MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR TRAINING (updated 21 May 12)

1. MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR TRAINING(updated 21 May 12)

2. Learning Objectives • Understand the aims of Scouting, the BSA advancement process, and the MB counselor’s role. • Know a MBC’s duties and responsibilities to the BSA and the Scout. • Understand and complete the requirements to be a registered merit badge counselor. • List some methods of counseling and coaching. • Successfully guide a Scout through the MB process.

3. AIMS OF SCOUTING Character Development Citizenship Mental and Physical Fitness

4. METHODS OF SCOUTING • The Ideals of Scouting • (Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto and Scout Slogan) • The Patrol Method • The Outdoors • Advancement • Association with Adults • Personal Growth • Leadership Development • The Uniform

5. WHAT IS ADVANCEMENT? • A Scout progressing from rank to rank. • Helps the Scout have an exciting & meaningful experience and allows them to explore many fields. • Encourages a young man to accomplish a progressive series of fun & educational tasks. • Helps them round out their skills. • Introduces them to subjects that may become lifelong interests and rewarding careers.

6. WHAT IS A MERIT BADGE? • A special part of a Scout’s learning adventure, merit badges are awarded after completing requirements of the MB subject. • There are more than 100 different merit badges a Scout may earn! • Subjects range from vocational and careers introduction to personal development, hobbies, sports, high adventure, citizenship, and life-skills development.

7. Merit Badges Are Courses of Instruction for a Particular Subject • 21 MB’s are required for the rank of Eagle Scout, 12 of which are specifically mandated: 1. First Aid 2. Citizenship in the Community 3. Citizenship in the Nation 4. Citizenship in the World 5. Communications 6. Personal Fitness 7. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving 8. Environmental Science 9. Personal Management 10. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling 11. Camping 12. Family Life

8. WHY DOES THE BSA USE MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS? • One of the Methods of Scouting . . . Association with quality adults • A Scout grows through his exposure to outstanding adults who serve as examples and mentors to them. • Provides the opportunity to deal with business leaders, trained specialists, experts, and experienced hobbyists

9. What Is a Merit Badge Counselor? • A teacher and a mentor • An examiner – insures all the requirements set forth for the merit badge are met • A coach – helping Scouts over the different hurdles of the requirements and helping make them aware of the deeper aspects of the subject from their knowledge and experience.

10. What Does A Merit Badge Counselor Do? • Provides instruction and guidance and ensures the scout has completes all the required work • Must not complete the Scout’s work • May not modify the merit badge requirements • Ensures that a Scout has a “buddy” present at all instruction sessions and follows BSA Youth Protection policies

11. Merit Badge Counselor Requirements & Registration • Register annually. (applications and YP trained) • Be of good character and at least 18 yrs old. • Be proficient in a subject by vocation, avocation, etc • Be able to work with Scout-age youth. • Be approved by the district/council advancement committee.

12. The Counselor’s Overall Role • Provide the benefit of his/her knowledge • Help the Scout learn • Make the experience FUN and enjoyable

13. The Counselor’s Specific Roles • Counselor • Meets with the Scout and his buddy. • Helps the Scout set short- and long-term goals. • Follows-up with the Scout on his progress. • Helps the Scout evaluate his work. • Encourages the Scout to ask for help. • Coach • Teaches the Scout the skills required. • Gives the Scout an opportunity to practice the skills. • Takes a genuine interest in the projects and encourages completion.

14. The Counselor’s Specific Roles • Examiner • Obtain the most current requirements for the merit badge – and follows these requirements fairly and uniformly. • Uses the current Boy Scout Requirements book with the most up-to-date merit badge requirements. • Insists that the Scout does EXACTLY what the requirements call for – no more and no less. • Representative of the District and Council • Notifies the unit Advancement Chair if he/she no longer wants to be a MBC. • Get Youth Protection Training and follow the guidelines. • Follow BSA policies!

15. The Merit Badge Process 1 • The scout obtains Scoutmaster or designee approval to start a MB (blue card). Advancement Chair is usually the designee. . . • Scout makes an appointment with the MBC or attends the class that is setup. • MBC, Scout, and his buddy or buddies schedule future dates and times to meet • Use the current BSA merit badge pamphlet

16. The Merit Badge Process2 • Merit badge counselors help Scouts meet the requirements for the merit badge. • They may expand on information in the merit badge pamphlet based on their knowledge, experience, and expertise in the subject. • Tell about their own experiences that positively reinforce the subject matter

17. The Merit Badge Process 3 • Meet as many times a necessary to complete requirements – the rate depends on scout’s interest, effort, and ability. • As each requirement is completed the scout is tested and marked off on the blue card. When all are complete, the card is signed and dated in two places by the councilor. • Scout returns to his Scoutmaster and then his advancement chair to complete the process.

18. Buddy System Designed to Protect Both the Scout and the Adult • A Scout MUST have a buddy with him at EACH meeting with a merit badge counselor. • Buddies may be: • Another Scout • Parent or guardian or brother or sister • Relative • Friend • A Scout can NEVER meet with a MBC ALONE!!!!

19. Why the Blue Card Is Important • It is the official completion record recognized by BSA prior to recording and presentation of the merit badge card by the troop. • It is the FINAL arbiter of disputes if all other records are missing, including loss of the merit badge card that is presented with the badge. • Scouts should keep Blue Cards and the presented merit badge cards for reference. • Counselors should keep their copy of the Blue Card in the event a Scout should lose his copy or his merit badge card and need proofof completion

20. Counseling Techniques 1 • Find out what the Scout already knows about the subject • Stimulate his interest • Establish an atmosphere that encourages the Scout to ask questions and to ask for help when he needs it

21. Counseling Techniques 2 • Spend some time helping the Scout learn the requirements and exactly what the requirements call for - “show” or “demonstrate,” “make,” “list,” “discuss,” or “collect, identify, and label.” • Encourage the Scout to practice for his review session and to reflect on his accomplishments. • The counselor can help by talking to him rather than grilling or examining him—

22. Counseling Techniques 3 • Expressing honest enthusiasm for the things he has done • During testing, the merit badge counselor may find that the Scout needs help learning a particular area. • The counselor teaches the needed skill, and then retests to ensure the area has been learned.

