NORTHERN STAR DISTRICT MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR TRAINING September 9, 2010

1. NORTHERN STAR DISTRICT MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR TRAINING September 9, 2010

2. Overview • Welcome & introductions • The world of merit badges • How to earn a merit badge • Counselor requirements & procedures • Techniques and tips • Teaching suggestions • Summary and written quiz • Questions & closing comments

3. Welcome & Introductions Welcome! First annual merit badge (MB) counselor training for the Northern Star District and Bay Area Council Presented by Phil Bossert, Troop 442, Friendswood Please state your: Name Troop #__ and town Troop position Years in scouting This training: required vs. technique, gray areas, suggestions, exceptions to some rules, questions 3

4. The World of Merit Badges • A merit badge is an award that a scout earns when they complete specified requirements • There are approximately 120 MBs. • Categories: cultural, vocational, hobbies, life skills, service • Most are elective but 12 are required for Eagle • Scouts must earn 21 MBs for Eagle • Eagle Palms—bronze, silver, gold; five additional MBs each • 100th anniversary badges available only in 2010: • Path finding, tracking, signaling, carpentry • Most awards at troop court of honors are MBs! • MB counselors assist and coach scouts and certify that they have met the merit badge requirements

5. Eagle Required MBs • Family Life (90 days) • Personal Management (13 weeks) • Personal Fitness (12 weeks) • Camping • Citizenship in the Community, Nation, and World • Life Saving or Emergency Preparedness • Hiking, Cycling, or swimming • Environmental Science • Communications • First Aid

6. Merit Badge Benefits • Motivation • Learning • Mentoring • Responsibility • Self discipline • Goal setting • Sense of accomplishment • Character building • Socialization • Enables advancement beyond First Class • Much more!

7. How to Earn a MB Scout selects a badge Scout talks with the troop MB coordinator Recommends a MB counselor and issues a blue card Scout meets counselor with a buddy or parent Discusses expectations and times to meet Scout reads the MB pamphlet, accomplishes the requirements, and gets these signed off by the counselor Blue card is completed when all requirement are met Troop MB coordinator processes blue card—sections go to advancement chair, scout, counselor MB awarded during a court of honor 7

8. MB Counselor Requirements • Register as an adult leader annually (18 years of age) • Register as a MB counselor through your troop MB coordinator who maintains the list of counselors • Complete youth protection training • Complete MB counselor training with your troop • Usually informal training • Can use this presentation with handouts • Be a subject matter expert in the MBs you select • Be available to the scouts

9. Procedures • Always use the buddy system and be safe • Maintain standards and be a mentor • Cannot delete requirements nor add requirements • Follow requirements—”demonstrate, list, show, explain” • Be creative—use field trips but need a tour permit • Have enough adult chaperones! • Maintain good records--keep your portion of the blue card • Be available to the scouts; communicate with parents • Talk with the troop MB coordinator • Use the latest printing of MB pamphlet; check dates

10. Techniques and Tips • How many MBs should you counsel? • Times and locations to review requirements • Before and after troop meetings; patrol meetings • Handouts and field trips are helpful and motivating • Worksheets are useful but they need to know material • Merit badge academies and unique venues (Moody Gardens, Science Center, etc.) • MB classes—how many scouts is too many?

11. Techniques and Tips • Record keeping—blue cards or other records • Summer camp: normally no blue cards • Parents as MB counselors for their children—OK, but… • Troop MB coordinator—coordinates the MB program • Registers and trains MB counselors • Updates the list of troop MB coordinators quarterly • Processes blue cards and gives to advancement chair • Answers questions about MBs and assigns counselors • Can organize “mini-MB” academies

12. Teaching Suggestions • Use an ice breaker at beginning of each session • Be relaxed, motivating, and show interest in the scout • Allow scout to address the requirement at their pace • Use your judgment whether they met the standard • Talk with them; don’t give them the third degree! • Discuss their progress completing the badge • Should complete it within three months • Depends on their interest, effort, and ability • Sign off each requirement when they complete it • Keep the scouts moving towards completing the MB • Watch for scouts under stress—remind them to have fun

13. Summary • Register annually as a leader and a counselor, complete youth protection training, get trained, always be safe • Cannot add or delete requirements • Keep good records • Motivate, mentor, coach • Maintain standards • Be innovative and have fun Thanks for volunteering!

14. Overview • Welcome & introductions • The world of merit badges • How to earn a merit badge • Counselor requirements & procedures • Techniques and tips • Teaching suggestions • Summary and written quiz • Questions & closing comments

15. NORTHERN STAR DISTRICT MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR TRAINING September 9, 2010

16. References • http://www.scoutmaster.org/usscouts/boyscouts/MBCounseling.asp • http://www.scoutmaster.org/usscouts/boyscouts/MBC_Training.asp • http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badge_Counselor_Orientation • http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Guide_for_Merit_Badge_Counselors • http://www.bactroop442.org/