Baltimore Area Council > Gunpowder Falls District > Gunpowder Falls Merit Badge Counselors

Gunpowder Falls Merit Badge Counselors

In need of a Merit Badge Counselor?

Talk to your Scoutmaster! You need to get a blue card from them to give to the counselor, or a digital version via Scoutbook. This is the proper way of doing it. Please remember the buddy system & youth protection when meeting with a counselor. Never meet alone with a counselor.

How to become a Merit Badge Counselor

Merit Badge Counselors are District-level positions, NOT Unit-level positions. There is no permission/signature necessary from your local Unit to register as a counselor. Prospective counselors must register online to be a counselor even if they are already registered in another position in Scouting.

Registration is a multi-step process that should start with online training:

  1. If not already completed, you must complete Youth Protection Training found on the scouting.org home page. The online registration will automatically check your YPT status.
  2. If not already completed, you must complete the Scouts BSA – Merit Badge Counselor Position Specific Training, either online at Scouting.org or at an in-person course.
Classroom training
  • MBC Orientation (D76)
MyScouting
  • Advancement (SCO_471)
  • Aims and Methods of Scouts BSA (SCO_472)
  • Introduction to Merit Badges (SCO_474)
  • What is a Merit Badge Counselor (SCO_486)

If you have completed both of these trainings:

  1. Select the following link to register as a counselor – [https://my.scouting.org/VES/OnlineReg/1.0.0/?tu=UF-MB-220gf07].  If you are already a registered leader, you will get a warning screen stating you are already registered. Click CONTINUE to submit a ‘multiple’ registration.
  2. Complete the 34405 Merit Badge Counselor Information Form and email it to the District Merit Badge Dean at meritbadgedean@gunpowderfallsbsa.org, indicating that you have completed the online registration form.  Please note: according to the Guide to Advancement (GTA), paragraph 7.0.1.1, several merit badges require specialized qualifications and certifications to be a counselor. Please see those details BELOW in the section marked GTA 7.0.1.0 Required Training and provide any required evidence for needed training or certification along with the MBC Information form.

Once your application is approved, you will appear in Scoutbook as a Merit Badge Counselor within 48 hours. Your approved merit badges will follow into Scoutbook once the local registrar has processed the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form. Once you see Merit Badge Counselor as one of your positions in my.scouting.org, you may work with Scouts.

How to update your list of Merit Badges

Complete the 34405 Merit Badge Counselor Information Form. Be sure to fill in the District and BSA ID fields so your application is processed correctly. Your BSA ID can be found on the YPT completion certificate. Send the completed form to the District Merit Badge Dean.  You should receive an email from Scoutbook when you are added.

Where can the Merit Badge Counselor find their approved Merit Badges?

 Go to https://scoutbook.scouting.org

  1. Login to Scoutbook using the same username and password as scouting.org.
  2. From the home page, click My Dashboard.
  3. Click Administration.
  4. Click My Account.
  5. Click My Positions.
  6. Click Merit Badge Counselor.
You will see a list of your approved merit badges here, and can toggle your availability between Available and Busy.  You can also set your listing preference to the Council, District, Unit list or Not Listed.

For other questions and answers about MBC details in Scoutbook see the Scoutbook Merit Badge Counselor List FAQ

Annual Renewal of Merit Badge Counselors

All Merit Badge Counselors must confirm their registration annually. If you do not respond to the District Merit Badge Dean seeking your continued interest, your Counselor position may be dropped and need to be to re-registered.

GTA 7.0.1.0 Required Training

These merit badges have additional requirements for Counselors. All trainings and certifications must be current.

