How to become a Merit Badge Counselor in Bull Run District To register as a Merit Badge Counselor (MBC) in Bull Run District, you must complete two forms and demonstrate that you are current with Youth Protection Training (YPT). There are three steps for the MBC to register with the BSA and begin merit badge counseling. Step #1. Youth Protection Training (required every two years): - If you are registered with the unit and the unit’s roster indicates that your YTP is current and not due to expire in 60 days, you do not need to take YTP. If YPT has expired or will expire in the next 60 days, YPT will need to be done. A photo-copy of the training card or completion certificate is required. - If you are not registered with the unit, YPT is required. A photo-copy of the training card or completion certificate is required. YPT is available at: www.MyScouting.org. IMPORTANT: When you eventually receive your BSA registration card and Personal Identification Number you must return to the www.MyScouting.org site, logon with the user ID and password you created, and enter your BSA registration number into your user profile so the system can accurately verify and record your training. Step #2. Complete the Adult Application form. This form is required even though you may have completed one for your current registered position with your unit. Please pay special attention to the following items: Leave “Unit No.” blank AND fill-in “Council/District Position” as “Merit Badge Counselor”, the District Name is “Bull Run”, and the “Position Code” as "42". NOTE: The entire application form must be filled in and signed, including the Disclosure/Authorization page located before the application form page itself. All applicants and currently registered Scouters go through a background check – as noted and authorized on the Disclosure/Authorization page of the Adult Application form. Your Social Security Identification number is required and a criminal background check cannot be done without it. Only the applicant's signature is required. Electronic signatures or script font signatures cannot be accepted. The other signatures are not required to register as a MBC. The "Unit" blocks remain blank and the block in the lower right corner should also be left blank. The MBC must submit the new "Code 42" adult application even if they are already registered with their unit or the District. The MBC position is a District level position and requires a separate application approval process. NOTE: Specific emphasis should be taken to accurately, correctly, and completely fill out of the forms. Failure to fill out the forms completely or correctly, and signing and dating them will result in the forms not being accepted for processing, and you not being added the MBC list. Step #3. Complete the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form which is used by the District to know which merit badges you want to teach, to show why you are qualified to teach the listed merit badges, and to approve your request. If you plan to only counsel within your unit, remember to check the "I wish to work only with” box and fill in the unit number. If you wish to counsel Scouts outside the unit please check the "I wish to work with all units." box. Note this form is a PDF fill able form which auto fills merit badge names from the front of the form to the back of the form. There are special requirements for Climbing, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting, and aquatics (Swimming, Lifesaving, Canoeing, Rowing, Small Boat Sailing, Motorboating, Water Sports, Whitewater, Scuba, and Kayaking Merit Badges. Counselors requesting approval to counsel in these subject area must provide the appropriate documentation attached to the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form. Please limit the number of Merit Badges you wish to counsel to 8 Merit Badge topics. August 3, 2014 What do I do with the forms when I’m done? All three correctly, completed forms: (1) Adult Application with Disclosure Authorization form; (2) the Merit Badge Counselor Information form; and (3) Youth Protection Certificate make up the MBC application packet. Return the completed packet to: Bill Mayo, District Leadership Advancement and Training by: E-mail to: [email protected] Mail to: 7384 Roxbury Avenue, Manassas, VA 20109 Through the District Roundtable Mailbox: Roundtable is the Second Thursday each month Incomplete MBC packets will be returned. Merit Badge Counselors are approved by the District and Council leadership. There is no registration fee to be a MBC. DO NOT SEND FORM TO THE COUNCIL SERVICE CENTER. All Merit Badge Counselors MUST complete BSA Youth Protection Training before working with Scouts. Please do not electronically sign the forms. Your handwritten signature is required. All Merit Badge Counselors MUST confirm their registration annually. Any changes to the MBC personal information must be documented using the Adult Application form, including the Disclosure Authorization. Scouters may choose to limit their role to counseling only in an affiliated unit or make themselves available to other units in the District. Bull Run District encourages you to be available to other units since the expertise for some merit badges is not present within many individual units. Counselors will always be able to limit the number of scouts they work with at one time. Please remember to check the box on the front of this form that indicates this choice. General Information 1. Each Unit may want to have a unit Merit Badge Counselor Coordinator (either a special unit position or the advancement chairman) who will help facilitate the registration and re-registration process for only MBCs in their respective units through the District coordinator. 2. MBCs who wish to counsel Scouts in a District must turn in all forms and be approved PRIOR to counseling a scout.. 3. The Adult Application and Merit Badge Counselor Information forms are available in interactive, fill-in PFD format and can be completed on-line or can be printed locally and completed by hand. 4. Youth Protection Training is also required every two years. Failure to keep up to date on YPT will result in MBCs from being dropped from the MBC list. If a MBC is dropped from the District MBC list, the individual mayl have to re- register as a new counselor. 5. No fees are required for Merit Badge Counselor registration. 6. Retain a copy of all documents submitted. Annual Renewal of Merit Badge Counselors All Merit Badge Counselors must register annually. Bull Run District will periodically contact District MBCs asking for updated contact info or inquiring about the status of the individual continuing as a MBC. . August 3, 2014