2022 Narragansett Council Merit Badge College - NEW DATE

18th Anniversary 

Welcome to MBC 2022! Click here for classroom assignments, campus map and instructions for arrival on Saturday!

Please pay close attention when registering each Youth/Adult for classes. There is a drop-down to choose from Two-Deep Leadership/Youth all day/ Youth half-day classes. 

Important COVID Information:

We are planning on an in-person event this year with modifications to comply with State of RI guidelines and the safety protocols of Rhode Island College who once again is graciously hosting this event. Some key things to consider before registering:

• All of the event guidelines are subject to change at any time. Certain classes or the whole event may be cancelled at any time. Refunds will be available in the event that happens.
• Masks must be worn by all individuals, both youth and adult, regardless of vaccination status. If you are unable to comply with this please stay home. 
• There will be no opening ceremony and Donovan Hall will NOT be available to congregate in. In the days before the event you will receive classroom assignments, proceed directly to your classroom in the morning.
• Patches and lunch tickets will be handed out in your AM class, or in your all day class
• We anticipate that box lunches will be distributed at several locations, most likely in the lobby of the building your are in for you AM or All day class. Specific information will be shared in the days before the event.
• We will be unable to accommodate any changes the day of the event.
• Please stay home if you are feeling ill or have a recent COVID 19 exposure.
• Please follow all directions from the Rhode Island College COVID ambassadors on campus who will be enforcing social distancing rules, mask wearing, etc.
• Scout leaders wishing to coordinate their Troop or a group of Scouts - identify an outdoor meeting area. Donovan Hall will not be available
• Thank you for your cooperation, we are excited to have an in-person event, but it will take all of us working together to keep it safe!

Where: Rhode Island College, North Providence, RI
Time: 8:00 AM To 4:30 PM

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Report to first class. Patches and meal tickets will be waiting for you in your first class - no check-in at Donovan this year!
4:30 PM Dismissed (Note: There will be NO Closing Assembly)

Half-Day Classes:
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Half Day Morning Session
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Half Day Session Lunch
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Half Day Afternoon Session
All Day Classes:
8:30 AM– 11:00 AM: All Day Morning Session
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: All Day Session Lunch
12:00 PM – 4:30 PM: All Day Afternoon Session

PRICING:

Adults registering to provide 2-deep Leadership in Merit Badge classes will receive a $5 discount per class ($10 for full-day classes). Please help us provide two-deep leadership for our classes!

Adventure card holders - In-Council - $35 each ( Fees for some classes noted in Course Catalog)

Non-Adventure card holders- Out of Council - $45 each ( Fees for some classes noted in Course Catalog)

Adults -  $20 each (Adults pay as low as $10 by providing two-deep leadership)

Click here to check course availability online

Click here for the catalog 

Click here for the Campus Map

Cell Phones - A Scout is Courteous - If you must have a cell phone, set it to silent/vibrate. Demonstrate respect for the instructors and other classmates and do NOT make or take calls or text messages during class time.

Registration and payment by Scouts and adults must be made online.  Website features will allow whole Troop registration or individual Scout registration by an adult leader or parent.  Classes will be filled in order of registration.

IMPORTANT:  At least 2 adults from each Troop must register and attend for the day.  If a Troop is NOT registering their Scouts at one time, please ensure that at least 2 adults attend representing that Troop.  This is for the safety of your Scouts.  We ask that adults register for and be available to provide 2-deep leadership in MB classes.

The registration fee covers lunch, patch, facilities, and communication costs. Some classes may require an extra fee. Adults are encouraged to register online to support two-deep leadership coverage of MB classes.  There will be NO REFUNDS. However, you may transfer a scout or scouter registration to another.

Scouts are expected to secure a MB pamphlet in advance of the MBC and to have read it. Scouts are to have a blue MB card filled out with his personal information and signed by his scoutmaster before going to class.

