1

MERIT BADGE COLLEGE 2016

“EX ASTRIS SCIENTIA”

ATTENTION ALL SCOUTMASTERS

Dear Scoutmaster: It’s that time of year again. The Fourth Annual Merit Badge College (MBC) is coming this April. The following will give you all the information that you will need to register your Scouts for this event. Date: Saturday, APR 30, 2016 Location: Mount Zion Progressive Baptist Church, 955 20th Street South, St Petersburg, FL

33712 Participants: All Skyway District Boy Scouts registered in West Central Florida Council Initial Pre-Registration: Conducted through the West Central Florida Council Office (WCFC)

Enclosed registration form should be submitted to the council service center or registration can be accomplished online at wcfcbsa.org. Initial Registration will be restricted to Skyway District until Friday 3/4/16 and open to any Scouts on Saturday 3/5/16.

West Central Florida Council 11046 Johnson Blvd. Seminole, FL 33772 Phone: 727-391-3800 Tuition Amount: $4.00 for one merit badge; $6.00 for two merit badges or one all day merit badge. Tuition Payment: Tuition must be paid in advance with the pre-registration form (enclosed in this packet) at the time of filing at the WCFC Service Center.

Class Scheduling: Class scheduling is being conducted by co-chairpersons, Todd Kennedy and Mary Luther or can be taken care of at the wcfcbsa.org website

. Todd Kennedy Phone: 727-798-7983

Mary Luther Phone: 727-384-2801 Refunds: No refunds will be given. Registration: Final registration packets will be issued to each registered troop on the morning of

MBC.

2

Merit Badge Courses:

AM Citizenship in the Community* Communications* Digital Tech Energy Golf Journalism Personal Fitness* Public Health Public Speaking Traffic Safety

PM Chess Citizenship in the Community* Communications* Digital Tech Disability Awareness Electricity Personal Fitness* Photography Scouting Heritage Traffic Safety

All Day Citizenship in the Nation* Citizenship in the World* Cooking* Signs, Signals Codes Welding**

Non Merit Badge Trainings also available: Merit Badge Counselor Training*** – AM Only Life to Eagle Course – AM & PM * Course Required for Eagle Scout Rank ** All Day Class and has Special Requirements – No Exceptions – See Requirements *** Adult Leaders – Need Youth Protection Certificate

Merit Badge Program Catalog:

Chess Class Periods – PM Only Pre-Requisites – 6 The USCF (United States Chess Federation) provided the primary contributing writers for the Merit Badge pamphlet. They will be helping to promote the badge through communications with the Chess delegate teams (similar to BSA’s National Committees and Boards) and e-mail blasts, plus website and “tournament news” announcements.

Citizenship in the Community* Class Periods – AM and PM Pre-Requisites – 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 A nation is a patchwork of communities that differ from each other and may be governed differently. But regardless of how local communities differ, they all have one point in common: In the United States, local government means self-government. Good citizens help to make decisions about their community through their elected local officials.

Citizenship in the Nation* Class Periods – All Day Pre-Requisites – 2, 3, 6, 8 As Scouts fulfill the requirements for this merit badge, they will learn how to become active citizens are aware of and grateful for their liberties and rights, to participate in their governments and protect their freedom, helping to defend their country and standing up for individual rights on behalf of all its citizens.

Citizenship in the World* Class Periods – All Day Pre-Requisites – 3, 7 Scouts who earn the Citizenship in the World merit badge will discover that they are already citizens of the world. How good a world citizen each person is depends on his willingness to understand and appreciate the values, traditions, and concerns of people in other countries.

3

Communications* Class Periods – AM and PM Pre-Requisites – 1a, 1b, 5, 8 This clear and concise definition comes from the U.S. Department of Education: "Communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The field of communication promotes the effective and ethical practice of human communication.

Cooking* Class Periods – All Day Pre-Requisites: - 2a, 6, 7 The Cooking merit badge introduces principles of cooking that can be used both at home or in the outdoors. Scouts who earn this badge will learn about food safety, nutritional guidelines, meal planning, and methods of food preparation, and will review the variety of culinary (or cooking) careers available.

Digital Technology Class Periods – AM and PM Pre-Requisites – Cyberchip, 1, 5b, 5c, 6, 9 Technology has come a long way since Computers merit badge was first introduced in 1967. This badge will teach Scouts about technology in the digital age.

Disabilities Awareness Class Periods – PM Only Pre-Requisites – None Look around at the Scouts in your unit, the members of your sports teams, and the kids in your class - you will see that each person has their own personalities, distinct interests and ideas, different physical features, and different strengths and needs.

