What requirements are there to become a Merit Badge counselor?
- Be at least 18 years old and of good character.
- Be registered with the Boy Scouts of America
- Troop 55 requests that you register as full adult volunteer with our unit. CLICK HERE TO JOIN
- 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.
- Merit Badge Counselor Training – there is a required 34-minute training for this position (just like all Scouting positions). You can find this on My.Scouting.org >> My Training >>Scouts BSA >> Scouts BSA – Merit Badge Counselor Position Specific Training
Do any merit badges require specialized training in order to serve as a MBC?
Climbing
All climbing, belaying, and rappelling exercises and activities must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult rock-climbing instructor, age 21 or older, who has completed BSA Climb On Safely training and who understands the risks inherent to these activities. Training as a BSA climbing Level 2 Instructor is highly recommended. Someone with certification in First Aid/CPR/AED from the American Red Cross (or equivalent) must be present at these activities. Current policies are found in the Guide to Safe Scouting and supersede any other publications or literature.
Canoeing
Appropriate credentials include: current or
previous certification as Scouting America Aquatics
Instructor, designation as an instructor or successful
completion of council sponsored or council approved
training courses in canoeing such as the Scouting America
Paddlecraft Safety course or current or previous
certification as an instructor in canoeing by the American
Canoe Association Level One. The council advancement
committee may approve counselors with similar experience
and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.
Kayaking
Appropriate credentials include: current or
previous certification as Scouting America Aquatics
Instructor, designation as an instructor or successful
completion of council sponsored or council approved
training courses in kayaking such as the Scouting
America Paddlecraft Safety, current American Canoe
Association Level One Kayak Instructor Certification or a
higher level of ACA Kayak Instructor Certification. The
council advancement committee may approve counselors
with similar experience and training in knowledge, skill,
safety, and instruction.
Lifesaving
An appropriate credential is current or
previous certification as BSA Aquatics Instructor. Persons
trained as instructors for Aquatics Supervision: Swimming
& Water Rescue or as lifeguard instructors (e.g. BSA,
American Red Cross, or YMCA) are also qualified
provided they self-study and practice the material in the
pamphlet. The council advancement committee may
approve counselors with similar experience and training in
knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.
Motorboating
Appropriate credentials include: current
or previous certification by an organization (such as the
National Safe Boating Council, the U.S. Power Squadrons,
the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Powerboating
component of U.S. Sailing) that meets the voluntary
National On-Water Standards for Powerboating or the
NASBLA National Boating Education Standards for
Powerboating. The council advancement committee may
approve counselors with similar experience and training in
knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.
Rowing
Appropriate credentials include: current or
previous certification as Aquatics Instructor, Scouting
America or U.S. Rowing provided they self-study and
practice material in the pamphlet. The council advancement
committee may approve counselors with similar experience
and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.
Scuba Diving
Appropriate credentials include an Open
Water Scuba Certification (or higher rating) for all
requirements except Requirement #4. Requirement #4 must
be accomplished by a Scuba Instructor from a certification
agency recognized by Scouting America and verified by
the counselor. The council advancement committee may
approve counselors with similar experience and training in
knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.
Small Boat Sailing
Appropriate credentials include
instructor certification with a recognized sailing agency or
school, U.S. Sailing, American Sailing Association for
sailing experience with different hull types including the rig
being used for instruction. Counselors should also be
familiar with the requirements for the Small Boat Sailing
Merit Badge and be able to perform the skills associated
with each requirement. The council advancement
committee may approve counselors with similar experience
and training in knowledge, skill, safety, and instruction.
Register to be a Merit Badge Counselor
Fill out this form: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34405.pdf
- District = Twin Bayou
- Unit = Troop
- No. = 55
Print, sign and scan or electronically sign and upload using this form: