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Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselors
Thank you for your interest in assisting Boy Scouts of America by serving as a merit badge counselor. Merit badge counselors are the key to success in the merit badge plan. The merit badge plan has evolved over the almost 100 years of Scouting as one of the most unique educational tools ever devised. Counselors offer their time, experience, and knowledge to help guide Scouts in one or more of the 121 merit badge subjects.
Our chapter is focusing our support to provide counselors for the American Heritage and Genealogy Merit Badges, which are important for support to the Eagle Scout Scholarship program sponsored by the NSSAR.
There are several things we request you do to help us maintain a quality and safe program for all Scouts. To qualify as a Merit Badge Counselor, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be proficient in the merit badge subject by vocation or avocation.
- Be able to work with Scout-age boys.
Register with the Flint River Council, B.S.A., or your local Scout Council, by submitting an Adult Registration Application, (example No. 28-501E). If you are registering solely to serve as a merit badge counselor, position code "MC" there is no fee.
Complete the BSA Merit Badge Counselor Information Form (No. 33405), indicating which Merit badges you wish to counsel. You can also download and edit your information in MSWord 97 Format.
Submit your application thru a local Boy Scout Troop Committee, if registering with a troop, or to the District Advancement Chairman.
Complete Youth Protection Training (online)
The Merit Badge Counselor's responsibility is to:
Assist the Scout as he plans the assigned projects and activities to meet the merit badge requirements.
Coach Scouts through interviews and demonstrations on how to do the required skills of the craft, business, or hobby.
Certify the Scout after determining whether he is qualified for the merit badge.
As a Merit Badge Counselor, you will agree to:
- Follow the requirements of the merit badge, making no deletions or additions, ensuring that the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all Scouts.
- Have a Scout and his buddy present at all instructional sessions.
- Review your registration annually with the Troop if you plan to continue as a Merit Badge Counselor.
As a Merit Badge Counselor, you are requested to:
- Consider assisting other Scouts outside of your local troop.
- Review orientation information about the Merit Badge program.
We intend to provide common resources that will greatly assist our counselors with their efforts to guide completion of these badges.
You can promote a merit badge session that you are offering for free at Merit Badge University.
Questions? Contact our Eagle Scout Commitee - or by email, or review the information links provided.
Merit Badge Sites
- Fact Sheet: Merit Badge Program (BSA)
- The Merit Badge Counselor: Frequently Asked Questions (BSA)
- Merit Badges in Review (BSA)
- Resources for Merit Badge Counselors (BSA)
- National BSA Policies Related To Merit Badges
- Merit Badge Center (current requirements and work books)
Merit Badge images are ©2008 The Boy Scouts of America
