The BSA’s next new merit badge, Game Design, is already well under development. The new badge will allow Scouts to focus on one (or more) of these kinds of games:

• Electronic
• Outdoor/athletic events
• Tabletop
• Pen and paper or role-playing

This variety of games means the badge should appeal to Scouts with different interests. Plus, it keeps the merit badge accessible for Scouts who don’t have reliable access to a computer.

In addition to creating and testing an actual, playable game, Scouts will learn a variety of skills while working on the badge, including:

• How to think critically and strategically
• What makes games fun
• How to design and implement games
• Problem solving

No exact launch date has been set for the Game Design merit badge, but it will have a big presence at next summer’s 2013 National Scout Jamboree.

For more information, visit Scouting magazine’s Bryan on Scouting blog. (Photo used courtesy of Bryan on Scouting.)