--- Start here for help ---

Last update to this section:  December 8, 2008.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

1. The "Nuclear Science" merit badge has been cancelled due to instructor scheduling conflict.

2. Please, note that the basic registration fee of $10 per scout should be sent to the Boy Scout office as stated below, but the extra class fees for Sculpture and Indian Lore should be paid to the instructor on the day of the event.

2. I plan to add more badges this week when I get some confirmations on instructors.

2009 FAQ's:

1. The "Off Site Trip Permission" form to be used for Boy Scouts that are travelling away from Shelton State Community Colledge on field trips for badge requirements is available NOW. Please, print the rest of FAQ # 1 and give it to all Boy Scouts. It may be a good idea to have the parent /guardian fill out and sign the form at your next Scout meeting. Please, mail a copy with your payment and bring a back up copy with you on January 10, 2008. As a reminder, please, send all basic registration dues for each scout ( $10.00) to the scout office, but pay any special class fees such as for "Sculpture" or "Indian Lore" to the instructor.

START PRINTING HERE:

""Off site permission slip

BLACK WARRIOR COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

ACTIVITY: Merit Badge College

In consideration of the benefits derived, and in view of the fact that the Boy Scouts of America is an education institution, membership in which is voluntary, and having full confidence that every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety and well being of my Scout son/ ward, Namely:

SCOUTS NAME …………………………………………………………………………………………………

On the activity named above, I agree to his participation in the _______________ merit badge, which will be off  site of Shelton State Community College, location of the main event, and waive all claims against the leaders of this event, officers, agents and representatives of the Boy Scouts of America, and their sponsor, Shelton State Community College. In the event of an emergency, my son’s Troop unit leader has my permission to obtain medical treatment for this Scout at the nearest hospital or doctor, at my expense, if our own doctor is not readily available

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

(In addition to Emergency Data Sheet Information)

During the Activity listed above, I can be contacted at the following phones and will accept long distance calls:

(__________) (_________________________) (__________) (_________________________)

________________________________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN

ADDITIONAL MEDICAL INFORMATION:

This Scout is highly allergic or sensitive to:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Medication this Scout is currently taking:

________________________________________________________________________________________

Special instructions for this medication:

________________________________________________________________________________

DATE OF LAST TETANUS SHOT: _______________ Medical Insurance Company: ____________________

Policy Number #: ______________________ Is the Unit Leader to carry the Medication? YES_____ NO_____

Primary care Physician: __________________________________________

Primary care Physician contact information__________________________

_______________________________________________________________

STOP PRINTING HERE

2. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT MERIT BADGE COLLEGE FOR BOY SCOUTS TO COINCIDE WITH UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING FOR ADULT LEADER TRAINING:

Both events will be on January 10, 2009, at Shelton State Community College.  Online registration is open NOW. 

If, as an adult leader, you are not going to attend the University of Scouting classes, you do not have to register under the UoS web site. You just need to stay on this web site and register your Boy Scouts for classes.

For additional information, please, contact William Aldridge at  wpawpa@yahoo.com Thank you for your patience as we adjust.

The on-line registration site for UoS FOR adult leader training is:
http://meritbadgenet.com/mbn/EventDetails.aspx?mode=preview&ID=297

Now, we return to your regularly scheduled Merit Badge College event for Boy Scout youth.

Please check each section for frequent updates, particularly on recently added Merit Badge classes, as well as the status and prerequisites of current Merit Badges.  There may be more badges added.

Merit Badges may be cancelled due to not meeting the minimum number of students.  I will contact the relevant Scout Leaders and/or Boy Scouts notifying them of this action.  I will make every effort to contact the persons effected when a badge status changes. 

It is very important that when you register a Boy Scout for a badge that you enter all relevant contact information to ensure easy contact in case of a change in badge status.  After entering the student's name, please, put the adult leader's or parent's or guardian's phone number and e-mail for the Boy Scout's contact information.  DO NOT enter a Boy Scout's personal contact information.  Please, advise your Boy Scouts and Adult Leaders. 

If a Boy Scout is taking a merit badge that has a trip off site, he must present an "Off Site Trip Permission" form that is signed by the appropriate parent/guardian to the personnel at the registration table.

This Merit Badge College is sponsored by the Black Warrior Council whose office is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  It is promoted via www.meritbadge.info.  Please be advised that in order to participate in this event, each Troop may be required to file a separate request for a Tour Permit with their local Council.  We are a guest of the Shelton State Community College, 9500 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, AL  35405.  As a scout, "Leave No Trace" is the order of the day.  There may be other events on campus.  As such, our behavior will determine whether or not we will do this event again.

POINTS OF CONTACT

William P. Aldridge; a.k.a. Bill; Home Voice Phone:  (205) 752-5333, E-Mail:  wpawpa@yahoo.com

Chris Mehaffey, Boy Scouts of America, Black Warrior Council, P.O. Drawer 3088, Tuscaloosa, AL  35403.  Voice Phone:  (205) 554-1680,  Fax Phone:  (205) 554-7830, E-Mail: cmehaffe@bsamail.org

Emergency contact number to be used during Merit Badge College is the Shelton State Community College Security Desk at (205) 391-2377.

Last Update to this section:  November 2, 2008.

