Transcript Slide 1

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Merit Badge Counselor Training
This training module will guide new and potential merit badge
counselors through their responsibilities and will give them an
understanding of the methods of counseling Scouts.
It is intended as a short orientation course for new merit badge
counselors before they begin working with Scouts. The course is
based on the instructor-led course created and offered by the
National BSA.
The course will take about 60 minutes to complete.
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Training Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
• Understand the aims of Scouting, the BSA advancement
process, and the role of the merit badge counselor.
• Know a merit badge counselor's duties and responsibilities to
the BSA and to the Scout.
• Understand and complete the requirements to be a registered
merit badge counselor with the BSA.
• List methods of counseling and coaching.
• Successfully guide a Scout through the merit badge process.
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Before we start…
Let's take a short quiz to see what you already know about the
Boy Scout Merit Badge program.
Click Next.
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Quiz
Take out a piece of paper and jot down your answers to the next
twelve short questions:
1.
True or False: A merit badge counselor may be a counselor for
only up to six merit badges.
2.
True or False: A merit badge counselor may not coach his own
son or close relative (i.e., nephew) unless he is part of a group of
Scouts all working on the same merit badge.
3.
True or False: A merit badge counselor who works only with a
single unit needs only the unit committee’s approval before being
approved by the Scout executive.
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Quiz
4. True or False: Persons serving as merit badge counselors must be
registered as a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of
America.
5. True or False: A Scout may earn no more than five merit badges
from the same merit badge counselor.
6. True or False: Once a Scouter is approved as a merit badge
counselor, he is approved for life and never has to be reapproved.
7. True or False: A Scout must complete all the requirements for a
merit badge within 12 months or he must start over.
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Quiz
8. True or False: A merit badge counselor may require the Scout to
work beyond the specific requirements of the merit badge so he
may discover more about the subject and continue the learning
process.
9. True or False: Due to the BSA policies related to Youth Protection
and two-deep leadership, a merit badge counselor must have
another adult present during all merit badge counseling sessions.
10. True or False: If the weather, locale, or some other condition
makes meeting all of the conditions of the merit badge
requirements impractical, the merit badge counselor may substitute
requirements for those stated for the merit badge.
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Quiz
11. True or False: Merit badge counselors must be at least 18 years
old.
12. True or False: If the requirements for a merit badge differ between
the merit badge pamphlet and the current edition of Boy Scout
Requirements, the requirements in the Boy Scout Requirements
book supersede all others.
Set your answers aside for now. We will come back to them a little later
and see how you did.
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The Aims of Scouting
Before we get to deep into this training, what is Scouting all about? Fun,
adventure, fellowship, and more! That is what the youth and most
parents are in Scouting for.
But Scouting is more than that. The Scouting program is an educational
program aimed at teaching youth character development, citizenship,
and mental and physical fitness.
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The Aims of Scouting
These aims of Scouting are accomplished by the use of eight
fundamental methods:
• The ideals of Scouting (Scout
Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto,
Scout slogan)
• The patrol method
• The outdoors
• Advancement
• Association with adults
• Personal growth
• Leadership development
• The uniform
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The Aims of Scouting
The Ideals of Scouting
The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the
Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan.
The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and
Scout
ScoutMotto
Oath
Law
continually tries to improve.
A Scout is:
OnTrustworthy,
my honor,
Be Prepared!
I will
Loyal,
doHelpful,
my bestFriendly,
The goals are high, and, as he reaches for them, he has
Tocontrol
Courteous,
do myover
dutywhat
Kind,
to God
Obedient,
and
country
Cheerful,
and
Thrifty,
to obey
some
and
whomy
he becomes.
the Scout Law;
Brave,
ToClean,
help
Scoutother
and
Slogan
Reverent.
people at all times;
To keep myselfDo
physically
a good turn
strong,
daily.
mentally awake
and morally straight.
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The Aims of Scouting
The Patrol Method
The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living
and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young
shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it.
The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where
they can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine
troop activities through their elected representatives.
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The Aims of Scouting
The Outdoors
Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor
setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one
another. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop
meetings come alive with purpose.
Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for God's
handiwork and humankind's place in it.
The outdoors is the laboratory for Boy Scouts to learn ecology and
practice conservation of nature's resources.
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The Aims of Scouting
Advancement
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps
in overcoming them through the advancement method.
The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own
pace as he meets each challenge.
The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him
gain self-confidence.
The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in selfreliance and in the ability to help others.
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The Aims of Scouting
Association with Adults
Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves.
Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of their
troops.