Electricity Class Periods – PM Only Pre-Requisites – 2, 8, 9 Electricity is a powerful and fascinating force of nature. As early as 600 BC, observers of the physical world suspected that electricity existed but did not have a name for it. In fact, real progress in unraveling the mystery of electricity has come only within the last 250 years.

Energy Class Periods – AM Only Pre-Requisites – 1a, 1b, 2b, 4, 5, 6 Saving, producing, and using energy wisely will be critical to America's future. If we are to leave future generations with a world in which they can live as well or better than we have, Scouts and other potential leaders of tomorrow must begin the hard work of understanding energy and the vital role it will play in the future. *Energy is one of the elective merit badges for the William T. Hornaday awards for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts.

Golf Class Periods – AM Only Pre-Requisites – 8 & Bring Clubs if you have them Golf is unique because the players police themselves. Other sports depend upon referees or umpires to apply penalties when there are infractions of the rules. In golf, every player is expected to act honorably, and the welfare and integrity of the game rely on every player's honesty. This is why golf often is referred to as a "gentleman's game."

Journalism Class Periods – AM Only Pre-Requisites – 2, 4 One thing is for sure about journalism: It is never boring. For a reporter, almost every day is different from the last. One day you might interview the mayor of the city, the next day report on a car accident, and the day after that preview a new movie.

Advancing from Life Scout to Eagle Scout – Not a Merit Badge Class Periods – AM & PM Pre-Requisites – "The Scouts choosing to attend should have attained Life rank along in addition to have completed most or all of the 13 Eagle Scout required merit badges plus the majority of the 8 elective merit badges. Note (materials required) that an Eagle Scout Application Work-copy that a scout may request from the Council's Registrar will be an important item.” Goal: To expand the participant’s knowledge to improve his chances of successfully meeting the expectations of an Eagle Scout Board of Review. Approach: To impart knowledge to participants of the:

Eagle Scout Requirements

Steps in completion of the Eagle Scout requirements

Essential elements of the Eagle Scout Application

4

Advancing from Life Scout to Eagle Scout – Not a Merit Badge – cont’d

Approaches for Eagle Scout Service Project Selection

Service Project Workbook and supporting materials

Discussion will include the differences between prior advancement experience and advancement to Eagle Scout. Materials Required: Spiral notebook, and writing implement, Scout's personal Eagle Scout Application Workcopy obtained by requesting it from the Council's Registrar, Class Reference: "Guide to Advancement", BSA Supply Division No. 33088, 2015 Printing "Service Project Workbook" BSA Supply Division No.512-927, May 2014

Merit Badge Counselor Training – Not a Merit Badge – NO FEE Class Periods – AM Only Pre-Requisites – Youth Protection Training Adult Leaders Only PURPOSE - The purpose of this training unit is to provide council- or district-approved and registered merit badge counselors with understanding of the methods of counseling and their role in the advancement program of Boy Scouts of America. The merit badge counselor’s role is to bring about learning on the part of the Boy Scout. As a "coach" the counselor advises the Scout concerning steps he should take to fulfill the requirements for the merit badge. As a "counselor he evaluates the Scout’s performance and determines whether or not the Scout has met the prescribed objectives in the requirements. OBJECTIVES - As a result of this unit of training, the merit badge counselor should be able to

State the purpose of the merit badge program for Scouts.

Explain the role of the merit badge counselor.

List some methods of counseling and coaching.

Use the buddy system for counseling. Participants will need to **bring** a printed copy of their Youth Protection Training certificate. If they are already registered as an adult leader, they should also bring

their member ID # (on their BSA membership card). It would be helpful for participants to review the merit badge list in advance to aid in completing their merit badge counselor paperwork during the class.

Personal Fitness* Class Periods – AM and PM Pre-Requisites – 1, 8 Personal fitness is an individual effort and desire to be the best one can be. Regardless of their current levels of personal fitness, in the twelve weeks it will take Scouts to complete the athletic requirements for this merit badge, they will be in better shape, feel better about themselves, have more energy, and gain self-confidence in their overall abilities.

Photography Class Periods – PM Only Pre-Requisites – 4 Beyond capturing family memories, photography offers a chance to be creative. Many photographers use photography to express their creativity, using lighting, composition, depth, color, and content to make their photographs into more than snapshots. Good photographs tell us about a person, a news event, a product, a place, a scientific breakthrough, an endangered animal, or a time in history.

