Transcript No Slide Title

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
http://www.troop58bsa.org/UnivScouting/
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
Today’s Plan
* Where Do Merit Badges Fit into the Boy Scout
Program?
* What are the Scout’s Responsibilities?
* What are the Counselor’s Responsibilities?
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
* Lots of Discussion
* Lots of Fun!
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
Where Merit Badges Fit into the Boy
Scout Program?
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
First Things First.
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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
In the Boy Scout Program these Ideals are expressed in:
* Scout Oath
* Scout Law
* Scout Motto/Slogan
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
The Methods of Scouting
(to achieve the Aims)
The Patrol Method
The Outdoors
Advancement
Association With Adults
Personal Growth
Leadership Development
The Uniform
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
Advancement
Rank Advancement
Merit Badges
(Adult Association)
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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.
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
Provides Important Benefits to the Scout
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.
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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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
First Aid
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Communications
Personal Fitness
7. Emergency Preparedness OR
Lifesaving
8. Environmental Science
9. Personal Management
10. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling
11. Camping
12. Family Life
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
The Scout’s Responsibilities
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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 ~)
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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."
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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:http://www.scoutstuff.org/.
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.
Do you need a buddy? "You must have another person with you at each meeting with the 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."
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval for Certain Requirements
American Heritage
#2b, 2c, 2d, 5a, 5
American Labor
#2, 5c, 5d
Architecture
#3
Art
#2a, 2b, 4
Astronomy
#9
Athletics
#6b
Backpacking
#11b
Cinematography
#3a
Citizenship in the Community
#4b, 5, 7c
Citizenship in the Nation
#6
Communications
#5, 6, 7b
Computers
#6e, #7c, 7d
Crime Prevention
#7b
Disabilities Awareness
#5a
Emergency Preparedness
#8b, 9a
Engineering
#1
Environmental Science
#3e3
First Aid
#6c
Forestry
#5
Geology
#4a, 5c
Golf
#8
Graphic Arts
#4a
Home Repairs
#2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Indian Lore
#2b
Journalism
#3b, 3c
Mammal Study
#5
Medicine
#10
Metalwork
#5b, 3c3a
Model Design and Building
#1, 3, 4a, 4c
Oceanography
#8a, 8c
Painting
#3
Personal Fitness
#7
Pets
#1
Photography
#4a, 4b
Pioneering
#10
Pottery
#7
Public Health
#5, 7
Pulp and Paper
#7
Radio
#7
Safety
#2a
Salesmanship
#3
Scholarship
#4b
Sculpture
#2c
Small-Boat Sailing
#6c
Soil and Water Conservation
#7f
Sports
#5
Surveying
#2
Weather
#9a, 9b
Woodwork
#6d
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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.
In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges
requirements.
”
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
The Counselor’s Responsibilities
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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
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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).
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
The Counselor’s Responsibilities
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.
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.
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Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012
Thank You!
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