Contactend A Unit Merit Badge - Bay-Lakes Council

toWelcomeounselingCegdaBMeritandheras both a teacselor servesuncoeway,dgebaondge. InA meriton a merit bakorwtsselor usesouunnse, the comentor as Scseerrglaameexaminer. Ing men overcohe or she is anhelping youn—nghiactscog Scouity forts and makinthis opportunnt requiremenreffediowledgeeknthrt from theiecthe hurdles ofbjsueths ofdeeper aspectities to serveaware of theique opportununeesthostofone of the mce. Becausecounselor iseand experiendgbaitereering as a mday.Scouts, voluntin Scouting toces for adultsenripeexgl councilsgratifyinwith their locakecchtodn.ly urgeelor Orientatiolors are strongBadge CounsNew counseiterMedgerinswndtions anan on atteget their quesand should pltorseenteluailablity allows vortunity is unavThis opportuntraining oppoaIf.rscessteacound Scnteers caby experiencebadges, voluitermngsihig” by vi tinggin teacin time to bege CounselinadBiterMsentials ofvancementresources/adonline “The Ess/utcoysbog.org/home/www.scoutin.aspxts may callpresentationsct so that Scouristdibyrsunseloesting help isuncils list coof youths requrbemnuMost local coeent. Tha specifice an appointmpopularity ofeakthmetouscaemthus,lunteer bers needed. Thrden to the vor of counselobeusually no bum.nuethneea real be fitlps determinience can beennvrecognition hecoreithpointments atscheduling apA Guide for MeritBadge CounselingAdvancement and the Merit Badge PlanAs part of the advancement program of the BoyScouts of America, the merit badge plan is one ofthe most unique educational tools ever devised.Advancement is the process by which a youngman progresses from rank to rank in Scouting.Everything done to advance and earn higher ranksin Boy Scouting, including earning merit badges,is designed to help youths have an exciting andmeaningful experience.The advancement method encourages young mento accomplish a progression of fun and motivationaltasks. Earning these recognitions allows Scouts toexplore many fields, helps them round out theirskills, and perhaps introduces them to subjects thatwill become lifelong interests or rewarding careers.What Is a Merit Badge?The merit badge itself is a simple embroidered patch.The intangible end result of earning it, though, is thatyouths have fun while they gain self-confidence andachieve a goal, sometimes overcoming obstacles andsolving problems.There are more than 130 merit badges a Scoutcan earn. Subjects range from careers and life skills tohobbies, sports, and citizenship. You may ask yourself,“That’s all great, but what do I do, and how do I do it?”What Is My Responsibility?The counselor’s responsibility is to:1. Assist Scouts as they plan the assigned projectsand activities to meet all the requirements.2. Coach them through interviews anddemonstrations on how to complete thevarious requirements.3. Sign off with your approval once you aresatisfied the work has been completed.What Do I Agree to Do?Before work with youths can begin, individualscurrently serving as a merit badge counselor orthose seeking to serve in this role must take BSAYouth Protection training and be registered as amerit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts ofAmerica. Two possible scenarios for the requiredYouth Protection training are discussed here.Current Merit Badge CounselorsIn order to reregister as a merit badge counselor,an adult volunteer’s Youth Protection trainingmust be current within the past 24 months. If thistraining is not current, the volunteer must go toAll merit badge counselors must registerannually with their local council to continuecounseling Scouts.www.myscouting.org, create a user account usingthe BSA membership ID number, and complete thetraining. The local council service center can providea membership ID number for volunteers who don’thave access to their membership card.New Merit Badge CounselorsRegistering as a merit badge counselor for the firsttime requires certification in BSA Youth Protectiontraining prior to registration. Similar to theabove procedure, new volunteers must go towww.myscouting.org and create a user account,which allows them to take the training. For thosewho prefer or are required to attend in-person,instructor-led Youth Protection training, pleasecontact your local council for training datesand locations.After completion, print a copy of the YouthProtection training certificate and attach it tothe Adult Application, No. 524-501A. Submitthese to the local council along with MeritBadge Counselor Information, No. 34405, foundat andAwards/Resources.aspxOther qualifications for serving in this role are: Must be an individual of good character Must be age 18 or older Must have the skills and education in the subjectsthey want to teach Must have good rapport with Scout-age youths andtheir unit leaders Must be approved by the local councilSpecial qualifications and certifications may berequired by the local council prior to teaching certainmerit badges.These qualifications provide counselors withcredibility, because Scouts perceive them as rolemodels. A well-qualified merit badge counselor canenhance a youth’s attention span through effectivecommunication, which leads to better understandingof the subject, productive discussions, and trueinterest. A bond of mutual respect often developswhen a Scout feels confident to offer his thoughtsand opinions through