I have a few scouts at Sea base this we and I was told they have earned a couple of merit badges. As a advancement coordinator do I sign off on them without a bluecard because they earned them at a scout adventure base or do I need them to reach out to a merit badge councilors? Thanks in advance.
Per the national Rules and Regulations:
Responsibility for Merit Badges The responsibility for merit badges rests with the merit badge counselor approved by the local council and district advancement committee. Merit badge counselors must be registered adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America. The merit badge counselor must prepare and qualify youth members. There is no board of review procedure for merit badges, but public recognition may be given at a unit court of honor or other suitable occasion.
Also per the Guide to Advancement: Responsibility for Merit Badges The responsibility for merit badges rests with the merit badge counselor approved by the local council and district advancement committee. Merit badge counselors must be registered adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America. The merit badge counselor must prepare and qualify youth members. There is no board of review procedure for merit badges, but public recognition may be given at a unit court of honor or other suitable occasion.
Scoutmasters serving as merit badge counselors. Scoutmasters wishing to counsel and sign off on merit badges must qualify and register in the position of merit badge counselor and be approved according to council procedures just like any other adult leader.
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/gta-section-7.pdf?_gl=1*1c8kx3q*_ga*MTA0MzM5ODU0OC4xNzgyNjAzOTkw*_ga_20G0JHESG4*czE3ODI2MDM4NjAkbzIyJGcxJHQxNzgyNjA0MTQ0JGo1OCRsMCRoMA.._gcl_auMTQxMzM0MTI4My4xNzgwMjA2Mzg2&_ga=2.207483987.1796692467.1782594153-1043398548.1782603990
So to answer your question, only a registered merit badge counselor for that badge is authorized to sign off. The Scouts has to contact the counselor.
