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{{ wiki:small_boat_sailing.gif|Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge}}
======Merit Badge Counseling======
The Coast Guard Auxiliary has entered in a [[http://bdept.cgaux.org/pdf/BSAUSCGAuxMOA23Feb09.pdf|Memorandum of Agreement]] with the [[boy_scouts_of_america|Boy Scouts of America]]. This helps lead local Boy Scouts to you so they can earn the Motorboating and Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badges, and it gives you the chance to take on an important roll that may potentially grow your membership with the Scouts, their parents, and their leaders.

There are more than a million Boy Scouts, [[sea_scouts|Sea Scouts]] and [[venturers|Venturers]] in the United States. This agreement presents an incredible growth opportunity. According to a BSA statistics, Scouts nationwide earn aquatics merit badges at higher rates than just about any other topic. Boy Scout troops, Scouts, Sea Scouts and Venturers need our assistance with fulfilling the requirements for aquatics merit badges.

=====It is easy to volunteer=====
You'll need to register with the Boy Scouts of America through your BSA local council. This entails contacting the local council to obtain, complete and return the Adult Application and a Merit Badge Counselor Application where necessary. Every applicant is screened as the council processes the application.

You can locate your Boy Scouts local council by going to [[http://www.scouting.org/LocalCouncilLocator.aspx|BSA's Local Council Locator]] and entering your ZIP code.

====To qualify as a merit badge counselor====
{{ wiki:motorboating_pamphlet.gif|Motorboating Merit Badge pamphlet}}
  * Be at least 18 years old.
  * Be proficient in the Merit Badge subject by vocation, avocation, or special training.
  * Be able to work with Scout-age boys.
  * Be registered as a Merit Badge Counselor with the Boy Scouts of America.
  * Renew your registration annually if you would like to continue as a Merit Badge Counselor.

Approved volunteers are expected to complete [[youth_protection_training|BSA Youth Protection training]] within 90 days of assuming a leadership position. The Boy Scouts of America seeks to create a safe environment in which both young people and adult leaders can enjoy the program and related activities. BSA Youth Protection training helps preserve that environment.

====Merit Badge Counselor responsibilities====
  * Follow the requirements of the latest BSA Merit Badge requirement revisions for each Merit Badge selected.
  * Make no deletions or additions to the requirements, ensuring that the advancement standards are fair and uniform.
  * Counsel the Scout to: 
    * Keep appointments.
    * Be in uniform.
    * Bring a legibly filed out Merit Badge Application card (Blue Card) signed by his unit leader.
    * Bring a buddy (friend or adult) to all instructional sessions as per the [[http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss01.aspx|Guide to Safe Scouting]].

=====Serving as a Merit Badge Counselor=====
As a merit badge counselor, your mission is to marry fun and learning by acting as a teacher and mentor to Scouts as they learn by doing. You do this by helping Scouts overcome the challenges inherent in the requirements and teaching them the nuances of the subject through their learning experience. You may relate your own experiences to positively reinforce the subject matter but may not add new requirements or extra work. You guide and instruct Scouts as a merit badge counselor, but they must do the work themselves.

The Motorboating, Small-Boat Sailing, Water Sports and Whitewater Merit Badges' requirements are located inside the merit badge pamphlets for each badge, which you obtain at your [[http://www.scouting.org/LocalCouncilLocator.aspx|local council's store]] or online at the [[https://www.scoutshop.org/|Scout Shop]]. 

By becoming a merit badge counselor, you can make it easier for Scouts to complete their aquatics merit badges, provide insight into boating safety, and give Scouts' parents and leaders a reason to consider membership in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

=====Counselor and Auxiliary Instructor=====
{{ wiki:small_boat_sailing_pamphlet.gif|Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge pamphlet}}
Although they don’t have to be, the merit badge counselor and the Auxiliary instructor can be the same person:

  * Instructors do not have to be BSA members but becoming a merit badge counselor (and BSA Member) helps support Scouts as they work through Merit Badge activities. It can also provide positive public affairs and recruitment opportunities - such as having your flotilla meeting place as the location for appointments with Scouts to review merit badge progress.
  * Merit badge counselors are key players in the Boy Scout advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise, you can play a vital role as a merit badge counselor. By serving as a merit badge counselor, you offer your time, knowledge and other resources to help Scouts explore a topic of interest.

=====Resources=====
  * [[http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges.aspx|Merit Badges]]
  * [[http://www.scouting.org/LocalCouncilLocator.aspx|Local Council Locator]]
  * [[http://olc.scouting.org/|Welcome to Boy Scouts of America myScouting Tools]]
  * [[http://www.scoutstuff.org/|Scout Shop]]
  * [[http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss01.aspx|Guide to Safe Scouting]]

=====Contributed by=====
Commodore Nick Tarlson, BC-BLY
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