In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys,
encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a
profound difference in their lives.
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The Aims of Scouting
Personal Growth
As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals,
they experience personal growth.
Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do
Good Turns for others.
The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal
growth method.
Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy
Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.
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The Aims of Scouting
Leadership Development
The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice
leadership skills.
Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared
and total leadership situations.
Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the
leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim
of Scouting.
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The Aims of Scouting
The Uniform
The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good
and creates a positive youth image in the community.
Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an
action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and
purposes of Scouting.
The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of
youth who believe in the same ideals.
The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a
way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have
accomplished.
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About Advancement
Advancement is the process by which a Scout progresses from
rank to rank in the Scouting program.
It is simply a means to an end and not an end in itself.
Everything done to advance and earn higher ranks is designed to
help the Scout have an exciting and meaningful experience.
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More About Advancement
The advancement method is designed to encourage a young man
to accomplish a progressive series of fun and educational tasks.
Earning merit badges allows Scouts to explore many fields, helps
them round out their skills, and perhaps introduces them to
subjects that will become lifelong interests and rewarding careers.
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What is a Merit Badge?
A special part of a Scout's learning adventure, merit badges are
awards presented to a Scout when he completes the requirements
for one of the merit badge subjects.
There are more than 100 merit badges a Scout may earn. The
subject matters range from vocational and careers introduction to
personal development, hobbies, sports, high adventure,
citizenship, and life-skills development.
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What is a Merit Badge?
Every merit badge is designed to teach the Scout new skills while
outwardly encouraging him to challenge himself and have fun in
the process.
Merit badges offer a range of difficulty over a breadth of subject
matters, and a Scout is free to pursue any merit badge he wishes.
The merit badge itself is a simple embroidered patch, but the
intangible end result of earning it is that the Scout gains selfconfidence from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal.
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Why Does the BSA Use Merit Badge Counselors?
One of the methods of Scouting is association with quality adults.
Besides a Scout's parents and relatives, his schoolteachers, his
religious leaders, and possibly his sports coaches, most Scout-age
youth do not have much contact with many other adults or
professionals.
Merit badge counselors provide an excellent means for a Scout to
grow through his exposure to outstanding adults who serve as
examples and mentors to them.
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Why Does the BSA Use Merit Badge Counselors?
The opportunity to deal with business leaders, trained specialists,
and experienced hobbyists while in the pursuit of a merit badge
offers the Scout a chance for personal growth and possibly a lifealtering experience.
If you were a Scout, did any of the merit badges you earned
influence you in your choice of careers?
If not, did you wish you had something like the Merit Badge
Program? How would that have had an impact on your choice of
careers?
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Why Does the BSA Use Merit Badge Counselors?
The BSA recognizes that the merit badge counselor is the
cornerstone to the merit badge program. By offering their time,
experience, and knowledge to guide Scouts in one or more merit
badge subjects, counselors help shape the future of our country.
By assisting as the Scout plans projects and activities necessary to
meet the merit badge requirements, and by coaching the Scout
through interviews and demonstrations, the quality adult contact
fostered by this working relationship can only enhance the Scout's
self-confidence and growth.
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What Is a Merit Badge Counselor?
A merit badge counselor is both a teacher and a mentor to the
Scout as he works on the merit badge.
Merit badge counselors should be satisfied that each Scout under
their guidance meets all the requirements set forth for the merit
badge. In this sense, a merit badge counselor is an examiner.
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What Is a Merit Badge Counselor?
In a larger sense, the real opportunity for a counselor lies in
coaching—helping Scouts over the different hurdles of the
requirements and helping make them aware of the deeper aspects
of the subject from their knowledge and experience.
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What Is a Merit Badge Counselor?
The merit badge counselor may help a Scout by providing
instruction and guidance on the subject matter. However, the
counselor must not complete the Scout's work on the
requirements.
The counselor needs to test the Scout to ensure that he has
completed all the required work but may not modify the merit
badge requirements in the process. This standard ensures that the
advancement requirements are fair and uniform for all Scouts.
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What Is a Merit Badge Counselor?
A merit badge counselor must always ensure that a Scout has a
"buddy" present at all instruction sessions. Working on merit
badges is especially enjoyable when Scouts work together, and the
BSA encourages this by making the buddy system a part of the
merit badge program.
Together the two meet with merit badge counselors, plan projects,
and keep their enthusiasm high. The Scout's buddy could be
another Scout, a parent or guardian, brother or sister, relative, or
friend. The Scout should bring a buddy to all his appointments
with his counselor.
