Audubon Acres Merit Badge University is a camping opportunity and Merit Badge University (MBU) all rolled into one GREAT weekend event. Your unit can camp for the weekend and ALL of your Scouts, regardless of rank or age, can choose a program to attend. This MBU will focus on the Outdoor and Environmental merit badges that may be hard to accomplish individually, so check out the list of Merit Badges being offered and sign up early. There will be a complete day of programming for adult leaders as well.

Our talented Instructors are “Top-Notch Experts” and/or “Professionals” in their respective fields, as well as many of them having been Scouts or Scouters. The classes are held outdoors, in most cases, and involve a lot of fieldwork. Each Scout can take ONE (1) Merit Badge for the day and should have most of the requirements completed during the class. 

Audubon Acres, which serves as the headquarters for the Chattanooga Audubon Society, is a 130 acre Nature Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary with a long history of human occupation. It is one of the three sanctuaries in the CAS portfolio, which includes Audubon Acres, the Elise Chapin Sanctuary; Audubon Island, the Maclellan Sanctuary; and Audubon Mountain, the David Gray Sanctuary.

Register Early: This has proven to be a popular event, so we suggest you Register Early, as space is limited. Class registration is on a "First-Come, First-Served" basis. Pre-registration is required and all paperwork and fees must be completed by October 19, 2012.

There will be NO ONSITE or late registration accepted.

Register By Units ONLY: This camping event and MBU are available for unit registration only, individual registration can NOT be accommodated.

Register Each Participant: Follow the “Registration Guidelines” for “MERITBADGE.INFO” and register each Scout and Adult. All communications will be with the designated “Unit Leader”.

Payment: On or about October 1, 2012, the Registered Leader will receive an Invoice for the Unit registrations completed to date, from the Chattanooga Audubon Society by e-mail.  Payment can be made by PayPal or by mailing a check to the Chattanooga Audubon Society, to be received in their office BY October 19, 2012.  Any Unit that does not meet the payment deadline will have the potential to lose its registrations and places in the classes.  Registrations that take place after October 1, 2012, can make individual arrangements for payment, including PayPal, cash, check, or credit card paid at the CAS office by prior arrangement.  Contact the Event Coordinator for more information.

Exceptions: Any class with less than 3 participants at the close of registration on October 19th, MAY be subject to cancellation, with your boys being offered an alternative class.

Substitutions: After close of registration on October 19, 2012, a Troop may NOT reduce the total number of participants, however, one Scout can be substituted for another in a class.  Any other changes will be handled on a case-by-case basis with the Event Coordinator- whose decision is FINAL!

Charges: 

Scouts: The fees are $20 per Scout for the Merit Badge University and Saturday lunch. Merit Badge materials and books are the responsibility of the Scout or unit. All participants MUST be registered with BSA as “Boy Scouts” or “Venture” Scouts.

Adults: Two adults are included “No Charge” with every 10 Scouts.  If a unit has less than 10 Scouts, leaders are $10 each; additional adults are $10 each as well. (Each Unit is responsible for meeting the BSA “Two Deep” Leadership requirement.)

All registered Scouts and Adults will receive their class, Saturday lunch, and a patch. Each participant needs to bring a camp chair to use during classes, as ALL classes will be held at various outdoor sites on the property.

Camping Experience is available for an additional $5.00 per person, Scouts and Adults.   Two adult leaders are included at “No Charge” with every 10 Scouts for camping, as well. All meals are the responsibility of the Unit other than Saturday lunch, which is included in the MBU registration. All youth campers MUST be registered with BSA as “Boy Scouts” or “Venture” Scouts. This venue does not support WEBELOS camping for this activity.

Please register each person “Camping” in either the “ABA” for adults and “ABB” for Scouts categories.  Adjustments to the charges will be made prior to invoicing to accommodate the “No Charge” adults that will be participating.

Cooking Contest: There will be a Cooking contest on Sunday morning, more details will follow in the Registration packet.

Arrival for Campers: The campsite will open at 6 pm on Friday evening, Nov 2 and all units should plan on being checked out by 12 N on Sunday, Nov 4. Some Merit Badges may require attendance on Friday evening/night and Saturday evening/night, check pre-requisites.  Camping areas will be assigned by staff, based on time and size of registration, and arrival.

Arrival for Day Participants Only: Plan on arriving by 8:30 a.m. EDT and check in at the office.  You will be shown to available parking.

The Registered Leader will receive an invoice from the Chattanooga Audubon Society by e-mail for all registrations completed prior to October 1, 2012.  Payment may be made from the e-mail by PayPal, credit card, or electronic check.  Payment for registrations after October 1, 2012 and by October 19, 2012, for local Units, may be made at the office of the Chattanooga Audubon Society by cash, check, and credit card.

Payment date confirms registrations.

Mail checks payable to:     Chattanooga Audubon Society

         Audubon Acres MBU

         900 N Sanctuary Rd

         Chattanooga, TN 37421

This event is not sponsored by BSA, therefore each

unit is responsible for securing the appropriate

Tour Permits as required by your Council. 

Each unit must provide adequate adult coverage to meet

the BSA “Two Deep” Leadership requirements.