Troop 1519

Here are the Merit Badge Scheduling Procedures for Merit Badge Counselors:

1. Attend a committee meeting and state your intention to run a badge.
2. Identify how many sessions you will need.
3. Identify how many boys you will allow to sign up.
4. The Troop voted on 3/7/07 to allow merit badge sessions either before the meeting (6:00 – 6:30p.m.) or after the meeting (8:00 – 8:30 p.m.).
5. Once the committee approves time available, based on calendar availability the counselor then may send out an email announcing the badge, have a sign up sheet at the meeting for scouts to sign up. Try to allow adequate time for scouts to sign up. In other words, don’t send out an email the week before you intend on running a badge. Have the blue cards available at sign up so that the scouts can fill them out and get them signed by the scoutmaster or asst scoutmaster.
6. All merit badges need to be coordinated through the committee.
7. A merit badge counselor must be at least 18 years of age and be proficient in the merit badge subject by vocation or avocation.
8. Each merit badge counselor must be registered with the troop by completing an adult leader application (see Troop Committee Chair for this form) and a BSA merit badge counselors form. (See Troop Merit Badge Coordinator for this form).
9. While working with a scout the counselor must follow BDSA Youth Protection guidelines by ensuring that the scout is always accompanied by a buddy.
10. In order to be a merit badge counselors, the counselor must have taken the BSA Youth Protection training either at an open session at Round Table, Merit Badge Jamboree, or online.
11. Ensure that the scout has followed the merit badge start up requirements.
12. Follow the requirements of the merit badge making no deletions or additions to ensure that the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all Scouts. If special circumstances require modification of the merit badge requirements, the counselor must receive permission from the Troop Committee.