1. The Merit Badge Program Guide to Advancement Section 7
Presenter Notes: This is information intended as guidance for the presenter only!
Presentation Summary: This presentation addresses the merit badge program, it’s benefits to Scouting, the procedures for earning merit badges, merit badge counselor qualifications, the process of counseling, necessary additional counselor certifications, counselor limitations, and administration of the merit badge counselor program. .
Time Required:
45-60 minutes including introductions; up to an hour and a half with questions and answers.
Target Audience: Unit leaders, merit badge counselors, advancement administrators and parents or guardians.
Learning Objectives: To understand the value of the merit badge program to the objectives of the BSA, understand the process of merit badge counseling, and the qualifications necessary to be a merit badge counselor.
Materials to review prior to presenting this session:
Guide to Advancement, No
National Advancement Program Team
Expiration Date
This presentation is not to be used after January 31, 2021.
Obtain an updated version at

2. Benefits of Merit Badges GTA 7.0.0.1
Acquire skills, hobbies
Explore career possibilities
Grow in confidence, social skills, self reliance
Experience learning in many different settings
Associate with new adult role models
There are many benefits a Scout acquires through participation in the merit badge program, some obvious, and some not so obvious.
The program allows Scouts to acquire skills useful throughout their lives. The program may introduce them to lifetime hobbies.
The merit badge subject matter may become an inspiration to pursue a particular career topic.
The merit badge program ultimately allows the Scout to gain confidence by overcoming obstacles associated with the tasks of completing the badge. Interaction with new adults and others improve social skills, and self reliance develops.
The program allows Scouts to become comfortable with learning in various settings outside of the classroom including one-on-one (but always with a buddy or third person as required by YPT) instruction from a merit badge counselor or in group settings involving a number of other Scouts.
Most importantly the program encourages interaction with new and maybe unfamiliar adults which act as role models for each Scout.

3. The only nationally recognized merit badge record
The Blue Card GTA
The only nationally recognized merit badge record
The “blue card” is the only nationally recognized merit badge record to be used at the council level. It carries the information needed for proper posting and for evidence and reference as may be needed later.
The card has three parts: the actual “Application for Merit Badge” portion, the “Applicant’s Record”, and the “Counselor’s Record”. To be considered complete, the card requires four signatures, two each from the unit leader and the counselor.
The unit leader signs first on front of the “Application for Merit Badge” portion, and gives the entire blue card to the Scout. The Scout contacts a registered merit badge counselor and meets with the counselor as often as necessary to complete the requirements.
Once the merit badge counselor is satisfied a Scout has completed the requirements, they sign in two places: on the reverse of the “Application for Merit Badge” and on the “Applicant’s Record”. The counselor keeps the “Counselor’s Record” portion of the card and returns the other two portions to the Scout.

4. Unit Leader Approval GTA 7.0.0.2, 7.0.0.3
The Scout may start a merit badge before meeting with their unit leader.
Challenge by choice: The Scout decides.
Use the opportunity to discuss the badge.
Discuss concerns, if any, but allow the Scout to choose.
The unit leader signs the application (blue card).
It is important to note that a Scout may start work on a merit badge at any time after being registered and before the Scout meets with their unit leader. Common cases of this activity include credit for previous nights spent camping or for stamps or coins already collected before starting the merit badge.
The meeting between the Scout and the unit leader is a good opportunity for the unit leader to discuss the requirements for the badge and the Scout’s interest in the badge’s topic. It is also a good opportunity for the unit leader to provide inspiration and direction in a young man’s life.
Ultimately it is the Scout’s choice as to which merit badges and the number he or she wishes to work on, their pace, and the approved counselor they choose.
If a Scout appears to be earning most merit badges through one counselor or appears to be attempting too many merit badges at the same time, this meeting is a good time for the unit leader to discuss these concerns with the Scout. Ultimately however, it is the Scout’s choice. (Note GTA which covers acceptable allowances for Limitations on choice of MB Counselors).
At the conclusion of this meeting the unit leader signs the Application.