  1. Archery: Archery activities must be supervised by a BSA National Camping School-trained shooting sports director or USA Archery or National Field Archery Association instructor, or by someone who has been trained by one of the three; or alternatively, the activities may be supervised by someone with at least Level 1 training in the operation of an archery range from USA Archery, NFAA, or an equivalent
  2. Canoeing: Those supervising canoeing activities must have either BSA Aquatics Instructor or Canoeing Instructor certification from the American Canoe Association, American Red Cross, or equivalent; OR local councils may approve individuals previously certified as such or trained by an instructor so qualified.
  3. Citizenship in Society: Complete required Merit Badge training, in addition to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (SCO 1800) training in My.Scouting.org
  4. Climbing: All climbing, belaying, and rappelling exercises and activities must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult rock-climbing instructor, age 21 or older, who has completed BSA Climb On Safely training and who understands the risks inherent to these activities. Training as a BSA climbing Level 2 Instructor is highly recommended. Someone with certification in First Aid/CPR/AED from the American Red Cross (or equivalent) must be present at these activities. Current policies are found in the Guide to Safe Scouting at www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss08/#a and supersede any other publications or literature.
  5. Kayaking: Those supervising kayaking activities must have formal training in kayaking and paddle craft instruction, evidenced by either BSA Aquatics Instructor or Paddle Craft Safety Instructor certification, or kayaking instructor certification from the American Canoe Association, British Canoe Union, or American Red Cross, or equivalent; OR local councils may approve individuals previously certified as such or trained by an instructor so qualified.
  6. Lifesaving: Demonstrations or activities in or on the water must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult, age 21 or older, with certification in Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED or equivalent, and as a BSA Lifeguard or Aquatics Instructor or equivalent.
  7. Motor Boating: Motor boating activities must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult, age 21 or older, who has completed Safety Afloat training. Appropriate credentials include current or previous certification by an organization (such as the National Safe Boating Council, the United States Power Squadrons, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the US Powerboating component of US Sailing) that meets the voluntary National On-Water Standards for Powerboating or the NASBLA national boating education standards for powerboating; OR local councils may approve individuals previously certified as such, or trained by an instructor so qualified.
  8. Rifle Shooting: The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring that all instruction or other activities involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified BSA National Camping School (NCS) shooting sports director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzleloaders must be supervised by an NCS shooting sports director or NRA/National Muzzleloader Rifle Association (NMLRA)-certified muzzleloader firearms instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA certified Range Safety Officer (RSO). If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. The supervisor and instructor may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs.
  9. Rowing: Those supervising rowing activities must have either BSA Aquatics Instructor certification or equivalent; OR local councils may approve individuals previously certified as such or trained by an instructor so qualified.
  10. Scuba Diving: All phases of scuba instruction—classroom, pool, and open-water training—are limited to instructors trained and certified by one of the BSA’s recognized scuba agencies as found in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
  11. Shotgun Shooting: The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring that all instruction or other
    activities involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified NCS shooting sports director or NRA Shotgun Instructor or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzle-loading shotguns must be supervised by an NCS shooting sports director or NRA/NMLRA-certified muzzleloading shotgun instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer. If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. They may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs
  12. Small Boat Sailing: Those supervising sailing activities must have completed Safety Afloat training. They must be mature and conscientious adults age 21 or older. Appropriate credentials include instructor certification with a recognized sailing agency or school, US Sailing, or the American Sailing Association for sailing experience with different hull types including the rig being used for instruction; OR local councils may approve individuals previously certified as such, or trained by an instructor so qualified.
  13. Snow Sports: Activities in the field must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult 21 years or older who is committed to compliance with BSA Winter Sports Safety. Current policies are found in the Guide to Safe Scouting at www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss12/#b.
  14. Swimming: Demonstrations or activities in or on the water must be conducted according to BSA Safe Swim Defense and BSA Safety Afloat.
  15. Water Sports: Demonstrations or activities in or on the water must be conducted according to BSA Safe Swim Defense and BSA Safety Afloat.
  16. Whitewater: Those supervising whitewater activities must be certified as whitewater canoeing or kayaking instructors by the American Canoe Association or have equivalent certification, training, or expertise. 

Useful links for Merit Badge Counselors

           Email the District Merit Badge Dean at meritbadgedean@gunpowderfallsbsa.org