Public Health Class Periods - AM only Pre-Requisites - Familiarize yourself with 2a, 2b, and 8a. The field of public health deals with maintaining and monitoring the health of communities, and with the detection, cure, and prevention of health risks and diseases. Although public health is generally seen as a community-oriented service, it actually starts with the individual. From a single individual to the family unit to the smallest isolated rural town to the worldwide global community, one person can influence the health of many. The Public Health merit badge was created in 1911 and was one of the first 57 merit badges issued that year. It is also a required merit badge for those striving to achieve the Dr. William T. Hornaday Awards (badges and medals). Class details: This merit badge provides a comprehensive overview of Public Health in the 21st century. Scouts attending should familiarize themselves with requirements 2a, 2b and 8. If the scout does this, all other parts of the merit badge will be completed at the MBC, with the exception of requirement #7 (visiting a Public Health Agency). A one-hour visit to the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is currently being scheduled and will occur in May, 2016 (exact date TBA) to meet with Epidemiology and Disaster Preparedness officials.

5

Public Speaking Class Periods – AM Only Pre-Requisites – 2 and Familiarize with all requirements A lot happens during the course of every person's life and your ability to communicate your feelings and ideas is the best way to connect to the larger world. Even if you haven't stood at a podium on the stage and find the whole idea scary, sooner or later, someone is going to ask you to get up and say a few words. If you are prepared, it won't be scary. It can even be fun.

Stamp Collecting Class Periods – PM Only Pre-Requisites - Stamp Album with stamps mounted in it. Req #8 and either 7a, b, c, d, e, or f. The world's most popular hobby, stamp collecting is enjoyed by millions throughout the world. Through this hobby. you can experience history: postage stamps are like tiny windows that introduce the people of the world to the country's leaders, customs, history, products, and environment.

Scouting Heritage Class Periods – PM Only Pre-Requisites – 4b, 5, 8 Learn about the Founding of the world Scouting movement and the Boy Scouts of Americas in particulate! Discover fascinating personalities like Lord Robert Baden-Powell, Daniel Beard, William Boyce, Ernest Thompson Seton & James West. Place your personal scouting journey in a larger historical context.

Signs, Signals and Codes Class Periods – All Day Pre-Requisites – 7 American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most used language in the United States. The Signs, Signals, and Codes merit badge will cover Morse code, ASL, Braille, signaling, trail markings, and other nonverbal communications. Did you know that some of these have even saved people’s lives?

Traffic Safety Class Periods – AM and PM Pre-Requisites - None Staying safe in traffic wherever you live is getting more difficult all the time, as more and more people take to the road. Earning the Traffic Safety merit badge and will give Scouts some crucial tools to stay safer, when driving a car on a highway, riding a bike across town, or jogging across a busy street.

Welding** Class Periods – All Day Pre-Requisites - #7 Post-Requisites – Practical Exercise to be scheduled by Scout at a later date with Mr. Wendt The Boy Scouts of America have launched a welding merit badge which will available to Scouts nationwide on February 24, 2012. Opportunities in the welding field are endless, and Scouts earning their welding merit badge can not only explore the fundamentals of welding, but also learn about the different career paths within the industry. Welding is the latest of a new group of career oriented merit badges.

6

MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENTS & MBC PRE-REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS Because many merit badges have requirements that involve time consuming activities, such as

maintaining a record over a period of time, visiting some type of facility, writing a report, talking to a group of adults or Scouts, attending a city council meeting etc., it is obvious we could not accomplish completion of these merit badges in a single day at MBC. Therefore, achievement of any merit badge requires completion of some requirements, independently, outside of MBC. These requirements are identified as the “prerequisite requirements.”

