Merit Badge Counselor Orientation
for
University of Scouting
Detroit Area Council &
Clinton Valley Council
Boy Scouts of America
Course Objectives
• State the purpose of the merit badge
program for Scouts
• Use the buddy system for counseling.
• Explain the role of the merit badge
counselor and instructor.
• List some methods of counseling and
coaching.
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References
• Merit Badge Counselor Orientation
Supplemental Adult Leader Training, BSA #34541
• Advancement Committee Policies &
Procedures, #33088
• Application for Merit Badge, #34124
• 2006 Boy Scout Requirements, #33215
• Guide to Safe Scouting, #34416
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MBC Orientation
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Introduction
Purpose of the Merit Badge Program
Scout Buddy System
The Merit Badge Process
Role of the Counselor and Instructor
Counseling Techniques
2006 Changes – January 1st & Mid Year
Review
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Purpose
• Basic character-developing tools.
• Scouts learn career skills.
• Scouts develop physical fitness and hobbies
that give a lifetime of healthful recreation.
• Contact with adults with whom they might
not be acquainted.
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Buddy System
• Youth Protection
• A Scout must have a buddy with him at
each meeting with a MBC.
• Buddies may be:
– Another scout working on the same merit badge
– A parent, guardian, brother, sister, or relative
– A friend
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Merit Badge Process
• Scout selects merit badge
• Scout indicates interest to SM who
– Interviews
– Reviews prerequisites
– SM signs MB application
• MB application aka “Blue Card” (BSA# 34124)
• Scout gets MB book
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MB Process (cont.)
• Scout must bring to first session
– MB pamphlet / requirements
– Signed application / partials
– Prerequisites
• At first meeting, MBC & Scout decide upon
– Projects
– Goals
– Attendance
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MB Process (cont.)
• Scout does work on own and with help
from counselor
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Examination / Tested individually
No more - No less
Test as you go
MBC helps Scout
MBC keeps record
Scout turns in Unit copy, keeps his copy
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National Policy regarding
Group Instruction
"To the fullest extent possible, the merit badge counseling
relationship is a counselor-Scout arrangement in which the
boy is not only judged on his performance of the
requirements, but receives maximum benefit from the
knowledge, skill, character, and personal interest of this
counselor. Group instruction and orientation are encouraged
where special facilities and expert personnel make this most
practical, or when Scouts are dependent on only a few
counselors for assistance. However, this group experience
should be followed by attention to each individual candidate's
projects and his ability to fulfill all requirements."
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Counselor's Role
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Duties as a Counselor
Duties as a Coach
Duties as an Examiner
Duties to the Council
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Duties as a Counselor
• Interview the Scout to determine preparedness,
knowledge, and interest
• Goals
• Follow up
• Evaluate progress
• Offer assistance
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Duties as a Coach
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May teach required skills
Opportunity to Practice
Show genuine interest
Be enthusiastic
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Duties as an Examiner
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Know Current Requirements
No Changes to Requirements
NO MORE
NO LESS
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Duties to the Council
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Renew Registration Annually
Counselor Training (this class!)
Comply with Youth Protection Program
Follow BSA policies
– Advancement Policies
– Guide to Safe Scouting
• When working with Camp Staff
– Maintain Camp Advancement Logs
– Insure Instructors are Following Guidelines
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Camp Instructor’s Duties
• Assist Registered MBCs
• Record Attendance at sessions
• Update Council / Camp Sheets as
Requirements are completed
• Insure Requirements are Met as Written
• Same limits as MBCs
– NO MORE / NO LESS
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Counseling Techniques
• Put the Scout at ease
• Review each requirement
• Assistance when reviewing completed
requirements
• May teach more than required
• Scout may do more than required
• Practice while learning
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2006 Changes
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American Cultures
American Heritage
American Labor
Astronomy
Bird Study
Camping
Chemistry
Citizenship in the World
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Computers
Crime Prevention
Disability Awareness
Energy
Environmental Science
Forestry
Genealogy
Geology
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2006 Changes
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Photography
Pioneering
Plant Science
Public Health
Pulp and Paper
Reptile and Amphibian
Study
• Scholarship
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Shotgun Shooting
Skating
Truck Transportation
Veterinary Medicine
Whitewater
• New Merit Badge
– Composite Materials
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2006 Summary
• 13 MB were completely rewritten + 1 new MB
More than ½ requirements changed substantially
• 9 MB had major changes
• 6 MB had minor changes
• 3 MB had differences in prior Req books
– Shotgun Shooting pamphlet is more recent!
• 13 MB now require MBC or parental approval
BEFORE some requirements can be started
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2006 MB Updates
• The following MB pamphlets were updated after January 1st,
2006
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Archaeology
Art
Athletics
Aviation
Climbing
Graphic Arts
Journalism
Personal Fitness
Rowing
• Scouts can use either requirements in the new MB pamphlets
or the January 1, 2006 requirements
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2006 Mid Year
• Summary
– 7 MB were completely rewritten
More than ½ requirements changed substantially
– 2 MB had substantial changes
– 1 MB now requires MBC or parental
approval BEFORE some requirements
can be started
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Review
Any Questions
??
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Above all else:
K
I
S
M
I
F
- Keep
- It
- Simple
- Make
- It
- Fun
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