1 The Essentials of Merit Badge Counseling

This Training Will Cover Scouting overview: mission, aims, and methods Merit badge program role and benefits Merit badge counselor qualifications How to become a counselor The merit badge counseling process Merit badge requirements: fulfill as written Effective counseling Group instruction and camp settings

Boy Scouts of America Mission Statement The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Aims of the Scouting Program Character development Citizenship training Mental and physical fitness Every activity in Scouting should support one or more of these aims. Guide to Advancement topic

Methods of Scouting Scouting ideals Patrol method Advancement Association with adults Outdoors Leadership development Uniform Personal growth Guide to Advancement topic

Four Steps in Boy Scout Advancement The Scout learns. The Scout is tested. The Scout is reviewed. The Scout is recognized. Guide to Advancement topic Merit badge counselors are directly involved in the first two steps.

Merit Badges: Their Role in Advancement Merit badges are integral to the advancement program. Any Scout may earn them at any time, including qualified Venturers and Sea Scouts. Merit badges are required for Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks. A total of 21 are required for Eagle. Some merit badges are “elective”; some are “required.” Twelve specific merit badges are required for Eagle Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, thirteen specific merit badges will be required when Cooking MB is added to the list Guide to Advancement topic

Broad Range of Subjects Agribusiness Arts and crafts Business and industry Communications Conservation Hobbies Natural science Personal development Physical science Professions Public service Sports Trades Transportation More than 130 merit badges in 14 subject areas: Guide to Advancement topic

Benefits of Merit Badges Contribution to the aims of Scouting: citizenship, character, and fitness Development of confidence, self-reliance, and social skills Physical fitness and healthy lifestyles Career and hobbies choices may result Exposure to positive role models:You! Guide to Advancement topic

At least 18 years of age Good character Recognized as having skills and education in the subject area Good rapport with leaders and Scout-age youth Qualifications to Become a Merit Badge Counselor Guide to Advancement topic

Complete YPT training o Online at o Save a copy of certificate o Add membership ID to user profile Adult leader application o Use Position Code 42, Merit Badge Counselor MBC information sheet Get training Re-register annually (District Re-charter) Registering as a Merit Badge Counselor Guide to Advancement topic

Guide to Advancement topic Supervision Requirements Swimming/Watercraft activities in accordance with Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, supervised by Adult (21 years old) Physical activities in accordance with “The Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety” CPR Instructors must have training from a nationally-certified provider

Special Certifications and Trainings CPC provides training for a limited set of certifications (Rifle Shooting, Climbing, COPE) Specific training is required for some BSA activities, including merit badges. Guide to Advancement topic

Merit Badges Requiring Special Qualifications or Current Certifications by MBC or Supervisor Archery Canoeing Climbing Kayaking Lifesaving Rifle Shooting Rowing Scuba For details refer to Guide to Safe Scouting and the 2013 Guide to Advancement Shotgun Shooting Snow Sports Swimming Whitewater A counselor must hold the specific certification or work with someone who does.

The Process of Counseling A Scout indicates his interest and discusses the badge with his unit leader. The unit leader signs a blue card and provides at least one counselor to contact. Scout can choose a different counselor, must ensure the counselor is registered The Scout contacts a counselor. The Scout and counselor meet—often several times. The requirements are fulfilled. Guide to Advancement topic

The Process of Counseling The counselor approves completion and signs the blue card (keeps the counselor record). The Scout returns the signed blue card to his unit leader for signature. The unit leader gives the Scout the applicant record section. The unit reports the merit badge as advancement. The merit badge is presented. Guide to Advancement topic

Subsequent Scout/ counselor meetings Scout returns completed merit badge card to unit leader Counselor approves completion Scout contacts counselor The Merit Badge Process Scout/counselor first meeting Scout indicates interest; discusses with unit leader; gets MBC name and blue card Scout completes requirements Unit reports advancement and obtains badge for presentation

The unit leader signature: Required for Scouts to work with counselors Does not require unit leader “approval” Evidence of discussion between unit leader and Scout Indicates registered counselor has been recommended Not required for Scout to get started on requirements Application for Merit Badge The Blue Card Guide to Advancement topic

