MB Certification or Training

[ThunderingWind]

How would you recommend a training program for a person who enjoys backpacking and hiking (read any MB subject) to obtain more training to be able to state that they are more than just a hobbist.

Same goes for any adult leader. I just completed OLS. How do I get more official BSA certified training on, let's say, Pioneer skills? I really liked making rope (what a blast it was for this city slicker).

[Scouting179]

There are courses like Wood Badge (great overall leadership course) and Powderhorn (keyed to Venturing as I recall). These are generally taught over a long weekend or two.

There are more specific courses like Climb On Safely, Trek Safely. These shorter courses are often taught at summer camp.

Then there are the courses taught at National Camping Schools.

For more info, I'd contact your District and Council training coordinators.

[ThunderingWind]

I am aware fo these courses. However, they only touch on the subjects.

I am looking for BSA recognized, certified, credit earning, degree earning type training. If I want to be an MBC for Backpacking, I should have a certificate from the National Association of Backpackers that states I have been on x trips, I have led x trips, I know what to pack for x days in x environment.

Where do I go to become certified in rope making the way BSA teaches it at OLS, Summer Camp etc...??

Right now the only MB I qualify to do is Computer because I have a BA in CS, 17 years working experience to date and working on an MS degree. I hold no other certifications.

Maybe I am reading the black and white of the MBC application too narrowly. However, I would expect those teaching my son to have the same high standards.

[Scouting179]

I admire your high standards, but I agree you're reading the app too narrowly.

It's up to each District Adv. Committee as to who and why they approve various MBCs.

If we required a degree, certificate, etc for every MBC for each MB they're approved for, we wouldn't have many MBCs.

For example, I have no official certification for Camping, but I've been camping, hiking and backpacking since the 1960s, am an Eagle Scout, and still heavily involved in Scouting, camping regularly (I have HUNDREDS of nights of camping and lots of outdoor training). However, by the way I read what you're saying, I wouldn't be qualified to teach Camping.

[Lynda J]

A lot of times it isn't that you can do the merit badge but you have resourses that you can use. I do Reptiles but don't have snakes. I do have a good friend at the zoo that I work with. Some football coaches don't play the game well but they have an ability to teach others to play well.

[ThunderingWind]

But those football coaches who can not play are at least trained, certified and licensed to be a coach.

I feel I have to have the same standard to teach the boys.

[wagionvigil]

not really

[optimist]

Vocation -- Is this subject in line with your job, business, or profession? If yes, give brief information on the reverse side.

Avocation -- Do you follow this subject as a hobby, having more than a “working knowledge” of the requirements? If yes, give brief information on the reverse side.

Special Training -- If not, do you have any special training or other qualifications for this subject? If yes, give brief information on the reverse side.

Nothing in there says anything about requiring a college degree although a degree would certainly qualify as special training. I'm certain your enquirey is in reference to the probability that many counselors are probably not as qualified as they should be. However, is that a problem with the above requirements or a problem with those who have approved unqualified counselors?

For example, I personally have zero computer training and my job requires nothing more than basic familiarity with office software. Despite that, I have served as an approved Computers merit badge counselor for years. I am a computer nut. I own over half a dozen computers, do my own service work, have written software to meet my needs, and operate about a dozen web sites. I first started working with computers in the mid-70s and bought my first computer in 1980. In the early 90s, I borrowed $2000 from the bank to buy a 2 Gig hard drive for my BBS, a debt the bank hoped I'd default on because I owned the most powerful computer in the county. I think this qualifies as an avocation.

The person who currently approves merit badge counselors in our district approved my application with a cursory inspection. He knows me personally and he knows what I'm capable of. However, for those he didn't know, he asked me and others for opinions. He put forth the effort to make sure only qualified people get approved and that's the way it should be done.