YOU SELECTED A MERIT BADGE THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL CERTIFICATION. YOU MUST SUBMIT THE CERTIFICATIONS BELOW

Citizenship in Society Requires Citizenship in Society GGAC Training program and interview verification form.

Rifle and Shotgun Shooting  All instruction involving handling firearms or live ammunition must be supervised by a certified BSA National Camp School shooting sports director or NRA Rifle/Shotgun Shooting Instructor or Coach. An NRA certified Range Safety Officer must supervise shooting. Merit badge counselors who are not certified will be unable to handle firearms, live ammunition, or conduct shooting without assistance from certified personnel reference Guide to Safe Scouting and BSA National Shooting Sports Manual no. 30931.

Archery  Archery activities must be supervised by a BSA National Camping School trained shooting sports director or USA Archery or National Field Archery Association instructor, or by someone who has been trained by one of the three; alternatively, the activities may be supervised by someone with at least Level 1 training in the operation of an archery range from USA Archery, NFAA, or an equivalent.

Climbing  All climbing, belaying, and rappelling exercises and activities must be supervised by a rock climbing instructor, a mature and conscientious adult at least 21 years old and trained in BSA Climb On Safely and understands the risks inherent to these activities. Training as a BSA climbing Level 2 Instructor is highly recommended. Someone with First Aid/CPR/AED certification from the American Red Cross (or equivalent) must be present at these activities.

Canoeing, Kayaking, Lifesaving, Motor Boating, Small Boat Sailing, Rowing, Scuba Diving, Swimming, Water Sports, and Whitewater Merit badge counselors must have current Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense training (available online through my.scouting.org). Please attach a copy of your certifications to the application.

Canoeing. Those supervising canoeing activities must have BSA Aquatics Instructor or Canoeing Instructor certification from the American Canoe Association, American Red Cross, or equivalent.

Kayaking. Those supervising kayaking activities must have formal training in kayaking and paddle craft instruction, evidenced by either BSA Aquatics Instructor or Paddle Craft Safety Instructor certification, or kayaking instructor certification from the American Canoe Association, British Canoe Union, or American Red Cross, or equivalent.

Motor Boating. Motorboating activities must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult, age 21 or older. Appropriate credentials include current or previous certification by an organization (such as the National Safe Boating Council, the United States Power Squadrons, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the US Powerboating component of US Sailing) that meets the voluntary National On Water Standards for Powerboating or the NASBLA national boating education standards for powerboating.

Small Boat Sailing. They must be mature and conscientious adults aged 21 or older. Appropriate credentials include instructor certification with a recognized sailing agency or school, US Sailing, or the American Sailing Association for sailing experience with different hull types, including the rig used for instruction.

Whitewater. Those supervising whitewater activities must be certified as whitewater canoeing or kayaking instructors by the American Canoe Association or have equivalent certification, training, or expertise.

Lifesaving  Demonstrations or activities in or on the water must be supervised by an adult at least 21 years old with certification in Red  Cross First  Aid/CPR/AED or equivalent, and also as BSA Lifeguard or Aquatics Instructor or equivalent.

Scuba Diving  All phases of SCUBA instruction (classroom, pool, and open water training) must be conducted by a recreational diving instructor in good standing with a scuba agency recognized by the Boy Scouts of America (PADI, NAUI, SSI, IDEA, PDIC, or SDI, or be a member of the WRSTC). Merit badge counselors who are not certified cannot conduct instruction reference Guide to Safe Scouting BSA Scuba Policy.