This Tuesday (July 23, 2019), Mr. Hoffman will be leading a session at 7 pm to give parents an overview of the Scouts BSA Merit BadgeProgram.  Merit badges introduce youth to skills that that can lead to careers and lifelong hobbies and teach youth how to contact and work with adults.  Scouts need to complete at least 21 merit badges to earn Eagle rank.  

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There Are More Than 135 Different Merit Badges Available, From American Business to Woodworking.  Scouts can start earning merit badges right away! Here are 9 things to know about how to get the most out of your merit badge experience.

As a parent, you can help by becoming a Merit Badge Counselor.  There is no cost to become a registered merit badge counselor and no limit to the number of Merit Badges for which you can be a counselor except for the time you have to give to this service.  There is a need for the Eagle-required merit badges so please consider signing up for one or more of those.

Merit Badge Counselor Application process

• Adult application.   
  • Use position code:  42,  description: Merit Badge Counselor
    If you are currently registered, 
    Check “Multiple registrations”,
    Enter your membership numberIf you are not currently registered with BSA 
    Check “New Leader”
    Enter the District Name “Tres Ranchos”  
    This is a district, not a unit position.

• Merit Badge Counselor application
  • https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34405.pdf There is no fee for this position.There is no limit to the number of Merit Badges you for which you can be a counselor, but consider the time you have to give to this service.Decide if you want to be available to 
    • Only Scouts in a given unit(s) Only Scouts in a given district(s)  – The most common choice is All Scouts.  (You will show up nationwide!) 

• Print out a copy of your Youth Protection Training certificate.
  • District positions run from July 1 – June 30, unlike unit positions, so the YPT eligibility should be checked carefully.

• Print out a copy of your Merit Badge Training certificate
  • This does not expire.  You can take this training online as well as in person.

Fill out the above four forms and send them to the Scout office.