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Keeping to the Standards
Earlier we said that the counselor may not modify the merit badge
requirements in the process. This standard ensures that the
advancement requirements are fair and uniform for all Scouts.
Let’s look at a conversation between two Scouts getting ready to
work on a few merit badges.
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Keeping to the Standards
Scout 1: “Know any good counselors for the Citizenship merit
badges? They are the only ones I have left for Eagle
Scout.”
Scout 2: “Oh cool. I am getting ready to work on those too. I just
got a list of a few counselors from our Scoutmaster.”
Scout 1: “Who is on the list?”
Scout 2: “Mr. Jones over in South City, Mrs. Fredrickson from the
high school, and Mr. Grey.”
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Keeping to the Standards
Scout 1: “Mr. Grey? I know he is here in our own troop, but he is
the last one I would go to. He always adds requirements
and makes a merit badge so much harder than is should
be. He says we get extra learning that way.”
Scout 2: “That isn’t right. But we could always go over to Mr. Grey.
I went to him for First Aid last year. He was about the
easiest merit badge counselor I could have gone to. Even
though I knew everything, he pretty much didn’t ask me
to demonstrate anything. All I needed to do was to tell
him the general ideas of bandages and how they were
used.”
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Keeping to the Standards
Scout 2: “That isn’t right. But we could always go over to Mr. Grey.
I went to him for First Aid last year. He was about the
easiest merit badge counselor I could have gone to. Even
though I knew everything, he pretty much didn’t ask me
to demonstrate anything. All I needed to do was to tell
him the general ideas of bandages and how they were
used.”
Scout 1: “Wow! You’d think a First Aid merit badge counselor
would want to make sure you did all the requirements.”
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Keeping to the Standards
Scout 2: “Yeah, but since I did know all of the stuff, I was okay with
it. But think of the guys that go to him that don’t! He signs
them off anyway.”
Scout 1: “Geez… wonder what he would think if a kids he signed
off used a first aid skill wrong and hurt someone worse
than they already were?”
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Keeping to the Standards
Scout 2: “Some of these merit badge counselors should listen to
the words of the Scout Oath and Law. And then follow the
rules to be a counselor.”
Scout 1: “I guess all we can do is to not go to the bad counselors –
and maybe spread the word about them too. “
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Keeping to the Standards
What kind of counselor will you be?
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Merit Badge Counselor
Requirements and Registration
To qualify as a merit badge counselor, a volunteer must:
• Register annually with the Boy Scouts of America.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be of good character.
• Be proficient in the merit badge subject by vocation, avocation,
or special training.
• Be able to work with Scout-age youth.
• Be approved by the district/council advancement committee.
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Merit Badge Counselor
Requirements and Registration
To register with the Boy Scouts of America, a potential merit badge
counselor must complete the BSA's Adult Application form (No.
28-501Y; available in Spanish as No. 28-502S) and submit it along
with the BSA Merit Badge Counselor Information form (No. 34405)
to the BSA local council office.
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Merit Badge Counselor
Requirements and Registration
Renewal of this registration annually is necessary to continue as a
merit badge counselor. Each year, around April, you will be
contacted by a Mount Baker Council district advancement chair.
This person will ask you if you wish to continue as a merit badge
counselor for another year. If you do not hear from them by the
beginning of May, contact the council office and let them know if
you wish to continue.
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Merit Badge Counselor
Youth Protection
The Boy Scouts of America requires that merit badge counselors
take BSA Youth Protection training. This program addresses
strategies for personal safety awareness for youth as well as
adults.
BSA Youth Protection policies include
• Two-deep leadership
• No one-on-one contact
• Respecting privacy
• Reporting problems
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Merit Badge Counselor
Youth Protection
The BSA Youth Protection guidelines have been adopted primarily
for the protection of our youth members; however, they also serve
to protect our adult volunteers and leaders from false accusations
of abuse. BSA Youth Protection training is available online at
http://myscouting.scouting.org.
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What Happens After You Turn in an Application
to Become A Merit Badge Counselor?
The Process:
The Boy Scout Adult Application, the Youth Protection passing
record, and the Merit Badge form are all delivered to the local Boy
Scout district executive who then validates and checks the
information on the form.
An email is sent from either the Mount Baker Council registrar or
the district executive to the applicant stating the application
material has been received.
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What Happens After You Turn in an Application
to Become A Merit Badge Counselor?
After the adult application has been approved, the Merit Badge
Application and supporting documents scanned and emailed to
the local district advancement committee.
