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The Merit Badge University serves as an annual Quality Merit Badge Program that helps Scouts learn about different fields of knowledge by recruiting experienced professional counselors and maintaining a limited classroom size. The Merit Badge University is a community service Project. We take a Saturday each year and teach boys Merit Badges in a University setting. This event is promoted via www.meritbadge.info.

Please be advised that in order to participate in this event each Troop is required to file a separate request for a Tour Permit with their local Council. We are a guest of Kennesaw State University. There shall be NO littering, defacing or destruction of any structure. Our behavior will determine whether or not we will do this event again.

BUGLING CONTEST:
 

The BUGLING CONTEST will be the 2nd in our area and expect it to be spectacular. We worked with a retired Air Force Reserve bandsman to write the rules and regulations as well as prizes for this competition. Details Here. To sign up for this contest email: Mr. John Snuggs at snuggsj@bellsouth.net.

HISTORY: The Merit Badge University
The Merit Badge University began as a dream that would provide additional learning  opportunities to our Scouts. The success of this program will ultimately depend on all of us. We debuted with 31 Merit Badge Classes, 500 Boy Scouts and 61 troops on October 2004;Then, in 2005, we hosted 500 Boy Scouts with 41 merit badge classes and registered 682 Boy Scouts from 100 troops. In 2006, we offered 52 classes to 700 Boy Scouts from all over the South East.

GIRL SCOUTS:
During this event and for the first time, we are offering to the Girl Scouts the BUSINESS WISE CLASS. Girl Scoust will register in the same manner as other troops. We hope to enhance this program in the future.

JOTA: JAMBOREE-ON-THE AIR
Join in the annual “Jamboree-on-the-Air” this October!  This event is a gathering of Boy and Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and guides from all over the world.  By means of Amateur (Ham) Radio, your Scouts can make contact with other scouts around the United States and all over the world.  Last year Scouts from over 100 countries participated in the Jamboree-on-the-Air.  BSA Troop 204 Boy Scouts will have a ham radio station, W4JO, on the air for this event.

CLASSROOM SETTING:
We offer hands-on quality merit badge classes. Each Merit Badge Class is staffed with professional/expert instructors in the subject matter. 

When registering individual Scouts through the on-line registration system, the Troop Merit Badge Coordinator is requested to provide an email address for each Scout. This will allow Merit Badge Counselors the ability to pass information pertaining to their classes prior to the merit badge event. In the spirit of BSA Youth Protection guidelines, please provide an email address for the Scouts parents rather than the individual Scout.

RULES FOR PARTICIPATION:
1. Each unit must provide one adult for every 4 boys who participate. This will help us with crowd control, as well as insure quality of results within the classroom environment.
2. Scouts must have prior approval from their Scoutmaster before attending.
3. Scouts must behave in a Scout-like manner. Disruptive youth will be removed from the group and either spend the remainder of the day with their Scoutmaster or be picked up by their parent/guardian.
Note: The Unit adults are responsible for the scouts who attend.

RIGHT TO LIMIT OR CANCEL:
The Merit Badge University will reserve the right to limit or cancel any class. Merit Badges to be offered are subject to change based on MB Counselor availability and class minimums. NO WALK-INS will be allowed. Registration by Troop is REQUIRED. Open and ending enrollment will be limited to the dates above indicated.

FIRST COME FIRST SERVE:
Scouts are admitted to classes on a first come, first served basis via the online registration system. There is no waiting list for any of the merit badges classes. Should you encounter booked classes, please monitor this website in case seats become available.

EXPECTATION:
Scouts are strongly encouraged to read the Merit Badge Booklet and finish all pre-requisites before attending the Merit Badge Clinic.

FIRST AID STATION:
There will be a First Aid Station available to all Boy Scouts and Leaders at the NU Nursing Building #16 during the Merit Badge University. 

ADULT LEADER TRAINING:
Learn to set up & manage online merit badge events. Registration is not needed to participate. 

UNIFORM:
The Full B.S.A. Class A uniform is the official uniform for the day. The merit badge sash may also be worn. 

CODE OF CONDUCT:
The Scout Oath, the Law, and the Outdoor Code shall be the code of the Merit Badge Day. A Scout whose conduct is not consistent with the code will be directed to leave the grounds immediately. Adequate supervision must be provided by each participating unit. Discipline is the responsibility of the Scoutmaster or other assigned leaders in charge of the troop.

TRANSPORTATION:
The troop Leaders must coordinate arrival and departure time for transportation. Troops need to make certain that they have adequate transportation for their Scouts. Please advise your parents NOT to drop or pick up scouts. ALL transportation TO and FROM The Merit Badge University must be arranged within your troop. Encourage everyone to carpool. Troops may not leave Scouts by themselves to be picked up by parents at a later time. We will not render sitting services.

CLEAN UP:
The Scout is clean. Troop Leaders please coordinate with your troop to clean the premises and to keep the classrooms in the same condition as found. Future offerings of the Merit Badge University will largely depend on how neat we leave the place. All garbage must be properly disposed into designated containers or carried out.

SECURITY:
Because the public has access to the school, units will need to exercise their own vigilance. Report any incidents to the event organizers or the campus police.