Prerequisite information is included in the course catalog that can be found on the MBC website. It is the Scout’s responsibility to be familiar with and complete any prerequisite, project, or other outside work prior to the MBC and present the work or evidence to the counselor. A note from the Scoutmaster or a signed prior partial MB Card may be useful in this. The Merit Badge Counselor has the discretion to determine if the Scout has met the MB requirements.

STEM/Supernova Awards: Many of the Merit Badges offered will help qualify Scouts for one of the Nova or Supernova STEM awards. More info on STEM in Scouting here: www.scouting.org/STEM

Guidance for Scouts Attending the MBC  

The Merit Badge College is an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts in career or lifelong hobby subjects. We seek out experts in areas that may be difficult for you to find such as Electronics or Archeology.

The MBC will publish a course catalog on the MBC website. This catalog will provide a list of every workshop being offered; its schedule; the list of requirements that are prerequisites for the workshop; the counselor’s name with a short biography. Additionally, we will indicate if the workshop is best suited for an older scout in high school.

If you want an idea of what the Merit Badge is about, there is much information available online. A fantastic resource is the US Scouting Service Project. http://usscouts.org/usscouts/meritbadges.asp.

1.) Pick a Workshop: EXPLORE.

Talk to your parents about which workshop to take.  But in the end, we expect you to select a topic that you truly wish to learn about.  Don’t let your only motivation be an Eagle badge, get outside your comfort zone and try something new.

2.) Consider Your Age

While there is not an age or grade requirement for any merit badge, certain classes at the MBC are recommended for scouts in the 9th grade and older.  This group will include only a few badges such as Environmental Science.  In the short duration of a single day, the nature and amount of material covered in these classes will make it very difficult for a younger scout to keep up.  This can slow the pace of the class and the class will not complete the intended material. We want you to enjoy what you do here so you will do it well.   Be sure to select something age-appropriate and get your Scoutmaster’s approval on a blue Merit Badge Card.

3.) Getting Ready for MBC Day (Read the book) LEARN          LEARN         LEARN         LEARN

OK.  So, you have selected your workshops and registered online.  congratulations!  The next thing that you should do, if you have not already done so, is to get a copy of the Merit Badge pamphlet for yourself.  (Read the book)  You should read through the pamphlet so that you are completely familiar with it. In fact, (read the book) you may want to read it through more than once. (Read the book)

4.) Blue Merit Badge Cards

Your card is your ONLY record of achievement at the MBC.  Keep it safe.  You must have with you a Merit Badge Card for every workshop.  Before the MBC, you should fill out the card with your name, address, Merit Badge, and Troop information.  Your Scoutmaster should sign this card indicating that he approves you taking the class. (Read the book.)  This card will be the ONLY record of your achievement at the MBC.  Counselors are not required to keep records.  Some will but most will not.  You are responsible for your card.  Keep it safe and bring any prerequisite work that you have done (or its proof) with you. Bring your Merit Badge Pamphlet. (Read the book.)
 

Excellence is not an act...Excellence is a habit...Be Excellent

Proper Scout behavior is expected. Each Scout is an ambassador to Rhode Island College.

Each of the two sessions during the day is 3.5 hours. The first session starts at 8:30 and will go until 12:00 noon. Counselors will schedule short breaks. Make sure that you have water and/or snacks if needed. This is a college campus and you will be walking outdoors in-between buildings, so be dressed for the weather. Donovan Hall will be open for you to wait for your ride until 5:00 PM.

Youth will select from the "Full Day Class list" or the "Half Day Class list".

Adults will select "Adult Options". Adults will have the choice to select a class or classes to assist with two-deep leadership and receive a fee discount. There is also an option for adults to select no classes.

Registration Changes: If you would like to make a change to your class selections after you have registered sign back into your account using your username and password to make changes. Changes can be made until 12/15/2021.

We look forward to welcoming many new Scouts BSA at the Merit Badge College in January 2022!”