| User | Post |
|
9:47 am
May 17, 2010
|
Scouter Doug
| | Kenilworth, NJ | |
| PTC Bear | posts 70 |
|
|
I've applied through my District to be a Merit Badge counselor for several merit badges. My initial motivation is because we have a Scout in the Troop requiring Swimming to complete his Eagle rank. From what I am told the Scout has been trying for over a year to secure a counselor for this badge. The application is making it's way through the processing mills (in 3 weeks has now gone from District to Council) and from what I am told I should expect at least a few more weeks before being given any kind of final approval. I understand there is required paperwork, background checks, volunteer time – yada yada. At the same time how bad would it be to start working on the "out of water" requirements with the Scout? Part of me hates to see the Scouts time wasted due to paperwork issues (I'm an established leader, multiple background checks performed and supposedly the Council is really HURTING for MBC's.) At the same point I don't want to break the rules and do anything to put the Scout's actual earning of the badge in jeopardy.
|
Doug Metz – Assistant Scoutmaster – Troop 83 – Kenilworth, NJ http://scoutersjourney.blogspot.com – twitter: dwmetz
|
|
|
9:56 am
May 17, 2010
|
SM Shawn
| | Green Bay, WI | |
| Admin
| posts 392 |
|
|
It's a catch 22…
You will be installed as the Swimming MB counselor, and at that point in time, you would be able to sign off on whatever you want on his blue card…after all, you are the MBC.
But, you aren't….yet.
On the third hand, you will be and can attest to the character of this scout…meaning that if you work on the requirements now, when he hands his blue card to you, you can check them off…
So I say, go for it…bureaucracy isn't a part of a Scout's journey…get in the water….
|
Husband of a Committee Chair, Father of a Scout, a Webelos and an anxious 4 year old, Pack Trainer of Pack 4363 & Scoutmaster of Troop 1363
|
|
|
11:06 am
May 17, 2010
|
MISS Liberty
| | | |
| Admin
| posts 192 |
|
|
What Shawn said.
As long as you're following the rules, staying safe, and observing the whole "no one on one contact" stuff, get your Scout to find a buddy and get started.
At our recent merit badge workshop, some of the counselors had only JUST put in their paperwork. Because they were already registered leaders, had youth protection, etc. the folks in charge of the workshop didn't stress over the fact that their MB counselor paperwork hadn't fully cleared, yet. Granted, they weren't doing any merit badges that were safety issues and we were all in a big room full of other registered leaders. Still…
If nothing else, call your council office and ask. That may prod them into speeding the process along.
|
"[S]He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which." ~ Douglas Adams
|
|
|
11:07 am
May 17, 2010
|
MISS Liberty
| | | |
| Admin
| posts 192 |
|
|
PS: I need a MACRO that just automatically says, "What Shawn said." Would make my posts so much easier.
|
"[S]He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which." ~ Douglas Adams
|
|
|
12:02 pm
May 17, 2010
|
MISS Emily
| | | |
| Admin
| posts 135 |
|
|
Okay… off topic, but sense Shawn and MISS Liberty replied here… what MBC can I be???? I have no skills. And don't tell me Family Life. I need something cooler than that.
|
MISS Emily, Committee Chair and TDL Pack 103, Atlanta, GA **A proud Mother in Scouting Service along with MISS Kris, MISS Liberty, and MISS Shannon**
|
|
|
1:05 pm
May 17, 2010
|
Scouter Jeff
| | Southern California | |
| PTC Boy Scout | posts 150 |
|
|
Post edited 1:10 pm – May 17, 2010 by Scouter Jeff
MISS Emily said:Okay… off topic, but sense Shawn and MISS Liberty replied here… what MBC can I be???? I have no skills. And don't tell me Family Life. I need something cooler than that.
Hi Emily,
You don't have to be an expert at a topic to be a MB counselor. Go through the list of MB's and see if there are ones that you could do, even if there's some learning involved. For example, if you are good at organization, esp. in finances, look over the requirements of Personal Management (it's Eagle-required, so counselors are always needed). Also, look over the three "Citizenship in the…" MB's and see if you could do one of them (again, all are Eagle required). Yeah, they aren't shooting things or firing rockets, but Scouts need to do these. And you can provide a great service to those Scouts.
What hobbies do you have? I read voraciously, so I'm thinking of signing up to be a Reading MB counselor. Also, I'm no cooking expert at all, but I love to cook, grill and bake. So I'm also thinking of being a Cooking MB counselor. Are there any hobbies you have that are on the MB list?
There's always a need for MB counselors. The more qualified counselors there are, the better for the boys.
And there's always Family Life…
|
- Scouter Jeff
Assistant Scoutmaster, District Trainer
http://thetrainerscorner.wordpress.com/
Twitter: Scouter Jeff
|
|
|
1:32 pm
May 17, 2010
|
MISS Kris
| | | |
| Admin
| posts 121 |
|
|
this is interesting conversation because we have lots of MBC that run MB with the boys, sign them off on blue cards, boys go off to get Eagle and yet, that MBC STILL doesn't show up when you run a district/council MBC list. The troops find it very entertaining.
|
Kris Brabham – Pack Committee Member, Troop(s) Committee (have 2 sons in 2 troops), Soon to be Crew Advisor
|
|
|
4:12 am
June 3, 2010
|
MISS Liberty
| | | |
| Admin
| posts 192 |
|
|
Kris, that's why many folks use "update my MBC list" as their Wood Badge ticket item – it's a neverending chore. 
