Scout registration is closed!  Adults can still register their leadership who are supporting their Scouts.
Must Know For March 26:

1. Face Masks and Vaccination Checks on RIT campus is required for all.
2. Troops/ Scouts... Utilize the Scout's Checklist (Read it FULLY as it will ensure your Scout has everything!): https://scoutingevent.com/Download/39788331/OR/Checklist_for_Scouts__MBU_2022.pdf
3. Side bar folder on forms: 'Required Paperwork', will ensure you have the required paperwork for entry: Vaccination checks and RIT Minor Waiver.
4. NO Walk ins allowed.  Parking is G-lot and Check In begins at 8:00 am in SAU Lobby.  https://maps.rit.edu/  Please follow the Check In map on display.  (The map is done with a purpose: Settle your Scouts first in the Davis Room! Then do your Troop Check In.)

Merit Badge University is back!  Seneca Waterways Council is collaborating with Alpha Phi Omega to host Merit Badge University 2022 at Rochester Institute of Technology's campus once again. Due to COVID, we have to limit the event to 125 participants a day and adhere to all challenges required by RIT.

COMMAND CENTRAL:  This will be the command central page for Merit Badge University, pertaining to updates, publications, helpful PDFs and more so please bookmark this page for future reference.  Look to the --> sidebar for helpful PDFs in designated folders.
FYI... Links are inserted on this page for your conveniece.  Hover with your mouse as they will turn red.

ONE Event, TWO Dates Option:
This is a Troop event!  Prior registration is required. 
NO walk-ins allowed... Defeats the BSA motto of Be Prepared!
Troops will need to choose ONE of the Saturdays that they will attend as a troop:
February 19 -or- March 26, not both.
Scouts attending without their troops should email TowpathMBU@gmail.com for help with registering during general registrations.

RIT Required Paperwork Submissions:     Remember… A Scout is… Be Prepared!
https://scoutingevent.com/Download/39788308/OR/REQUIRED_Submissions_Summary_for_Check_In.pdf
This PDF summarizes all submissions needed from Scouts, Leader, Parents, Counselors, APO Brothers and RIT Volunteers to be able to attend or help on event day. Please review this helpful PDF BEFORE you begin registering your Scouts so your Troop/Scout will have a speedy Check In!  
(Tip on opening inserted links in PDF:  Scroll across the link and right click to select ‘open link’ –or– click toward the end of the link line.) 

RIT COVID Challenges:
Your help is greatly needed please in making this event a success in spite of today's changing climate of COVID challenges!  For our event, Merit Badge University, EVERYONE (Scouts, Leaders, Parents, Counselors, APO Brothers & RIT Volunteers) are expected to adhere to ALL RIT event policies stated below which are continuously updated.  As of January 20, 2022, they are:

• All attendees (youth & adults) MUST provide proof of vaccination.
• All visitors to RIT campus MUST be free from symptoms of -and- known exposure to COVID-19 before coming onto campus.
• Masks MUST be worn at ALL times while on RIT campus -- indoors AND outdoors!
• Social distancing MUST be maintained at all times!
• For hydration - MUST be consumed while seated and face mask must be put back on immediately when finished.
• Lunch MUST be consumed while seated in your assigned troop location!  Face mask must be put back on immediately when finished eating.
• Event numbers MUST be tracked for both Youth and Adults, through the Payment Portal on Black Pug so Troops MUST plan accordingly with adult numbers submitted at the time they make their online payment.  Please consider your Troop's carpooling arrangements.

Event Details:
Saturday, March 26
RIT College Campus
8:00 am – 4:00 pm as an in-person event.
Cost:  $12.00 per Scout, includes a commemorative patch.


Lunch:  For 2022, lunch is NOT included for Scouts or Leaders and Parents.  RIT's COVID event policies on safety and the food arena employee shortages have made it impossible to offer boxed/wrapped lunch.  Troop will be assigned a room to eat their brown bag lunch in.  Eating MUST be done while seated with masks put on immediately when done eating.   This helpful PDF can help Troops organize their own sub lunches:  https://scoutingevent.com/Download/39788330/OR/Troop_Planner_for_Brown_Bagging.pdf

Merit Badge Offerings and their Prerequisites:
PDF -- one page -- https://scoutingevent.com/Download/39788813/OR/March__26__PREREQUSITES__MBU__2022.pdf  --
includes NEW ADD Citizenship in the World

Website:  https://www.meritbadge.info/MBN2/EventDetails.aspx?ID=038F5233-F308-44C1-8C4D-B61E708BCBB0
Seat Counts: Google Drive Wod Doc - download first! -  Purposely done in Word if you need to update for a troop meeting. Use the seat numbers in the 'website' link to update it with please.
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sELp0XTmVZH5AV6PQ8eeHdon8aYSgixk/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109015758005646563892&rtpof=true&sd=true