Application for Merit Badge The Blue Card Record of completed requirements Scout’s information Guide to Advancement topic

Application for Merit Badge Reverse Side Counselor’s information 1/3 goes to the counselor’s records 1/3 goes to the unit as application for the badge 1/3 goes to Scout for his records Unit leader’s 2 nd signature Counselor signs in two places once all requirements are complete Guide to Advancement topic

Interview the Scout (with a buddy present) to determine: His preparedness His current knowledge His interest In subsequent meetings: Evaluate progress Review completed work Role of a Merit Badge Counselor First meeting:

Buddy System A Scout must have a buddy with him at every meeting with a merit badge counselor. A buddy could include: Another Scout A parent or guardian A brother or sister A relative or friend Guide to Advancement topic

Tips for Counseling Make Scouts feel welcome and relaxed. First impressions matter. Ask a few simple questions. Show them something related to the subject. Invite them to demonstrate a simple skill. Remember: This is Scouting. Have fun.

Tips for Counseling Use the EDGE method E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable

Role of a Merit Badge Counselor Coaching: Teach required skills. Provide opportunities to practice. Provide encouragement, and also praise when appropriate. Encourage goal setting and provide help and support in reaching goals. Evaluate progress and respond accordingly.

Role of a Merit Badge Counselor Mentoring: Establish a relationship, taking a genuine interest in the Scout’s projects. Spark curiosity. Go for the deeper dive. Encourage long term goal- setting.

Merit Badge Requirements Finding current requirements for a merit badge Boy Scout Requirements (current edition) Merit badge pamphlet (latest printing) Are the requirements flexible? No; they must be fulfilled as written. Wording matters! “ Show,” “demonstrate,” “describe, “make,” “list,” etc., are to be taken literally. Guide to Advancement topic

What if Merit Badge Requirements Change? If Scout has begun a MB, and new requirements are published in merit badge pamphlet Scout can continue to use old or new requirements If Scout begins a MB after new requirements are published in Boy Scout Requirements handbook Scout must use new requirements Guide to Advancement topic

Policy on Unauthorized Changes to Advancement Program No council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements. There are limited exceptions relating only to youth members with disabilities. For details see section 10, “Advancement for Members With Special Needs.” –The Guide to Advancement 2013, No

Scouts with Special Needs Merit badge requirements must not be waived or changed for any Scout. Scouts with disabilities—either permanent, or expected to last at least two years or beyond age 18—still may advance! The “Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges” may be found at: Contact Dr. Jeff Axel, Special Needs Committee Phone: , Guide to Advancement section 10

Group Instruction Benefits Guest experts Interactive learning Slide shows, skits, demonstrations, and other dynamic approaches Guide to Advancement topic The Challenge Every Scout must actually and personally pass every requirement as written.

Group Instruction Ensuring Quality Limit group instruction to cases where the benefits are compelling. See that all counselors are registered and approved. Establish processes where counselors confirm prerequisites have been completed. Report any issues to the council advancement committee. Guide to Advancement topic

Camp Settings No exemption from merit badge counselor qualifications. Staff members under 18 may assist, but must work with qualified counselor. Instruction must be done in accordance with “group instruction” procedures found in the 2013 Guide to Advancement. Guide to Advancement topics and

Merit Badge Events Merit badge fairs may provide an overview or introduction to multiple badges. Should be rare that Scouts begin and finish badges at one- or two-day events. Prerequisites should be made known early. Scouts must actually and personally fulfill all requirements. Guide to Advancement topic

Merit Badge Events Only minimal fees should be charged for events. Events staged as fundraisers are discouraged. Non-Scouting organizations or businesses are not allowed to use protected BSA trade names, images, logos, or artwork without BSA permission. Non-Scouting organizations must have local council approval to present classes that are for the sole purpose of earning merit badges. Unit Merit Badge Fairs must be certified by the District Advancement Chairman (Unit MB Fairs can not cross districts) MB Fairs or events crossing districts must be approved by the CPC Advancement Steering Committee (See guidelines posted on the CPC web site) Guide to Advancement topic

