Merit Badge Counselor Resources 

This page serves as a comprehensive resource and repository for merit badge instructional materials, designed to enhance the quality of merit badge instruction throughout the Council. Merit badge counselors and Scout leaders will find valuable tools and information to support their efforts.

The Role of a Merit Badge Counselor

A merit badge counselor is a cornerstone of the Boy Scout advancement program. No matter your area of expertise or interest—be it a craft or hobby like basketry, leatherwork, or coin collecting; a profession such as veterinary medicine, aviation, or engineering; or essential life skills like cooking, personal management, or communications—you can ignite a Scout's curiosity about your subject. As a merit badge counselor, you provide your time, knowledge, and resources to help Scouts delve into topics they are passionate about.

Becoming a Merit Badge Counselor

If you're not yet a merit badge counselor, it's easy to volunteer. Start by registering with the Boy Scouts of America through the Palmetto Council BSA. Contact the Council or your District Executive to obtain and complete the “Adult Application.” The Council will process your application, which includes a screening. You must also complete Youth Protection Training. Counselor lists are renewed annually to ensure current and active participation.

Resource Sections:

This page is divided into two sections:

1. Registration Information and Documents: Access links to registration materials and documents to guide you through becoming and serving as a merit badge counselor. This includes general information about the BSA merit badge program and detailed instructions for both Scouts and counselors.

2. Instructional Materials**: Find resources and tools to aid in delivering high-quality merit badge instruction. This section is continually updated to provide the latest information and best practices for effective merit badge counseling.

Explore these resources to support your journey as a merit badge counselor and make a lasting impact on the Scouts you guide.

Section 1:  Registration of Merit Badge Counselors (MBC):

Palmetto Council approves of and maintains a list of current merit badge counselors. The current list of approved Merit Badge Counselors can be found here.  A merit badge counselor is a district-level position, not a troop position, which means leaders must submit a new adult leader application even if already registered in another capacity.  There are four steps for a new MBC to register with BSA and begin merit badge counseling:

1.      Complete the Online Youth Protection Training (YPT) & Merit badge counselor training.

To become a merit badge counselor, a volunteer must complete Youth Protection Training (YPT) and Merit Badge Counselor Training which can be found on My.Scouting.org. Once complete, you will be offered the opportunity to print a completion certificate. Please print it as you must submit this proof of completion with your application to be a merit badge counselor. It is also a good idea to save a copy to your desktop.

2.      Complete the BSA Adult Leader Application.

    Having completed Youth Protection Training, you need to complete a new adult application which can be found at these links. This form is required in addition to your current registration with your unit or District. Please pay special attention to filling in the “Council/District Position” as “Merit Badge Counselor”, District Name, and the “Position Code” as “42”.The signature blocks for the unit committee chairman and chartered organization representative do not have to be signed. Those approvals are for a unit. Do not forget to answer questions 1-6 on the right side of the application. Without answers to these questions, your application cannot be processed. The adult application must be submitted with the Merit Badge Counselor Information Sheet. 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.

        Adult Leader Application – English

3.      Complete the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form.

    This form is used by the Council 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. Before filling it out, read both sides of the form. If you have any questions or need assistance, please talk with your unit MB coordinator or the District Advancement Chair. If you plan to only counsel within your unit, remember to check the “Only with Scouts in these units (indicate whether troop, team, or crew)” and fill in your unit number. If you wish to counsel Scouts outside the unit please check the “All Scouts in these districts” and fill in the District(s). MBCs are authorized to counsel anywhere within the Council.

Merit Badge Counselor Information Form

4.      Turn in all the paperwork.

    Turn in the completed forms to your Troop Merit Badge Coordinator, the District Executive, or the Council office for approval and council processing.

Counselor Registration Consideration

  • There is no fee for registering as a merit badge counselor even if you are only registered with the Boy Scouts of America as a merit badge counselor.

  • You must be current with Youth Protection Training (YPT) to work with scouts and this training must be completed every two (2) years. The Council and District may track this requirement but it is your responsibility to remain current. Failure to keep up to date on YPT will also result in being dropped from the list. If a MBC is dropped from the council/district MBC list the dropped counselor will have to re-register as a new counselor again.

  • Several merit badges involve activities for which the Boy Scouts have implemented strategies to improve safety, improve the Scouts’ experience, and manage risk. These activities often require supervision with specialized qualifications and certifications. Merit Badge counselors who do not meet the specific requirements may use the services of others who do. See the Guide to Advancement paragraph 7.0.1.1 for these merit badges and their requirements. (See link below.)

  • Consider not limiting yourself to only those scouts in your troop. Many of the less popular merit badges may not have a counselor in their troop and you could help scouts pursue an interest in an area with which you have some expertise.

Section 2:  Course Resources 

This section contains links to resources that can be used by merit badge counselors while instructing Scouts on merit badges.  Merit badge counselors are asked to share presentations and other documents that they develop on their own so that those resources can be posted here and shared with other MBCs.  MBCs can send resources to be shared to Jimmy Summers at jimpsummers@yahoo.com.  The overall intent is to share information so that the overall quality of instruction is enhanced across the Council.

Worksheets for each merit badge can be found here.  

Resources for Merit Badge Counselors by Merit Badge –