Public Adult Volunteers - Boy Scout Troop 247 (Reedsburg, Wisconsin)

Find a spot to help out, most all training is found online and only takes about a ½ hour a session. Many hands make light work….

All training is found on Scouting.org and you do not need a membership number to start training!!

A Merit Badge Counselor Is ...

As a merit badge counselor, your mission is to join fun with learning. You are both a teacher and mentor to the Scout as he works on a merit badge and learns by doing. By presenting opportunities for growth via engaging activities like designing a Web page (Computers), performing an ollie and a wheelie (Snow Sports), or fabricating rope (Pioneering), you can pique a young man's interest in the merit badge subject. Just think: Your hands-on involvement could inspire a Scout to develop a lifelong hobby, pursue a particular career, or become an independent, self-supporting adult.

A Scout first expresses an interest in a particular merit badge by letting his unit leader know. To get him started, the leader may give him a signed Application for Merit Badge (blue card) along with the name and telephone number of a district/council approved merit badge counselor. The Scout then contacts the merit badge counselor and makes an appointment. The merit badge counselor sets a date and time to meet with the Scout and his buddy, and may suggest the Scout bring the merit badge pamphlet along with the blue card.

The Blue Card makes the recordkeeping easier for the Scout, the merit badge counselor, and the unit leader. At summer camp, a Scout may receive partial credit for completion of a merit badge on the blue card, which goes to the Scoutmaster at week's end. Back home, the Scout would need to contact a merit badge counselor for assistance with completing the rest of the requirements.

At the first meeting, the Scout and his merit badge counselor review and start working on the requirements. In some cases, the Scout may share with the merit badge counselor the work he has started or accomplished. As the merit badge counselor, you and the Scout work out a tentative schedule for completing the requirements. You should consider both short-term and long-term goals, keeping other obligations (school, Scouting, sports, and so on) in mind, and set dates, times, and a location for future meetings. The number of meetings will depend on the difficulty of the requirements and the preparation and ability of the Scout.

Your duty is to be satisfied that each Scout who comes to you meets all the requirements for the merit badge you are coaching. You do this by helping Scouts overcome the different hurdles of the requirements and making them aware of the deeper aspects of the subject through their learning experience. You may tell about your own experiences to help positively reinforce the subject matter. However, you may not tack on new requirements or extra work. While you may guide and instruct a Scout on the subject matter, he must do the work himself.

As each requirement is completed, you will test the Scout individually, with his buddy present. If you are using a blue card, update this card as the Scout completes each requirement. When the young man has completed all the requirements, you sign off on the blue card and the Scout returns the completed card to his unit leader.

A List of Current Merit Badges and Links to Requirements follows at the bottom of this page

Required Youth Protection, Adult Leader Application, Merit Badge Counselor Application

Assistant Scoutmasters

Assistant Scoutmaster regular (aka experienced) patrol. Assists in providing two-deep leadership in smaller troops; may be assigned to one or more regular patrols in larger troops.

Assistant Scoutmaster - new-Scout patrol. Works with the Troop Guide, new-Scout Patrol Leader and Den Chief to help deliver the troop program to Scouts without experience (often 11- and 12-year olds) entering the troop.

Assistant Scoutmaster - Venture. Works with the Venture Patrol Leader in delivering high adventure and sports program the Venture patrol who's members are usually 13+ and of higher rank.

Assistant Scoutmasters in larger troops may be directed by the Scoutmaster to assist in skills instruction and adult assistance with delivering the troop program. Duties may overlap or assist with roles in the Troop Committee. Assistant Scoutmasters not on BSA's troop organizational chart may be assigned and charged for specific duties. Common examples are:

Assistant Scoutmaster - Program. Understands the troop program and may be assigned to work with an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in charge of program.

Assistant Scoutmaster - Service. Assists in the troop's service activities, and may be assigned to work with the Quartermaster.

Assistant Scoutmaster - Technology. Understands the troop computer and audio-visual equipment.

Assistant Scoutmaster - Administration. Assists with records and materials; may be assigned to work with the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

Assistant Scoutmaster - 11-year-olds. Functions as an "assistant" to the Assistant Scoutmaster - new Scout patrol in LDS units (see above). Provides two-deep leadership in this patrol.

Responsibilities

This is the only troop adult leader position for adults age 18-20.

Assist the Scoutmaster as directed

Works with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.

Uses the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.

Can be male or female, but must be at least 18 years of age.

Is appointed by the Scoutmaster and approved by the Troop Committee Chair.

Abide by the Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law.

Subscribe to the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principles.

Required: Youth Protection, Adult Leader Application, Fast Start, This is Scouting, Scoutmaster/Assist Leader Specific Training, Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills

Scoutmaster

The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster trains boy leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support. -Baden Powell

I had stipulated that the position of Scoutmaster was to be neither that of a schoolmaster nor of a commander Officer, but rather that of an elder brother among his boys, not detached or above them individually, able to inspire their efforts and to suggest new diversions when his finger on their pulse told him the attraction of any present craze was wearing off. -Baden Powell

· Trains and guides boy leaders.

