Update released October 2013

Note: This merit badge received a name change and a few requirements tweaks. The merit badge formerly called Cinematography is now Moviemaking, which better reflects the requirements.

New requirements and blog post: Click here.

Merit Badge Counselor List (Updated as of 4/15/2014)

*These lists are intended for Scoutmasters and Leaders only and are not to be distributed to the youth.  Please be sure that each youth has the permission of the Scoutmaster or leaders before approaching each counselor.*  All Scouts must go through their Scoutmaster and get a signed blue card before contacting a counselor so please do not share the list.

Note: Merit Badges with the (ER) or (CER) in the title are Eagle Required.  Merit Badges with (CR) or (CER) in the title are merit badges that require the Counselor be certified in that merit badge.  Click here for more info on this.

TO GET ACCESS TO THIS LIST

Please email Roger Stewart (Chris.Clark@scouting.org) to request access to the Merit Badge Counselor list.  Access will be granted to no more than two people per troop, so please be prepared with any names(will need their e-mail address to receive access) you'd like to have access for your troop.

List Issues and contact

In an effort to keep the Merit Badge Counselor list updated please email, fabio.white@gmail.com, with any additions or corrections to the list. 

Note: If you submitted a renewal prior to 1/31/2014 and did not get a confirmation e-mail from Fabio, please contact fabio.white@gmail.com.  Anything submitted after this date is still WIP and will be updated as soon as possible.

CAN NOT FIND A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR  for a MERIT Badge?

The other Districts in the area may have what you need. Please contact Fabio White to inquire on your behalf.

New Merit Badge Counselor Form: (If you did not renew, you will now need to submit this form.)

/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=96376

Add/Delete Merit Badge Form: (Note: District Limit is NOW 8 MBs and you cannot counsel more than 4 Eagle Required Merit Badges) [Limit changed from 7 to 8 in mid September 2014]

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34405.pdf

Resources for Merit Badge Counselors:

For your review, please take a look at this material, which is expected of all counselors:

http://www.hudsonvalleyscouting.org/youth-development/merit-badge-counselors/41912

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/GuideforMeritBadgeCounselors.aspx

Youth Protection Training Requirement:

Please be sure that your BSA Youth Protection training is current (must have already completed it within the last two years). You can go to this site to complete it on-line  

http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx 

 BSA Guide to Safe Scouting:

The BSA Guide to Safe Scouting has specific requirements and procedures for shooting sports and for aquatics, winter, and other special activities. These policies apply to all BSA activities, including merit badge instruction. 

www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416.pdf

Special Requirements for Merit Badges: (Certification)

Details on the qualifications can be found at http://www.hudsonvalleyscouting.org/document/merit-badge-special-qualifications  

If you are a MBC for those badges included in the above document, please upload a scanned copy if you use the on-line system, or mail a copy to the council service center along with your re-registration form.

To net the above there are NN Merit Badges that need certifications and these need to be sent to Fabio White. If these are not on file, you can not council a Scout for that merit badge.

Archery: Archery merit badge counselors must have National Archery Association certification, or equivalent.

Canoeing:  Canoeing merit badge counselors must have either BSA Aquatics Instructor or Canoeing Instructor certification from the American Canoe Association, American Red Cross, or equivalent.

Climbing: All climbing, belaying, and rappelling exercises and activities must be supervised by a qualified rock climbing instructor who is a mature and conscientious adult at least 21 years old, and who is trained in BSA Climb On Safely and understands the risks inherent to these activities.

Kayaking:  Swimming and watercraft activities must be conducted in accordance with BSA Safe Swim Defense or BSA Safety Afloat, respectively, and be supervised by mature and conscientious adults at least 21 years old and trained in the program applicable.

Lifesaving:  Counselors for merit badges involving swimming must be so trained (BSA Safe Swim Defense or BSA Safety Afloat).

Motorboating:  Counselors for merit badges involving swimming must be so trained (BSA Safe Swim Defense or BSA Safety Afloat).

Rifle Shooting: The merit badge counselor must take responsibility to assure that all instruction involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition must be supervised by a certified BSA National Camping School (NCS) shooting sports director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor or Coach.

Rowing:  Rowing merit badge counselors must have either BSA Aquatics Instructor certification or equivalent.

Small-Boat Sailing: Counselors for merit badges involving swimming must be so trained (BSA Safe Swim Defense or BSA Safety Afloat).

Scuba Diving:  Counselors for merit badges involving swimming must be so trained (BSA Safe Swim Defense or BSA Safety Afloat).

Shotgun Shooting: The merit badge counselor must take responsibility to assure that all instruction involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition must be supervised by a certified BSA National Camping School (NCS) shooting sports director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor or Coach.

 Snow Sports: BSA Winter Sports Safety as defined in the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Swimming:  Counselors for merit badges involving swimming must be so trained (BSA Safe Swim Defense or BSA Safety Afloat).

Water Sports:   Counselors must be trained in BSA Safe Swim Defense or BSA Safety Afloat.

Whitewater: Whitewater merit badge counselors must be designated by the local council, and certified as whitewater canoeing or kayaking instructors by the American Canoe Association or have equivalent certification, training, or expertise. Counselors must be so trained (BSA Safe Swim Defense or BSA Safety Afloat).