23. Step 1Complete a BSA Adult Application. • This only applies if you are not already an adult leader and you are not doing this at recharter time! • Include unit number AND council/district at the top. • For MBC “position code,” write “42” • For “position (description),” write “MBC.” • Complete the entire the form then sign and date. • Include committee chair signature on right side of form. • Provide your Social Security Number. This is mandatory. The application will not be processed without it.

24. Step 2Complete a MBC Information Form. • Include all personal information requested. • List ALL the merit badge(s) you want to teach . . . • Provide a brief summary of your qualifications • District and council “determines” your proficiency • Indicate whether you want to work only with a specific unit or all district units. • Sign and date at the bottom. • FOOT STOMP: Copy the form and save it softcopy BEFORE dating so you can submit it annually at recharter time!!

25. Step 3Submit to Advancement Chair • Submit the Adult Application AND MBC Information form to the Advancement Chairman or Recharter POC. • There is no fee to register as a merit badge counselor. • Chairman will review and sign the forms and submit to the council for processing. • Do NOT submit only one form!

26. QuestionsandAnswers

27. Why does it matter that merit badge counselors be registered separately? • Because it’s BSA policy. • Because merit badge counselor is a completely separate position from a unit or district position you might already hold. • Because official merit badge counselor records are maintained by the district and council not the unit. • Because the district and council must approve merit badge counselors. • Because BSA requires a background check of all adults who participate in Scouting. • Because a Scout is Trustworthy. Someone from your unit attests to the following statement on the Advancement Report every time advancement badges are bought at the Scout Shop: To: Council Advancement Committee I certify that the following record of advancement is correct and that it meets the standards and requirements of the Boy Scouts of America, and that merit badge counselors are registered adult members of the BSA [emphasis added].”

28. Even if I only want to work with Scouts in my troop, do I still have to register as a merit badge counselor? • Yes.

29. Is there a limit to the number of merit badges a person can register to counsel? • No. The only limit is by qualification – counselors must be qualified by vocation (job) or avocation (hobby). • It is important that applicants provide a short summary of why they believe they are qualified, so that the council advancement committee (which reviews and approves merit badge counselors) has enough information on which to judge an applicant’s merits.

30. Does a Scout need to be a certain rank before he can begin working on merit badges? • No. For most merit badges, a Scout can work on any one at any time, subject to approval by his Scoutmaster. • Note that there are some exceptions. • For example, earning the First Aid merit badge is requirement #1 for the Emergency Preparedness merit badge.

31. Is there a time limit, from start to finish, for completing a merit badge? • The only time limit is the Scout’s 18th birthday.* • There is no BSA policy that stipulates that a Scout must complete all requirements for a merit badge within a stipulated time period (e.g., within 6 months) or he must start over again.

32. Can Scouts work on more than one merit badge at a time? • Yes. There is no limitation on how many merit badges a Scout can work on at any given time, subject to following the proper process.

33. Can Scouts work with me as their counselor for a lot of their merit badges? • Yes. “There is no limit on the number of merit badges a youth may earn from one counselor.”

34. Can a knowledgeable Scout be a merit badge counselor? • No. The minimum age for a MBC is 18. • A Scout may assist in merit badge sessions, but a registered adult counselor must supervise these sessions.

35. Can a person be a merit badge counselor for his/her son? • Yes. “An approved MBC may counsel any youth member, including his or her own son, ward, or relative.” • Since one of the benefits of the merit badge program is association with adults with whom the Scout might not be acquainted, many troops routinely assign a merit badge counselor other than a parent. • However, an excellent way to involve parents (as MBCs) and their sons is for the parent to teach a group session where his or her son is involved with other Scouts.

36. How do I handle partials that were completed with another counselor? • If the previous counselor signed off the Scout, this indicates that the requirement was done to his/ her satisfaction. • Therefore, the Scout should not have to re-do the requirement. • However. . .you are the one signing the blue card. . .

37. Questions? • Do the scouts in YOUR troop know how to find a MBC? • How do you recruit other MBCs? • Resource survey for parents and friends of Scouts • Recruit parents to be unit leaders and committee members as soon as their son joins the unit • Ask, Ask, Ask. . .if a person would like to be one!

38. Who can be A MBC? • From your troop. . .ANY adult leader or parents • Citizens in your Community • From your charter organization • From your church • Professionals –Teachers, police, EMTs, military, doctors, electricians, engineers, etc.

39. Resources • Adult application and MBC Information form • www.meritbadge.org • www.scouting.org • www.macscouter.org • www.usscouts.org • www.cvcboyscouts.org • Merit Badge Pamphlets • Application for Merit Badge – the “Blue Card” • A Guide to MB Counseling #34532 • Boy Scout Handbook & Requirements book • Scoutmaster Handbook

40. As a Merit Badge Counselor I agree: • To meet with the scout as often as it takes. • To follow the requirements of the merit badge, make no deletions or additions ensuring that each scout meets all requirements for the merit badge so that the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all scouts. • Have a buddy present at each instructional session. • Renew my registration annually if I plan to continue serving as a MBC.

41. Merit Badge Counselor