Circle Ten Council

Updated 04.17.24
District Advancement Committee Contacts

DISTRICT	NAME and EMAIL
Chisholm Trail	Darla Chew
Duck Creek	Kellie Twiss
Eagle Trail	Tyler Holcom
East Trinity Trails	Erin Harvey
Eastern Lakes	Kirk Chambers
Elm Fork	Malik Nathani
Heart of Dallas	Allen Gwinn
Iron Horse	Alan Barber
Lone Star	Michell Crawford
Northern Trail	Becca Bradley
Post Oak	Barbara Ishmael
Rising Sun	Matthew Curtis
Soaring Eagle	Amber Otter
Southern Star	Jane McCasland
Texoma Valley	Tony Lehrling
Two Rivers	Dennis Dawson
Western Horizon	Dave Adams

CIRCLE TEN COUNCIL ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Advancement Committee Chair	Randy Cook
Vice Chair, Eagle Issues	Mark Blackhurst
Vice Chair, Cub Scout Advancement	Jason Christian
Vice Chair, Venturing/Sea Scouts	Steven Belz
Vice Chair, Scouts with Special Needs	Mojgan Withers
Staff Advisor	Kevin Patterson

District Advancement Committee Resources

Merit Badge Counselors

All merit badge counselors must register using the BSA's standard adult registration form. Approval of merit badge counselors is the responsibility of the district advancement committee and a district advancement committee member provides the signature on the Merit Badge Counselor Information form. A district advancement committee member is also responsible for ensuring that any required certifications for merit badge counseling are current.

For NEW merit badge counselors:

Complete the BSA Adult Application (including all required signatures and questions answered). The code for position is 42- Merit Badge Counselor. There is a $25 fee to register for individuals who are not currently registered as an adult leader. If someone is already a registered BSA member, they still need to complete an adult application and indicate this position code and indicate "DUAL REGISTRATION" at the top of the form.
Complete BSA Youth Protection Training and provide a copy of the completion certificate with the adult application.
Complete the Merit Badge Counselor Information form. When completing the form you must complete the qualifications column (do not use check marks).
Complete the training for Merit Badge Counselors online or in person.
Completed applications and information forms should be delivered to:
1. Your district advancement chair (preferable)
2. Your unit commissioner
3. Your roundtable commissioner
4. Your district commissioner
5. Your district executive or district director
6. Either Circle Ten Council Scouting Centers
  1. Note - if the Scouting Centers are used, the Circle Ten professional staff assigned to the advancement committee will ensure the district advancement chairs receive the information forms for approval on a monthly basis. Merit badge counselors and the appropriate district advancement chair will be notified by email is the application was not approved

To ADD merit badges for an existing merit badge counselor:

Complete the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form. When completing the form you must complete the qualification column (do not use check marks). Follow the steps above.

Reregistration of merit badge counselors

Merit badge counselors will renew their annual registration and pay associated fees on the anniversary date of their joining. Email reminders will prompt the renewal process. Renewal and payment can be made online. For those who are primarily registered as an adult leader but have a multiple registration as a merit badge counselor, the same process will apply related to their primary registration. Upon renewal of the primary registration, all multiple registration will also be renewed automatically.

Merit Badge Counselor Lists

The council does not publish lists of merit badge counselors. However, individuals may use Scoutbook to search for merit badge counselors by merit badge and geographic area. Contact your district advancement chair for assistance if you have any difficulty in locating a merit badge counselor for a particular merit badge.

Merit Badge Opportunities with Non-Scouting Organizations or Businesses

There may be opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges through participation in activities presented by organizations and businesses not affiliated with BSA. Zoos, museums, recreation centers, major home improvement centers and even individuals may be involved.

It is permissible for outside organizations to present various programs where completing merit badge requirements is incidental. However, outside organizations and businesses are not allowed to present classes, events or similar activities that are largely for the purpose of offering merit badges without approval of the local council. The council must assure compliance with applicable BSA policies and procedures, including those related to Youth Protection and safety, National Council consent to sue protected brand images and the merit badge counseling and approval process.

Fees for any merit badge fairs, clinics or similar events should be limited to recovering the costs related to presenting the opportunity. The BSA is proud of its tradition of volunteer service and council advancement committees will not approval counselors or organizations that will not honor the traditions of volunteer service.