Prerequisite requirements consist primarily of requirements (selected by the MBC Committee) that cannot be completed in a single day at MBC. By completing these requirements for your selected merit badges, prior to attendance at MBC, a Scout ensures full completion of the merit badge during the MBC program. You will note that most of the merit badges are focused on those types of activities that Scouts do not obtain at Summer Camp. (The badges largely pertain to a great extent outdoor activity.) The goal of MBC is to provide a means for you to assist your Scouts in their advancement activities throughout the year, as opposed to principally during the summer at Summer Camp. It is emphasized, however, that the achievement of a merit badge by a Scout is a measure of the Scout’s own initiative in advancing towards the rank of Eagle. It is part of his character development. At MBC we recognize this and so, merit badges are not just arbitrarily awarded because a Scout attends MBC. Every Scout must earn his merit badges by completing all of the specified requirements. Scouts failing to complete all of the requirements have not earned the merit badge and at MBC are given partial completions. Under these circumstances, it is up to the Scout, on his own initiative, to complete what he has started. Although past MBC events have experienced excellent completion rates, we are still experiencing too many "partial” badges. The reason for this is primarily the failure of the Scout to complete the prerequisite work. You as the Scoutmaster can help your Scouts by establishing an activities program in your troop,, along with Standard Scouting activities, that promotes the opportunity for Scouts to work towards their advancement. Depending on the nature of the requirements, Scouts are required to bring documentation with them to MBC that demonstrates that they have satisfactorily preformed the requirement. For example: if the requirement specifies they prepare a scrapbook of newspaper clippings, then they should bring the notebook with them to MBC. The completion of these types of requirements should be initialed and dated by the Scoutmaster on the merit badge blue card. Although not specifically a requirement, the manual entitled “Boy Scout Requirements” states: You should read the merit badge pamphlet. The MBC Committee strongly concurs with this statement and recommends that All Scouts read the merit badge pamphlet for each merit badge attempted prior to attending MBC. Please help your Scouts receive the maximum benefit from MBC. Encourage them to read the pamphlets for the courses that they attempt.

LIMITATIONS ON CLASS SPACE – REGISTRATION “FIRST COME FIRST SERVE” MBC 2015 is featuring 20 merit badges plus Adult Merit Badge Counselor Training. Because we do have liability and safety limitations placed on us, we are forced to set limits on the number of Scouts that can be accepted into a classroom. Due to the large attendance at MBC, we continue to set strict limits on class sizes. For this reason, troops are urged to submit pre-registration forms and payment as soon as possible. Scouts will be logged into the requested classes on a “first come – first served” basis. Troops who register late may find that the desired courses have already been filled and that few or no alternate courses are available. BE PREPARED—PRE-REGISTER EARLY! The MBC Committee will make every effort to accept all Scouts and to accommodate everyone… However, WHEN A CLASS IS FULL, REGISTRATION FOR THAT CLASS WILL BE CLOSED. NO EXCEPTIONS!

MAXIMUM CAPACITY WILL BE 334 Scouts & Adults with All Classes Filled.

7

Tuition The cost for this MBC will be $4.00 for one merit badge course and $6.00 for two or an all day course. This fee covers that cost of the merit badge course(s) and a New MBC Patch for each registered Scout. The determination of the total troop fee is calculated using the enclosed pre-registration form.

Pre-Registration In order to pre-register you Scouts, you must complete the enclosed form. Instructions for Completing the Pre-Registration Form. 1. Please fill in the name of the Scoutmaster, Troop number, Scoutmaster mailing address

(For mailing blue cards), Scoutmaster Telephone number including area code and e-mail address. 2. Arrange registered scouts in Alphabetical order. Please use complete names, last name first of each

scout attending MBC. 3. To accommodate course choice please have each scout choose at least 4 merit badges and

indicate each choice in order of preference: 1, 2, 3 & 4… 1 being the first choice and 4 being the last choice of merit badge.

4. In the Amount Due column insert either $4.00 or $6.00 for each Scout based on the number of badges selected. Fees are $4.00 for one merit badge, $6.00 for two badges and $6.00 for all day classes.

5. Once you have entered the fee for each Scout, the Amount Due Column should be totaled at the bottom of the page.

Important: Please make a copy of the registration sheet if you have more Scouts than available spaces on the sheet and carry the totals to the next page. Be sure all Troop information is filled out on each sheet. 6. After completing the form, please make two copies for your records. Send the original along with your

check to:

West Central Florida Council - MBC 2015 Boy Scouts of America 11046 Johnson Blvd Seminole, FL 33772

Make all checks payable to WCFC – BSA for the total amount due as determined from your pre-registration form.

Closing Date (Deadline for Pre-Registration) The Closing Date for receipt of pre-registration forms and payments is April 17th.

Course Changes

In the past, Scouts who are pre-registered have been permitted to change courses on the day of MBC. Due to the large number of Scouts that now attend the event, CHANGES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT MBC. Because of the number of Scouts being registered and the limited number of classroom spaces available for each course, it is required that each Scout pre-register for this event. ONCE A SCOUT PRE-REGISTERS, NO CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE COURSE CHOICES. Scoutmasters are requested to instruct their Scouts that the merit badges they select through pre-registration will be the merit badges that they will be assigned by the MBC Committee. The merit badge assignments for each Troop will be emailed to the Scoutmasters soon after pre-registration so that those Scouts will know which merit badge course they will be attempting at MBC.

