Merit Badge Counselor Orientation The essence of quality in Scouting is having sufficient qualified Adult Leaders Merit Badge Counselor Orientation The essence of quality in Scouting is having sufficient qualified Adult Leaders

Course Objectives* Discuss the Purpose of the Merit Badge Program Learn the Merit Badge Counselor Role Describe “Counseling” and “Coaching” Describe “Counseling” and “Coaching” Define Individual vs. Group Counseling Define Individual vs. Group Counseling Describe the Process, including: How to Complete A Merit Badge Card How to Complete A Merit Badge Card Accurate Record-keeping Accurate Record-keeping How “Partial” Badges Work How “Partial” Badges Work Consideration for Special Needs Consideration for Special Needs Before counseling: Learn the BSA’s Policies and Rules! * This Orientation is written mainly for Boy Scout Troops, but Venturers and Varsity Scouts who obtain First Class rank may earn Merit Badges until they turn 18.

What are Merit Badges? Merit Badges are courses of instruction for a particular subject 121 Merit Badges offered; Ranging from American Business to Woodworking Each Merit Badge has specific, detailed, requirements for completion Scouts must earn specified number of merit badges to earn ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle (and Eagle Palms)

Required Merit Badges 21 Merit Badges are required for the rank of Eagle Scout 12 of the 21 are specifically required: Eagle Required Merit Badges have silver border First Aid Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Communications Personal Fitness Lifesaving OR Emergency Preparedness Environmental Science Personal Management Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling Camping Family Life

Purpose of the Program The Merit Badge Program is an educational tool unique to Scouting. Designed to help youth grow into adults of character Prepares them to take their place in the world as participating citizens. The badge is just a small piece of cloth, with an embroidered design, but its significance is huge…

Aims & Methods of Scouting AIMS Growth in moral strength & character Growth in moral strength & character Citizenship Participation Citizenship Participation Development: Physical, Mental, & Emotional Fitness Development: Physical, Mental, & Emotional FitnessMETHODS Advancement: Self-Reliance; Challenge Advancement: Self-Reliance; Challenge Ideals: Oath - Law - Motto - Slogan Ideals: Oath - Law - Motto - Slogan Patrols: Peer Group; Elected Rep’s; Activities Patrols: Peer Group; Elected Rep’s; Activities Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Adult Association: Role Models Adult Association: Role Models Personal Growth: Good Turn; Service Projects; Religious Emblems Personal Growth: Good Turn; Service Projects; Religious Emblems Leadership Development: Practice Citizenship Skills Leadership Development: Practice Citizenship Skills Uniform: Commitment to Aims; Group Identity Uniform: Commitment to Aims; Group Identity

Advancement Method One of the eight methods of scouting Advancement method includes both Rank Advancement and Merit Badges Rank Advancement provide breadth of knowledge in many areas. Merit Badges provide depth of knowledge in a particular subject

Merit Badges Help Scouts… Develop character and self-confidence Learn communication skills Overcome obstacles; meet & work with new people Introduces possible career skills Discover hobbies and interests to last a lifetime Develop physical fitness

Merit Badge Counselors… Offer time, experience, knowledge, & enthusiasm for their subject May be college professors, Junior High and H.S. teachers, clergy, coaches, professionals, or simply have great interest in their subject.

The Counselor’s Role Duties as Counselor Introduce yourself, to help put Scouts at ease Introduce yourself, to help put Scouts at ease Tell Scouts why you Counsel the Badge Tell Scouts why you Counsel the Badge Interview the Scouts to determine: Interview the Scouts to determine:Preparedness Signed MB Card, MB pamphlet, started projects… Signed MB Card, MB pamphlet, started projects… What the Scout already knows about subject His interest in the subject Set short- and long-term goals for projects, collections, written work Set short- and long-term goals for projects, collections, written work Help Scout evaluate progress Help Scout evaluate progress Encourages Scouts to ask for help if needed Encourages Scouts to ask for help if needed Follow-up on goals Follow-up on goals

The Counselor’s Role Duties as Coach Teach required skills Teach required skills Be prepared with project ideas appropriate to subject Be prepared with project ideas appropriate to subject Give the Scout an opportunity to practice while learning Give the Scout an opportunity to practice while learning Show genuine interest and enthusiasm for your subject! Show genuine interest and enthusiasm for your subject!

