MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR TRAINING Instructor: Don Hamell Phone:

TOPICS The Aims of Scouting What is Advancement? What is a Merit Badge? Why does the BSA use Merit Badge Counselors? What is a Merit Badge Counselor?

TOPICS (Continued) Merit Badge Counselor Requirements and Registration The Merit Badge Process Summer Camp Merit Badge Counselors

Aims of Scouting Teach Youth Character Development Citizenship Mental and Physical Fitness

Eight fundamental methods: The ideals of Scouting – Scout Oath – Scout Law – Scout motto The patrol method The outdoors

Methods (continued) Advancement Association with adults Personal growth Leadership development The uniform

What is Advancement Process by which a Scout progresses Designed to help Scout have an exciting and meaningful experience Progressive series of fun and educational tasks

What is a Merit Badge More than 100 merit badges Variety of subjects – Vocational and careers – Personal development – Hobbies – Sports – High adventure – Citizenship – Life-skills development Offer a range of difficulty Scout gains self-confidence from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal Merit Badges are awards presented to a Scout when he completes the requirements for one of the Merit Badge subjects

Why BSA Uses MB Counselors Association with quality adults Exposure to outstanding adults – Examples – Mentors Cornerstone to merit badge program Discussion:

What is a Merit Badge Counselor? Both a teacher and a mentor to the Scout Help Scouts over the different hurdles of the requirements Help make Scout aware of deeper aspects of the subject May not modify the merit badge requirement Scout must have “buddy” at all sessions

Merit Badge Counselor Requirement and Registration Register annually with the Boy Scouts of America Be at least 18 years old Be of good character Be proficient in the merit badge subject – Vocation – Avocation – Special Training

Merit Badge Counselor Requirement and Registration Be able to work with Scout-age youth Be approved by the district/council advancement committee Show materials:

Merit Badge Counselor Requirement and Registration BSA Youth Protection training completed before working with youth Two-deep leadership No one-on-one contact Respecting privacy Reporting problems

Merit Badge Process Scout decides on MB Scoutmaster gives name and phone number of merit badge counselor, issues blue card Scout telephones merit badge counselor to schedule a date and time for him and his buddy to meet

Merit Badge Process (continued) Counselor and Scout decide on tentative schedule for completing the requirements Review the requirements – OK to expand on information in pamphlet – New requirements or additional work may NOT be added

Merit Badge Process (continued) Number of counseling sessions will vary – Difficulty of the requirements – Scout’s preparation and ability Scout moves ahead in his own way and at his own pace Rate of advancement depends on: Interest Effort Ability

Merit Badge Process (Continued) Each requirement is tested (with buddy present), and marked on application Merit Badge counselor certifies the Scout has completed the requirements Scout returns completed Application for Merit Badge to his Scoutmaster

Counseling Techniques Discuss teaching experiences: Helpful Hints: – Create a relaxed welcoming environment – Find out what the Scout already knows – Stimulate his interest (careful not to overwhelm) – Establish an atmosphere where a Scout will ask questions or ask for help

Counseling Techniques (Continued) Make sure the Scout understands he needs to do what the requirements call for: – “show” or “demonstrate” – “make” or “list” – “discuss” – “collect, identify, and label”

Counseling Techniques (Continued) Requirements must be completed exactly as presented Encourage the Scout o practice for his review session and to reflect on accomplishment Different than final exams in school May need to reteach – then retest to ensure the area has been learned

Fast Facts A merit badge counselor can counsel any Scout, including his own son – although this is discouraged in order to offer a Scout the chance to meet a diverse group of outstanding adults. A counselor may be certified in unlimited merit badge subjects, but he or she must be approved for each one.

There is not limit on the number of merit badges that a counselor may counsel with one Scout. However, the Scout will benefit the most from working with a variety of outstanding adults. A merit badge counselor may limit his or her services to one unit but still must be approved by the council advancement committee.

Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters are not automatically approved as merit badge counselors. Group instruction is acceptable, but each Scout must be tested and passed individually There is no time limit for completion of merit badges, but all work on merit badges must be completed before the Scout’s 18 th birthday.

SUMMARY RESOURCES FOR MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS elors/MBCounselorGuide.aspx