meaningful conversationswith his counselor. Thus, a Scout grows in his socialskills and self-reliance as a result of interacting withan adult who is a qualified counselor.The merit badge counselor agrees to follow therequirements of the recognition, making no deletionsor additions, ensuring the advancement standards arefair and uniform for all Scouts.Counselors are encouraged to become familiarwith all of the topics in “The Merit Badge Program,”section 7 of the Guide to Advancement. Informationfrom this resource can be found online at www.scouting.org/GuideToAdvancement.aspx. Books arealso available for purchase at your Scout shop oronline at www.ScoutStuff.org.The counselor must be sure the Scout has a buddypresent at all instructional sessions.Step By StepThrough your association with youth members,keep in mind you are assisting unit leaders in theadvancement program. Leaders coach Scouts onthe recognitions they will earn for a particular rankand provide them with the name and phone number of a counselor to contact.Whether a Scout earns the award or not, a volunteeris always interested in the youth’s progress. Themerit badge counselor should feel free to discussthe Scout’s work with his unit leader at any time. 5The Scout, along with his buddy, shouldmake another appointment with you whenhe thinks he is prepared to prove his ability.6This review session might be approached bythe Scout with some apprehension. He is familiarwith final exams in school and may see thismeeting with you as another such experience.You can help by putting him at ease. Talk withhim rather than grill or examine him; there is abig difference, yet you can still find out what heknows. Express honest enthusiasm for the thingshe has done, particularly if projects are involved.Your approval will give the Scout confidence.Let’s now review the process of how a volunteerhelps Scouts earn merit badges, beginning with theinitial contact. 1 2 3 4The Scout contacts you, probably by phone. Youmay tell him what is expected of him over thephone, or you may want to make an appointmentto discuss this with him and his buddy in person.Personal contact will make earning the badge abetter experience for all concerned.meetings with the Scout—not only for thepurpose of passing him on the requirements,but rather to help him understand the subject. 7When you work with a Scout, he must alwayshave someone—a buddy—with him. Thisbuddy may be a friend, group of other Scoutsworking on the same recognition, or a parentor other adult. This point is emphasizedin the BSA Youth Protection training.When he meets you, he should bring with himthe projects required for completion. If thesecannot be transported, he should presentsatisfactory evidence, such as a photograph ofthe project or adult verification. His unit leadermight, for example, verify that a satisfactorybridge or tower has been built for Pioneering,or that the required meals were prepared forthe Cooking merit badge. Your responsibility,in addition to coaching, is to satisfy yourselfthat the requirements have been met. Questionthe Scout and, if you have any doubts, contactthe adult who signed the statement.On his first visit, the Scout should bring amerit badge application, known as the “bluecard,” No. 34124, signed by his unit leader.This lets you know the Scout and his unitleader have discussed earning this badgeand authorizes him to meet with you. In your discussion of what is expected, you maywant to start by finding out what the Scout alreadyknows. He may already have worked on someof the requirements before meeting with you,but before signing off, it is up to you whetheror not he has completed each requirement aswritten. Spend some time helping him learn theremaining requirements, or give guidance in completing projects. You can set up additionalYou may work with many Scouts each year asthey earn merit badges. However, you might onlywork with a few. Your contact with these Scoutsis tremendously important. Your influence ismeasured not by the number of Scouts with whomyou work, but by the effect upon the lives of thosewith whom you have an opportunity to work.8When you are satisfied the Scout has metthe requirements, you list and initial eachcompleted requirement. The blue card is notsigned until all requirements are met.The Scout does not have to show his knowledge of those things beyond the scope of the requirements.The requirements for each award appear in the current BSA merit badge pamphlet series and in the currentyear Boy Scout Requirements book, which is available at Scout shops and local council service centers.Requirements also are posted online at www.scouting.org.Requirements—No More, No LessThe Scout is expected to meet the requirementsas stated—no more and no less. Furthermore, heis to do exactly what is stated. If it says ‘‘show ordemonstrate,’’ that is what he must do. Just tellingabout it isn’t enough. The same thing holds truefor such words as ‘‘make,’’ ‘‘list,’’ ‘‘in the field,’’ and‘‘collect, identify, and label.’’On the other hand, you cannot require more ofa Scout than stated. You must not, for example, say,‘‘I want to be sure you really know your stuff, soinstead of the 20 items in your collection, you mustcollect 50 to get my signature.’’ You can suggest,encourage, and help the Scout to get 50 things, butyou must not require it.