Refunds Because of the strict class size limitations, tuition for Scouts who are pre-registered but fail to attend will not be refunded. Refunds will only be given if the selected courses were closed at the time pre-registration was received and no alternatives were available. Under this circumstance, the paid tuition will be refunded to the troop by credit to the troop’s account.

Final Registration Final registration will take place on the day of the event. On the day of the event (April 30th, 2016) , you are requested to bring one copy of your registration form that you submitted for pre-registration. Scoutmasters

8

are instructed to present that copy of their form. In return they will get their packet that will include: Scout nametags with course and classroom assignments and MBC Patches for each scout. All Scouts need to be pre-registered and tuition needs to be pre-paid. WALK UP REGISTRATION will be accepted on a space available basis!

Merit Badge Blue Cards At registration, Scoutmasters should present filled out blue cards for each course for his Scouts who are registered. The cards should be completely filled out with Scout’s name, address, city, and troop number, district, council and merit badge information. Do not fill in any requirement information unless to verify a completed pre-requisite. Please make sure that you have enough blue cards for all your Scouts as only a limited amount will be available at the registration desk for emergencies only at a cost of $1 per card.

Important MBC Changes for Lunches All Scouts are to bring their own lunch and drink and each troop will need to provide coolers for their own

troop lunches. In the past we have provided coolers for storage and drinks for the scouts…DUE TO RESOURCE ISSUES WE ARE UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE COOLERS AND DRINKS. Water coolers and cups will be available but not the flavored drinks as in the past. Please make sure your troop leadership has cooler space for all your scouts’ and adults’ lunches.

Uniforms All Scouts are to be in a Class A (full dress) uniform for attendance at MBC.

Program Times

A draft copy of the planned program is attached. It is subject to revision as necessary prior to MBC. Registration will begin promptly at 7:00am and last until approximately 8:00am. The MBC event will conclude with closing ceremonies at 4:30pm. Blue cards for merit badges will be returned in a few weeks after MBC to the Scoutmasters in the mail. ALL SCOUTS AND SCOUTMASTERS ARE REQUESTED TO REMAIN UNTIL AFTER THE CLOSING CEREMONY PROGRAM IS COMPLETE. Scouts are required to police/clean the area following closing ceremony and may depart for home once clean-up is complete.

Youth Protection All Scoutmasters are advised that all rules governing Scout Youth Protection will be observed during MBC. Scouts coming together as a troop must have adequate adult leadership to comply with the Youth Protection Guidelines.

Adult Volunteers As always, during this event we will be in need of adult volunteers to assist with various tasks, including Merit Badge Clerks. We will need a minimum of 30 adult volunteers for clerks and other functions. Scoutmasters are asked to instruct any adult volunteers willing to serve as merit badges clerks, assistant counselors, or as classroom chaperones to contact either Todd Kennedy (727)798-7983 or Mary Luther @ 727-384-2801. With your help and cooperation this will be a very successful MBC 2015! Yours in Scouting, Todd Kennedy, Mary Luther Co-Chairpersons, MBC

9

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA COUNCIL BOY SCOUT MERIT BADGE COLLEGE

MOUNT ZION PROGRESSIVE BAPTIST CHURCH April 30th, 2016

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Time Activity and Location 7:00 – 7:50AM Registration at Mt. Zion Auditorium 7:50 – 8:00AM Scouts seated in auditorium according to AM merit badge

schedule 8:00 – 8:20AM Opening Ceremony Call to Attention Presentation of Colors Troop 261 Invocation and Welcomes Introduction of MBC Staff Announcements 8:20 – 8:30AM Scouts walk with Counselors to designated classrooms 8:30 – 11:45AM AM Merit Badges Sessions 11:45 – 12:45PM Lunch for all Scouts and Adults 12:45 – 1:00PM Scouts assemble in auditorium according to PM Merit Badge

schedule. 1:00 – 1:15PM Scouts walk with Counselors to designated classrooms 1:15 – 4:15PM PM Merit Badge Sessions 4:15 – 4:30PM Scouts assemble in Auditorium for Closing Ceremony 4:30 – 4:45PM Review of MBC, Closing Ceremony 4:45 – 5:00PM Clean up Facility*

* Scouts are required to police/clean the area following closing ceremony and may depart for home once clean-up is

complete.

10

EXAMPLE SIGN UP SHEET:

11

12