Wade is an Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia State University. A specialty used car dealer by profession, he enjoys backpacking, running, bicycling, boating (all kinds), scuba, motorcycling, and Scouting. Wade has served as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and currently serves as Advisor for Venturing Crew 797 and as Venturing Roundtable Commissioner for Foothills. He used to be an Eagle, in 92-41. “I've hiked an awful lot of the trails in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, mostly with scouts. It's one of my favorite things. I don't get to backpack as much as I'd like to, but then I don't get to do anything as much as I'd like to.”

BEFORE coming to this course:

1.  Read the latest version of the Backpacking Merit Badge Pamphlet.

Available at The Atlanta Scout Shop, phone:  770-988-9912  or www.Scoutstuff.org , 1-800-323-0732.

2. Download the worksheet, save it and print to document your merit badge work. Bring it to the clinic.

3. Be aware that you probably will not complete the requirements for this merit badge at this course - unless you have completed requirements 6b, 9, 10, and 11 beforehand. Just the same, it's a great place to get started.

This will be a participation sort of course. You won't be able to participate if you are un-prepared, so Be Prepared!