The Essentials Of Merit Badge Counseling

The Essentials ofMerit Badge Counseling

This Training Will CoverScouting overview: mission, aims, and methodsMerit badge program role and benefitsMerit badge counselor qualificationsHow to become a counselorThe merit badge counseling processMerit badge requirements: fulfill as writtenEffective counselingGroup instruction and camp settings

Boy Scouts of AmericaMission StatementThe mission of the Boy Scouts of Americais to prepare young people to make ethicaland moral choices over their lifetimes byinstilling in them the values of the ScoutOath and Scout Law.

Aims of the Scouting ProgramCharacter developmentCitizenship trainingMental and physical fitnessEvery activity in Scouting should supportone or more of these aims.Guide to Advancement topic 2.0.0.3

Methods of ScoutingScouting idealsPatrol methodAdvancementAssociation with adultsOutdoorsLeadership developmentUniformPersonal growthGuide to Advancement topic 2.0.0.4

Four Stepsin Boy Scout Advancement1.2.3.4.The Scout learns.The Scout is tested.The Scout is reviewed.The Scout is recognized.Merit badge counselorsare directly involved in the first two steps.Guide to Advancement topic 4.2.1.0

Merit Badges:Their Role in AdvancementMerit badges are integral to advancement.Any Scout may earn them at any time, includingqualified Venturers and Sea Scouts.Merit badges are required for Star, Life, and Eagle.A total of 21 must be earned for the Eagle rank.Some merit badges are “elective;” some “required.”Thirteen specific badges are required for Eagle.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.1

Broad Range of SubjectsMore than 130 merit badges in 14 subject areas:AgribusinessArts and craftsBusiness and industryCommunicationsConservationHobbiesNatural scienceGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.1Personal developmentPhysical scienceProfessionsPublic serviceSportsTradesTransportation

Benefits of Merit BadgesContribution to the aims of Scouting:citizenship, character, and fitnessDevelopment of confidence,self-reliance, and social skillsPhysical fitness and healthy lifestylesCareer and hobby choices may resultExposure to positive role models: You!Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.1

Qualifications to Become aMerit Badge CounselorAt least 18 years of ageGood characterRecognized as havingskills and educationin the subject areaGood rapport with leaders and Scout-age youthGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.1.1

Special Certifications and TrainingsSpecific training is requiredfor some BSA activities,including merit badges.A counselor must hold thespecific certification or workwith someone who does.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.1.1

Registering as aMerit Badge CounselorEven if already registered, every counselor must submita BSA adult application for the position of merit badgecounselor (code 42). There are no exceptions.Merit badge counselors who are re-registering need notcomplete a new application.“Merit badge counselor” is a council or district position.Approval of merit badge counselors is the responsibilityof the council advancement committee, not the unit.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.1.5

Forms Needed to Register as aMerit Badge CounselorUse position code 42.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.1.5

CompleteYouth Protection Trainingwww.myscouting.orgGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.1.1

Approval by Local CouncilLocal councils establish procedures for registration,re-registration, and approval, and for reviewing: Background checks Youth Protection training Any council-required certificationsApproval is for specific merit badges.Counselors may work with just one unit, butregistration and council advancement committeeapproval are still required.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.1.4

The Process of CounselingA Scout indicates his interest and discussesthe badge with his unit leader.The unit leader signs a blue card andprovides at least one counselor.The Scout contacts a counselor.The Scout and counselor meet—oftenseveral times.The requirements are fulfilled.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.0

The Process of CounselingThe counselor approves completion andsigns the blue card.The Scout returns the signed blue card tohis unit leader for signature.The unit leader gives the Scout theapplicant record section.The unit reports the merit badge asadvancement.The merit badge is presented.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.0

The Merit Badge ProcessScout indicates interest;discusses with unit leader;gets MBC name and blue cardScout contacts counselorUnit reports advancement andobtains badge for presentationScout returns completedmerit badge card to unit leaderScout/counselor first meetingCounselor approves ngSubsequentScout/counselormeetingScout/counselor meetingsScout completes requirements

Application for Merit BadgeThe Blue CardThe unit leadersignature:Required for Scouts towork with counselorsDoes not indicate unitleader “approval”“I have discussedthis merit badgewith this Scoutand recommendedat least one meritbadge counselor.”Evidence of discussion between unit leader and ScoutIndicates registered counselor has been recommendedNot required for Scout to get started on requirementsGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.2

Application for Merit BadgeThe Blue CardScout’sinformationRecord of completed requirementsGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.2

Application for Merit BadgeThe Blue Card – Reverse SideCounselor’sinformationCounselor signsin two placesonce allrequirementsare complete1/3 goes to the unitas application forthe badgeGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.2Unitleader’ssecondsignature1/3 goes to Scoutfor his records1/3 goes to thecounselor’srecords

Role of a Merit Badge CounselorInterview the Scout (with a buddy present)to determine:His preparednessHis current knowledgeHis interestIn subsequent meetings:Evaluate progressReview completed work

Role of a Merit Badge CounselorCoaching:Teach required skills.Provide opportunitiesto practice.Provide encouragement,and also praise whenappropriate.Encourage goal setting and provide help andsupport in reaching goals.Evaluate progress and respond accordingly.