Template: Troop Sign Up Sheet:
https://scoutingevent.com/Download/39787434/OR/Troop_Sign_Up_Form__TEMPLATE__MBU_2022.pdf
Google Drive Spreadsheet - download first! - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TS_5lLrXLFPU8BatuLUhGtEghwDu0Zc23JbEouyJBMY/edit?usp=sharing

Scout Checklist: https://scoutingevent.com/Download/39788331/OR/Checklist_for_Scouts__MBU_2022.pdf

Worksheets:  Although the Guide to Advancement states that worksheets are not to be used, many Counselors may require worksheets from here:http://http://usscouts.org/mb/mbbooks.asp as the worksheets help organize Scout's work for quicker look over by Counselor's.  Experienced Counselors know worksheets are a life saver when a Scout loses their Blue Card.  Be Prepared as some Counselors keep the Scout's worksheets.


Schedule:
8:00 am - Doors Open for Vaccination Checks & Check In
8:20 am SHARP - Opening Ceremony and Event Announcements (ALL Scouts MUST attend!)
9:00 am - Noon - Morning merit badge session
Noon - 12:50 pm - Lunch hour for everyone & Check In: For Scout doing only a PM session
1:00 - 4:00 - Afternoon merit badge session.
4:10 pm - Closing Ceremony
4:10 - 4:45 - Counselor Check Out


Registration Procedure:
Step 1 – Register at MeritBadge.Info for your Scout’s merit badges selections.  Our event name in the drop down menu is: March 2022 (17th Annual) Merit Badge University - Hosted by RIT's Alpha Phi Omega 

Step 2 – Payment is AFTER you register at the above registration site. Please give a couple days before you receive the email with the password. (The payment portal is purposely a different password!) Instead start collecting your Scouts payment, paperwork and get the Be preapred with Scout's Check list (above) and prerequisites.  Gather your adult names attending MBU and ensure the adults' online paperwork is secured (done) while making car pool arangements so all arrives at MBU together as a group.  When you get the password, you are ready to enter them here in the payment portal using the button above.

Step 3 -- Parking & Check In on Event Day:  Information on parking, Check In procedure and etc is sent the week before -or- the week of event day.  (Numbers and other things affect Check In information.)  One adult from each Troop checks in the Troop to get the Check In packet.  Then goes back to the Troop in the Davis to distribute info and Scouts' Schedule cards while waiting for the Opening Ceremony. 

Patches Clarification:  Things are different this year so rather than have a HUGE surplus (and expense), patches are ordered AFTER the event and will be distribute to Troops with names of whom gets one for the troop leadership's ease.  Scouts' commemorative patch are INCLUDED in the event price ($12.00).  The payment portal is giving ADULTS an opportunity to get a patch (or an extra) for the price of $3.00.

Deadlines for Registrations & Payment:
Early Bird: Tuesday, February 22  – Tuesday, March 1, 2022 –
Early Bird password is sent to the Counselor to forward it to their Troop connections.
Public Registration:  March 2, 2022 – March 21, 2022
Registration Closes & Payment Due:  March 21, 2022
Be Prepared:  Thursday & Friday (March 24-25) are printing days in which our email goes on vacation so MBU Committee can prepare the many items needed for a smooth & speedy Check In.  Last minute emails are most likely not to be answered.  Check the sidebar --> to see if you can find the answer you seek for yourself.

Q & A – Common Questions Answered  - (As they pop up they will be added here.)
Do my younger age Scout need to be vaccinated?  Yes! For RIT college campus, EVERYONE (Youth and adults) MUST be fully vaccinated which means TWO shots!  NO exceptions!  Proof of Vaccination WILL be checked at the door!  A clear close up picture of your vaccination card on your cellphone is acceptable.  https://scoutingevent.com/Download/39788329/OR/RITs_Proof_of_Vaccination.pdf
 

PARENTS of Scouts, not coming with their Troop:  Please be aware:  On event day...  The APO brothers (male & female) will be guiding your Scout from building to building on the RIT college campus: to / from their merit badge sessions and to lunch.  The APO Brothers share important details with Scouts during their walk to and from buildings so it is important for your Scout to be in these groups, rather than you the parent walking them to & from buildings.  Instead make your designations meet ups for lunch and at the Closing Ceremony with your Scout.


Current Event Status – Monday, February 21 –  Early Bird Registration for March 26 for troops that provided a Merit Badge counselor for Merit Badge University begins Tuesday , February 22 – Tuesday, March 1, 2022.  Password is given to the Counselor to pass onto their Troop.  If your troop has not received the forwarded email, please email TowpathMBU@gmail.com to obtain your Counselor connection contact information.

Page Last Update on:  February 23  at 10:00 am