The district advancement committee approves or denies each
merit badge on the application. The decisions are based primarily
on need and the number of counselors currently signed up for a
badge.
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What Happens After You Turn in an Application
to Become A Merit Badge Counselor?
The district advancement committee communicates with the
council registrar as to their decisions. The registrar then posts the
approved counselor and their selected badges to Scoutnet (the
Scout database).
The district advancement committee finally communicates with
the applicant about the final decision and ensures that this merit
badge counseling training has been taken.
Once all the forms are approved, and the training all completed,
the merit badge counselor is ready to meet with kids.
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What Happens After You Turn in an Application
to Become A Merit Badge Counselor?
Or in other words:
• You submit an application and take Youth Protection training.
• The application process goes through the approval process.
• You are contacted on the status of the application.
• If approved, you can start working with Scouts as a merit badge
counselor.
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What is the Merit Badge Process?
The next few pages are presented to give you an overview of the
entire merit badge process, from the time a Scout decides to work
on a merit badge to the time when he completes the merit badge.
By the way, the requirements for each merit badge appear in the
current BSA merit badge pamphlet for that award and in the
current edition of the Boy Scout Requirements book, available at
Scout shops and council service centers. A good merit badge
counselor will always have the current requirements on hand.
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What is the Merit Badge Process?
When a Scout has decided on a merit badge he would like to earn,
he obtains from his Scoutmaster the name and phone number of
the district/council-approved merit badge counselor.
At this time, the Scoutmaster also issues the Scout a signed
Application for Merit Badge (blue card).
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What is the Merit Badge Process?
The Scout telephones the merit badge counselor to make an
appointment, and together they schedule a date and time for the
Scout and his buddy to meet.
The counselor suggests that the Scout bring the merit badge
pamphlet, the Application for Merit Badge, and any work that he
has started or accomplished, and that he prepare by reading over
the requirements.
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What is the Merit Badge Process?
At their first meeting, the merit badge counselor and the Scout
decide upon a tentative schedule for completing the requirements.
They should keep the Scout's other obligations (Scouting, school,
worship, etc.) in mind, and set the dates, times, and locations for
future meetings.
The counselor will explain the requirements for the badge and
help the Scout plan ways to fulfill these requirements so that he
can get the most out of the experience.
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What is the Merit Badge Process?
Merit badge counselors help Scouts meet the requirements for the
merit badge. They may expand on the information in the merit
badge pamphlet based on their knowledge, experience, and
expertise in the subject.
They are encouraged to tell about their own experiences that
positively reinforce the subject matter, but new requirements or
additional work may not be added. The Scout is expected to meet
the requirements for the merit badge as stated—no more and no
less.
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What is the Merit Badge Process?
The number of counseling sessions will depend on the difficulty of
the merit badge requirements and the Scout's preparation and
ability. The Scout and counselor are expected to meet as many
times as is necessary for the Scout to complete the requirements
for the merit badge.
The advancement program allows the Scout to move ahead in his
own way and at his own pace. Rather than competing against
others, he challenges himself to go as far as his ambition will carry
him. The rate of advancement depends upon his interest, effort,
and ability.
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What is the Merit Badge Process?
As the Scout completes each requirement, he is always tested (but
with a buddy present), and as each requirement is completed, the
merit badge counselor marks it on the application.
When all the requirements for the merit badge are fulfilled, the
merit badge counselor certifies that the Scout has completed the
requirements. The Scout returns his completed Application for
Merit Badge (blue card) to his Scoutmaster or unit advancement
chair.
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What is the Merit Badge Process?
As you may have gathered from the process, most of the
responsibility is on the Scout, from deciding to work on a merit
badge, to contacting a counselor, to working on the requirements,
to letting his leader know he is done.
The responsibility of the counselor is to help the Scout meet the
requirements for the merit badge.
Many Scouts have based their future hobbies or jobs on what they
learned from working on a merit badge.
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Counseling Techniques
The most productive environment for the Scout when he meets
with his merit badge counselor will be one in which he feels
welcome and relaxed.
Start the conversation by finding out what the Scout already
knows about the subject, then stimulate his interest by showing
him something related to it. (Be careful not to overwhelm the
Scout—remember, he's probably a beginner.)
Establish an atmosphere that encourages the Scout to ask
questions and to ask for help when he needs it.
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Counseling Techniques
Spend some time helping the Scout learn the requirements,
making sure he knows he should do exactly what the requirements
call for, whether "show" or "demonstrate," "make," "list,"
"discuss," or "collect, identify, and label."
