 20 were 11 of the Eagle-required merit badges. One is encouraged to read the entire thread of this blog as the top 20 without the Eagle-required is also announced.

The bottom 20 merit badges earned offers a unique opportunity for Scouts to obtain unique or rare badges. If you are one who likes this type of challenge, check out the bottom 20, and you too might find a new career or interest in your life.

After examining the 2011 sales list, here’s what I’ve come up with for the 20 top-selling merit badges of 2011:

1. First Aid*
2. Swimming*
3. Environmental Science*
4. Citizenship in the World*
5. Citizenship in the Nation*
6. Camping*
7. Communication*
8. Citizenship in the Community*
9. Personal Fitness*
10. Family Life*
11. Personal Management*
12. Rifle Shooting
13. Fingerprinting
14. Emergency Preparedness*
15. Leatherwork
16. Wilderness Survival
17. Wood Carving
18. Archery
19. Canoeing
20. Fishing

All the merit badges are offered each year at Rancho Alegre.  The one blue merit badge (Fingerprinting) was offered in 2010 and will be offered again this year.

Here’s the 20 rarest merit badges of 2011, starting with the rarest:

1. Bugling
2. American Business
3. American Labor
4. Stamp Collecting
5. Surveying
6. Drafting
7. Landscape Architecture
8. Journalism
9. Public Health
10. Entrepreneurship
11. Skating
12. Dog Care
13. Truck Transportation
14. American Cultures
15. Insect Study
16. Gardening
17. Model Design
18. Plant Science
19. Farm Mechanics
20. Composite Materials

Rancho Alegre has offered Bugling at Summer Camp each year.  Two years ago we offered Journalism.  In 2011 and again in 2012, we are offering Public Health.