Citizenship in Society Merit Badge – Council Advancement Committee
The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge will become a requirement for those scouts who have not completed all of their Eagle requirements by June 30, 2022. Beginning July 1, this Merit Badge will add to the established list of required Eagle Merit Badges. Citizenship in Society will replace one of the optional selections, a scout may have chosen. Please note, it is not an additional badge to be earned. A total of 21 Merit Badges must be earned after July 1, the same amount presently required.
This Merit Badge differs from literally every one of the more than 135 currently offered. Each one of the current badges uses a person who may be viewed as an “expert”, in that field of study, as its instructor. This Merit Badge is much more interactive and discussion-based. The best Counselor for this Badge is one who would rather listen than speak. There is no teaching involved in this new badge, nor is there preaching. The Counselor guides the discussion. They are not instructors, they are facilitators for the discussions with the Scouts.
The National model and Council Advancement Committee is recommending that the badge is not conducted with a single individual scout. The thought is that the badge should be held in small groups, possibly 3-5, using age groups as well. Scouts of Middle School age have had differing experiences than High School age Scouts and will therefore likely approach the requirements differently. This will allow scouts the ability to participate with a group of their peers and also not get overrun if the badge was taken in a larger group setting.
Additionally, two or possibly 3 Counselors should be present, dependent on the make-up of the group. This badge is not designed to be conducted at District or Council level events, such as summer camp or Merit Badge Weekends. It is designed to be done at the troop level.
All Merit Badge Counselors are presently reviewed by the District or Council, to ensure the counselor is qualified to teach the badge. The Advancement Committee is looking to add a second option for units that believe a certain person would be perfect for this badge. Applicants may self-apply, or be nominated by their units. Applicants will be reviewed and approved by the District Advancement Committees and signed off by the District or Council Executive, as per our existing procedure.
All nominees will need to attend an orientation seminar conducted by the Council Advancement Committee, prior to conducting the merit badge sessions in their troops. They will need to familiarize themselves with the training offered by BSA National prior to attending the orientation. The orientation is in development currently to enable our scouts to begin to work on this new badge as soon as possible. We are targeting to have this program ready by mid-January.
Good Scouting to you always,
Chuck Sullivan
Heart of Virginia Council Advancement Chair
Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Counselors! See our Training Page for upcoming Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Counselor Orientation