Merit Badges and Merit Badge Counselors

Updated 4/6/12

Introduction to Merit Badges

Link to an introduction to Merit Badges

How do you know if you have the most up to date Merit Badge pamphlet?

Click here to find out what pamphlets are current and up to date along with revision dates. (unofficial Boy Scout site)

Seeking a Merit Badge Counselor in Seneca District?

It is the goal of Seneca District  to afforded Scouts the opportunity to earn any and all of the merit badges available by working with qualified BSA registered Merit Badge Counselors (MBC).

The primary resource for MBCs is the Scout’s own unit. “Troop leaders can identify potential counselors…and many troops assemble a list of approved counselors in their areas” (Scoutmaster Handbook, 2007, p.127)". 

Each troop, team, and crew (where applicable) should have a unit leader or committee member designated as the unit’s “merit badge coordinator” who recruits merit badge counselors and assists them with registration (click here for how to register as a MBC.)

The procedure for locating a counselor is:

1. When the unit leader initiates a merit badge “blue card” with a Scout, the leader provides the Scout with contact information for the merit badge counselor which the unit has enlisted and registered with BSA as a merit badge counselor for that merit badge.
2. If the unit does not have a counselor for the merit badge, the unit should recruit a counselor from the Troop, chartering organization or local community. This has the positive effect of involving another local adult in Scouting, familiarizing that adult with the unit and its leaders, and giving the unit to contact and oversight.
3. If the unit cannot identify and recruit a counselor for a particular merit badge, the unit’s merit badge coordinator or Scoutmaster* can contact another unit to see if they have a counselor for that merit badge, or can contact one of the Seneca District Merit Badge Counselor Deans (see listing below) to see if the district has information about a registered merit badge counselor who has indicated willingness to work with youth from other units (please note that most merit badge counselors indicate on their application that they work only within a specific unit.)
   
         *Note: This means that the Seneca District  Merit Badge Deans will not reply to requests received directly from Scouts or parents looking on behalf of their Scouts.
    

Note: From time to time the district advancement committee will ask units to provide information to assist with maintaining information about active merit badge counselors.

Seneca District Merit Badge Counselor Deans:
Earl Marshall   pre1800vias@yahoo.com
Bill Hanson       hansonwa@comcast.net

If you have a question concerning locating a merit badge counselor, contact Rob Heider, Chairman, Advancement & Recognition Committee at senecaadv@yahoo.com.