Take a genuine interest in his projects, and encourage him to
complete them.
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Counseling Techniques
Remember that the requirements must be completed exactly as
presented—do not expand any requirement.
However, the Scout may undertake more activities on his own
initiative.
The merit badge counselor can encourage this without pushing
him off course.
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Counseling Techniques
Encourage the Scout to practice for his review session and to
reflect on his accomplishments.
The review process might be approached by the Scout with some
apprehension.
He is familiar with final exams in school and may see this meeting
with the counselor as another such experience.
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Counseling Techniques
The counselor can help by talking to him rather than grilling or
examining him—there's a big difference, yet it still will be evident
what he knows. Expressing honest enthusiasm for the things he
has done will give the Scout confidence.
During testing, the merit badge counselor may find that the Scout
needs help learning a particular area. The counselor teaches the
needed skill, and then retests to ensure the area has been learned.
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Fast Facts for the Merit Badge Counselor
• A merit badge counselor can counsel any Scout, including his
own son—although this is discouraged in order to offer a Scout
the chance to meet a diverse group of outstanding adults.
• A counselor may be certified in unlimited merit badge subjects,
but he or she must be approved for each one.
• There is no limit on the number of merit badges that a
counselor may counsel with one Scout. However, the Scout will
benefit the most from working with a variety of outstanding
adults.
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Fast Facts for the Merit Badge Counselor
• A merit badge counselor may limit his or her services to one
unit but still must be approved by the council advancement
committee.
• Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters are not automatically
approved as merit badge counselors.
• Group instruction is acceptable, but each Scout must be tested
and passed individually.
• There is no time limit for completion of merit badges, but all
work on merit badges must be completed before the Scout's
18th birthday.
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Summer Camp Merit Badge Counselors
The same qualifications and rules for apply to counselors for
council summer camp merit badge programs.
All counselors must be 18 years or older, but qualified camp staff
members under age 18 may assist the merit badge counselor with
instruction. (These assistants are not qualified to sign off on a
Scout's blue card nor may they certify the Scout's completion of a
merit badge.)
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Summer Camp Merit Badge Counselors
As always, each counselor must maintain the exact standards as
outlined in the merit badge requirements—nothing deleted,
nothing added.
Partial completion of merit badges at summer camp should be
credited to a Scout on the Application for Merit Badge (blue card)
and given to his Scoutmaster at the end of the week.
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Quiz
Grab another piece of paper and a pencil and take a final quiz. Just
like the first quiz, this one has twelve questions.
Click Next when you are ready to start.
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Question 1 of 12
A merit badge counselor may be a counselor for only up to six
merit badges.
True
False
False. A counselor may be approved for as many badges as he or
she is qualified. Since this is up to the members of the approving
body to decide, they also may decide how many merit badges they
feel it is necessary for a counselor to coach based upon need
within the district or council.
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Question 2 of 12
A merit badge counselor may not coach his own son or close
relative (i.e., nephew) unless he is part of a group of Scouts all
working on the same merit badge.
True
False
False. A duly approved counselor may counsel any Scout who
contacts him or her through proper procedures. However, it is
suggested that wherever possible, Scouts should experience a
variety of adult contacts and therefore, should use a diverse group
of counselors.
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Question 3 of 12
A merit badge counselor who works only with a single unit needs
only the unit committee’s approval before being approved by the
Scout executive.
True
False
False. All counselors must be approved by the district/council
advancement committee. Also, a merit badge counselor is a
district level position and thus will be made available to all units.
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Question 4 of 12
Persons serving as merit badge counselors must be registered as a
merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America.
True
False
True. Even volunteers who serve in multiple positions must fill out
another form and show registration as a merit badge counselor.
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Question 5 of 12
A Scout may earn no more than five merit badges from the same
merit badge counselor.
True
False
False. A Scout may earn as many badges from a counselor as the
counselor is qualified and approved to coach. However, since it is
in the Scout’s best interest that he experience a diversity of adult
contacts, it is not in the spirit of the program to do so unless
conditions warrant.
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Question 6 of 12
Once a Scouter is approved as a merit badge counselor, he is
approved for life and never has to be reapproved.
True
False
False. Counselor approvals are for one year only.
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Question 7 of 12
A Scout must complete all the requirements for a merit badge
within 12 months or he must start over.
True
False
False. There is no time limit except that all requirements work
must be completed before the Scout’s 18th birthday.
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Question 8 of 12
A merit badge counselor may require the Scout to work beyond
the specific requirements of the merit badge so he may discover
more about the subject and continue the learning process.
