All worksheets / Drafting
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Drafting
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Drafting is the universal technical language of design, architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. You will format drawing paper with title blocks and Gothic lettering, produce scale drawings manually with drafting instruments and digitally using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, execute redline engineering revisions, compare manual and digital workflows, and investigate drafting tools, industry practices, and careers.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Drafting Tools & Standard Scales
- Orthographic Projection & Dimensioning
- Architectural & Engineering Drawings
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Modeling
7Printable Pages
8Requirements
2025Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Drafting Requirements
Every requirement for the Drafting merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Drawing Paper Formatting and Lettering
Format TWO sheets of drawing paper with proper borders and title blocks—one for your manual project (see requirement 2) and one for your lettering project (see requirement 5).
- a Make a rough sketch for each of your project drawings to determine the correct size of paper to format.
- b Using either single-stroke vertical or slant Gothic lettering, fill in all important information in the title block sections of the formatted paper.
2Manual Pencil Drawing
Using the formatted sheet of paper you prepared for your manual project, produce a pencil drawing as it would be used for manufacturing. Fill in all title block information. The manual drawing may be any one of the following drawing types:
- a Architectural: Make a scale drawing of an architectural project. The architectural drawing may be a floor plan; electrical, plumbing, or mechanical service plan; elevation plan; or landscaping plan. Use an architect's scale and show dimensions to communicate the actual size of features. Include any important sectional drawings, notes, and considerations necessary for construction. Properly print a bill of materials for at least three of the raw materials or components in the project.
- b Mechanical: Make a scale drawing of some mechanical device or interesting object. The mechanical drawing may be of the orthographic (third-angle) or isometric style. Use an engineer's scale and show dimensions to communicate the actual size of features. Include any important sectional drawings, notes, and manufacturing considerations. Properly print a bill of materials for at least three of the raw materials or components in the assembly.
- c Electrical: Draw a simple schematic of a radio or electronic circuit. Properly print a bill of materials including all of the major electrical components used in the circuit. Use standard drawing symbols to represent the electronic components.
3Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Drawing
Produce a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing as it would be used in manufacturing. Fill in all title block information. The CAD drawing may be any one of the following drawing types:
- a Architectural: Make a scale drawing of an architectural project. The architectural drawing may be a floor plan; electrical, plumbing, or mechanical service plan; elevation plan; or landscaping plan. Use an architect's scale and show dimensions to communicate the actual size of features. Include any important sectional drawings, notes, and considerations necessary for construction.
- b Mechanical: Make a scale drawing of some mechanical device or interesting object. The mechanical drawing may be of the orthographic (third-angle) or isometric style. Use an engineer's scale and show dimensions to communicate the actual size of features. Include any important sectional drawings, notes, and manufacturing considerations.
- c Electrical: Draw a simple schematic of a radio or electronic circuit. Properly print a bill of materials including all of the major electrical components used in the circuit. Use standard drawing symbols to represent the electronic components.
4Redline Revisions and Revision Block
Do the following:
- a Present a copy of your drawings from requirements 2 and 3, either in paper or digital format to your counselor. Your counselor will return a redlined version of your drawings indicating to add/remove/change a feature, material, BOM QTY, etc.
- b Make the correction from the redline, identify it on the drawings with a revision marker, and add a revision block.
5Manual vs. CAD Comparison
Discuss with your counselor how fulfilling requirements 2, 3, and 4 differed from each other. Tell about the benefits derived from using CAD for requirements 3 and 4. Include in your discussion the software you used as well as other software options that are available.
6Freehand Gothic Lettering Project
Using single-stroke slant or vertical Gothic lettering (without the aid of a template or lettering guide), write a brief explanation of what you consider to be the most important benefit in using CAD in a particular industry (aerospace, electronics, manufacturing, architectural, or other). Use the experience gained in fulfilling requirements 2 through 5 to support your opinion. Use the formatted sheet of paper you prepared in requirement 1 for your lettering project.
7Workplace Visit or History of the Drafting Trade
Do ONE of the following:
- a Visit a facility or industry workplace where drafting is part of the business. Ask to see an example of the work that is done there, the different drafting facilities, and the tools used.
- b Using resources you find on your own such as at the library and on the internet (with your parent or guardian's permission), learn more about the drafting trade and discuss the following with your counselor.
8Careers
Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in Drafting. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Drafting requirements in 2025. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/drafting/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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