· Works with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.

· Uses the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.

· Can be male or female, but must be at least 21 years of age.

· Is appointed by the head of the chartered organization.

Required: Youth Protection, Adult Leader Application, Fast Start, This is Scouting, Scoutmaster/Assist Leader Specific Training, Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills

Troop Committee

Minimum positions for a chartered troop

A chartered Boy Scout troop requires a Chartered Organization Representative, a Committee Chairman, at least two committee members, and a Scoutmaster.

Position Requirements

Required: Youth Protection, Adult Leader Application, Fast Start, This is Scouting, Troop Committee Challenge, Chartered Organization Representative Training* (Chartered Organization Rep required only)

Chartered Organization Representative

The Chartered Organization Representative is the direct contact between the unit and the Chartered Organization. This individual is also the organization's contact with the district committee and the Local Council. The chartered organization representative may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the council. The Chartered Organization Representative appoints the unit committee chair.

Troop Committee Chairman

The unit committee chair is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of the BSA. The unit committee chairman appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders.

Troop Secretary

The unit secretary is appointed by the committee chairman to keep minutes and records, send notices, and handle publicity.

Troop Treasurer

The unit treasurer is appointed by the committee chairman to handle unit funds, pay bills, maintain accounts, coordinate the annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, and supervise fundraising.

Positions below here are optional but so helpful if one fits you let us know!

Troop Advancement Chair

The unit advancement chair is appointed by the committee chairman to ensure that the unit has at least monthly boards of review, quarterly courts of honor, and that the unit has goals of helping each Scout advance a rank each year and for new Scouts to reach First Class rank during their first year. The advancement coordinator is also responsible for record keeping and submitting advancement reports.

Troop Equipment Coordinator

The unit equipment coordinator is appointed by the committee chairman to work with the youth Quartermaster and is responsible inventory, storage, and maintenance of unit equipment.

Troop Outdoor/Activities Chair

The unit outdoor/activities chair is appointed by the committee chairman to secure tour permits and permission to use camping site, serve as transportation coordinator, ensure a monthly outdoor program.

Troop Membership Chair

The unit membership chair is appointed by the committee chairman to help ensure a smooth transition of new Scouts into the unit and orientation for new parents.

Troop Training Chair

The unit training chair is appointed by the committee chairman to ensure training opportunities are available, maintain training records and materials, and is responsible for BSA Youth Protection training.

Troop Public Relations Chair

The unit public relations chair is appointed by the committee chairman to inform parents of their responsibilities in Scouting and with the chartered organization. Provides news and announcements about the unit to newspapers, bulletins of sponsors, web sites, etc. Promotes and stimulates service projects, Scouting Anniversary Week, Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath, and family participation in unit events. Promotes new membership and lets people in the neighborhood know that Scouting is available.

Troop Friends of Scouting (FOS) Chair

The unit Friends of Scouting chair is appointed by the committee chairman to work closely with the unit committee on public relations for FOS; conducts annual FOS campaign to enroll family members and adult leaders in FOS; gives recognition to contributors and enrollees.

Troop Scouting for Food Chair

The unit Scouting for Food chair is appointed by the committee chairman to coordinate an annual food drive for the unit and reports the result to the district.

Troop Fundraising Chair

The Unit Fundraising Chair, also called the "Popcorn Kernel" in some councils, is appointed by the committee chairman to supervise Fundraising and ensure that every youth member has the opportunity to participate in Popcorn sales or other council Fundraising events.

ScoutParent Unit Coordinator

The ScoutParents Unit Coordinator is an appointed member of the unit committee or can be an assistant unit leader. Their job is to welcome parents, keep them informed, and encourage them to help with at least one specific task or project each year. Larger units might choose to have more than one ScoutParents unit coordinator. The ScoutParents unit coordinator position became official June 1, 2008 and the position code is "PS." The ScoutParents unit coordinator must be at least 21 years old, complete an adult application, and pay the same registration fee as other adult leaders. Find Fast Start Training for unit coordinators online. Newly printed youth applications also mention the ScoutParents program. A checkbox in the parent section lets parents commit to being active ScoutParents. By entering an e-mail address, they can receive information from council, district, and unit leaders about ways to get involved. ScoutParents.org web site.

Troop Chaplain

The unit chaplain is appointed by the committee chairman to provide spiritual tone, guide the chaplain aide, give spiritual counseling, and promote the regular religious participation of each member.

A chartered Boy Scout troop requires a Chartered Organization Representative, a Committee Chairman, at least two committee members, and a Scoutmaster.

Current Merit Badges