Gunpowder Falls Merit Badge Counselors

In need of a Merit Badge Counselor

You need to talk to your Scoutmaster! You need to get a blue card from him/her to give to the counselor. 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 registered through the district charter. The district charter runs July 1 – June 30. Merit Badge Counselors must express their interest in rechartering annually when the recharter process starts in the spring.

1. Complete the BSA Adult application. Enter position code 42 and position title Merit Badge Counselor. Must be signed either handwritten or digitally.
2. Complete the ongoing background check consent form (page 6 of adult application). NOTE: The landscape version of the form is not accepted by council. Must contain a handwritten signature. A “digitally signed by” signature will not be accepted.
3. Complete YPT in My.Scouting.org and then download/print a copy of your completion certificate. YPT must expire after 06/30/2024. 
4. Complete either of the 2 training methods below for Merit Badge Counselor training:

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)

5. Complete form 34405 Merit Badge Counselor Information. Be sure to fill in the district name and BSA id fields so your application is applied to the correct BSA id and district. Your BSA id can be found on the YPT completion certificate.

Turn in the items above together to the Dean of Merit Badges at meritbadgedean@gunpowderfallsbsa.org.  Do not send in partial applications. You should receive an email from Scoutbook when you are added.

NOTE: Processing a new application is at least a 2 business day process. You will receive an email from Scoutbook with no merit badges at first when the adult app is processed. Then another email will be sent once the merit badges are added. It’s an overnight process for the applicant to show in MyScouting.

How to update your list of merit badges

Complete form 34405 Merit Badge Counselor Information. Be sure to fill in the district name and BSA id fields so your application is applied to the correct BSA id and district. Your BSA id can be found on the YPT completion certificate.

Turn in the form above to the Dean of Merit Badges at meritbadgedean@gunpowderfallsbsa.org.  Do not send in partial applications. You should receive an email from Scoutbook when you are added.

How to apply for the Citizenship In Society merit badge

1. Complete form 34405 Merit Badge Counselor Information to add the merit badge. Be sure to fill in the district name and BSA id fields so your application is applied to the correct BSA id and district. Your BSA id can be found on the YPT completion certificate.
2. Complete either of the 2 training methods below for Merit Badge Counselor training:

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)

3. Complete Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (SCO_1800) training in MyScouting.

Turn in the items above together to the Dean of Merit Badges at meritbadgedean@gunpowderfallsbsa.org. Do not send in partial applications.

Where can the Merit Badge Counselor find their approved merit badges?

1. Go to https://scoutbook.scouting.org
2. Login to Scoutbook using the same username and password as MyScouting.
3. From the home page, click My Dashboard.
4. Click Administration.
5. Click My Account.
6. Click My Positions.
7. Click Merit Badge Counselor.

GTA 7.0.1.0 Required Training

These merit badges have additional training required to have them assigned. All trainings must be kept 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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Swimming: Demonstrations or activities in or on the water must be conducted according to BSA Safe Swim Defense and BSA Safety Afloat.
14. Water Sports: Demonstrations or activities in or on the water must be conducted according to BSA Safe Swim Defense and BSA Safety Afloat.
15. 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.