Emily – You could easily do the Art Merit Badge, or Communications, Collections, Camping (yes… Camping, Em. You'd be QUITE effective with that one, especially once Will is in a troop so you'll be able to prod the boys in his unit into getting stuff signed off), Computers, Nature (well… I think as long as you're willing to look at icky mounted bugs), Pets, umm… lemme think. You could easily do American Heritage, if you're interested in any of that. Reading, for sure. ANY of the Citizenships – a lot of that stuff is done in school anyway, you'd just be signing off and guiding them through the process.
As Jeff said, you don't have to already be a supreme expert at any of the Merit Badge topics – you just have to have an interest and willingness to learn. The only merit badges I'd steer clear of are ones that are profession specific (I mean, really, would you even want to do dentistry?!) or that just don't interest you at all.
Anyone (who is of age and passes the background check, heh) can be a MB counselor. I promise, there's something for everyone!
|
"[S]He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which." ~ Douglas Adams
|
|
|
9:02 am
June 3, 2010
|
SM Shawn
| | Green Bay, WI | |
| Admin
| posts 392 |
|
|
Any Scoutmasters that are MBCs? If so, which ones?
|
Husband of a Committee Chair, Father of a Scout, a Webelos and an anxious 4 year old, Pack Trainer of Pack 4363 & Scoutmaster of Troop 1363
|
|
|
9:09 am
June 3, 2010
|
Scouter Doug
| | Kenilworth, NJ | |
| PTC Bear | posts 70 |
|
|
Well the day after I started this post I got my official approval (and an official chastising for nagging the district on the progress) for Scouting Heritage, Computers, Geocaching and Swimming.
|
Doug Metz – Assistant Scoutmaster – Troop 83 – Kenilworth, NJ http://scoutersjourney.blogspot.com – twitter: dwmetz
|
|
|
10:30 am
June 3, 2010
|
Scouter Jeff
| | Southern California | |
| PTC Boy Scout | posts 150 |
|
|
MISS Liberty said:
I mean, really, would you even want to do dentistry?!
Yes, I do
|
- Scouter Jeff
Assistant Scoutmaster, District Trainer
http://thetrainerscorner.wordpress.com/
Twitter: Scouter Jeff
|
|
|
6:35 pm
June 3, 2010
|
stevejb68
| | Minnesota | |
| Admin
| posts 332 |
|
|
In answer to your question Shawn,
I am a scoutmaster and a merit badge councilor for Camping, Cinematography, Citizenship in the Community, Backpacking, Collections, and Scouting Heritage.
|
Steve B, Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC, http://www.melrosetroop68.org/blog/
|
|
|
8:49 am
July 6, 2010
|
scoutmasterjerry
| | Troutdale, OR | |
| Admin
| posts 221 |
|
|
Not sure how I let this thread pass me by, but it is a good discussion. The MBC question has been a long running discussion in many circles here in our council.
We had a great relationship with a local air museum that would run an Aviation MB weekend. Real nice program, until they decided not to comply with the BSA standard of YP and registration.
That may be for another discussion here though…
So far as Shawn's question of SM's being MB counselors. I counsel:
Camping, Cooking, Backpacking, Hiking, Swimming, First Aid and that's it.
I have enough to do as Scoutmaster. The MBs I counsel all can be worked during the normal flow of the Scouts year.
On being an expert. You not be an expert. The intent of the MB program is not to make our Scouts "Experts" either. Just because a Scout earns the Space exploration Merit Badge, it will not qualify him for the next shuttle launch. So put aside the expert tag. A merit badge pamphlet and the will to work with a young man is all you need.
Great topic.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
|
Jerry Schleining Jr.nScoutmasternHave A Great Scouting Day!!nwww.thescoutmasterminute.netntwitter: smjerry
|
|
|
1:31 am
August 5, 2010
|
kmontano
| | Central New York | |
| PTC Bear | posts 74 |
|
|
Scouter Jeff said:
MISS Liberty said:
I mean, really, would you even want to do dentistry?!
Yes, I do
That is great Jeff!
|
Kevin M., Star Scout, Webmaster, Troop 50, Revolutionary Trails Council, http://boyscoutblog.wsr3.net
|
|
|
10:41 am
August 5, 2010
|
smwalker_oh
| | Middletown, Ohio | |
| PTC Star Scout | posts 524 |
|
|
I had a question about that. There is a boy who recently (February) crossed over to the Troop. At our pack campout, he volunteered to come back and run our kitchen…and did an excellent job. Our Cubmaster (his MBC for Cooking) is at Jambo so he could not be there. We spoke and he told me to keep track of what the Scout did, I'm wondering how detailed do I need to be on what the boy did, and should I be the one to tell my CM or shouldn't it be the Scout talking to the MBC and then the MBC could verify with me if necessary? Just wondering the process there.
I'll need to know it because there are probably several merit badges I could be MBC for and need to sign up to do that.
|
Scott Walker,nCC/WDL/PT, Pack 19 Middletown | CR, Pack & Troop 801 Middletown | Hopewell District Cub Roundtable Commissioner | Dan Beard Council Certified Trainer
|
|
|
7:42 pm
August 17, 2010
|
MISS Liberty
| | | |
| Admin
| posts 192 |
|
|
I've had some MBC be really sticklers about "their" MBs. It's best to ask the MBC what their preference is, however, here's my short answer. (I know, amazingly I DO have a few of those.)
Have the Scout print out a worksheet of requirements (available at meritbadge.org) and sign off on the worksheet and have the Scout fill in any specific notes you feel appropriate. The Scout can then take the worksheet to the MBC and get him to sign off the achievements. If you put your contact info (I'm assuming the MBC already has it, but still…) on the worksheet, then he can call you if he has questions or wants to verify anything.
=)
|
"[S]He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which." ~ Douglas Adams
|
|
Login 
Register 
Search 
PTC Media Forums
Print this Post 
Topic RSS 
