The
first thing a scout should do is find a "Buddy" who wants to earn the
same merit badge, and approach the Scoutmaster for a "Blue Merit Badge
Card". If the scouts don't already know who the merit badge Counselor is
for that particular merit badge, the scoutmaster needs to help the boys find a
registered counselor.
** The "buddy system" is always
used in scouting, as per the requirements found in the Guide to Safe Scouting.**
The Scoutmaster then fills out
the section of the blue card with "Application For
Merit Badge" on the front (the 3rd third on the front). The Scoutmaster
puts the date of the request of the blue card at the bottom of the form. The
Scoutmaster may also fill out the 1st third of the reverse side of the blue
card with the name, address, and phone number of the counselor only.
The
scouts then contact the merit badge counselor, and arranges
a time for meeting with him/her.
At
the first meeting, the scout turns over the blue card to the counselor to keep
track of until the merit badge is completed.
** Again, 3 people must be present at all meetings
with the merit badge counselor, as per the directives in the Guide to Safe
Scouting.**
When the final requirement of
the merit badge is completed, the merit badge counselor then fills in all the
rest of the blanks on the blue card. The date of completion is the date it is
earned!!! It will be the date recorded on all records of the scouts, and the
date that will appear on the advancement order form and the final Merit Badge
Card!
The
merit badge counselor will then keep the last third of the blue card..."Counselor's
Record", and give back the other 2 thirds to the Scouts who will then turn
it into the Scoutmaster.
The
Scoutmaster will then record it in the Scout's Handbook, then hand the scout
the middle portion of the blue card for the scout's records. The scout must
keep this blue card safe, and will be replaced in his records when his formal
Merit Badge card is awarded at the Court of Honor. The last part of the blue
card is handed to the Advancement Chairman, who will record it in their records,
order the merit badge and Merit Badge Card, and keep the blue card for the
troop's records.
This is very important... each person
holding on to a portion of the blue card... the Merit Badge Counselor, the
Troop Advancement Chairman, and the Scout must hold on to these cards for 7
years, or until the Scout makes Eagle. If anything should ever happen to the
official records of the scout, the blue cards will serve as proof of earning
the merit badge towards the Eagle rank. Instruct the scouts, and/or his parents,
to keep the blue cards separate from the Merit Badge cards. That way if one is
lost, the other can replace it!