For Merit Badge Counselors

The merit badge counselor is a key player in the Scouting America advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or hobby (basketry, leatherwork, coin collecting), a profession (veterinary medicine, aviation, engineering), or perhaps a life skill (cooking, personal management, communications)—as a merit badge counselor, you can play a vital role in stirring a young man’s curiosity about that particular topic. By serving as a merit badge counselor, you offer your time, knowledge, and other resources so that Scouts can explore a topic of interest.

Who can be a merit badge counselor?

To meet the basic requirements to serve as a Merit Badge counselor, you must be:

- At least 18 years of age
- Of good moral character
- Have some education, background, expertise, or experience in the subject or subjects you choose to counsel
- Have the ability and desire to work with Scouts from 12 to 17 years of age

As a merit badge counselor, your mission is to join fun with learning. You are both a teacher and mentor to the Scout as they work on a merit badge and learn by doing.

HERE ARE THE SIX STEPS TO BECOMING A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR:

1. Decide which badges you are qualified to counsel.
  1. Read all the requirements for any badge that may interest you, or that you are qualified to teach – through your education, experience, or knowledge. Choose the ones that you would like to counsel from this link: National Merit Badge Listing & Requirements
  2. Check out what is involved in counseling at this link: Everything about being a Merit Badge Counselor
  3. The Scouting America has expectations from a merit badge counselor:
    1. Respond to inquiries from Scouts seeking a merit badge counselor if you set up your preference as “Available”. Inquiries are usually emails, so you must check the email address you provided every few days.
    2. Reply to the annual January email to confirm your merit badge counselor status.
2. Complete and sign an Adult Application to register with your district. Please use Position Code #42, Merit Badge Counselor.
  1. Adult Application, if you prefer an online application, please contact your District Advancement Chair
  2. This application is available from your troop or Council office and needs only your signature on both the application and the Disclosure/Authorization Form.
  3. Note: If not already registered with the Scouting America, a $25 fee is required to do a background check
3. Complete the Youth Protection Training from this link: https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/
  1. Scouting America seeks to create a safe environment for young people and adult leaders to enjoy the program and related activities. BSA Youth Protection Training helps preserve that environment.
  2. After completing the training, print a copy in Adobe PDF format of your Youth Protection Training completion certificate to create an electronic copy.
  3. You must have completed Youth Protection training within the past two years at the time of application.
  4. For creating an account in my.scouting.org and taking YPT training see this link” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64ZtPfOC71M
4. If you reside in Pennsylvania you will need the Act 15 clearances: Click here for more info
5. Complete/sign the BSA Merit Badge Counselor Information Form at this link: Merit Badge Counselor Information
  1. Please explain your qualifications to counsel the requested badges. Note: you can choose which Scouts you wish to advise on the form but will repeat this through your Scoutbook merit badge counselor account.
  2. There is a maximum of 20 merit badges per counselor in Great Falls Council.
  3. There are specific requirements for counselors who counsel certain merit badges. See below for details of those requirements if you’re requesting to teach these Merit Badges

1. 1. - Range and Target Activities (Archery, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting)
    - Aquatics (Canoeing, Kayaking, Lifesaving, Motor Boating, Rowing, Scuba Diving, Small Boat Sailing, Swimming, Water Sports, Whitewater),
    - Other (Citizenship in Society, Climbing, Snow Sports)
    - Applicants must attach copies of licenses or certifications to support their knowledge/training. Details on specific qualifications/certificates can be found in the 2025 Guide to Advancement, Section 7.0.1.1

Complete Merit Badge Counselor Training

Directions for taking MB Counselor Training through My.Scouting.org:

Return all your applicable forms only to the Council Offices.

1. 1. Once the forms are received, adult application is processed and merit badge application is forwarded to the Council Advancement Committee for review and approval. A common error is the failure to list the applicant’s qualifications to counsel each particular merit badge. This is a critical factor in the application. Please take the time to list your detailed qualifications on this form or an additional sheet, as the form has very limited space. You will be contacted directly should there be any questions or missing data.
  2. New Merit Badge counselors may not begin working with Scouts until approval is received, Counselors will receive confirmation by email. You may begin counseling after you have been notified.
  3. As your acceptance, you will receive an email from Scoutbook asking you to create an account. You must use the same name and password with Scoutbook that you used with my.scouting.org to take your YPT training. You will then be asked to fill out your preferences. You should then set up your profile in scoutbook. Instructions can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUNU_URIT94

SPECIALIZED TRAINING REQUIRED FOR MERIT BADGES:

Several badges involve activities for which the Scouting America has implemented strategies to improve safety, enhance the Scouts’ experiences, and manage risk. These activities often require supervision with specialized qualifications and certifications. Merit badge counselors who do not meet the specific requirements may use the services of helpers who do. Additional details can be found below, and in the Guide to Safe Scouting and the merit badge pamphlets.

General Supervision Requirements

Swimming and watercraft activities must be conducted in accordance with Safe Swim Defense or Safety Afloat, respectively, and be supervised by mature and conscientious adults at least 21 years old and trained in the program applicable. Counselors for merit badges involving swimming or the use of watercraft must be so trained or use helpers who are.
All physical activities presented in any Scouting program must be conducted in accordance with “The Sweet Sixteen of Scouting America Safety.” These 16 points, embodying good judgment and common sense, can be found at http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/Sweet16.aspx.
CPR instruction, wherever it is required, must be taught by instructors currently trained by a nationally certified provider. Several such providers are mentioned in the Guide to Safe Scouting.

