What's it about?
Scouting America’s merit badge program is designed to teach Scouts about a wide variety of topics, with the hopes they’ll discover new interests, new hobbies, or maybe even a future career. But the merit badge program doesn’t work without merit badge counselors.
A merit badge counselor is a responsible adult with knowledge and enthusiasm about a career, hobby or other subject who is willing to share that knowledge and enthusiasm with Scouts.
Each Scouts BSA troop has a Scoutmaster, the adult leader who ensures the rules of Scouting America are being followed; a chartered organization representative, the adult who serves as the direct contact between the troop and the chartered organization; and a committee chair, who serves as the leader of the committee of adult volunteers that supervises the troop. Additionally, there might be assistant Scoutmasters, a treasurer, a secretary, and other adult volunteers.
Some of these adults might also be merit badge counselors, but there are more than 135 merit badges out there. They can’t do them all! They need the support of other merit badge counselors dedicated to teaching one or more merit badges.
Required Training for Merit Badge Counselors
All Merit Badge Counselors are required to have the following trainings:
- Safeguarding Youth Training
- SCO_472 Aims & Methods of Scouts BSA
- SCO_474 Introduction to Merit Badges
- SCO_486 What is a Merit Badge Counselor
- SCO_471 Advancement
These classes are available on My.Scouting.org. On the home screen click on “Menu” in the upper left. Then click on “My Training”. In the center of the screen click on “Training Center”. Select “Scouts BSA”. Select “Merit Badge Counselor”. Then click on “Enroll” to start the courses.
These Merit Badges require addtional training and/or certification by outside agencies:
- Archery, Canoeing, Climbing, Kayaking, Lifesaving, Motorboating, Rifle Shooting, Rowing, Scuba Diving, Shotgun Shooting, Small Boat Sailing, Snow Sports, Swimming, Water Sports, and Whitewater.
- Get more info on specific trainings/certifications for these badges HERE at Scouting America’s Guide to Safe Scouting.
- Citizenship in Society
- Click HERE to take Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training
Access the Merit Badge Counselor Guidebook HERE.
The links below have the required documents for an adult to become a NEW Merit Badge Counselor.
Required Documents for Merit Badge Counselors
NEW Merit Badge Counselors are required to complete and submit the following documents:
- Merit Badge Counselor Information Form – or you can fill out the online version through the link below.
- Scouting America Adult Application
- Criminal Background Check Release Form
EXISTING Merit Badge Counselors are required to complete and submit the following documents:
- Merit Badge Counselor Information Form – or you can fill out the online version through the link below.
BOTH are asked to submit copies of any formal training certificates, etc, that support their qualifications.
NEW Merit Badge Counselors
A “New” Merit Badge Counselor is anyone who doesn’t currently hold this role in Scouting. This also includes anyone who served as a Merit Badge Counselor in the past, let that role lapse, and now would like to serve again.
Fill out a Merit Badge Counselor Information form (or fill out the online version of this form through the link below in the “Online Registration” section) and a Scouting America Adult Application with Scouting Position Code 42, and submit both to the Illowa Council Service Center through the link below. Both documents are REQUIRED for new Merit Badge Counselors.
If you are not already paid and registered in another position, there will be a membership fee plus the Council insurance fee. Please CLICK HERE for the current registration fee rates.
The council or district advancement committee will review your information form and contact with any questions.
To be position trained for Merit Badge Counselor, the following classes are required.
- SCO_472 Aims & Methods of Scouts BSA
- SCO_474 Introduction to Merit Badges
- SCO_486 What is a Merit Badge Counselor
- SCO_471 Advancement
These classes are available on My.Scouting.org. On the home screen click on “Menu” in the upper left. Then click on “My Training”. In the center of the screen click on “Training Center”. Select “Scouts BSA”. Select “Merit Badge Counselor”. Then click on “Enroll” to start the courses.
The links below have the required documents for an adult to become a NEW Merit Badge Counselor.
EXISTING Merit Badge Counselors
In order to renew your Merit Badge Counselor status, you must be current on your Safeguarding Youth Training.
As long as you maintain your counselor status you do not need to submit an application after the first time.
You can also submit a Merit Badge Counselor Information sheet anytime that you wish to add or drop merit badges you are a counselor for.
To look up what badges you are currently a counselor for go in to your Scoutbook account, after logging in select My Dashboard, then My Account, then My Positions. You should see Merit Badge Counselor and your badges listed.
HOW TO SET YOUR ACCESS LEVEL AS A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR
The Scouts that you opt to assist is determined by YOU! The options that you can select are:
- Availability
- Available – Available to counsel Scouts
- Busy – Too busy right now to counsel any more Scouts
- Listing Preference
- Any Council (Worldwide) – My name shows up in lists accessible throughout the BSA
- Council List – Restrict my listing to my local council (this is usually the default)
- District List – Restrict my listing to my local district
- Unit List – Restrict my listing to my unit (you can list multiple units here)
- Not Listed – Don’t list me at all on any lists. (this does not remove your merit badge counselor registration. If you wish to be removed from the position, contact the Illowa Council Service Center at [email protected].)
The default settings for all Merit Badge Counselors is “Available” and “Any Council (Worldwide)”. For directions on how to change these settings, click HERE.
Fill out a Merit Badge Counselor Information sheet (or fill out the online version of this form through the link below in the “Online Registration” section).
Renewing your Merit Badge Counselor Role
Once you are registered as a Merit Badge Counselor, you’ll be able to view your registration in your my.scouting.org account. This will also show the expiration date associated with the role.
If you are a Merit Badge Counselor with no other paid registrations in Scouting, your role will be active for 12 months. Two months prior to expiration, you will receive emails directing you to renew and pay for your membership. There is a National fee and Council fee that you will pay at that time.
If you are a Merit Badge Counselor with another paid registration in Scouting, your role will expire on the same date as the paid registration, regardless of when you signed up to become a Merit Badge Counselor. Two months prior to expiration, you will receive emails directing you to renew and pay for your primary membership, along with any secondary “multiple” roles, such as that of Merit Badge Counselor. You’ll then be prompted to pay your annual adult dues and Council insurance fee.
If, at any time, you wish to be removed from the Merit Badge Counselor list, please contact the Illowa Council Service Center at [email protected]. Keep in mind that it is best practice to allow paid registrations to expire naturally on their expiration date as opposed to expiring them mid-term. This allows for an individual to change their mind and reassume the position without incurring more fees.
Online Registration
If you would like to register online to become an Illowa Council Merit Badge Counselor, OR, if you would like to update your current list of merit badges, you can now do this online!
All the same documentation will be required and there are places within the form to upload your applications, supporting documents, and provide payment (if required).
Once your documents are submitted online, they will be reviewed by the Council Advancement Committee.
Questions?
We invite your questions about becoming a Merit Badge Counselor, expanding your role with new merit badges, or cutting back if needed!
Contact the Illowa Council Service Center at 563-388-7233 or [email protected].
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