Role of a Merit Badge CounselorMentoring:Establish a relationship,taking a genuine interestin the Scout’s projects.Spark curiosity.Go for the deeper dive.Encourage long term goalsetting.

Merit Badge RequirementsFinding current requirements for a merit badgeBoy Scout Requirements (current edition)Merit badge pamphlet (latest printing)www.scouting.orgAre the requirements flexible?No; they must be fulfilled as written.Wording matters!“Show,” “demonstrate,” “describe,“make,” “list,” etc., are to be taken literally.

Meeting More Than OneRequirement At a TimeA single activity may fulfill more than one requirement if Requirements match and have the same intent.It is not specifically disallowed.The Scout remembers safety content.Common sense suggests that meeting therequirement more than once is unnecessary.More work will be needed if requirements are only similar.Guide to Advancement topic 4.2.3.6

Policy on Unauthorized Changesto Advancement ProgramNo council, committee, district, unit, orindividual has the authority to add to, orsubtract from, advancement requirements.There are limited exceptions relating only toyouth members with disabilities. For detailssee section 10, “Advancement for MembersWith Special Needs.”–The Guide to Advancement, No. 33088

Scouts with Special NeedsMerit badge requirements must not bewaived or changed for any Scout.Scouts with disabilities—eitherpermanent, or expected to last at leasttwo years or beyond age 18—still mayadvance.The “Application for Alternative EagleScout Rank Merit Badges” may befound at:www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512730.pdfGuide to Advancement section 10

Buddy SystemA Scout must have a buddy with him at everymeeting with a merit badge counselor.A buddy could include:Another ScoutA parent or guardianA brother or sisterA relative or friendGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.1

Tips for CounselingMake Scouts feelwelcomeand relaxed.First impressions matter.Ask a few simple questions.Show them something related to the subject.Invite them to demonstrate a simple skill.Remember: This is Scouting. Have fun.

Tips for CounselingUse the EDGE method.ExplainDemonstrateGuideEnable

Group InstructionBenefitsGuest expertsInteractive learningSlide shows, skits,demonstrations,and other dynamicapproachesThe ChallengeEvery Scout must actually and personally fulfillevery requirement as written.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.2

Group InstructionEnsuring QualityLimit group instruction to cases where thebenefits are compelling.See that all counselors are registeredand approved.Establish processes where counselorsconfirm prerequisites have been completed.Report any issues to the counciladvancement committee.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.2

Camp SettingsNo exemption from meritbadge counselor qualifications.Staff members under 18may assist, but must workwith qualified counselors.Instruction must be done in accordance with the“group instruction” procedures found in theGuide to Advancement.Guide to Advancement topics 5.0.1.3 and 7.0.3.2

Merit Badge EventsMerit badge fairs may provide an overview orintroduction to multiple badges.It should be rare that Scouts begin and finish badges atone- or two-day events.Prerequisites shouldbe made known early.Scouts must actuallyand personally fulfillall requirements.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.2

Merit Badge EventsOnly minimal fees should be charged for events.Events staged as fundraisers are discouraged.Non-Scouting organizations or businesses are notallowed to use protected BSA trade names, images,logos, or artwork without national BSA permission.Non-Scouting organizations must have local councilapproval to present classes that are for the solepurpose of earning merit badges.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.4.9 and 7.0.4.10

Worksheets and Learning AidsMerit badge “worksheets” from the Web or othersources are unofficial, but may aid in learning.These tools must relate to current BSA requirements,which still must be fulfilled as written.Worksheets may be used to meet “in writing”requirements.Worksheets are not a substitute for “telling,”“showing,” or “demonstrating,” etc.Scouts must not be required to use them.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.4.8

Completing the “Partial” Blue CardThe merit badge counselor records and initialsthe front of the card in the middle section aseach requirement is completed.The back of the card is not signed in either placeuntil all requirements are fulfilled.Partials do not expire as long as the Scout is aregistered youth member.Accepting a “partial” is at the follow-upcounselor’s discretion.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.3

Once It’s Earned, It’s EarnedA Scout who has earned a merit badgefrom a registered and approved counselorby actually and personally fulfilling therequirements as written, will have met thepurpose of the merit badge program andthe contributions to the aims of Scouting.The badge is his to keep and count.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.4.6

A Second Counselor ReviewMay Be Warranted If A Scout, to whom it has been made clear thatonly registered and approved counselors are tobe used, chooses to ignore this mandatedprocedure.It becomes plainly evident that it could not havebeen possible for a Scout to actually andpersonally fulfill requirements as written. In thiscase a limited recourse is available, according tothe details outlined in topic 7.0.4.7.Guide to Advancement topics 7.0.4.6 & 7.0.4.7

Merit Badge Myths – Review1. At what age or rank may Boy Scouts work onmerit badges?There is no limit if registered as a Scout.2. What is the maximum number of merit badgesa Scout may work on at the same time?There is no limit.3. Is a Scout allowed to begin work on a meritbadge without his unit leader’s approval?Approval is no longer required; a discussionis now held.