Adult Volunteers

Whether you have a lot of time to give or just a little, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make a difference in the lives of our Scouts. From leading outdoor adventures to helping behind the scenes, every contribution helps keep our troop strong!

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How you can help:

  • Registration is what allows an adult to attend campouts and overnight trips, participate in high adventure activities like backpacking and kayaking, or serve in an official leadership role. It includes training on youth safety procedures and also clears you through a background check, which is required any time adults are working with youth.

    Here’s how to register online:

    1. Submit your application — Use the Troop 29 application link to fill out basic information and pay the registration fee online.

    2. Complete Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) — Log into my.scouting.org, click the Safeguarding Youth Training logo on the right side of the page, and complete the course. Plan for about 1–2 hours — you can do it on your phone if you’d like.

    3. Notify the Scoutmaster — Email the Scoutmaster to let him know that you have submitted your application and completed your training.

    4. We’ll take it from there — Once your SYT is recorded, a few things happen behind the scenes to complete your registration:

      • Our Chartered Organization Representative gives final approval

      • The Blue Ridge Mountains Council processes your application and background check

    Feel free to reach out to the Scoutmaster if you haven't heard anything after a week, or if it’s a time-sensitive application!

  • Merit Badge Counselors share their expertise in a specific subject — whether that's a profession, hobby, or life skill — and guide Scouts through earning that badge.

    Before getting started, reach out to Gary Takacs, our Merit Badge Coordinator. He can fill you in on which badges the troop needs counselors for and help you figure out where your skills would be the best fit.

    Here’s how to get started:

    1. Register as an adult leader with Troop 29 — If you aren't already registered, complete that process first using the steps in the dropdown above.

    2. Complete Merit Badge Counselor Training — Log into my.scouting.org, go to Menu → My Training → Scouts BSA and find "Merit Badge Counselor Position Specific Training." Plan for about 35 minutes.

    3. Submit your MBC Information Form — Download and complete the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form. List the specific badges you want to counsel and your qualifications for each. Email the completed form to Richard Cohen‍ at the Blue Ridge Mountains Council.

    4. Council reviews and approves — The Blue Ridge Mountains Council advancement committee reviews your application and approves you for each badge you listed. Allow 1–2 weeks for processing.