Merit Badge Counselor Training Cascade Pacific Council Troop 740 - April 2011 (adapted from the Advancement Extraveganza 2007 Training) Merit Badge Counselor Training

Agenda Who can be a merit badge counselor How to recruit merit badge counselors Registration & training The scout’s role The merit badge counselor’s role Merit badge counseling methods and process Scouts with special needs

Who can be a merit badge counselor? Minimum age: 18 years Adequate knowledge of subject Professional knowledge or hobbyist Ability to work with young men 11-18

How to recruit merit badge counselors Parent survey Reach out to people in the community Don’t forget women, minorities, the physically disabled District Advancement Chairman maintains a list of certified, trained merit badge counselors Do not let youth get a hold of the complete list

Registration New Adult Application (even if you are a registered Troop Adult - a separate Adult Application is needed for new Merit Badge Counselors – as this position is considered a District/Council Position – not a Troop Position) Merit Badge Counselor Information Form Complete Youth Protection Training (if not previously completed)

[your district name] Merit badge counselor 4 2 Merit badge counselor

Your signature Committee signature

Finalizing registration Submit completed forms to Michele – I will take care of ensuring it gets to the correct folks Each year each District Advancement Chair is asked to recertify all merit badge counselors each June (hence why we are seeking to confirm our listings in April/May) There is no re-registration paperwork – unless you wish to add merit badges you are willing/qualified to council.

Training Youth Protection Training (Adult protection) Every 2 years Available online at: www.cpcbsa.org -> Training -> Youth Protection Training Merit Badge Counselor Training This session – for folks who miss this session – I can arrange another session if there is sufficient need -

The methods of merit badge counseling Make scout feel welcome, at ease Share/show something related to subject Involve scout in a hands-on experience Show genuine interest in scout & subject Review requirements at first meeting Ensure you are using the current requirements This book is revised each year www.meritbadge.com

The scout’s role Scout initiative is the foundation of the merit badge program: The scout must pick the subject, then Obtain blue merit badge card Review with SM and obtain his signature to proceed Obtain merit badge pamphlet (optional) Scout Shop, troop library, troop web site, www.meritbadge.com Select the merit badge counselor (with help) Contact the merit badge counselor (with a buddy) Do the work When finished, get Counselor’s, Scoutmaster’s signatures Deliver the merit badge card to Advancement Committee

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The role of a merit badge counselor Coach scouts through interviews and demonstrations Certify that scouts have met all of the requirements Add or subtract nothing to ensure the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all If teaching in a group, each scout should be tested individually Never counsel one-on-one When you are finished, you keep the Counselor’s Record portion of the blue merit badge card

Follow the verbs; make the numbers If the requirement says: “Show”, then the Scout must show “Tell”, then the Scout must tell “Discuss” – talk about (dialog) “Explain” – make clear, to give reason for “Demonstrate” – show clearly, prove or make clear by reasoning, evidence, examples “Do” – accomplish; bring to pass When amounts are listed, make sure the scout complies A 500 word essay must have at least 500 words

The merit badge process A merit badge may be earned at any time between ages 11 and 18 There are no rank requirements Partial merit badges should not be restarted The current requirements are to used to determine completion

Additional suggestions Cascade Pacific Council policy: You may not counsel any scout in more than 5 merit badges Unit decides: Who holds the merit badge card while it is being worked on – We typically let the Merit Badge Counselor decide - Who has blank merit badge cards – we store cards in the Troop Closet – and if there are none there – you can get blue cards from our current Advancement Coordinator - Merle

Scouts with special needs No Council, District, unit or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, any advancement requirement Scouts with special needs may have alternate Eagle requirements established for them Cascade Pacific Council has developed an “Alternative Merit Badge Program” for those who attempted a merit badge but were unable to complete the requirements Special Needs: We can look the Cascade Pacific Counsels Website – Contact Us page to find current contacts to answer any of our questions.