The Pacific Skyline Council is offering online merit badge classes to help keep Scouts advancing in their goals during this time of physical distancing.

The council is working with volunteer merit badge counselors throughout our organization to offer these classes and we are focusing on merit badges that can be completed at home utilizing online instruction. The class format may vary by class but may include some time with a counselor via an online platform such as Zoom, emailing with a counselor (parent/guardian must be copied on all emails), and project work at home. Specific class formats and login information will be provided to those individuals registered for that class ONLY and their parents.

REGISTRATION:

When registering your Scout, you will be required to enter the Scout's name, unit information, and email.

You will additionally need to enter the name and email address of a parent/guardian who will be copied on all emails regarding the merit badge instruction. This is to ensure Youth Protection Guidelines of the BSA.

Finally, you will be asked if the parent would be willing to help provide supervision during classes if needed. Having multiple adults willing to be involved in supervision will help ensure the timeline and youth protection standards.

All Scouts and parents/guardians must agree to follow the Pacific Skyline Council Online Merit Badge Course Guidelines as part of the registration process.

Counselors will send any instructions prior to the first class session.

MATERIALS:

Merit badge books may be purchased at either the Foster City or Palo Alto Scout Shop. They may also be purchased online at www.scoutstuff.org

A Kindle version of the Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge book may be purchased online here

The Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge Worksheet may be downloaded for free in the Attachments section of this screen. It is the link titled simply Citizenship in the Nation.

FORMAT:

This class will consist of one group session on Zoom to cover requirements 1 and 5 as well as go over instructions for all other requirements. Scouts will then complete requirements 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 on their own and schedule follow up sessions with the counselor to go over them. NOTE: For all follow up sessions, a Scout's parent or guardian MUST be on the call/Zoom session along with the Scout. Scouts MUST copy their parent or guardian on all emails with the counselor. This is for youth protection purposes.

COST:

The council is offering this opportunity to all council youth eligible to work on the merit badges. While we are charging a low rate for these classes ($20) in order to cover expenses and support our virtual programs, we ask that you consider making an additional contribution to help support this service. You will be given this opportunity during the registration process.

The council spends $250 per Scout each year providing programs, volunteer training, camps, and professional services. Our goal is to continue providing outstanding Scouting programs across the Peninsula to all Scouts. 

To support our operations, we ask those families that can, to consider making a contribution when registering your Scout for an online merit badge class. We typically charge $45 for our popular merit badge midways held in February and December each year, though any gift amount helps.

Your Support is Needed Now More Than Ever

Your donation is critical during this pandemic. We have been unable to hold our normal fundraising campaigns and Scouting programs and this is the time of year that our families typically participate in the annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign. FOS is our council's single largest direct source of income. 100% of the money raised through our Friends of Scouting campaign benefits the Scouts and Leaders right here locally in PacSky. Membership registration fees go straight to National to cover membership and insurance costs. We know these are unique and challenging times for many, but please help if you can. Donate here.