Mingo Trails

Advancement Camps
The Greater Pittsburgh Council Advancement Camps can be found on the GPC website.

Merit Badge Counselors

Individuals interested in serving as a merit badge counselor must apply using the Greater Pittsburgh Council - Merit Badge Counselor Agreement. A copy of this form can be found at the Greater Pittsburgh Council's Website (DO NOT use the "National" form, No. 34405, Merit Badge Counselor Information)

All NEW merit badge counselors must also complete and return a Boy Scouts of America, Adult Application along with their Merit Badge Counselor Agreement form. A copy of this form can be found at the Scouting National Website. Please remit the following two pages of this application; Page 4 - Disclosure/Authorization Form (signed and dated at bottom) and Page 5 - Local Council Copy (write Merit Badge Counselor in the upper right hand block titled, "Council/District Position". Please sign and date in lower left hand corner. Disregard the "Approvals for Unit Scouters" section of the application as these approval signatures to serve as a Merit Badge Counselor DO NOT apply)

Mail all applicable forms to the attention of:
Attn. Mingo Trails District Director
Greater Pittsburgh Council, BSA
1275 Bedford Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-325-7977

After your Merit Badge Counselor Agreement and Adult Application have been received and reviewed by a member of the District Advancement Committee, you will be notified of your approval to serve and authorization to begin counseling a scout or group of scouts.

Detailed information for Merit Badge Counselors regarding their responsibilities in the role and understanding of the methods of counseling Scouts can be found in the Merit Badge Counselor Instructors Guide. This short orientation course for new merit badge counselors SHOULD be reviewed BEFORE beginning work with Scouts.