For decades, the “blue card” has been the nationally recognized merit badge record. Not only does it support the intended interaction between Scout, Scoutmaster, and Merit Badge counselor, it provides a hard copy of the information needed for proper posting and for evidence and reference as needed later. Our Council encourages us to take advantage of innovations such as the Scoutbook system. Though when the Scoutbook system is utilized it may still be necessary to use physical blue cards as well to assure that the merit badge process functions as it was designed and that a permanent hardcopy record is generated for the Scout to retain. For example, if you completed a Merit Badge via the Daniel Boone Council you will have received a link from your remote Merit Badge counselor to print out a “blue card” which will likely be on white printer paper. When you bring that to the me (the Scoutmaster) for signature, I will also complete a physical “blue card” for you to retain for your records.
How the blue card works
As reflected in BSA guidance, the blue card has three parts: the “Application for Merit Badge” portion, the “Applicant’s Record,” and the “Counselor’s Record.” It requires a total of four signatures—two each from the unit leader and a merit badge counselor. The unit leader signs first on the front of the Application for Merit Badge portion and gives the entire blue card to the Scout. Each signature represents interaction with a registered adult. It is through this interaction and association with adults— the conversations, the counseling, the instruction and learning experiences—that mission-oriented Scouting takes place. This association must occur even if blue cards are not used.
The process for applying for and receiving a Merit Badge starts with a meeting with the Scoutmaster to receive his signature. On the front end, this is the Scoutmaster’s opportunity to give guidance on the wisdom of pursuing a selected merit badge, to advise the Scout on how work might be approached and what may be encountered along the way. It is also the time to provide the names and contact information for one or more approved counselors. On the back end, the meeting between the Scout and the Scoutmaster is intended to discuss the Scout’s experience. The Scoutmaster then signs the applicant’s record portion and returns it to the Scout, who should retain it permanently. While this is a nationally observed process, for the past 10 months, this process has been listed on our Scout website https://www.scouting138paramus.com/about-1
Following the process
While it is expected that all Scouts are trustworthy and complete the requisite requirements listed for each Merit Badge, it is also expected that each Scout follow the process outlined above that comes straight from the BSA Guide to Advancement. When Scouts do not follow the process outlined above it creates confusion that complicates a process that is meant to provide opportunities for learning skills, introducing lifetime hobbies, and inspiring careers to pursue. The process also provides Scouts confidence achieved through overcoming obstacles, improving social skills, and developing self-reliance. While scouts can work on requirements for any merit badge at any time, before working with a registered Merit Badge counselor a Scout is required to meet with their Scoutmaster. Again, that meeting is designed for the Scoutmaster to give guidance on the wisdom of pursuing a selected merit badge, and to advise the Scout how work on the Merit Badge might be approached and what may be encountered along the way as it relates to time constraints, projects, etc. embedded within each Merit Badge.
If a Scout does not follow the process outlined above, he should expect that his work will be scrutinized to ensure the requirements for the Merit Badge are met. Questions or concerns will be forwarded back to the identified Merit Badge Counselor to address and reconcile, if additional questions or concerns arise, they will be forwarded to our Council Advancement Coordinator for review and reconciliation. Again, when the nationally recognized process is followed the experience for the Scout, Merit Badge Counselor, the Scoutmaster, and the Troop runs smoothly.
*** NOTE: IF A SCOUT IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON A MERIT BADGE WITHOUT A SIGNED BLUE CARD FROM THE SCOUTMASTER, HE MUST MEET WITH THE SCOUTMASTER ASAP TO GET BACK ON TRACK WITH THE PROCESS OUTLINED ABOVE ***
It is important for all to recognize that many Merit Badges, particularly the Eagle Badges, have baked in timelines for completion. For example, Family Life requires 90 days of chores, Personal Fitness requires 12-weeks of physical fitness, and Personal Management requires 13 consecutive weeks of tracking and recording income and expenses. Other merit badges, like Citizenship in the Nation require visits to National Historic Landmarks, monuments, or federal facilities. Often these require planning and travel to get to and need to be accounted for. It is critical that these badges be planned out accordingly for Scouts who pursue them. The old adage of “your lack of planning, is not my emergency” is something we all need to consider particular at a time when everyone is busy juggling school, work, sports, and family.
"It is not for me to drag you across the finish line”
Merit Badges are meant to be challenging and rewarding. These badges are the core elements that Scouts must navigate on their road to Eagle. With that said, Scouts are old enough to understand there is a purpose and value for Scouts to set their own goals, achieve them, and then “rinse and repeat” that process in their development on becoming leaders. But that starts and stops with the Scout themselves. Parents, Scout leaders, and Merit Badge Counselors are only here to encourage and help Scouts navigate the process. But as Mike Rowe reminds us, "there is a difference between encouragement and dragging somebody into it.”
Troop 138 is blessed to have a rich history and dedicated group of Scouts, Scout leaders, and parents that all come together to achieve Scout spirit and aid in advancement. We all have the opportunity to take advantage of this collective experience hence the importance of following the defined process outlined above.
Yours in scouting,
SM