To ensure consistent application of quality programming across the reservation, the Greater New York Councils Advancement and Camping Committees (Program Sub-Committee) has developed the following policies regarding advancement during summer camp. Please be familiar with them as they pertain to your role as a Unit Leader.

1. Offerings:
   
   1. "City" badges should not be offered in camp (with the exception of Eagle Week.)
   2. In offering "specialty" badges (i.e. Cinematography, Space Exploration, etc.), counselors for these badges must be regularly registered counselors in their home council. If instructed by an under-18 staff member, the program, materials, instructor, etc. must be approved by a registered counselor.
   3. Volunteer unit leaders may be granted permission to counsel badges for which they are already registered counselors while in camp, only in cooperation and collaboration with the Program Director.
   
   
2. Counseling:
   
   1. Shall be in accordance with the current merit badge pamphlet requirements; no more, no less shall be required. Badges shall not be given away.
   2. Discuss means discuss; do means do.
   3. Written or other exams cannot be added to the requirements.
   4. Scouts must have correct pre-requisites completed prior to coming to camp.
   5. Letters from Scoutmasters "certifying" completion of requirements cannot be accepted for work on requirements not on the approved "Merit Badge Pre-requisite Listing."
   6. It is permissible to counsel a Scout (and Scoutmaster) that a certain badge is not appropriate for him at this point in time (i.e. first-year camper taking Lifesaving MB.)
   7. It is permissible to issue a partial (which are valid until age 18)
   
   
3. Applications for Merit Badges (Merit Badge Cards):
   
   1. Can only come from Scoutmasters. Cards will not be mass-produced by staff members.
   2. Must be received by counselor by Tuesday's class, at the latest. Otherwise, Scout must be dismissed from Tuesday's class (with a buddy) to obtain a card.
   
   
4. Signing/Certification:
   
   1. Merit badge cards can only be signed by the 18 year-old Director in the area. If available, this should always be the NCS certified staff member.
   2. In certain cases, NCS certification is required to sign a card (Aquatics, COPE, Shooting Sports, etc.)
   3. Otherwise, only the Program Director (or Camp Director) should fill in for the Area Director in signing cards.
   
   
5. Paperwork/Recording:
   
   1. All Merit Badge paperwork (i.e. tracking and summary sheets) should be tracked appropriately, and records maintained during the off season in the council office (not the camp office) for reference.
   2. All merit badges shall be tracked using only the official Reservation standard Tracking Sheet. Copies can be obtained from the Asst. Reservation Director for Program.
   3. All paperwork and completed Merit Badge Cards will be "traded" at the end of the week for a site check-out report and completed camp evaluation.
   
   
6. Completing Partials:
   
   1. Scouts may arrive at camp with a partially completed merit badge from a prior camp season or another counselor.
   2. It is completely within the final and certifying counselor's purview to satisfy himself of a Scout's ability on all requirements, including those previously covered under the partial.

1. Need for Advancement: All staff members under the age of 18 should be required to earn at least 2 merit badges during their tenure on camp staff (at least one of which should be in their own Program Area.)
2. Unit Leader Approval: Wherever possible, should come from the Scoutmaster. If not possible, can come from the Camp Director or Program Director (upon telephone conversation with the Scoutmaster.)
3. Counselor Approval: Merit Badges Cards earned by Camp Staff members can only be signed by the Program Director or Camp Director (in consultation with the certifying counselor or instructor.)

1. BSA Lifeguard
2. Snorkeling BSA
3. BoardSailing BSA
4. Mile Swim
5. Safe Swim Defense
6. Climb on Safely
7. TotinChip
8. Firem'n Chit
9. Paul Bunyan

Last Updated: December 26, 2005
Ten Mile River Scout Camps © 2008 Greater New York Councils, BSA