that's actually really Awesome! I was never in the boyscouts but if this had existed when I was a kid I probably would have been extremely interested in joining.

Do want. 'Be Prepared'.

This is actually pretty cool. I was a big fan of the Cub Scout Video Game award. Glad to see this one make the cut.

The Computer merit badge was good in a Comp-Sci 101 kind of way, so I am glad to see this being expanded on. Game Design, Programming and Animation will be great.

Some enterprising Scout needs to make a video game called The Gay Avenger, or similar, about combating institutional homophobia.

Wow, that would have been amazing when I was a kid.

Here are the requirements. http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/Mer
itBadges/mb-GDSN.aspx

They do a good job covering many of the bases. It is not just for computers gaming but for all types of games. If you get a chance sign up as a merit badge counselor for your local boy scout troop. They need more people other than parents to help out.

The Girl Scout equivalent was great - the Games for Life badge. SIGGRAPH has even offered a one day workshop giving young girls the opportunity to explore video game design by using Game Maker and the chance to speak with industry professionals. In 2011, a Gold Award recipient (equivalent of the Boy Scout Eagle Award) even integrated video games into her project for a teen program at her local library. : ) Pretty cool! http://www.gshpa.org/images/GA_spotlight_012012.pdf

(I wish the back of Girl Scout cookie boxes would show the accomplishments of these girls so people would realize there's more to Girl Scouts than just cookies and everything wouldn't need to be equated to the Boy Scout equivalent. The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are incredible ways for girls to develop leadership skills!)

http://www.siggraph.org/s2010/for_attendees/studio
http://foss.rit.edu/girlscouts

As an Eagle Scout, I'm pleased to see this. I'm still displeased with the national level of the BSA pretty much 100% controlled by the LDS, but I'm pleased to see this badge. Discord knows I would've been on it in a heartbeat back then.

I unfortunately had to decline an invite to this year's event in Virginia for Adam's exact sentiments. We need to collectively stand up as an industry and embrace everyone's rights to make games! Until we do that, we are only a part of the problem IMO. It's very sad that some great scouts and leaders will miss out because of their organization's position on gays, but how can we not pledge our services to equality?

If you're a LBGT Boy Scout, chances are you are not going to be welcome at any official Boy Scout function. Therefore it prevents those LBGT Boy Scouts from making games at their events. I hope that is more clear.

Do they have a drone badge?