If you hate playing chess, you probably shouldn’t sign up to be the Chess merit badge counselor for your troop, no matter how badly the position needs to be filled.
That sounds basic, says Arden Dougan, chair of the Scouting America merit badge committee. But it’s exactly the advice she gives to Scout leaders who are thinking of serving as a merit badge counselor. What you should do, however, is find a badge subject you have a passion for and use that energy to guide Scouts. You might even guide them toward something much more valuable than a merit badge.
“We’ve seen Scouts decide on a career based on the experience they’ve had earning a merit badge,” Dougan says. “The potential is there for a huge impact on a Scout’s life. It starts by teaching something you enjoy. If it’s fun for you, it’s a better experience for them.”
Dougan worked in the nuclear science industry and has a doctoral degree in nuclear chemistry, so naturally, she serves as a counselor for the Nuclear Science merit badge.
The key — and her second piece of advice — is to recognize that you can’t have too many hands-on activities. One of her favorites for Nuclear Science is the mousetrap reactor. Scouts place a few mousetraps inside a box and add table tennis balls on top of each of them. Through a hole in the top of the box, you drop another table tennis ball. Chaos ensues, teaching the basics of nuclear fission.
“Adult volunteers bring everything to life,” Dougan says.
One of the biggest misconceptions, she says, is that you need to sign up for dozens of merit badges. You don’t. In fact, you shouldn’t.
The more time you can spend on a subject and the more interest you have in it, the better counselor you’ll be able to be. And today’s counselors have more support than ever. Digital merit badge pamphlets, online resource guides and curated content through Scouting America platforms mean you don’t have to build a curriculum from scratch. Much of the work — including activity ideas, materials lists and instructional guidance — is already done for you.
Here are the basic steps to get started:
- Talk with your unit leadership (Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster or committee members).
- Contact your local council’s advancement committee or representative.
- Complete the required application and registration steps.
- Select the merit badge(s) you want to counsel based on your expertise.
Merit Badge Counselor FAQ
Don’t Scouts BSA troops already have adult leaders who are merit badge counselors?
Each Scouts BSA troop has several adult leaders, and many of them are probably merit badge counselors. But with 141 merit badges right now, they can’t do all of them! They need the support of other merit badge counselors dedicated to teaching one or more merit badges.
How much time does it take?
It varies. Some merit badges can be completed in a few hours. Others require field trips, outings and excursions (like, say, a visit to a museum or historic site) carried out over a few weeks, or even months, in between other Scouting activities. The job of the merit badge counselor isn’t to go on every single outing or excursion with a Scout. It’s to make sure the Scout knows what’s required of them to earn the badge and to help them with any requirements that can be completed in a group setting.
Can I be a counselor for more than one merit badge?
Yes! Let’s say you work as an auto mechanic but have adopted photography as a hobby. You could sign up to be a counselor for both Automotive Maintenance and Photography. There is no limit to the number of badges you can provide counsel for, but the local council will review your qualifications for each badge along with their current needs.
Is there training involved?
Yes. Online training is available at my.scouting.org. (You can create a free account if you don’t already have one.) Merit badge counselors must also complete Scouting America’s Safeguarding Youth Training.
What kind of support is available to merit badge counselors?
A lot! The biggest help for merit badge counselors is the merit badge pamphlet. Every badge has a pamphlet that serves as both a textbook for the youth and a guide for the counselor. The pamphlet lists each requirement for the badge, along with suggestions and instructions on how to get them done. You can download or buy pamphlets online or at your local Scout Shop.
Sounds great! What else do I need to know about being a merit badge counselor?
Like all Scouting activities, the merit badge process must abide by the rules listed in Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse. One-on-one contact between adult leaders and youth members is prohibited, either in person, online, over the phone or via text. Two-deep adult supervision by registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required for all Scouting activities, including merit badge classes and related outings, trips or excursions.
How do I sign up to be a merit badge counselor?
Fill out a Merit Badge Counselor Information form and an Adult Application with Scouting Position Code 42 and submit both to your local council. A $25 fee applies if you’re not already registered in another position. The council or district advancement committee will review your information form and contact you regarding approval status.
