A Merit Badge Counselor is More than a box-checker!

• What are the Qualifications?
• Is Specific Training or Certification Required?
• Do Scoutmasters have blanket approval to Sign-Off on all Merit Badges?
• Who Approves Counselors?
• How does an Individual apply to Become a Merit Badge Counselor?
• Is there a Limit to the Number of badges one Individual may counsel?
• Can a Counselor Work with His or Her Own Son?
• Do Different Rules Apply to Summer Camp and Merit Badge Fairs?
• Do Counselors Have to Register Each Year?
• Can Counselors offer Workplace Tours and Other Opportunities?
• How Can Counselors Get Trained!

All great Questions! Do you plan on being a Councilor for Merit Badge College in January, or in the District, or even for your Troop?

DO you know the answers to these questions, or just think you do?

Come find out on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at 7 PM at J.P. Mascaro's (room across from the Roundtable Location)!  Lafayette District will be offering a short, informative session for all current and prospective Merit Badge Counselors prior to the Dec. 10 Roundtable Meeting! The class will begin at 7 PM. After you have completed this session, you can come over to Roundtable - just across the hall!

This Orientation will provide new and veteran Merit Badge Counselors with basic knowledge and skills needed to get started, and provide up to date information to veteran Counselors. Topics to be covered offer tips for counseling, group instruction and camp settings. Helpful methods will be discussed on resources, process of counseling, qualifications to be a counselor, what special certifications and trainings are required for some BSA Merit Badges, and more! Current BSA policy and Requirements will be reviewed.

All Merit Badge Counselors need to re-sign up each year, so this is a perfect opportunity to get registered and maybe learn something new! Perfect session for all those planning to be Counselors at our Merit Badge College!

To Sign-Up for this class, please email Gerry Myers at thepamyers@msn.com or Kim Motsek at kmotsek@verizon.net by Dec. 8, 2014.

Scouting For Food (SFF) is the largest Good Turn effort sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America each year.  Across the country, nearly 4 million scouts and their leaders take part in this important Good Turn for America by collecting food for needy families in their community.

Scouting For Food was first conducted on a national level, as a National Good Turn, by the BSA in 1988 and collected more than 60 million food items in that year!

In the Cradle of Liberty Council, Lafayette District, we will be participating in the Scouting For Food Drive in November.  On Saturday, November 8th, we will be distributing SFF bags in our neighborhoods. On November 15th, we will be collecting our bags and dropping them off at our food banks, soup kitchens and your local charities. Please remember to send in your report as soon as possible! Reporting forms will be emailed to every Unit Leader.

The Scouting For Food map and boxes of bags were presented at the October Roundtable.  If your unit has not signed up yet, or needs SFF bags, please contact Kim Motsek at kmotsek@verizon.net.

In the past, only 50% of our units have participated in this very worthy service - let's try to Do Our Best and get everyone out for to help those in need on our community!

Thank you all for all you do for Scouting, and your Community!