Merit Badges to be offered are subject to change based on Merit Badge Counselor availability and class MINIMUMS.  The Black Warrior Council reserves the right to limit or cancel any class.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, please check the web site on the night prior to Merit Badge College to see last minute updates, particularly if you are travelling a long distance.  Refunds will be made if your class is cancelled and you do not wish to take another class.  NO WALK-IN registrations will be allowed.  Registration by Troop is REQUIRED.  Open internet enrollment will begin in November 2008 and end on December 31, 2008.  All payments should be received in the Black Warrior Council Office by 4:00 p.m. on January 6, 2009.

Uniform:  The Full BSA Class A uniform is the official uniform of the day.  The merit badge sash may also be worn but is not required.

Merit Badge College Code of Conduct:  The Scout Oath, Law, and the Outdoor Code shall be the code of the Merit Badge College.

Any scout violating the code will be removed from the class and forfeit his fee. This has been done in the past. 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.  ALL transportation TO and FROM the Merit Badge College must be arranged within your troop. Encourage everyone to carpool.  Leaders may not leave Scouts by themselves to be picked up by parents at a later time.  If any of the Scouts are going away from Shelton State Community College for merit badge instruction, adult leaders may need to assist in this transportation.

Clean Up:  A 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 College will largely depend on how clean we leave the place.  All garbage must be properly disposed into designated containers or carried out.

Security:  Units will need to exercise their own vigilance.  Report any incidents to any event organizer.  The telephone number of the Shelton State Community College Security Desk is (205) 391-2377.

Last Update to this section:  October 14, 2008.

All Scouts must bring to class the following items...

a.  Blue Card SIGNED by their Scoutmaster (one per each Merit Badge)

b.  Merit Badge booklet and Merit Badge worksheet (www.meritbadge.com).

c.  Any prerequisite work.

The Blue Card will be updated with tasks completed in class and returned to the Scout BEFORE they depart the classroom.  It is the responsibility of the Scout to request and obtain his Blue Card.

PREREQUISITES:  The Merit Badge Counselor will give credit for completed requirements ONLY.  The Scout should complete all other requirements not covered in class, at his own pace and with his own Troop counselors.

ADVANCEMENT RECORDS:  After the merit badge event, if you have a question about the Blue Card, please E-Mail William Aldridge at wpawpa@yahoo.com.

Last Update to this section:  October 14, 2008.

Just like summer camp, it is best to make one check from the troop account for all boys in the troop.  It is IMPORTANT to prepay before the registration deadline.  This prevents the cancellation of classes for non-payment.  Some instructors are travelling a great distance to help the Boy Scouts.  If your payment will be late, please, call the local BSA Council at (205) 554-1680.  This will prevent cancellation of classes due to not haveing a minimum number of paying scouts that are registered.

PAYMENT METHOD:

For ease of record keeping, please send TWO checks and, fill in the appropriate information, payable to "Boy Scouts of America." The first check should be notated as "MBC registration; Troop #?."  The second check should be notated as "MBC Adult lunches; Troop #?."  Finally, please print two copies of the internet registration form and send one copy with complete payment to:

Black Warrior Council, P. O. Drawer 3088, Tuscaloosa, AL  35403

Voice Phone: (205) 554-1680

Retain the other registration copy for your records and bring it with you to MBC.  Please make sure adequate postage is affixed.  For more information, please E-Mail William Aldridge at wpawpa@yahoo.com.  WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT ONLINE REGISTRATIONS.  DO NOT SEND MONEY UNLESS YOU ARE ALREADY REGISTERED ONLINE.  If you have already sent in your registration by the old method, please, resubmit it electronically.  That way you will be assured of getting the badge your Scouts desire.

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.  Refunds will be made if the badge is cancelled and the Scout can not find another badge to take.

Last Update to this section:  October 14, 2008.

Transportation

ALL transportation TO and FROM Merit Badge College must be arranged within your troop.  Encourage everyone to carpool.   

You may find better directions than the following by using the internet for a map search.  Our address is 9500 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405.

From North of Tuscaloosa:  Take I-359 south through Tuscaloosa.  It turns into Alabama Highway 69 South after you cross over I-20/59.  Go about 4 miles after you cross over I-20/59 until you see a Winn-Dixie.  Take a Right at that traffic light and you will see the the Shelton State Community College campus.  From Moundville Alabama: Take Alabama Highway 69 North until you see a Winn-Dixie supermarket.  Take a LEFT at the traffic light and you will see the Shelton State Community College campus.

From I-20 & I-59: Take exit # 71A and go south on Alabama Highway 69 for about 4 miles.  Turn RIGHT at the traffic light in front of the Winn-Dixie supermarket and you will see the Shelton State Community College campus.

If you get lost, please call the Security Desk at Shelton State Community College at (205) 391-2377.

Last update to this section:  October 14, 2008.

Photograph/Video Release

We authorize the Boy Scouts of America, Black Warrior Council and Shelton State Community College or any entity or person designated by the Boy Scouts of America, Black Warrior Council and Shelton State Community College the right 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 Boy Scouts of America, Black Warrior Council and Shelton State Community College or the entity or person designated by the Boy Scouts of America, Black Warrior Council and Shelton State Community College and may be used for any purpose without additional consent.