Many classes have pre-requisites which must be done if you wish to complete the badge during class. Some classes also have age and/or rank requirements. Unless indicated otherwise, all other requirements for the Merit Badge should be covered in class. For ALL classes, Scouts are required to READ and BRING the Merit Badge pamphlet. Also, Scouts are required to BRING a SIGNED Blue Card from the Scoutmaster.

REGISTRATION IS BY TROOP.
Registration form and all fees must be returned by the indicated date below. Otherwise, we will drop your online registration and will allow other Scouts to register in your place.

PARKING:
 All participants can park in the East Parking Deck #9. See campus map: http://www.kennesaw.edu/admissions/campus_map_directions.html.

CHECK IN AT THE "CONVOCATION CENTER" #2:

The UNIT LEADER CHECKS-IN the troop at the Lobby of the Convocation Center. Also, all Merit Badge Counselors NEED to check-in at the VIP Lounge.

CHECK OUT: Any Scout not signed out at the CAMPUS GREEN by the Troop On-site Contact and Event Manager at the conclusion of the merit badge event will not receive credit for the completion of any merit badge or merit badge requirements.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

6:00-7:00AM   Set up
7:00-7:50AM   Check-in by troop at the Convocation Center #2.
8:00-8:15AM   Flags and Assembly, Color Guard Troop 1776.
Welcome:
Mr. Steve Harrison, BSA Troop 1776, Committee Chairman
Rodrigo Cano, The Merit Badge University, Chairperson
Dr. Gary Benjamin Roberts, Michael J. Coles College of Business
Dr. Tom Price, U.S. Congress
Donald McChesney, BSA Atlanta Area Council Scout Executive

Announcements & Dismissal to Class:
Each Counselor escorts his/her class to the designated classroom. They also make sure Scouts will not wander outside their classrooms. ALL Adult Leaders and Scoutmasters will assist our counselors and will help with noise and crowd control at all times.
8:30 AM       Start Merit Badge Classes.


Concessions:
Food items are available for sale.... bring money.  All proceeds go to future Scout Lodge ...we appreciate your business!

Breaks for selected classrooms:
9:45- 10:00 -    BB, CC
10:00-10:15 -    CL, SC
10:15 - 10:30 -  EB, Gazebo
10:30-10:45AM - SO

12:25- Counselors return Blue Cards to Scouts before departing from the classroom!!!!
12:30PM      End of all Merit Badge Classes. EVERYBODY helps with clean up. Counselors return class rosters and advancement records to the Check Out Desk. Troop Leaders MUST checkout troops at the registration desk.

The participation fee is $10 per Scout.  Additional fees for materials are identified for designated classes. Troops are obligated to pay for the total number of Scouts registered.

1.) BY CREDIT CARD: - We use PayPal, (a commercial banking and credit card processing service) using MasterCard, Discover Card, Amex or VISA. There is no charge to you for this service to make payments. You may pay by simply clicking at the "Click Here for Online Payment" link provided during the "Unit Sign-Up." Also, please print your registration information at “Show & Print Roster” for your records.

2.) BY CHECK - Please print two copies of your registration form. Send one copy with complete payment. Retain the other registration copy for your records.
Please make Check Payable/Mail to:
Friends of 1776, Inc.
4479 Mountain Creek Drive
Roswell, GA 30075

WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT ONLINE REGISTRATIONS. DO NOT SEND MONEY UNLESS YOU ARE ALREADY REGISTERED ONLINE. IF YOUR REGISTERED SCOUT IS NOT ATTENDING, REMOVE HIM FROM THE REGISTRATION. OTHER SCOUTS CAN BENEFIT.

DO NOT ASK MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS TO ACCEPT SCOUTS INTO SPECIFIC MERIT BADGE CLASSES; EVERYBODY NEEDS TO USE THE ONLINE REGISTRATRATION SYSTEM. CLASSROOM CAPACITY IS ALWAYS A CONCERN AND THE MB COUNSELOR CAN NOT HELP YOU.

REFUNDS: The registration fee is non-refundable. The amount paid will be forfeited if the troop or Scout does not attend. However, troops may substitute scouts as long as the total number and the Merit Badge doesn’t change.

PHOTGRAPH/VIDEO RELEASE:
We authorize the Merit Badge University or any entity or person designated to the use or reproduction of any and all photographs, video, or other media taken of the persons named above during the classes or related activities. All photographs, videos, or other media are the property of the Merit Badge University or the entity or person designated the Merit Badge University, and may be used for any purpose without additional consent.

Signature_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER:
This electronic document is intended for public viewing and is solely for personal reference. It should neither be considered an authoritative source nor an official publication of SIFE, Kennesaw State University or the Boy Scouts of America. The above mentioned are registered trademarks of said institutions.

5TH ANNUAL MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY will be on October 25th, 2008 

Yours in Scouting... See you in October,

Ms. Jenna Rush
JRUSH10@STUDENTSKENNESAW.EDU
SIFE  Project Manager

Mr. Kyle McClure
kmoney2282@yahoo.com
SIFE  Project Manager

Rodrigo Cano, MBA
Chairperson, the Merit Badge University
B.S.A. Foothills District, Atlanta Area Council
www.MeritBadge.Info
email: rcano@bellsouth.net
I used to be a Bear....92-46 / SR 622