Thank you for wanting to become a Merit Badge Counselor! Note that Merit Badge Counselor is a district position, not a troop position, so new MBC’s will need to register with the Orion District. You may choose to only work with one troop but are encouraged to work with other troops as needed. Also you are encouraged to staff the annual Merit Badge College in one of your subjects.

The instructions below are for adults who are already a registered adult in a Troop, Pack, or Crew. If you are not a registered adult, contact the MBC Coordinator for assistance.

First Time Registration

  1. Merit Badge Counselor Training
    You must first take the required MBC training. Online training takes about 30-40 minutes and can be taken here: https://training.scouting.org/learning-plans/1188. Please complete training before doing the next two steps.

  2. Adult Application
    Fill out an Adult Application for Orion District – MBC is a district position, not a troop position. But since you are already a member of a unit, you can create a free duplicate membership online. Click this link to start an online application for Orion District: https://my.scouting.org/VES/OnlineReg/1.0.0/?tu=UF-MB-662o42.

    If you are not already logged in, it will ask if you already have a MyScouting account. Answer Yes and log in. It should give a warning that you have a registration with the troop so choose Continue since you also want to register for Orion. Do NOT click Transfer! You’ll see a screen confirming a Multiple Registration with Orion. Answer the six Background Questions and Submit.

  3. Merit Badge Counselor Information Form
    This form is where you indicate what badges you want to teach, your qualifications, and your preferred Troop or Crew. Fill out the form here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0a45e9d9f6ca4350aff9dafdcc5b639f. Attach a PDF of your YPT (see below on how to get a PDF). Some MB’s such as water activities, climbing, or shooting sports require qualifications. Attach your certification as required (see below for what to attach).

When you complete Step 3, the Orion MBC Coordinator will be notified who will check your training record, adult application, and YPT and then process your request. If you have any questions, send an email to orionmeritbadgecoordinator@gmail.com.

Existing Merit Badge Counselors – Add/Delete Badges

  1. Fill out the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form using the online form here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0a45e9d9f6ca4350aff9dafdcc5b639f. Indicate you want to change the badges you teach (add) or the badges you want to delete. Attach a PDF of your YPT (see below on how to get a PDF). Some MB’s (such as water activities, climbing, or shooting sports) require qualifications. Attach your certification (see below for what to attach).

To get a PDF of your YPT certificate:

  1. Sign in to my.scouting.org
  2. In the upper banner click My Training.
  3. You will see your YPT status. Click the Print Certificate link to get a PDF of your certificate.

Merit Badges that require Additional Training and Documentation.

Also see The Guide to Advancement Section 7.0.1.0
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/gta-section-7.pdf

Archery – 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.

Canoeing – Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification as Scouting America Aquatics Instructor, designation as an instructor or successful completion of council sponsored or council approved training courses in canoeing such as the Scouting America Paddlecraft Safety course or current or previous certification as an instructor in canoeing by the American Canoe Association Level One,

Citizenship in Society – BSA online training course Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Scouting (Course 1800). https://training.scouting.org/courses/SCO_1800. Send completion certificate.

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 Climb On Safely training and who understands the risks inherent to these activities. Training as a Scouting America climbing Level 2 Instructor is highly recommended.

Kayaking – Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification as Scouting America Aquatics Instructor, designation as an instructor or successful completion of council sponsored or council approved training courses in kayaking such as the Scouting
America Paddlecraft Safety, current American Canoe Association Level One Kayak Instructor Certification or a higher level of ACA Kayak Instructor Certification.

Lifesaving – An appropriate credential is current or previous certification as BSA Aquatics Instructor. Persons trained as instructors for Aquatics Supervision: Swimming & Water Rescue or as lifeguard instructors (e.g. BSA, American Red Cross, or YMCA) are also qualified provided they self-study and practice the material in the pamphlet.

Motor Boating – Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification by an organization (such as the National Safe Boating Council, the U.S. Power Squadrons, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Powerboating component of U.S. Sailing) that meets the voluntary National On-Water Standards for Powerboating or the NASBLA National Boating Education Standards for Powerboating.

Rifle Shooting – The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring all instruction or other activities involving the handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified National Camping School (NCS) Range & Target Activities Director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzleloaders must be supervised by an NCS Range & Target Activities Director or NRA/National Muzzleloader Rifle Association (NMLRA)-certified Muzzleloader Firearms Instructor. Live fire must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO) and an NRA/NMLRA-certified Instructor in the discipline of the firearm being shot. The Instructor and the RSO may not be the same person. Note: commercial shooting ranges may provide properly certified RSOs Please reference the National Range & Target Activities Manual for required range supervision ratios.

Rowing – Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification as Aquatics Instructor, Scouting America or U.S. Rowing provided they self-study and practice material in the pamphlet.

Scuba Diving. Appropriate credentials include an Open Water Scuba Certification (or higher rating) for all requirements except Requirement #4. Requirement #4 must be accomplished by a Scuba Instructor from a certification agency recognized by Scouting America and verified by the counselor.

Shotgun Shooting. The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring 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 Range & Target Activities Director or NRA Shotgun Instructor or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzle-loading shotguns must be supervised by an NCS Range & Target Activities Director or NRA/NMLRA-certified Muzzleloading Shotgun Instructor. Live fire must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO) and an NRA-certified Instructor in the discipline of the firearm being shot. The Instructor and the RSO may not be the same person. Commercial shooting ranges may provide properly certified RSOs.

Small Boat Sailing – Appropriate credentials include instructor certification with a recognized sailing agency or school, U.S. Sailing, American Sailing Association for sailing experience with different hull types including the rig being used for instruction. Counselors should also be familiar with the requirements for the Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge and be able to perform the skills associated with each requirement..

Swimming – At a minimum, current or previous certification as Aquatics Instructor, Scouting America or instructors from the American Red Cross or YMCA.

Water Sports – Appropriate credentials include: current or previous certification by an organization (such as the National Safe Boating Council, the U.S. Power Squadrons, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, BoatUS or the U.S. Powerboating component of US Sailing that meets the voluntary National On-Water Standards for Powerboating or the NASBLA National Boating Education Standards for Powerboating.

Whitewater. Appropriate credentials include American Canoe Association Level Three River Kayak or River Canoe Instructor Certification, or a higher level of ACA River Kayak or River Canoe Instructor Certification.