Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 University of Scouting Central Maine Community College March 24, 2012 Merit Badge Counselor Orientation Jim Thomas Troop 58 Committee Casco Bay District Training Chair 1

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 * Where Do Merit Badges Fit into the Boy Scout Program? * What are the Scout’s Responsibilities? * What are the Counselor’s Responsibilities? Today’s Plan 2

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 * Lots of Discussion * Lots of Fun! 3

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Where Merit Badges Fit into the Boy Scout Program? 4

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Start at the very beginning. 5 First Things First.

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 The Aims of Scouting “The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” * Character Development * Citizenship Training * Personal Fitness 6 In the Boy Scout Program these Ideals are expressed in: * Scout Oath * Scout Law * Scout Motto/Slogan

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 The Methods of Scouting (to achieve the Aims) The Patrol Method The Outdoors Association With Adults Personal Growth Leadership Development The Uniform Advancement 7

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Rank Advancement Merit Badges Advancement 8 (Adult Association)

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Merit Badges Are Courses of Instruction for a Particular Subject Over 100 merit badges are offered, ranging from American Business to Woodwork. (121) Each merit badge has specific, detailed requirements for completion. Scouts must earn a specified number of merit badges to earn the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle (and Eagle Palms). Merit badges provide depth of knowledge in a particular subject area. 9

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Furthers his knowledge base outside of school. Allows him to learn about subjects he might not otherwise be exposed to. Introduces him to potential career skills. Provides opportunities for:  Character-building (e.g., citizenship, service).  Physical fitness and hobbies that will give a lifetime of pleasure.  Becoming a more well-rounded person.  Interacting with knowledgeable adults they might not know. Builds self-confidence. Provides Important Benefits to the Scout 10

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 A Scout is required to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges for the rank of Eagle Scout, 12 of which are specifically mandated: 1. First Aid 2. Citizenship in the Community 3. Citizenship in the Nation 4. Citizenship in the World 5. Communications 6. Personal Fitness 7. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving 8. Environmental Science 9. Personal Management 10. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling 11. Camping 12. Family Life 11

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 The Scout’s Responsibilities 12

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 The Scout’s Responsibilities Pick A Subject. Talk to your Scoutmaster (or designee), get the name, phone number of a Counselor. Get a signed MB Application (Blue Card) from Scoutmaster Contact the Counselor. Talk to your Scoutmaster (or designee), get the name, phone number of a Counselor. Use the Buddy System. * Take a moment to discuss this. Meet with Counselor. *Discuss any requirements you have already completed *Review the Requirements *Work out a plan to complete the badge with the Counselor Show your Stuff. * When you are ready meet with the Counselor to meet the requirements Get the Badge. * When your Counselor is satisfied, he/she will sign your application! * Give the App. to your Scoutmaster (~ Advancement Coordinator ~) 13

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 The Scout’s Responsibilities, Cont. You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated -- no more and no less. * You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements. * If it says "show or demonstrate," that is what you must do. Just telling about it isn't enough. The same thing holds true for such words as "make," "list," "in the field," and "collect," "identify," and "label." 14

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Key Merit Badge FAQ’s Who can earn a merit badge? "Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time. You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible. " When can you start? "Unless otherwise specified, work for a requirement can be started at any time." – See Next Slide Where are the answers? The merit badge pamphlets (book) are full-color quick references with the answers, photos, and diagrams you need. "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." You can buy a merit badge pamplet (book) at your local Scout Shop or you can buy them online at: local Scout Shophttp:// Are worksheets requried? No. Merit Badge Worksheets are options tools to help you organize your work and include the logs, diagrams, and checklists you need.Merit Badge Worksheets Do you need a buddy? "You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor."merit badge counselor How are you tested? ""In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges requirements." - AP p. 26 "You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated—no more and no less." How do you get credit? "When the counselor is satisfied that you have met each requirement, he or she will sign your application." '"There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18." - AP p.34 "Partial completion of merit badges should be credited to a Scout on the Application for Merit Badge..." - AP p.34 What if you have Special Needs? "Merit badges are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated." 15

