Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 University of Scouting Central Maine Community College March 24, 2012 Merit Badge Counselor Orientation

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012

University of Scouting Central Maine Community College

March 24, 2012

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation

Jim ThomasTroop 58 Committee

Casco Bay District Training Chair

http://www.troop58bsa.org/UnivScouting/

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* Where Do Merit Badges Fit into the Boy Scout Program?

* What are the Scout’s Responsibilities?

* What are the Counselor’s Responsibilities?

Today’s Plan

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* Lots of Discussion

* Lots of Fun!

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Where Merit Badges Fit into the Boy Scout Program?

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Start at the very beginning.

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First Things First.


The Aims of Scouting

“The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

* Character Development* Citizenship Training * Personal Fitness

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In the Boy Scout Program these Ideals are expressed in:

* Scout Oath* Scout Law* Scout Motto/Slogan


The Methods of Scouting(to achieve the Aims)

The Patrol Method The Outdoors

Association With Adults Personal Growth

Leadership DevelopmentThe Uniform

Advancement

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Rank Advancement

Merit Badges

Advancement

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(Adult Association)


Merit Badges Are Courses of Instruction for a Particular Subject

Over 100 merit badges are offered, ranging from American Business to Woodwork. (121)

Each merit badge has specific, detailed requirements for completion.

Scouts must earn a specified number of merit badges to earn the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle (and Eagle Palms).

Merit badges provide depth of knowledge in a particular subject area.

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Furthers his knowledge base outside of school. Allows him to learn about subjects he might not otherwise be exposed to.

Introduces him to potential career skills. Provides opportunities for:

Character-building (e.g., citizenship, service).Physical fitness and hobbies that will give a lifetime of pleasure.Becoming a more well-rounded person.Interacting with knowledgeable adults they might not know.

Builds self-confidence.

Provides Important Benefits to the Scout

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A Scout is required to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges for the rank of Eagle Scout, 12 of which are specifically mandated:

1. First Aid

2. Citizenship in the Community

3. Citizenship in the Nation

4. Citizenship in the World

5. Communications

6. Personal Fitness

7. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving

8. Environmental Science

9. Personal Management

10. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling

11. Camping

12. Family Life

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The Scout’s Responsibilities

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The Scout’s ResponsibilitiesPick A Subject.

Talk to your Scoutmaster (or designee), get the name,phone number of a Counselor. Get a signed MB Application (Blue Card) from Scoutmaster

Contact the Counselor.Talk to your Scoutmaster (or designee), get the name, phone number of a Counselor.

Use the Buddy System. * Take a moment to discuss this.

Meet with Counselor. *Discuss any requirements you have already completed

*Review the Requirements*Work out a plan to complete the badge with the Counselor

Show your Stuff. * When you are ready meet with the Counselor to meet the requirements

Get the Badge. * When your Counselor is satisfied, he/she will sign your application!

* Give the App. to your Scoutmaster (~ Advancement Coordinator ~)

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The Scout’s Responsibilities, Cont.

You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated -- no more and no less.

* You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements.

* If it says "show or demonstrate," that is what you must do. Just telling about it isn't enough. The same thing holds true for such words as "make," "list," "in the field," and "collect," "identify," and "label."

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Key Merit Badge FAQ’s

Who can earn a merit badge? "Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time. You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible. "

When can you start? "Unless otherwise specified, work for a requirement can be started at any time." – See Next Slide

Where are the answers? The merit badge pamphlets (book) are full-color quick references with the answers, photos, and diagrams you need.

"You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." You can buy a merit badge pamplet (book) at your local Scout Shop or you can buy them online at:http://www.scoutstuff.org/.

Are worksheets requried? No. Merit Badge Worksheets are options tools to help you organize your work and include the logs, diagrams, and checklists you need.

Do you need a buddy? "You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor."

How are you tested? ""In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges requirements." - AP p. 26

"You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated—no more and no less."

How do you get credit? "When the counselor is satisfied that you have met each requirement, he or she will sign your application."

'"There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18." - AP p.34 "Partial completion of merit badges should be credited to a Scout on the Application for Merit Badge..." - AP p.34

What if you have Special Needs? "Merit badges are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated."

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Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval for Certain Requirements

American Heritage#2b, 2c, 2d, 5a, 5

American Labor#2, 5c, 5d

Architecture#3

Art#2a, 2b, 4

Astronomy#9

Athletics#6b

Backpacking#11b

Cinematography#3a

Citizenship in the Community#4b, 5, 7c

Citizenship in the Nation#6

Communications#5, 6, 7b

Computers#6e, #7c, 7d

Crime Prevention#7b

Disabilities Awareness#5a

Emergency Preparedness#8b, 9a

Engineering#1

Environmental Science#3e3

First Aid#6c

Forestry#5

Geology#4a, 5c

Golf#8

Graphic Arts#4a

Home Repairs#2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Indian Lore#2b

Journalism#3b, 3c

Mammal Study#5

Medicine#10

Metalwork#5b, 3c3a

Model Design and Building#1, 3, 4a, 4c

Oceanography#8a, 8c

Painting#3

Personal Fitness#7

Pets#1

Photography#4a, 4b

Pioneering#10

Pottery#7

Public Health#5, 7

Pulp and Paper#7

Radio#7

Safety#2a

Salesmanship#3

Scholarship#4b

Sculpture#2c

Small-Boat Sailing#6c

Soil and Water Conservation#7f

Sports#5

Surveying#2

Weather#9a, 9b

Woodwork#6d

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Notes on Group Instruction

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* Many subjects may be presented to groups of Scouts without defeating one of the purposes of the merit badge plan -- working closely with a qualified adult.

* 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 his 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.

* The merit badge counselor can make a presentation covering the highlights of a merit badge subject. Scouts should then be given an opportunity to try some skill related to the badge. This introduction to a merit badge can spark an interest in the subject.

In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges requirements.

”

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The Counselor’s Responsibilities

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The Counselor’s Overall Role

Provide the benefit of his or her knowledge.Help the Scout learn.Make the experience enjoyable.

The Counselor is a Teacher and Mentor;

a Role Model

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Who Can Be a Merit Badge Counselor?

Men or women of good character.Age 18 or older.Have the skills and education in the subjects they wish to teach, wither by vocation (job) or avocation (hobby). Able to work with Scout-age boys. Must register with the Boy Scouts of America as a merit badge counselor AND have submitted the BSA Merit Badge Counselor Information form, indicating which merit badges he/she wishes to counsel. Does NOT have to be a registered BSA leader (as with a troop or crew).

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The Counselor’s Responsibilities

1) Assist the Scout as he plans the assigned projects and activities to meet the merit badge requirements.

2) Coach Scouts through interviews and demonstrations on how to do the required skills of the craft, business, or hobby.

3) Certify the Scout after determining whether he is qualified for the merit badge.

Your task is to satisfy yourself that each Scout who comes to you meets all the requirements for the merit badge. In this sense you are an examiner, though your larger opportunity lies in coaching, helping the Scout meet the challenge of the requirements and making him aware of the deeper aspects of the subject through your knowledge and experience.

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Thank You!

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Documents

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - March 24, 2012 University of Scouting Central Maine Community College March 24, 2012 Merit Badge Counselor Orientation