1. Merit Badge Counselor Training
Cascade Pacific Council Troop April (adapted from the Advancement Extraveganza 2007 Training)
Merit Badge Counselor Training

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

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

10. Your signature
Committee signature

11. 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.

12. Training
Youth Protection Training
(Adult protection)
Every 2 years
Available online at: -> 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 -

13. 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

14. 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,
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

15. 1 2 4 3 6 5

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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.