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Merit Badge PoliciesMerit Badge Policies pp Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval for Certain Requirements American Heritage American Heritage #2b, 2c, 2d, 5a, 5 American Labor American Labor #2, 5c, 5d Architecture Architecture #3 Art Art #2a, 2b, 4 Astronomy Astronomy #9 Athletics Athletics #6b Backpacking Backpacking #11b Cinematography Cinematography #3a Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Community #4b, 5, 7c Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the Nation #6 Communications Communications #5, 6, 7b Computers Computers #6e, #7c, 7d Crime Prevention Crime Prevention #7b Disabilities Awareness Disabilities Awareness #5a Emergency Preparedness Emergency Preparedness #8b, 9a Engineering Engineering #1 Environmental Science Environmental Science #3e3 First Aid First Aid #6c Forestry Forestry #5 Geology Geology #4a, 5c Golf Golf #8 Graphic Arts Graphic Arts #4a Home Repairs Home Repairs #2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Indian Lore Indian Lore #2b Journalism Journalism #3b, 3c Mammal Study Mammal Study #5 Medicine Medicine #10 Metalwork Metalwork #5b, 3c3a Model Design and Building Model Design and Building #1, 3, 4a, 4c Oceanography Oceanography #8a, 8c Painting Painting #3 Personal Fitness Personal Fitness #7 Pets Pets #1 Photography Photography #4a, 4b Pioneering Pioneering #10 Pottery Pottery #7 Public Health Public Health #5, 7 Pulp and Paper Pulp and Paper #7 Radio Radio #7 Safety Safety #2a Salesmanship Salesmanship #3 Scholarship Scholarship #4b Sculpture Sculpture #2c Small-Boat Sailing Small-Boat Sailing #6c Soil and Water Conservation Soil and Water Conservation #7f Sports Sports #5 Surveying Surveying #2 Weather Weather #9a, 9b Woodwork Woodwork #6d See also 16

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Notes on Group Instruction “ * Many subjects may be presented to groups of Scouts without defeating one of the purposes of the merit badge plan -- working closely with a qualified adult. * To the fullest extent possible, the merit badge counseling relationship is a counselor-Scout arrangement in which the boy is not only judged on his performance of the requirements, but receives maximum benefit from the knowledge, skill, character, and personal interest of his counselor. * Group instruction and orientation are encouraged where special facilities and expert personnel make this most practical, or when Scouts are dependent on only a few counselors for assistance. However, this group experience should be followed by attention to each individual candidate's projects and his ability to fulfill all requirements. * The merit badge counselor can make a presentation covering the highlights of a merit badge subject. Scouts should then be given an opportunity to try some skill related to the badge. This introduction to a merit badge can spark an interest in the subject.merit badge In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges requirements. ” 17

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 The Counselor’s Responsibilities 18

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 The Counselor’s Overall Role Provide the benefit of his or her knowledge. Help the Scout learn. Make the experience enjoyable. The Counselor is a Teacher and Mentor; a Role Model 19

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Who Can Be a Merit Badge Counselor? Men or women of good character. Age 18 or older. Have the skills and education in the subjects they wish to teach, wither by vocation (job) or avocation (hobby). Able to work with Scout-age boys. Must register with the Boy Scouts of America as a merit badge counselor AND have submitted the BSA Merit Badge Counselor Information form, indicating which merit badges he/she wishes to counsel. Does NOT have to be a registered BSA leader (as with a troop or crew). 20

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 The Counselor’s Responsibilities 1)Assist the Scout as he plans the assigned projects and activities to meet the merit badge requirements. 2)Coach Scouts through interviews and demonstrations on how to do the required skills of the craft, business, or hobby. 3)Certify the Scout after determining whether he is qualified for the merit badge. Your task is to satisfy yourself that each Scout who comes to you meets all the requirements for the merit badge. In this sense you are an examiner, though your larger opportunity lies in coaching, helping the Scout meet the challenge of the requirements and making him aware of the deeper aspects of the subject through your knowledge and experience. 21

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 Thank You! 22