The Counselor’s Role Duty as Examiner Prepare for & teach current requirements: Prepare for & teach current requirements: “Boy Scout Requirements” book, (BSA #33215), is updated annually* Requirements & necessary information found in Merit Badge Pamphlet for each badge Pamphlets older than © 2000 should not be used* Scouts must complete exact requirement – no more, no less Download & refer to Merit Badge Worksheets, as appropriate, to type of badge Download & refer to Merit Badge Worksheets, as appropriate, to type of badge Scout should bring his own copy use only if current; go to for list Available for purchase at Twin Cities Scout Shops, or at or by calling

The Counselor’s Role Duty to District Advancement Follow BSA policies when working with Scouts Follow BSA policies when working with Scouts Update BSA “Youth Protection” training every two years* Update BSA “Youth Protection” training every two years* Renew MBC registration yearly Renew MBC registration yearly no form necessary; simply tell the Unit or District Advancement Chair For new MB Counselors, before badges are counseled: For new MB Counselors, before badges are counseled: BSA Adult Application Merit Badge Counselor Application; available from Unit or District Advancement Chair Both forms must be signed by a Unit Leader & District Advancement Chair. There is no fee for adults who are counselors only SSN required for background check Notify District Advancement when ‘retiring’ Notify District Advancement when ‘retiring’ * Northern Star Council’s website has online training available at

Individual Counseling The Buddy System Whenever meeting with the Merit Badge Counselor, the Scout must take along: Whenever meeting with the Merit Badge Counselor, the Scout must take along: Other Scouts working on the same badge A parent, guardian, or other relative A friend A Scout can never meet with a merit badge counselor alone A Scout can never meet with a merit badge counselor alone Designed to protect BOTH the Scout and the adult

Scout Initiated MB Process Scout selects Merit Badge & indicates interest to Scoutmaster or designee Scoutmaster: Gives Scout a signed Merit Badge card Gives Scout a signed Merit Badge card Asks Scout if he has a Counselor in mind Asks Scout if he has a Counselor in mind If needed, provides names and numbers of Counselors from Unit or District list Encourages Scout to wear uniform when meeting with Counselor Encourages Scout to wear uniform when meeting with Counselor Scout obtains & studies MB pamphlet Available for each subject Available for each subject Borrow from Troop Library, Merit Badge Counselor, or purchase from Scout Shop… Borrow from Troop Library, Merit Badge Counselor, or purchase from Scout Shop…

Merit Badge Card Scout & Counselor follow these instructions Scout & Counselor follow these instructions Counselor fills out as Scout completes requirements Scoutmaster signs card before Scout begins work on badge

Initial Scout & Counselor Meeting Scout selects Merit Badge Counselor Scout & Counselor set date, time, & place for first meeting* Counselor encourages Scout to bring: A signed Merit Badge card A signed Merit Badge card Merit Badge Pamphlet Merit Badge Pamphlet Projects in progress Projects in progress Other signs of preparedness Other signs of preparedness *Remember Buddy System

Scout fills out personal information on both sides of the Merit Badge card in blue or black ink.

Working on the Merit Badge Scout & Counselor Set goals, Set goals, Decide which requirements Scout will do, Decide which requirements Scout will do, Discuss projects & goals for completion Discuss projects & goals for completion Set time, date, & place for further meetings Set time, date, & place for further meetings Scout does work on own with help from Counselor; May require several meetings May require several meetings Scout is tested individually. Counselor records requirements on Blue Card as they are completed.

Counselor:  Completes address and requirement sections  Signs card when all requirements have been met, or returns partially- completed card to Scout  Removes “Counselor” section, returns remaining two sections to Scout Counselor:  Completes address and requirement sections  Signs card when all requirements have been met, or returns partially- completed card to Scout  Removes “Counselor” section, returns remaining two sections to Scout

This Scout has two requirements to complete. Partial Merit Badge Card

Completing the Merit Badge Scout completes the requirements exactly as stated – no more, no less If requirement says “show” or “demonstrate,” that is what must be done, just telling about it is not enough If requirement says “show” or “demonstrate,” that is what must be done, just telling about it is not enough Same holds true for “make”, “list”, “collect”, “identify”, “label” or other such action words; do what the requirement calls for. Same holds true for “make”, “list”, “collect”, “identify”, “label” or other such action words; do what the requirement calls for. If Scout has proper documentation that he previously completed requirements with another counselor, these requirements do not necessarily need to be repeated.

Completing MB Process When Merit Badge Requirements complete, the Counselor keeps the Counselor’s Record portion of the Blue Card & signs the remaining two sections. Counselor gives Scout remaining two sections Scout gives remaining two sections to Scoutmaster Scoutmaster signs MB Card again, gives both sections to Unit Advancement Chair Unit Advancement Chair records and purchases Merit Badge Scout receives his new Merit Badge at the next Unit Meeting* Scout is recognized again at the Unit’s next Court of Honor. * Preferred method, may vary by unit tradition

Scoutmaster approves Merit Badge Card

Group Counseling Unit Meetings, Camp-outs, Summer Camp, High Adv. Camp, Fall Camporee, Merit Badge Days & Weekends, Skills Seminars.. Makes use of special facilities, tours, & expert personnel Makes use of special facilities, tours, & expert personnel Eliminates problem of access to Counselors in rural areas Eliminates problem of access to Counselors in rural areas It is especially important to give individual attention to each Scout’s work It is especially important to give individual attention to each Scout’s work Scout must individually show knowledge of subject matter before Counselor signs card Scout must individually show knowledge of subject matter before Counselor signs card No mass testing

