Merit Badge Counselor Orientation

Training Information

Who is Merit Badge Counselor Orientation for?

This training is for anyone who is interested in becoming a Merit Badge Counselor for Boy Scouts of America. Many Merit Badge Counselors are members of the community with special interests or professions in common with certain Boy Scout Merit Badges. This training is good for current Merit Badge Counselors as it serves as a reminder of the purpose, goals, and requirements of Merit Badge Counseling.

BSA National:A Guide for Merit Badge Counselors

Purpose

The purpose of this training unit is to provide merit badge counselors with an understanding of the methods of counseling and their role in the advancement program of Boy Scouts of America.

The merit badge counselor's role is to bring about learning on the part of the Boy Scout.

As a "coach" the counselor advises the Scout concerning steps he should take to fulfill the requirements for the merit badge.

As a "counselor" he evaluates the Scout's performance and determines whether or not the Scout has met the prescribed objectives in the requirements.

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation Training Objectives

As a result of this unit of training, the merit badge counselor should be able to

• State the purpose of the merit badge program for Scouts.
• Explain the role of the merit badge counselor.
• List some methods of counseling and coaching.
• Use the buddy system for counseling.