Dee Flint wrote:

Didn't say that. Said scouts are under the supervision and leadership of
adults and not on an equal footing with the adults.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

There is no requirement for a merit badge counselor to be a scout
leader. There is no requirement for a scout leader to supervise a
scout and his merit badge counselor, however, the merit badge counselor
must fill out a form and be approved to perform as such.

The merit badge counselor works like the "Elmer" concept in amateur
radio. What do you think happens when the scout is going for his Radio
merit badge?