University of Scouting

Trainer's EDGE is an all-day course and is BSA's trainer development course designed to help Scouters put into practice the EDGE training model and gain self-confidence through hands-on training experiences.  Trainer's EDGE brings to life the EDGE model taught in Troop Leadership Training, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training, National Youth Leadership Training, and Wood Badge.

What to Bring: copy of BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B for all Scouting events); field or activity uniform is recommended; note-taking materials; a five-minute Scouting presentation with any equipment or props; lunch if not purchased when registering, drinks.  Optional: snacks and money for the vending machine

Participants must prepare a presentation (about a five-minute duration) before the course and bring the material, equipment, and/or props they need to deliver the presentation.  Participants will be given an opportunity to practice this presentation in a small group setting and receive feedback.  The topic of the presentation is at the discretion of the presenter, Scouting topics/skills are always good. Additionally, participants will prepare a second presentation during the course, practice it with their small group and receive feedback. 

Den Chief Training is basic training for Scouts in troops interested in becoming den chiefs for a Cub Scout den.

Troop Guide Training provides tips and tools for being a successful troop guide. 

What to Bring: copy of BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B for all Scouting events); field or activity uniform is recommended, closed-toed shoes, note-taking materials; lunch if not purchased when registering, drinks.  Optional: snacks and money for the vending machine

What to Bring for Merit Badge Classes: • BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & B for all Scouting events); bring a copy not the original • For each merit badge class, bring ⇒ Merit badge book (available from the Scout Shop; read prior to the class) ⇒ Proof of completed prerequisites and any items noted to bring⇒ Documentation of any requirements that will not be covered is optional, but highly recommended. • Note-taking materials and writing utensils • Field uniform (Scout uniform) or activity uniform (Scout t-shirt) is encouraged • Eat breakfast before arriving • Sack lunch or purchase lunch during online registration • Water bottle •  Drinks and healthy snacks, optional • Money for snack machines, optional • Bring a Blue card showing conversation with unit leader.  

Partials and Completions: Attending a merit badge class does not guarantee that a Scout will complete the merit badge, but it is an opportunity for Scouts to meet with qualified counselors, to help them work on the requirements needed to complete a merit badge. The merit badge fair should not be considered another school where the pupils sit and stare for hours on end. Scouts should come prepared to participate. The counselor's job is to encourage self-discovery and then check that each Scout has the minimum knowledge and does the requirements. Scouts should be ready to take notes and come prepared with notetaking materials and writing utensils. Remember one goal of the merit badge advancement system is to develop individual growth and initiative. 

Prerequisites: For all classes, the Scout must read the merit badge book prior to the event. Merit Badge books can be purchased at an area Scout Shop. Scouts are to be prepared to answer the questions to each of the requirements before the merit badge fair; Scouts can utilize the worksheets at http://usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/worksheets/list.asp to help them prepare. Some merit badges require additional prerequisites to be must be completed before the merit badge fair. 

Requirements not covered: Some of the requirements cannot be completed during the class. The Scout should bring documentation of requirements not covered. If the Scout does not complete the requirements not covered and bring documentation to the class, the Scout will receive a partial completion of the merit badge. 

Partials: If the Scout does not complete the requirements not covered and bring documentation to the class, the Scout will receive a partial completion of the merit badge. The partial completion will be noted on the blue card, the card will be given to the Scout at the completion of the class. Scouts will need to complete the badge with a registered merit badge counselor approved for that particular badge. Merit badge counselors are not usually available to serve as a counselor after merit badge fair ends unless arrangements are made. Find a list of merit badge counselors by logging into http://scoutbook.scouting.org with your my.scouting userID and password, click on My Dashboard, Administration, your unit and scroll down the page. Remember that a youth member must not meet one-on-one with an adult. Sessions with counselors must take place where others can view the interaction, or the Scout must have a buddy: a friend, parent, guardian, brother, sister, or other relatives—or better yet, another Scout working on the same badge.

Advancements Completed: An Application for Merit Badges (blue cards) is not required. A few weeks after the event, all of the completed requirements will be posted directly into Scoutbook by the merit badge counselor.  How to pull advancement reports.  

General Rules: Scouts need to be prepared for each of the requirements of the merit badge class including reading the merit badge pamphlet before the class. Scouts are expected to participate fully during the class in order to receive full credit for the requirements completed onsite. Scouts that do not behave appropriately in class will be asked to leave.