- How To Apply For A Merit Badge Requirements
- How To Apply For A Merit Badges
- A Merit Good
- How To Apply For A Merit Based Scholarship
A merit badge counselor is a district-level position, not a troop position, which means prospective counselors must register online or submit a new adult leader application even if already registered in another capacity. Registration can be completed in one of two methods: online registration. A merit badge application can be approved only by a registered merit badge counselor. You must have a buddy with you (Scout buddy system) at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. RTurn in your approved application to your unit leader. You will be awarded the merit badge and certificate at a suitable occasion. Information for Counselor.
Then have the Scoutmaster sign the Application for Merit Badge section. Check the Troop 575 list of counselors (click link above). If none is listed for your badge, ask a Scoutmaster for help - the District has a list, so we can find you one. Talk with the counselor to plan how you will demonstrate the requirements. Show Your Stuff. Complete a BSA Merit Badge Counselor Information Form to apply to be a counselor for specific merit badges. To download this file, please use the colored link above. You may print the blank form, or type in the information online and then print the completed form.
To earn a merit badge, a young person must work with a registered merit badge counselor. Here are some frequently asked questions about these important adult volunteers.
What are the requirements to be a merit badge counselor?
Counselors must be men or women of good character who are 18 or older with skills and education in the subjects they cover. They also must be registered as an adult BSA leader and apply for the position of merit badge counselor (position code 42). They also must have completed Youth Protection Training within the past two years.
What training and expertise must a counselor have?
There are no specific requirements for most badges, although the counselor must be knowledgeable about the topic. (Oftentimes this means involvement in the field as a career or hobby.) For a handful of badges, mostly in aquatics and shooting sports, special qualifications and/or current certifications are required; these are listed in section 7.0.1.1 of the Guide to Advancement.
Who approves merit badge counselors?
The council advancement committee, although responsibility is sometimes delegated to the district advancement committee. Council or district approval is required even for counselors who serve only Scouts in their own units. The advancement committee should maintain a current list of registered and approved counselors and make it available to the leaders of troops, crews and ships.
How does a merit badge counselor get approved?
In addition to submitting an adult application, a potential counselor must submit the Merit Badge Counselor Information form (No. 34405) to the council or district advancement committee, depending on local policies. On this form, the applicant lists which badges he or she wants to counsel, plus relevant training and experience. There's no fee to register as a merit badge counselor.
Can't a Scoutmaster counsel any merit badge automatically?
No. A unit leader must register as a counselor and be approved for the merit badges in question.
Does a merit badge counselor have to work with any Scout who asks?
On the Merit Badge Counselor Information sheet, the counselor can specify whether he or she wants to work with any Scouts or just those from specified units.
How does Youth Protection affect merit badge counseling?
As in all Scouting activities, no one-on-one contact is permitted, and two-deep leadership is required. However, in the case of merit badge counseling, one of the Scout's parents can serve as the second required adult.
How To Apply For A Merit Badge Requirements
Is internet-based counseling permitted?
No. A unit leader must register as a counselor and be approved for the merit badges in question.
Does a merit badge counselor have to work with any Scout who asks?
On the Merit Badge Counselor Information sheet, the counselor can specify whether he or she wants to work with any Scouts or just those from specified units.
How does Youth Protection affect merit badge counseling?
As in all Scouting activities, no one-on-one contact is permitted, and two-deep leadership is required. However, in the case of merit badge counseling, one of the Scout's parents can serve as the second required adult.
How To Apply For A Merit Badge Requirements
Is internet-based counseling permitted?
The preferred method is face-to-face interaction. However, councils can develop procedures to allow counseling via the internet. See section 5.0.8.0 of the Guide to Advancement for more information.
How To Apply For A Merit Badges
Where can I learn more?
An excellent resource is the pamphlet A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling (No. 512-065).
Before you can complete your merit badge work, you must have the assistance of a registered Merit Badge Counselor. Troop 104 has several registered counselors who are authorized to help you. If you elect to work on a badge which requires special skills or knowledge not available within the troop, your Scout Master or Merit Badge Program Coordinator can help you find a counselor through the Occoneechee Council.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.'
A Merit Good
- Pick a Subject
- Review current merit badges and requirements
- Make note of subjects that interest you
- Talk to your Scout Master or Merit Badge Program Coordinator
- They may advise you to consider working on your choice as part of the Troop Merit Badge Program or in summer camp.
- To start a merit badge, you will need a signed Application for Merit Badge ('Blue Card') from your Scoutmaster or Merit Badge Program Coordinator. Click here for an online 'Blue Car' application
- Find a Merit Badge Counselor
- If the Troop does not have a counselor for the merit badge you chose, contact your Merit Badge Program Coordinator
- Contact your Counselor
- Tell him or her that you want to earn the merit badge
- The counselor may ask you to come and see him so he can explain what he expects and start helping you meet the requirements
- Use the Scout Buddy System. You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. This person can be another Scout, your parents or guardian, a brother or sister, a relative, or a friend.
- Work on the requirements
- Ask your counselor to help you learn the things you need to know or do
- Review the Merit Badge Requirements and Merit Badge Worksheets online
- Read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject (Troop 104 keeps several copies of the merit badge pamphlets in our attic meeting room)
- Show your stuff
- When you are ready, call the counselor again to make an appointment
- Take along the things you have made to meet the requirements
- If they are too big to move, take pictures or have an adult tell in writing what you have done
- The counselor will ask you to do each requirement to make sure that you know your stuff and have done or can do the things required.
- Obtain a signed merit badge application
- Once satisfied that you have completed all requirements, your Merit Badge Counselor will sign your application.
- Get the badge
- Give the signed application to your Scoutmaster so that your merit badge emblem can be secured for you.
- Keep a copy for your own records!!
How To Apply For A Merit Based Scholarship
