How to find a Merit Badge counselor?

[kittle 10]

I know that you check the list first and I have done that. The only problem is this. My son want to do Dog Car and the nearest counselor is about a 45 minute drive from where we live. So, what does a person do?

[EagleInKY 14]

Recruit someone. Maybe a veternarian, kennel owner, breeder, or mechanic (you did say "dog car" :-)). Once you find someone willing, they need to fill out a BSA leader app (no fee for MBCs, though) and a MBC application. Once they are approved, your son can work with them (with a buddy, of course).

[evmori 11]

Check with other Troops in your area. Call your District Advancement Chair to see if there are some new counselors that aren't on your list. Recruit a new counselor!

 

Ed Mori

Troop 1

1 Peter 4:10

[kittle 10]

Eagle in KY,

 

I could probably get someone willing to register and work with my son, but I don't know that they would want on the list for everyone to be calling them. What if no other boy wants to work on this merit badge?

 

Ed,

 

The list I am looking at is our district list, it is the current list that I just picked up at the Scout Schop Saturday.

[Hunt 11]

In our district, a MBC has the option of indicating that he or she only wants to work with the scouts in a particular unit.

 

I don't think anybody has mentioned that there is nothing preventing you from registering to counsel this MB yourself, if you think you're qualified. You can counsel your own son.

[EagleInKY 14]

As Hunt pointed out, they can submit to only work with youth from your unit. That will keep his/her name off the district list. As for the buddy system, that is non-negotiable. It doesn't have to be a scout, though. They could take a friend, parent or kid sister. As long as they are not 1-on-1 alone with the counselor.

 

[kittle 10]

Thank you everyone for the additional information. I will ask our SM tonight what the Troop's policy is on parents acting as merit badge counselors for their own son. It isn't something that had came up yet. I can probably get a local 4-H leader or vet to do it with my son. Thanks again.

 

[EagleInKY 14]

Troop policy or not, the BSA Advancement Policy says that you can. My suggestion is that he go elsewhere, if there's someone qualified to work with him. I think he'll grow more by working with someone else. But don't let an artificial policy force that to happen.

[Hunt 11]

"I will ask our SM tonight what the Troop's policy is on parents acting as merit badge counselors for their own son."

 

Don't ask--this is down in black and white in the BSA advancement materials--it's allowed. Just tell the SM you'd like to do it, unless somebody else would like to step up.