Merit Badge Counselor The Essentials-2017Rev0420

The Essentials ofMerit Badge CounselingConnecticut Yankee CouncilExp: 12/31/2017

A Scout is TrustworthyThis presentation was prepared by the Connecticut YankeeCouncil Advancement Committee. This material covers the basictraining that a Merit Badge Counselor needs to be able to providea safe and effective merit badge program for Scouts. ConnecticutYankee Council requires that all Merit Badge Counselors completethis training course (and Youth Protection Training) to become orremain registered with BSA.We TRUST that you will review all of this material before taking theshort quiz at the end. Thank you for being a Merit BadgeCounselor, and for all that you do for Scouting. Council Advancement Committee2

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 settings3

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.4

Aims of the Scouting ProgramCharacter developmentCitizenship trainingLeadershipMental and physical fitnessEvery activity in Scouting should supportone or more of these aims.Guide to Advancement topic 2.0.0.35

Methods of ScoutingScouting idealsPatrol methodAdvancementAssociation with adultsOutdoorsLeadership developmentUniformPersonal growthGuide to Advancement topic 2.0.0.46

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 4.2.1.07

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 7.0.0.18

Broad Range of SubjectsMore than 130 merit badges in 14 subject areas:AgribusinessArts and craftsBusiness and industryCommunicationsConservationHobbiesNatural sciencePersonal developmentPhysical scienceProfessionsPublic serviceSportsTradesTransportationGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.19

Benefits of Merit BadgesContribution to the aims of Scouting:citizenship, character, leadershipand 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 7.0.0.110

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 7.0.1.111

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 7.0.1.112

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 7.0.1.513

Forms Needed to Register as aMerit Badge CounselorUse position code 42Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.1.514

CompleteYouth Protection TrainingEvery Yearwww.my.scouting.orgGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.1.115

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 7.0.1.416

The Process of CounselingA Scout develops an interest in a subject.A 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 7.0.3.017

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 7.0.3.018

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 requirements19

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 7.0.0.220

Application for Merit BadgeThe Blue CardScout’sinformationRecord of completed requirementsGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.221

Application for Merit BadgeThe Blue Card – Reverse SideCounselor’sinformationCounselor signsin two placesonce allrequirementsare complete1/3 goes to the unitas application forthe badgeUnitleader’ssecondsignature1/3 goes to Scoutfor his records1/3 goes to thecounselor’srecordsGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.0.222

Role of a Merit Badge CounselorInterview the Scout (with a buddy present)to determine:His preparednessHis current knowledgeHis interestIn subsequent meetings:Evaluate progressReview completed work23

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.24

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.25

Merit Badge RequirementsFinding current requirements for a merit badgeBoy Scout Requirements (current edition)Merit badge pamphlet (latest printing)www.scouting.org/advancementAre the requirements flexible?No; they must be fulfilled as written.Wording matters!“Show,” “demonstrate,” “describe,“make,” “list,” etc., are to be taken literally.26

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 4.2.3.627

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. 3308828

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/512-730.pdfGuide to Advancement section 1029

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 friendNO One on One Contact - NO ExceptionsGuide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.130

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.31

Tips for CounselingUse the EDGE method.ExplainDemonstrateGuideEnable32

Group InstructionBenefitsGuest expertsInteractive learningSlide shows, skits,demonstrations,and other dynamicapproachesThe ChallengeEvery Scout must actually and personally fulfill everyrequirement as written.Guide to Advancement topic 7.0.3.233

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 7.0.3.234

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 7.0.3.235

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 7.0.3.236

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 7.0.4.1037

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 7.0.4.838

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 7.0.3.339

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 7.0.4.640