W. D. Boyce Council - 2026 Merit Badge University

2026 Merit Badge University

Event Details

Merit Badge University
CPR and Adult Leader Training

Saturday, February 21, 2026

12 - 5 pm CST

Peoria Riverfront Museum / Caterpillar Visitor Center and Museum / Distillery Labs

Take advantage of the Peoria Riverfront Museum's America 250 Exhibition this year by:

Earning one of the rarely offered "American" merit badges
- American Business
- American Cultures
- American Heritage
- American Labor
Grabbing one of our 70 seats for Citizenship in the Nation
Registering for one of the other 17 sessions, including
- NEW! Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security
- Crime Prevention with the Peoria Police Department
- Reptile and Amphibian Study

We are excited to partner with the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Caterpillar Visitor Center & Museum, Distillery Labs, Peoria Police Department and the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. In this afternoon-only event, Scouts can earn one of a wide range of merit badges, some not commonly offered, but made available here thanks to the resources and expertise of our hosts!

Scouts can register and attend individually, but units are encouraged to travel together. Field ("Class A") uniforms are preferred so we can show how our Scout spirit "Plays in Peoria!"

Event Times:

Noon - 12:30 PM Check-in (Main Lobby - Peoria Riverfront Museum)

12:30 - 12:45 PM Opening (Giant Screen Theater - Peoria Riverfront Museum)

1:00 - 4:00 PM Merit Badge Classes - Various Downtown Locations

4:00 - 5:00 PM Peoria Riverfront Museum Open for Scouts

5:00 PM Peoria Riverfront Museum Closes

Cost - Merit Badges:

$15 if paid in full by January 31

$20 if paid in full on or after February 1

Registration closes February 13

Merit Badges Offered:

American Business

American Cultures Citizenship in the World

American Heritage Cooking

American Labor Crime Prevention

Art Cyber Security

Artificial Intelligence Engineering

Astronomy Entrepreneurship

Bird Study Insect Studies

Chemistry Inventing

Chess Mining in Society

Citizenship in the Community Reptile & Amphibian Study

Citizenship in the Nation Scouting Heritage

Notes:

Information on each merit badge, including prerequisite requirements, is included in the Merit Badge Catalog.
Prerequisites should be completed prior to MBU and brought with the Scout to ensure completion of the merit badge in a timely manner.
Some merit badges will require work by the Scout after the event to complete the merit badge.
Scouts should also be familiar with all requirements to enhance their learning at the event.

* Register Early - Merit Badge Space Limited *

* Adult sessions will follow the same schedule as the Merit Badge University

Adult Leader Training - CPR

Important training for everyone and a prerequiste for Wilderness First Aid (offered soon)

Cost: $25 / $30 after January 31

Class Size Limit: 8

Leader Training - Committee Challenge

Information every committe member should know.

Cost: Free

Class Size Limit: 50

Parent Info Meeting - I'm an Adult in the Troop - Now What?

Not a registered a Scout Leader, but you have a BSA Scout child? We have information you are sure to find useful.