Merit Badge Program

The merit badge program is designed for Scouts to learn to work with other adults, making and keeping committments. It also serves to allow a Scout to tailor his Scouting experience to his own tastes and desires. The process of earning merit badges goes as follows:

1. A Scout desires a merit badge.
2. The Scout discusses his desire with the Scoutmaster and if approved asks for a merit badge counselor.
3. The Scoutmaster assigns a merit badge counselor and gives the Scout a merit badge 'Blue Card'. (The Scout and/or his parents do *not* choose the counselor. The Scoutmaster chooses the counselor. The boy should not work with a family member or close friend if possible, as the purpose is to work with other adults and learning to interact with new people.)
4. The Scout makes appointments with MBC. (Scouts make the calls, *not* parents.)
5. The Scout meets with the MBC (may require multiple sessions). The Scout should not start requirements until instructed to by the MBC. Two deep leadership or the buddy system should be used to ensure the MBC is never alone with the Scout.
6. When the MBC signs off on the Blue Card, the Scout returns the card to the Scoutmaster.
7. The Scoutmaster gives the Blue Card to the Scout Committee.
8. The Scout Committee schedules and holds a Board of Review with the Scout. The Committee then forwards the advancement information to the council.
9. When the award returns, the Scoutmaster presents it to the Scout at the next Troop Meeting.
10. The Scout is further recognized at the next Court of Honor.

Scout Troops can elect to earn merit badges as part of their Troop Meeting program. The process goes as follows:

1. At the Troop Annual Planning Meeting the Scouts led by the Senior Patrol Leader select which merit badges they would like to work on in the coming year. The selection of merit badges is approved by the Scoutmaster.
2. A Scout is assigned to take responsibility for each merit badge.
3. The assigned Scout asks the Scoutmaster to assign a merit badge counselor.
4. The Scoutmaster assigns the MBC and makes Blue Cards for each Scout (giving them to the assigned Scout).
5. The Scout makes appointments with the MBC.
6. The Scouts meet with the MBC.
7. When the MBC signs off on the Blue Card(s), the Scout returns the card(s) to the Scoutmaster.
8. The Scoutmaster gives the Blue Card(s) to the Scout Committee.
9. The Scout Committee schedules and holds a Board of Review with the Scout(s). The Committee then forwards the advancement information to the council.
10. When the award(s) return(s), the Scoutmaster presents them to the Scout(s) at the next Troop Meeting.
11. The Scout(s) are further recognized at the next Court of Honor.

Merit Badge Clinics may be provided by Troops or at the District level. The process goes as follows:

1. A Scout chooses which merit badges he would like to earn.
2. The Scout discusses his desires with the Scoutmaster and if approved the Scoutmaster provides the Scout with Blue Cards.
3. The Scout attends the merit badge sessions and works with the MBC.
4. The Scout schedules any supplemental appointments necessary with the MBC.
5. When the MBC signs off on the Blue Card, the Scout returns the card to the Scoutmaster.
6. The Scoutmaster gives the Blue Card to the Scout Committee.
7. The Scout Committee schedules and holds a Board of Review with the Scout. The Committee then forwards the advancement information to the council.
8. When the award returns, the Scoutmaster presents it to the Scout at the next Troop Meeting.
9. The Scout is further recognized at the next Court of Honor.

 

Merit Badges Counselors

If you have knowledge in a particular area, you may qualify to be a merit badge counselor. Fill out this application and return it to the District Advancement Committee. In addition please consider listing yourself as a Resource Contact on this site.

If you are a Scoutmaster, Varsity Coach, or Venture Advisor and looking for a merit badge counselor, fill out the form below.

Name:
Phone:
Email:
Position:		* Scoutmaster, Coach, or Crew Advisor
Unit:
Desired merit badges:

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