How to Be a Merit Badge Counselor
Thank you for your interest in volunteering to help the Troop as a Merit Badge Counselor. You can find a list of Current Troop Counselors and the Badges that are not covered at this link: Troop Records (you will need a troop account to view this page). I just ask that you choose a few badges (no more than 5) that you are comfortable with and sign up. We will get you the little training you need to succeed!
Troop 339's goal is to have at least 2 counselors for every 'Eagle Required' merit badge. Please check these first before you sign up, thank you!
To sign up: (The Scoutmaster has all forms at every meeting!)
- Fill out an Adult Leader Application. If you download this form, just fill out one copy, we can make more copies duplicates once complete. And YES, if you are already a Adult Leader in scouting, you will need to fill out this form. I've been told the reason is this is a District Level Position.
- Fill out a Local Council sign up form indicating the badges you want to teach. Download here- Word .doc or Adobe .pdf. Also be sure to indicate whether you wish to work with scouts outside the troop! The small check box at the bottom. Don't feel obligated to teach outside the troop, it is completely up to you!
- Turn these forms into the Scoutmaster! If you need a copy and don't want to download them just ask.
- There are two training classes you need:
- Youth Protection: This is MANDATORY, every 3 years, for all registered Adults that will be working with scouts. You can accomplish this online.
- Merit Badge Counselor Training: This is a quick class that will give you the overall BSA/Council procedures and policies on the whole MB process. You may want this to properly counsel scouts on Merit Badges. At a minimum, Contact the Scoutmaster for more on this topic!
- To stay Acitive: Once registered, you should receive a letter in the mail every year (in November now) asking if you wish to keep acting as a MB Counselor. Just fill this form out, and send it in. PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF IT and turn it into the Scoutmaster. This will let him know you are still active and it will avoid any possible issues with the council if they lose any paperwork! Always prepared!
Remember the overall rule when dealing with the Merit Badges. Scouts need to do the requirements as listed, "No More, No Less!" We aren't trying to make experts in the fields. Nor are we trying to minimize the importance of any subject by skipping anything!
Note: A few merit badges are updated every year. Please be sure you are using the most current copy of the requirements when working with the scouts. See below!
Resources:
http://www.meritbadge.com/
http://www.usscouts.org/mb/framesindex.html
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-scouts/merit-badges.asp
http://www.usscouts.org/mb/mbbooks.html (MB Book Updates)
Or just Google it!!!! http://www.google.com