Special Needs Scouts Counselors may accept answers from Special Needs Scouts: Verbally, Verbally, Via photo, Via photo, Spoken recording, or Spoken recording, or Dictation to a helper. Dictation to a helper. Eagle candidates may use alternate badges See “Advancement Policies and Procedures Guidelines” booklet, (BSA #33088). See “Advancement Policies and Procedures Guidelines” booklet, (BSA #33088). The Scout must apply to Council Advancement before beginning the alternate badges; Doctor’s statement of disability must accompany application Doctor’s statement of disability must accompany application Scout must do as many badges as possible before applying for alternates The paperwork must be submitted with his Eagle Rank Application.

Counselor Qualifications From “Advancement Policies & Procedures Guidelines” (BSA #33088), and other resources: Counselor must be a registered adult age 18+ Counselor must be a registered adult age 18+ Adults can obtain a free MB Counselor registration if not otherwise registered Counselors must be approved by their troop, charter organization, local District & Council before doing Merit Badges Counselors must be approved by their troop, charter organization, local District & Council before doing Merit Badges The council will require SSN to perform a background check There is no restriction on the number of Badges Counselors may sign up to do* There is no restriction on the number of Badges Counselors may sign up to do* There is no limit on the number of Badges that may be earned from one Counselor* There is no limit on the number of Badges that may be earned from one Counselor* A Counselor may counsel any Scout, including his/her sons and relatives. It is best to do this in a group setting. A Counselor may counsel any Scout, including his/her sons and relatives. It is best to do this in a group setting. Scouts may do Badges with Counselors anywhere in the U.S.A. Scouts may do Badges with Counselors anywhere in the U.S.A. * Some Units may impose restrictions in their Policy Manuals but the BSA sets none.

Counselor should halt if… Scout has no MB Card or Card not signed by Scoutmaster Scout has not received pre-approval as-needed Some Badges require parent or Counselor permission to proceed with requirements that involve tours, off-site visits, or tool use. Some Badges require parent or Counselor permission to proceed with requirements that involve tours, off-site visits, or tool use. Scout is “winging it.” “That’s good enough” lures Scout into false confidence of mastery. “That’s good enough” lures Scout into false confidence of mastery. Sign only passed requirements, but leave self-esteem intact. Sign only passed requirements, but leave self-esteem intact. Encourage Scout to come back when he has mastered the next topic. Encourage Scout to come back when he has mastered the next topic. Some Counselors keep the Scout’s MB card so he may not shop around for an “easier” Counselor, some return the partial card with requirements that they worked on together signed. Some Counselors keep the Scout’s MB card so he may not shop around for an “easier” Counselor, some return the partial card with requirements that they worked on together signed. Counselor asked to just sign off on a Badge begun at summer camp. Counselor may sign after Scout demonstrates knowledge of the subject. Counselor may sign after Scout demonstrates knowledge of the subject. Scouts wants Counselor to OK a 3-month long Badge… 2-1/2 months before his 18th birthday Scout has made up (falsified) charts, lists, logs… A parent seems to be in control.

Unit To Do’s Each Unit should have an Advancement Chair Units should maintain Unit MB Counselor Listing Units should make sure District Listing is current Parents should fill out a “Resources Survey” New parents make great Merit Badge Counselors New parents make great Merit Badge Counselors Helps them make a smooth transition from Cub Scouting. Survey available at Survey available at Counselors should be trained. Make the “Merit Badge Counselor Orientation” (BSA #34542) pamphlet available to all; Make the “Merit Badge Counselor Orientation” (BSA #34542) pamphlet available to all; Conduct regular “Merit Badge Orientation” at Unit level. Conduct regular “Merit Badge Orientation” at Unit level. This Orientation is available on the Mustang District website at This Orientation is available on the Mustang District website at

References Boy Scout Requirements Book Advancement Committee Guide: Policies and Procedures (2008) A Guide to Merit Badge Counseling Merit Badge Application Individual Merit Badge Pamphlets Boys Scout Handbook The Scoutmaster Handbook

Congratulations! You have just completed Mustang District’s “Merit Badge Orientation!” Please let us know what you think… 1.Please give your opinion of this training: on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being “great” and 5 being “poor.” Click here to enter your choice, or circle a number in this rating panel [ ] 2.Please tell us approximately how long you’ve been a Counselor [ _____ Mo’s Yrs ], approximately how many different badges you’ve counseled [ _____ ], and how many scouts [ _____ ] 3.Inform Mustang Advancement of who you are by printing this page. If printing, add: Date [ _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ ] Name [ _______________________ ] and send to: Mustang District Executive This Merit Badge Counselor Orientation was conducted by Mustang District Advancement, Northern Star Council, Minnesota