All certifications listed above must be current. The required qualifications above for merit badge counseling and supervision not only assist in managing risk, but also give counselors credibility. Scouts will see them as people of importance they can look up to and learn from.

Special Certifications

The following merit badges have special qualifications or certifications for either the merit badge counselor or the supervisor of certain activities that may be involved. Counselors and advancement administrators should consult the merit badge pamphlets for details and to maintain awareness of changes and updates as pamphlets are revised.

Citizenship in Society:

Completion of the DEI volunteer training is strongly recommended for all counselors; it includes integral information on key concepts the Scouts will be studying:

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/diversity_equity_and_inclusion/Citizenship-in-Society-Merit-Badge-Counselor-Guide-2021.pdf

Climbing:

All climbing, belaying, and rappelling exercises and activities must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult rock-climbing instructor, age 21 or older, who has completed Climb On Safely training and who understands the risks inherent to these activities. Training as a Scouting America climbing Level 2 Instructor is highly recommended. Someone with certification in First Aid/ CPR/AED from the American Red Cross (or equivalent) must be present at these activities. Current policies are found in the Guide to Safe Scouting at

https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/ and supersede any other publications or literature.

Snow Sports:

Activities in the field must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult 21 years or older who is committed to compliance with Winter Sports Safety. Current policies are found in the Guide to Safe Scouting at

www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss12/#b/.

Canoeing:

Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification as Scouting America Aquatics Instructor, designation as an instructor or successful completion of council sponsored or council approved training courses in canoeing such as the Scouting America Paddlecraft Safety course or current or previous certification as an instructor in canoeing by the American Canoe Association Level One. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Kayaking:

Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification as Scouting America Aquatics Instructor, designation as an instructor or successful completion of council sponsored or council approved training courses in kayaking such as the Scouting America Paddlecraft Safety, current American Canoe Association Level One Kayak Instructor Certification or a higher level of ACA Kayak Instructor Certification. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Lifesaving:

An appropriate credential is current or previous certification as BSA Aquatics Instructor. Persons trained as instructors for Aquatics Supervision: Swimming & Water Rescue or as lifeguard instructors (e.g. BSA, American Red Cross, or YMCA) are also qualified provided they self-study and practice the material in the pamphlet. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Motor Boating:

Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification by an organization (such as the National Safe Boating Council, the U.S. Power Squadrons, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Powerboating component of U.S. Sailing) that meets the voluntary National On-Water Standards for Powerboating or the NASBLA National Boating Education Standards for Powerboating. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Rowing:

Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification as Aquatics Instructor, Scouting America or U.S. Rowing provided they self-study and practice material in the pamphlet. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Scuba Diving:

Appropriate credentials include an Open Water Scuba Certification (or higher rating) for all requirements except Requirement #4. Requirement #4 must be accomplished by a Scuba Instructor from a certification agency recognized by Scouting America and verified by the counselor. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Small Boat Sailing:

Appropriate credentials include instructor certification with a recognized sailing agency or school, U.S. Sailing, American Sailing Association for sailing experience with different hull types including the rig being used for instruction. Counselors should also be familiar with the requirements for the Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge and be able to perform the skills associated with each requirement. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Swimming:

At a minimum, current or previous certification as Aquatics Instructor, Scouting America or instructors from the American Red Cross or YMCA. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Water Sports:

Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification by an organization (such as the National Safe Boating Council, the U.S. Power Squadrons, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, BoatUS or the U.S. Powerboating component of US Sailing that meets the voluntary National On-Water Standards for Powerboating or the NASBLA National Boating Education Standards for Powerboating. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Whitewater:

Appropriate credentials include American Canoe Association Level Three River Kayak or River Canoe Instructor Certification, or a higher level of ACA River Kayak or River Canoe Instructor Certification. The council advancement committee may approve counselors with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.

Archery:

Archery activities must be supervised by a National Camping School-trained Range & Target Activities Director, a USA Archery Instructor, a National Field Archery Association instructor, or an Archery Rangemaster. To qualify as an Archery Rangemaster, the individual must be at least 18 and trained by a National Camping School-trained Range & Target Activities Director or a USA Archery/NFAA Instructor using the syllabus found in the National Range & Target Activities Manual.

Rifle Shooting:

The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring all instruction or other activities involving the handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified National Camping School (NCS) Range & Target Activities Director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzleloaders must be supervised by an NCS Range & Target Activities Director or NRA/National Muzzleloader Rifle Association (NMLRA)-certified Muzzleloader Firearms Instructor. Live fire must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO) and an NRA/NMLRA-certified Instructor in the discipline of the firearm being shot. The Instructor and the RSO may not be the same person. Note: commercial shooting ranges may provide properly certified RSOs Please reference the National Range & Target Activities Manual for required range supervision ratios.

Shotgun Shooting:

The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring all instruction or other activities involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified NCS Range & Target Activities Director or NRA Shotgun Instructor or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzle-loading shotguns must be supervised by an NCS Range & Target Activities Director or NRA/NMLRA-certified Muzzleloading Shotgun Instructor. Live fire must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO) and an NRA-certified Instructor in the discipline of the firearm being shot. The Instructor and the RSO may not be the same person. Commercial shooting ranges may provide properly certified RSOs. Please reference the National Range & Target Activities Manual for required range supervision ratios.