The Scouts BSA merit badge program is more than an opportunity to learn a skill, find a hobby, or inspire the pursuit of a career. Association with a variety of adults through the merit badge program provides a great personal growth experience. Learning the process of contacting an unknown counselor, arranging an appointment, and keeping that appointment helps develop a skill that Scouts will need and use throughout their lives. Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC) has over 2,000 registered merit badge counselors (MBC) to support our youth members.
In SHAC, volunteers who wish to serve as an MBC may register with their district to counsel up to 16 merit badges. The advancement committee will review your qualifications for each badge. To be approved as a counselor for more than 16 merit badges, the applicant must provide evidence that not being approved would impede advancement in their home district. The application must be supported by the district advancement chair.
The authority to regulate the merit badge counselor process is set forth in the Guide to Advancement (Section 7.0.1.4). Other regulations pertaining to the MBC program may be found in adjacent sections.
How to Become a Merit Badge Counselor
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Qualifications: To qualify as a merit badge counselor, you must
- Be at least 18 years old and of good character.
- Be registered with Scouting America (position code 42).
- Complete Safeguarding Youth Training online.
- Be recognized as having the skills and education in the merit badge subjects covered and hold any required qualifications and training as outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting or the Guide to Advancement—or use others so qualified.
- Be able to work with Scout-age youth.
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Merit badge counselors 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 each Scout accompanied by their parent or guardian, or at least one other Scout and one other registered adult, during all sessions.
- Take Safeguarding Youth Training annually.
- Renew my registration annually if I plan to continue as a merit badge counselor.
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Steps to become a new merit badge counselor:
- Complete Safeguarding Youth Training online at my.scouting.org (~90 min)
- Complete an Adult Application
• For individuals currently involved in Scouting - get the online application link from the district executive
• For individuals not currently involved in Scouting - send an email to request a link to the adult application to be a merit badge counselor.
- Email the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form, indicating the badges the MBC has the skills to counsel
- Pay the MBC registration fee, if not already registered as a Scout leader.
To update an existing merit badge counselor’s list of merit badges qualified to counsel:
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Merit Badge Counselor Training
Merit badge counselors should take Merit Badge Counselor Position-Specific Training online at my.scouting.org (~35 min).
A well-qualified merit badge counselor can enhance a youth’s attention span through effective communication, which leads to better understanding of the subject, productive discussions, and true interest. A bond of mutual respect often develops when a Scout feels confident to offer thoughts and opinions through meaningful conversations with a merit badge counselor. Thus, a Scout grows in social skills and self-reliance as a result of interacting with an adult who is a qualified counselor. The merit badge counselor agrees to follow the requirements of the recognition, making no deletions or additions, ensuring the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all Scouts.
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Youth Protection
Scouting America's Commitment to Safety is ongoing, and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Scouting America places the utmost importance on safe, healthy environments for its youth members. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth and the adult volunteer leadership who interact with them.
Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow youth protection guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:
- One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited in person, online, over the phone or via text.
- You must have another person with you at each meeting with a youth. This person can be a Scout's parent or legal guardian, or another registered adult.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our council depends on dedicated volunteers to help create a positive, memorable experience for every Scout who attends. We are currently seeking enthusiastic volunteers to serve as merit badge counselors at various events such as Full Throttle, Trail to Eagle Scout Camp, Aquatics Day, council Merit Badge Days, and district Merit Badge Universities.
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