5. The Process of Counseling GTA 7.0.3.0
The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and may begin working on the requirements.
The Scout discusses their interest in the merit badge with the unit leader.
The unit leader signs the blue card and provides the Scout with at least one registered counselor contact.
The Scout contacts the counselor.
The counselor considers any work completed prior to the initial meeting with the unit leader.
The Scout, their buddy, another adult, and counselor meet - often several times.
Here is the process for merit badge counseling. It is a uncomplicated process aimed at giving the Scout confidence if overcoming challenges while increasing his or her education beyond the classroom.
A Scout must meet with their unit leader before starting work with a merit badge counselor. When meeting with the Scout to discuss their interest in starting a merit badge, it is important for the unit leader to suggest an approved counselor for the Scout to contact and work with. The Scout does not have to accept the suggestion but must work with an approved counselor.
When a counselor works directly with one Scout and their buddy, personal coaching and guidance takes place to the greatest degree. This is BSA’s recommended best practice for merit badge counseling. Youth protection policies as outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting must be adhered to (
Discuss each item.

6. The Process of Counseling GTA 7.0.3.0
The Scout finishes the requirements.
The counselor approves completion.
The Scout returns the signed blue card to the unit leader who signs the applicant record section.
The unit leader gives the Scout the applicant record.
The unit reports the merit badge to the council.
The Scout receives the merit badge.

7. Other Issues Take a friend or buddy. (7.0.3.1)
If merit badge counseling includes any electronic interaction, it must be conducted in accordance with BSA Social Media Guidelines. ( )
Merit badge counselors can be used to finish a partially completed merit badge. ( )
A youth member must not meet one-on-one with an adult. There must be two registered adults present for all Scouting activities and meetings. However, the parent or legal guardian of the Scout may serve as the second adult. Youth should be encouraged to bring a buddy, such as a friend, parent, guardian, brother, sister, other relative, - or better yet -another Scout working on the same badge.
Electronic-based interactions, including phone calls, between a counselor and a Scout must follow BSA Social Media Guidelines. All s and attachments should always be copied to one or more authorized adults.
A Scout need not pass all the requirements of one merit badge with the same counselor. A counselor may record on the blue card what requirements have been completed (referred to as a “partial ”MB and return all parts of the blue card to the Scout. A subsequent counselor may review the completed work with the Scout and may choose not to accept partial work, but this should be rare. Partials do not expire until the Scout reaches his 18th birthday.

8. Merit Badge Counselors Must…. GTA 7.0.1.1
Complete Youth Protection Training
Be men or women of good character.
Be at least age 18.
Have skills and education in the subject.
Maintain registration with the Boy Scouts of America as a merit badge counselor.
Be approved by the local council for each merit badge counseled.
Here are the requirements for becoming a merit badge counselor.
People serving as merit badge counselors must be registered as merit badge counselors (registration Code 42) and be approved by their local council. This includes those serving at summer camp and in group settings such as merit badge fairs. There are no exceptions. Leaders serving in other positions within Scouting who wish to counsel merit badges must also register as merit badge counselors and be approved. This includes unit leaders.

9. Counselor Limitations GTA 7.0.1.4
Counselors may counsel as many badges as they are qualified and approved for.
A Scout may earn unlimited badges from any one counselor who is approved to counsel the badges.
Approved counselors may work with their own son, daughter, ward, or relative.
Scouts should be encouraged to seek counselors beyond their family and unit whenever possible.
Discuss each point.
Indicate that Scouts are encouraged to broaden their horizons by seeking a number of counselors outside of their family and unit. This is intended to help a Scout grow in their comfort in associating with adults they may not know.
Councils can limit the number of badges one counselor can counsel.
Unit leaders are also permitted to limit the number of badges a Scout can earn from one counselor as long as the same limit is applied to all Scouts in the unit.

10. Certifications for Specific Badges GTA 7.0.1.0
Badges involving higher-risk activities may require counselors or supervisors to hold additional certifications.
Swimming and watercraft activities must be conducted in accordance with BSA Safe Swim Defence or BSA Safety Afloat, respectively, and be supervised by adults at least 21 years old. Counselors must be trained and certified or use helpers who are.
All physical activities presented in any scouting program, including merit badges, must be conducted in accordance with “The Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety” and the Guide to Save Scouting. found at scouting.org.
Some merit badges have special qualifications for either the merit badge counselor or the supervisor. These activities include all water based activities, shooting sports and snow sports, and climbing. Consult the Guide to Advancement and the Guide to Safe Scouting for more information.
CPR instruction, whenever it is required, must be taught by currently trained CPR instructors.
Consult the Guide to Safe Scouting and the Guide to Advancement for the latest information.

