Merit Badge Counselor Information

The Merit Badge Counselor is a key player in the Scout advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or hobby (basketry, leatherwork, coin collecting), a profession (veterinary medicine, aviation, engineering), or perhaps a life skill (cooking, personal management, communications)—as a Merit Badge Counselor, you can play a vital role in stirring a young person’s curiosity about that particular topic. By serving as a Merit Badge Counselor, you offer your time, knowledge, and other resources so that Scouts can explore a topic of interest.

Some merit badges require special training and/or certifications. Check the appropriate section of the Becoming a Merit Badge Counselor and the Guide to Advancement for details.

Merit Badge Counselors are an important part of the Scouting Program.  Your knowledge and commitment can be best shared when you are willing to counsel all Scouts, not just the ones in your troop.

If you are not yet a Merit Badge Counselor, it is easy to become a volunteer. You will need to register with Scouting America, through our local council. This entails contacting us, then obtaining, completing, and turning in the Scouting America Adult Application, SYT certificate, required PA clearances and  any merit badge specific certifications. We will then process the application.

In order to register, Merit Badge Counselors are required to complete Scouting America Safeguarding Youth Training. This training can be done through the Online Learning Center . Scouting America seeks to create a safe environment for young people and adult leaders to enjoy the program and related activities. Safeguarding Youth Training helps preserve that environment.

• To read about being a Merit Badge Counselor, read: A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling
• To get started on your path to becoming a Merit Badge Counselor, go to: Merit Badge Counselor Information, No. 34405.
• Instruction for completing and submitting your application are here: Becoming a Merit Badge Counselor

Information concerning the Merit Badge program can also be found in Section 7 of the BSA Guide to Advancement