toWelcomeounselingCegdaBMeritandheras both a teacselor servesuncoeway,dgebaondge. InA meriton a merit bakorwtsselor usesouunnse, the comentor as Scseerrglaameexaminer. Ing men overcohe or she is anhelping youn—nghiactscog Scouity forts and makinthis opportunnt requiremenreffediowledgeeknthrt from theiecthe hurdles ofbjsueths ofdeeper aspectities to serveaware of theique opportununeesthostofone of the mce. Becausecounselor iseand experiendgbaitereering as a mday.Scouts, voluntin Scouting toces for adultsenripeexgl councilsgratifyinwith their locakecchtodn.ly urgeelor Orientatiolors are strongBadge CounsNew counseiterMedgerinswndtions anan on atteget their quesand should pltorseenteluailablity allows vortunity is unavThis opportuntraining oppoaIf.rscessteacound Scnteers caby experiencebadges, voluitermngsihig” by vi tinggin teacin time to bege CounselinadBiterMsentials ofvancementresources/adonline “The Ess/utcoysbog.org/home/www.scoutin.aspxts may callpresentationsct so that Scouristdibyrsunseloesting help isuncils list coof youths requrbemnuMost local coeent. Tha specifice an appointmpopularity ofeakthmetouscaemthus,lunteer bers needed. Thrden to the vor of counselobeusually no bum.nuethneea real be fitlps determinience can beennvrecognition hecoreithpointments atscheduling apA Guide for MeritBadge CounselingAdvancement and the Merit Badge PlanAs part of the advancement program of the BoyScouts of America, the merit badge plan is one ofthe most unique educational tools ever devised.Advancement is the process by which a youngman progresses from rank to rank in Scouting.Everything done to advance and earn higher ranksin Boy Scouting, including earning merit badges,is designed to help youths have an exciting andmeaningful experience.The advancement method encourages young mento accomplish a progression of fun and motivationaltasks. Earning these recognitions allows Scouts toexplore many fields, helps them round out theirskills, and perhaps introduces them to subjects thatwill become lifelong interests or rewarding careers.What Is a Merit Badge?The merit badge itself is a simple embroidered patch.The intangible end result of earning it, though, is thatyouths have fun while they gain self-confidence andachieve a goal, sometimes overcoming obstacles andsolving problems.There are more than 130 merit badges a Scoutcan earn. Subjects range from careers and life skills tohobbies, sports, and citizenship. You may ask yourself,“That’s all great, but what do I do, and how do I do it?”What Is My Responsibility?The counselor’s responsibility is to:1. Assist Scouts as they plan the assigned projectsand activities to meet all the requirements.2. Coach them through interviews anddemonstrations on h

Merit Badge Counseling Enhancing our youths’ competitive edge through merit badges Why Volunteer 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 youths in one or more subjects, these volunteers help shape the future of our communities.