11. Registering and Training Counselors GTA 7.0.1.4, 7.0.1.5
To register, all counselors must complete:
Merit Badge Counselor Information Sheet. No
BSA Adult Application No with code 42.
Resources:
Essentials of Merit Badge Counseling. (scouting.org/advancement)
Guide for Merit Badge Counseling, No
Registration as a merit badge counselor requires the submittal of the Merit Badge Information Sheet and the BSA Adult Application with code 42, even if already registered in another position.
Good resources for new counselors are the Guide for Merit Badge Counseling, available on line, and “Essentials of Merit Badge Counseling” found on scouting.org/advancement.

12. Group Instruction GTA
It is acceptable, and sometimes desirable, for merit badges to be taught in group settings.
Summer camp, merit badge fairs and midways are examples.
Scouts must be tested individually and must show that they actually and personally completed the requirements as written.
Group Instruction Guide, No
Merit badges are sometimes taught in group settings. This is acceptable as long as oversight is provided by a registered and approved merit badge instructor or supervisor.
However, each Scout must show that he or she actually and personally completed the requirements as written. For example, if a requirement uses words like “show”, “demonstrate” or “discuss”, he or she must do exactly that.
For guidance on conducting group instruction there is a Group Instruction Guide available on scouting.org/advancement, under the merit badge section.

13. Merit Badge Miscellany GTA 7.0.4.0
Suggesting new merit badges.
Suggesting revisions.
When requirements change (GTA ).
Suggestions for new merit badges may be sent to Ideas will be researched for relevance to the BSA mission and the needs of today’s youth.
All merit badges are periodically reviewed to improve relevance, consistency and accuracy. Suggestions for revisions should be sent to
The current annual edition of Scout Requirements lists the official merit badge requirements.
If changes to merit badge requirements appear in a pamphlet published after the January release of the Scout Requirements, a Scout may continue or start working on the merit badge under the old requirements or switch to using the new requirements. Once new or revised requirements appear in the new edition of Scout Requirements, which is released each January, any Scout just beginning work on a merit badge must use the requirements as stated there.

14. Merit Badge Miscellany GTA 7.0.4.0
Discontinued merit badges. ( )
Eagle-required badges for Star and Life rank. ( )
Once it is earned, it’s earned. ( )
Partials only expire on the Scout’s 18th birthday. ( )
A Scout of any age may work on any merit badge at any time. ( )
Scouts are not allowed to begin work on discontinued merit badges. However if a Scout has already started work and is actively pursuing completion of the discontinued merit badge, then the badge may be completed and count toward rank advancement.
When selecting merit badges required for the Eagle rank, candidates for the Star and Life ranks may choose from all those listed, including where alternatives are available. All would count as Eagle-required for the Star or Life ranks, but only one of the alternatives would count for the Eagle-required merit badge. The remainder would count toward the optional merit badges required to make up the total of 21 merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank.
A Scout who has earned a merit badge through a registered and approved counselor will have met the purpose of the merit badge program and the badge is his to keep. The same holds true if a Scout unintendedly fulfills the merit badge requirements with someone who is not registered and approved as a counselor. Once the badge is earned, it’s earned. The Scout is not held responsible for the mistakes of adults.
As previously discussed, partially completed merit badge requirements only expire by the Scout’s 18th birthday. Also, a Scout of any age may work on any merit badge at any time.

15. Summary
The merit badge program provides Scouts with the opportunity to learn new skills by pursing merit badge topics that are of interest to them.
The program provides a Scout with the opportunity for greater interaction with adult role models.
The process gives a Scout confidence in overcoming challenges while improving social skills and developing self-reliance.
Discuss each point.

16. For More Information Guide to Advancement, current edition
AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges.aspx
If you have questions, address the district and council advancement administrators first, then:
For more information consult the listed web-sites.

17. NAT - Internet Advancement
Questions?