Northern Ridge District
Atlanta Area Council, BSA
Northern Ridge District
Atlanta Area Council, BSA
Northern Ridge District
Atlanta Area Council, BSA

Merit Badge Corner

Broad Range of Subjects:

More than 130 merit badges in 14 subject areas:

Agribusiness

Arts and crafts

Business and industry

Communications

Conservation

Hobbies

Natural science

Personal development

Physical science

Professions

Public service

Sports

Trades

Transportation

Pick a Subject. Talk to your unit leader about your interests. Read the requirements of the merit badges you think might interest you, and pick one to earn. Your leader will give you the name of a person from a list of counselors. These individuals have special knowledge in their merit badge subjects and are interested in helping you.

 

Scout Buddy System. You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. This person can be your parent or legal guardian, or another registered adult.

 

Call the Merit Badge Counselor. Get a signed Application for Merit Badge, No. 34124 or No. 34130, from your unit leader. Get in touch with the merit badge counselor and explain that you want to earn the badge. The counselor may ask to meet you to explain what is expected and to start helping you meet the requirements. You should also discuss work you have already started or possibly completed.

At the first meeting, you and your merit badge counselor will review and may start working on the requirements. In some cases, you may share the work you have already started or completed.

So you want to be a Merit Badge Counselor:

Qualifications:

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Good Character

  • Recognized as having
    skills and education
    in the subject area

  • Good rapport with leaders and Scout-age youth

Special Certifications and Training:

  • Specific training is required for some BSA activities, including merit badges.

  • A counselor must hold a specific certification or work with someone who does.

How to register:

  1. If not currently a registered adult with BSA,  NEW Merit Badge Counselor must submit a BSA adult application for the position of merit badge counselor (code 42). There are no exceptions.

  2. If you are already a registered adult leader in BSA, no adult application is needed.  

  3. If already a Registered Merit badge counselor, and you are just adding more Merit Badges to counsel, you do not need to complete another new adult BSA application.

  4. Required: Training….  (On-line training is available at my.scouting.org)
    1. Youth Protection Training
    2. Merit Badge Counselor Position-Specific Training 

  5. “Merit badge counselor” is a council or district position, not a unit position.

  6. Approval of merit badge counselors is the responsibility of the district advancement committee, not the unit.

Use position code 42

Do not give the application to your District Executive

Do not give your application to the Program Center unless there is no other way

Resources:

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