Worksheets and Learning Aids Merit badge “worksheets” from the Web or other sources are unofficial, but may aid in learning. These tools must relate to current BSA requirements; all requirements still must be fulfilled as written. Worksheets may be used to meet “in writing” requirements. Worksheets are not a substitute for “telling,” “showing,” or “demonstrating,” etc. Scouts must not be required to use them. Guide to Advancement topic

Reporting concerns about merit badge counseling that does not follow BSA procedures If a unit leader discovers that Scouts who have received merit badges through a group instructional setting have not fulfilled all the requirements, then file form in Section , Guide to Advancement, 2013 with the Council Advancement Committee (Reporting Merit Badge Counseling Concerns) Guide to Advancement topic

Completing the “Partial” Blue Card The merit badge counselor records and initials the front of the card in the middle section as each requirement is completed. The back of the card is not signed in either place until all requirements are fulfilled. Partials do not expire as long as the Scout is a registered youth member. Accepting a “partial” is at the follow-up counselor’s discretion. Guide to Advancement topic

Once It’s Earned, It’s Earned Once a registered and approved counselor has passed a Scout on requirements for a merit badge, it cannot be taken away. Nor does unit leadership have the authority to retract approval, or take the badge away. Even if a merit badge counselor were found to be improperly documented, it would be a rare occasion when a Scout would be penalized for the mistake of an adult volunteer. Guide to Advancement topic

What about an Unregistered MBC? May happen if an MBC allow their registration to lapse, but continues as an active counselor Report to District or Council Advancement committee for follow up Provide Scout with contact info for a registered, approved counselor Guide to Advancement topic

Limited recourse for unearned MB Only rarely used if it is clear that the Scout could not have completed all the requirements for the merit badge Must act before merit badge is awarded to the Scout (within 30 days of discovery) Unit Leader should discuss with Scout in a positive environment how the requirements were met (have a second adult present as observer) Guide to Advancement topic

Additional Tidbits Unit decides: o Who holds the merit badge card while it is being worked on o Who has blank merit badge cards o Unit policies (within published guidelines) for achieving merit badges must be published for the whole unit to see

Addressing Merit Badge Myths At what age or rank may Boy Scouts work on merit badges? What is the maximum number of merit badges a Scout may work on at the same time? Is a Scout allowed to work on a merit badge without his unit leader’s “approval”? None if registered as Scout No limit No longer required; discussion is held

If a Scout has too many unfinished merit badges, may the Scoutmaster limit how many others he may begin? Is it appropriate to tell a Scout he must earn all or most of his Eagle-required badges before he earns any others? Is the Scoutmaster permitted to serve as a troop merit badge counselor for some merit badges like Camping or Hiking? Addressing Merit Badge Myths During discussion above, Scoutmaster should provide counseling on what to do Scoutmaster could only suggest this Permitted only if unit leader is registered and approved as counselor

Addressing Merit Badge Myths What is the maximum number of badges a youth may earn from one counselor? How many badges may one counselor be approved to counsel? May you counsel your son? May you counsel in other units, districts, or councils? SM can limit, as long as policy is same for all scouts National places no limit Yes, but… Yes

Addressing Merit Badge Myths Due to tight schedules, is a camp staff member allowed to make minor adjustments so requirements can be finished at camp? Once you are registered and approved as a counselor, at what point must you reregister and become reapproved? When does a “partial” expire? Absolutely not Annually When no longer eligible to register as a Boy Scout

Resources Guide to Advancement, No BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting, No Merit badge pamphlets Boy Scout Requirements, No Application for Merit Badge, No A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling, No Boy Scout Handbook, No Merit Badge Counselor Information, No BSA Adult Application, No Training video: For More Information Other advancement presentations available at: AdvancementandAwards/resources.aspx

Merit Badge Counselors Share passion Teach skills Touch lives

Questions? PowerPoint presentation and syllabus available at select Leaders/Advancement/Advancement Education Sweet 16 of BSA Safety available at Scouting Safely, eet16.aspx eet16.aspx eet16.aspx