In an effort to help support Scouts and families as our communities are practicing social distancing, the Colonial District will be offering Merit Badge programs ONLINE! 

WE CANNOT TAKE SCOUTS

FROM OUTSIDE OUR COUNCIL.

These programs make a great supplement to ongoing online schooling efforts. They also help Troops, Crews, and Ships continue their program while avoiding in-person activities. For all badges, Scouts are encouraged to earn (or renew) their Cyber Chip ahead of time. 

WE REGRET, THESE SESSIONS ARE OPEN TO COLONIAL DISTRICT SCOUTS, ONLY.

So, how will this work?

Scouts may select from NO MORE THAN TWO (2) of the sessions listed.

Once registered, Scouts will receive a link over the weekend of May 16 from their Merit Badge Counselor with information about how to log on, a time and date for their course. Use that link each day to access live instruction from a registered Merit Badge Counselor. The times and date (May 16) listed for each session are placeholders. The actual date and time will be sent by counselors to participants.

Scouts will have "homework" each day to complete before the next day's session. They will turn in their homework and communicate with the instructor via Basecamp.

What badges will be offered?

Colonial will be offering the following Merit Badges:

• Animation (Taught by Carlos Ortiz.)

• Bird watching (Taught by Eleanor Cambridge.)

• Emergency Preparedness (Taught by Burt Wagner.)

• Environmental Science (Observations for this merit badge will happen in Huntley Meadows Park which are accessible during the COVID shutdown.  All other requirements will be met via online collaboration, taught by Burt Wagner.)

• Gardening (Taught by Eleanor Cambridge.)

• Inventing & Engineering (offered conjointly in one class, taught by Carlos Oritz.)

• Personal Management (Meeting over 3-4 group sessions (1/wk), but Scouts will need 14 weeks total to complete the MB. Please do not start tracking income/expenses or schedule until we have met, taught by Anthony Nichols.)

• Personal Fitness (Taught by Eleanor Cambridge.)

• Scholarship (Taught by Vince Kiernan.)

• Soil & Water Conservation (Taught by Eleanor Cambridge.)

Blue Cards will be provided digitally after the course is over. All courses have a $10 fee to cover online access. Scholarships for these classes are available. Please email the Colonial District Merit Badge Dean Chris Holmes at registrarcolonialmbc@gmail.com if you are in need.

FAQ – NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA ONLINE MERIT BADGES​

Are there any prerequisites for the merit badge classes?

There are no prerequisites for any of the online merit badges classes. 

What if all the classes are sold out?

Based on demand, District leaders will determine if additional virual merit badge sessions should be offered.

Is there a waitlist? 

A waitlist will not be maintained in an effort to give every Scout/Scouter the opportunity to register in real time. 

Can two (or more) Scouts use the same computer?

Yes! Each should register with a separate email so we can track each Scouts progress, but they may share a computer for each day’s session. They will each have a chance to mark themselves “present” during daily attendance. 

How many classes can I sign up for at one time?

Each Scout is permitted to sign up for ONE merit badge class per session.

Do we need a camera and microphone?

We strongly prefer that you use a device that has both of a camera and a microphone. A phone-in option will be provided. Scouts will be participating in discussions and need to be actively engaged. Audio participation is a requirement, video participation is highly encouraged. 

What meeting platform is the Council using?

We are using the ZOOM meeting platform which also has an app that works on smart phones and tablets. Before you begin your class please test your connection in advance – Test Zoom. If you need additional training on how to use Zoom please visit Zoom training videos – https://zoom.us/resources.

How will they get their “blue card” Merit Badge Applications?

Our registration system (through BlackPug Software) helps us track everyone’s progress and provides printable “blue cards” that we will e-mail to each family after the Merit Badge is complete.

How will Youth Protection and “no one-on-one contact” be maintained?

When Scouts arrive for a merit badge, they will be placed into an online waiting room. Once the counselor determines that multiple Scouts are present, they will be admitted. We encourage parents to monitor their Scout's activities. We also strongly advise that the Scout completes their Cyber Chip before taking online classes or that you complete the activities in the program that involve Scout and parent. Many Zoom communications tools such as private chat will be disabled. Other communication is done through a Basecamp project, which you are encouraged to access.

When will I receive instructions from my Merit Badge Counselor?

Scouts will receive your instructions from your Merit Badge Counselor 24 hours before class begins, if you have not received it don’t fret some Counselors will send the instructions the day of. Instructions will include all necessary links and platforms needed for the class. Please check your junk mail, sometimes the email classifies the opt-in link email as junk mail.

For more information and updates on the current COVID-19 situation and how Council operations are impacted, visit www.NCACBSA.org/covid.