Merit badge counselor forms and guidelines
Download both forms, fill them in completely, and send them to the District Advancement Committee as described on the registration page.
Forms
- Adult applicationOfficial, from Scouting America. Use position code 42 and include the background check authorization.PDF
- Merit Badge Counselor Information formOfficial, current version from Scouting America. List each badge you want to counsel.PDF
What counselors do
A merit badge counselor is teacher and mentor at once. Whether your expertise is a craft, a profession, or a life skill like cooking or personal finance, you help a Scout learn by doing, and sometimes spark a lifelong interest or a career.
Counselors must register as adult volunteers and be approved for each badge on their information form. You may choose to associate with a particular unit, but you're encouraged to serve Scouts from any unit.
If you aren't already registered in a unit position, there is an annual $25 registration fee. Counselors registered only as counselors, and not in a unit position, can't attend overnight Scouting activities.
Training and qualifications
All counselors should complete merit badge counselor training, available online at my.scouting.org. Some badges involve activities that require certification or special training, and the Guide to Safe Scouting sets rules for shooting sports, aquatics, and other activities. Those rules apply to merit badge instruction too. See the Guide to Advancement for counselor qualifications.
Working with Scouts
- Before you begin, check that the Scout's merit badge application (blue card) has been signed by the unit leader.
- No one-on-one contact. Every Scout must have a buddy at every meeting, such as another Scout, a parent or guardian, or a relative.
- You may not add to or remove any requirement.
- Group instruction is allowed, but every Scout must personally complete every requirement. If a requirement says show, demonstrate, or discuss, each Scout must do it individually.
- A Scout may generally keep working under the requirements in effect when they started a badge, even if the requirements change.