Unlike traditional merit badges, Citizenship in Society (CitSociety) requires Scouts to undertake independent research about diversity, equity and inclusion. There is NO published merit badge pamphlet. Instead, Scouts discuss what they have researched on the 11 requirements with the other members of their Cohort of 7 other Scouts. Merit Badge Counselors act as Facilitators to ensure discussions stay on-topic. They may give guidance through questioning but never give answers or offer their own personal opinions. Typically, there will be four separate sessions with each lasting up to two hours. Scouts should allow a minimum of four weeks to complete this merit badge. We use the Email function in Scoutbook to communicate with Scouts and Parents/Guardians. We hold virtual meetings.
The Council Advancement Committee has set the following standards for Facilitators:
These are virtual (Zoom) sessions held at 7:00pm on the 2nd Wednesday and 4th Sunday of each month. Registration is not required . . . just click on the link below to join.
TERMINOLOGY
Cohort – A group of 6 – 8 Scouts within 2 years of age. May be co-ed.
Access Code – An authorization code sent to a Scout’s parent / guardian allowing the Scout to register for a Cohort.
RESOURCES
RECOMMENDATIONS
Our research with counselors involved in National’s pilot program found it of value if a Scout has earned any of the following merit badges. They cover aspects of CitSociety and may give a Scout some ideas for research topics. Those counselors also reported that Scouts should be capable of independent research.
Step 1
A Scout who wishes to take the Citizenship in Society (CitSociety) merit talks with their unit leader. From this point on the process is unlike that for other merit badges.
Step 2
Unit leaders meet with a Scout and the Scout’s Parent/Guardian. The purpose — to review what will be covered in the merit badge and how it will be administered.
Step 3
Unit leaders submit the Unit Leader Signature of a CitSociety Merit Badge ‘Blue Card’ form. From this point all communications about the merit badge will take place between the Scout, the Scout’s Parent/Guardian, and the CitSociety team – administrators and counselors.
Step 4
On receipt of a Blue Card, the system emails a receipt to the sender – typically the unit leader, and the administrator enters the Scout in the priority list by birthdate.
Step 5
CitSociety Administrator emails Parent/Guardian with instructions for signing up to join a Cohort for the merit badge along with a Access Code to register to take the merit badge.
Note: The access code is a one-time use code and is not transferable.
Step 6
Scout registers for a cohort that is most convenient for their schedule.
Step 7
A Merit Badge Counselor sends a link for the scheduled sessions to the Scout and Parent/Guardian
Step 8
One of the assigned Merit Badge Counselors updates the completion of requirements through final sign off after each session. These updates are visible in Scoutbook and provide an opportunity to view progress.
Step 9
The Scout is responsible for notifying the Scoutmaster that the merit badge is ready to be marked as complete in Scoutbook.
Note:
Unit leaders must not act as a Gatekeeper. Provided there are no other limiting circumstances, a Scout’s request to pursue the merit badge must be approved.
Guardian of the Gate
In addition to the process for applying to be a Merit Badge Counselor, the following additional steps are required for those who wish to be Citizenship in Society counselors.
Notes:
Our Office and Retail hours change occasionally. Follow this link to view our Current Business Hours.
1714 Everett Street
Alameda, CA 94501 | (510) 965-5631
1955 West Texas St. Suite 1
Fairfield, CA 94533 | (925) 674-6166
508 Contra Costa Blvd, Suite K2
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | (925) 674-8500
6601 Owens Drive, Suite 100
Pleasanton, CA 94588 | (925) 674-6100
The Golden Gate Area Council has instituted a refund policy to ensure our Scouts receive high quality programs & activities. A great deal of advanced planning and purchasing takes place for programs and events of the Golden Gate Area Council during the months and weeks prior to an event.
The Council will refund up to 100% of the costs for any event it cancels. In order to maintain the most cost effective and positive program impact activity, camping, and event refunds of 100% cannot be given. Refunds are not given for No-Shows, schedule conflicts, weather conditions, or behavior issues occurring before or during the event. Refunds are considered based upon the following criteria and timeline and are returned to the person or entity and in the manner in which they were received.
Time Until Start of Event | Percentage Refund |
Up to 14 days prior | 80% refund |
Up to 7 days prior | 60% refund |
7 days or less | No refund* |
*Participants who cancel from an event within 7 days will be considered for up to a 60% refund if the refund request is accompanied by a Doctor’s note. Requests under these circumstances will not be considered if not received at the Council Service Center less than 14 days after the start of the event.
The Golden Gate Area Council believes each Scout should be given every opportunity to attend Camp. At times it can be hard for a family to raise the money, and Camperships can help cover part of the cost of a week of Camp for Golden Gate Area Council members attending one of the Golden Gate Area Council Camps. Campership applications are due by March 27th for continuing Scouts and May 29th for newly bridged Arrow of Light Scouts.
ALL of our Camps are CLOSED and the Staff is off duty from 11:00 AM on Saturday to 11:00AM on Sunday each weekend.
No Troop……..No Problem! You don’t have to miss out on all the fun just because your troop isn’t going to summer camp or because other summer plans mean you won’t be able to go to camp with your Troop. You may even want to do an additional week of camp just because you had such a great time.
New Friends…….New Experiences! Provisional Camping is just like camping with your home troop, except you’ll have the opportunity to camp with new friends as you join Scouts from all over the council and beyond. You’ll meet new people and have the opportunity to develop friendships that can last a lifetime. Provisional Scouts will partner with a selected Golden Gate Area Council Troop with an experienced leader. You’ll have a full time Scoutmaster for the week that, just like your Scoutmaster back home, will make sure you have a safe and fun camp experience. Provisional scouts can participate in all of the camp’s exciting programs including advancement, competitions, and patrol events. It’s a great way to finish additional Merit Badges, or to try a new part of the program that you weren’t able to try before.
NOTE:
SO, sign up now if you’d like to attend camp as part of the provisional camping program!
Provisional Camping is the creation of a temporary Troop or an opportunity to work with another unit. Provisional camping allows youth to attend camp without their home unit. Provisional camping is not new; it is used during many different Scouting events including National Jamborees and High Adventure trips.
The Scout’s family is responsible for transportation to and from Camp. Please contact the Golden Gate Area Council Camping and Outdoor Programs Department ([email protected]) for questions or more information.
First, try to connect the Scout and counselor in Scoutbook. If that is successful, the counselor is registered and qualified. If unsuccessful, go to the counselor’s home council and search for their Advancement Administrators. Most will have an email address for either the Council Advancement Committee or Professional Advisor. Send an email asking if the counselor has been registered and qualified for the merit badge(s) in question and the status of their Youth Protection Training. Ask California councils if the counselor has completed AB506 training and LiveScan. The unit leader’s “blue card” signature verifies their counselor credentials verification.
STEM
Order of the Arrow