True
False
False. No additions or deletions are permitted. The requirements
are to be completed exactly as written. However, a counselor may
share additional information or resources in the hope of
encouraging the Scout to challenge himself.
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Question 9 of 12
Due to the BSA policies related to Youth Protection and two-deep
leadership, a merit badge counselor must have another adult
present during all merit badge counseling sessions.
True
False
False. There must always be a third person present, but it may be
any other adult familiar to the Scout, a Scout’s parent, or a Scout’s
“buddy.” Common sense dictates that two adult counselors alone
with only one Scout should be avoided.
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Question 10 of 12
If the weather, locale, or some other condition makes meeting all
of the conditions of the merit badge requirements impractical, the
merit badge counselor may substitute requirements for those
stated for the merit badge.
True
False
False. No additions or deletions are permitted. The requirements
are to be completed exactly as written.
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Question 11 of 12
Merit badge counselors must be at least 18 years old.
True
False
True.
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Question 12 of 12
If the requirements for a merit badge differ between the merit
badge pamphlet and the current edition of Boy Scout
Requirements, the requirements in the Boy Scout Requirements
book supersede all others.
True
False
True. The Boy Scout Requirements book is revised annually and
reflects any changes that have been made, whereas the merit
badge pamphlets are not revised annually and may be outdated.
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Quiz Results
Compare your answers with the test you
took at the beginning of this training.
Did you get more right the second time?
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Adult Application, No. 28-501
This adult registration form consists of a cover sheet, an
instruction and information sheet, and a four-part registration
form. It is used for all BSA volunteers, including merit badge
counselors. Completion of the form is required of all merit badge
counselors regardless of whether they are already a registered
Scouter, and for each position the volunteer would like to serve.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures, No. 33088
This is the handbook for Scouters responsible for advancement at
the council, district, and unit levels. It contains the current BSA
advancement policies, procedures, rules, and regulations as well
as other information.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Application for Merit Badge (commonly known as the “blue card”),
No. 34124
This three-panel, blue wallet-sized card shows that the Scout has
permission to start working on a particular merit badge; records
his progress; and, when completed, provides a separate record for
the Scout, the counselor, and the unit.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Boy Scout Handbook, No. 33105
This is the critical document for a Scout, providing the basic
information for all facets of Scouting, including a chapter on the
merit badge program.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Boy Scout Requirements, No. 33215
Updated yearly, this book contains the complete, official
requirements for all BSA merit badges, ranks, and special awards.
Requirements in this publication may be more current than the
merit badge pamphlet; therefore, the Boy Scout Requirements
takes precedence. The complete book is available online.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling, No. 34532
This folder gives potential merit badge counselors an introduction
to the advancement program and the merit badge counselor’s
role. It also lists all the current merit badge subjects.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Merit Badge Counselor Information form, No. 34405
When attached to the Adult Application, this document specifies
the merit badge subjects a counselor wants to coach and secures
the counselor’s agreement to follow the merit badge requirements
and BSA policies.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Scoutmaster Handbook, No. 33009
As the Scoutmaster’s primary guide, the Scoutmaster Handbook
contains a section on the merit badge program that includes tips
on recruiting counselors and other advancement resources.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Merit Badge Pamphlet Series
The merit badge pamphlets are written for Scout-age boys. The
information presented in the pamphlet will help the counselor
understand what the Scout may be studying and the level of
learning expected by the Boy Scouts of America.
The pamphlets may also contain suggestions for projects or
demonstrations that may stimulate the counselor’s ideas. At times,
the requirements presented in the merit badge pamphlet may not
match those in the current edition of the Boy Scout Requirements
book. The Boy Scout Requirements criteria take precedence.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Merit Badge Pamphlet Series, continued
Once a Scout has started working on a merit badge, he may stay
with the requirements in effect when he started and is not
required to meet newly introduced changes unless the national
office places a specific timeline on the implementation of new
requirements.
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Merit Badge Counselor Resources
Note: Many of the resources in this section are available on line or
have more detail at
http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/home/boyscouts/guide
formeritbadgecounselors/resources.aspx
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That’s It!
You have completed the Merit Badge Counselor Training. You have
only one step to complete the training.
Send a note to the council training chair, Dan Savage, at
[email protected], to let him know you have
completed this training. A record of your completion will be sent
to the Council Office.
Please complete the Youth Protection Training at your earliest
convenience if you have not done so already.
Once you have completed both trainings please contact the
Everett Office to confirm that we have received your records.