2026 Bucoco Summer Merit Badge Program

Click here to view the current Prerequisite List (UPDATED)

First Aid - June 15

• NOTE: Must be the rank of Tenderfoot or higher to attend this class

Emergency Preparedness - June 16

• NOTE:
  • This class will be held off-site at the Lawrence County Public Safety Coordination Office.1451 County Line Rd, New Castle, PA 16101.
  • Must have completed the First Aid merit badge before registering for this badge. 

Space Exploration - June 17

Citizenship in the Nation - June 22

Citizenship in the World - June 23

Forestry - June 24

• NOTE: Wear weather-appropriate clothing suitable for hiking in the woods. 

Mammal Study & Reptiles and Amphibians - July 6

• NOTE: Wear weather-appropriate clothing suitable for hiking in the woods. 

Environmental Science - July 8

• NOTE: Wear weather-appropriate clothing suitable for hiking in the woods. 

Small Boat Sailing - July 13 & July 14

• NOTE: 
  • This class requires two days from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm to cover all the material. If a scout cannot attend both, they will receive a partial.
  • This class will be held off-site at the Watts Bay Marina, Moraine State Park, Portersville, PA 16051
  • This class has a maximum occupancy of 8 youth
  • Wear weather-appropriate clothing suitable for sailing.  
  • Please read the pamphlet before class day: Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge Pamphlet.t

Communication - July 15

• NOTE: 
  • Please bring artifacts of the required prerequisites to class with you.
  • Be prepared to present in front of a group of your peers

Cooking - July 20 & July 21 (UPDATED)

• NOTE: 
  • THIS CLASS MAY RESULT IN A PARTIAL: This class requires 2 days, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, to cover all the material. If a scout cannot attend both, they will receive a partial.
  • Requirement 4 Cooking at Home: If the Scout brings the Merit Badge Workbook pages for requirement 4 (pages 11-18 Cooking Merit Badge Workbook (OLD)), completed and signed by a parent under requirement 4d, with photos of the prepared meal, then the Merit Badge Counselors will be able to sign this requirement off at the course.
  • Requirement 6 Trail and backpacking meals: Complete the Merit Badge Workbook pages for requirements 6a & b (pages 27-30 Cooking Merit Badge Workbook (OLD)). Bring the food and utensils you will need to prepare your trail breakfast and trail lunch (at least one must be cooked over a trail stove). Trail stoves and some basic equipment will be available on site.
  • Scouts DO NOT need to pack a lunch either day. Please bring extra drinking water.
  • Scouts WILL need to bring food and utensils to cook their planned backpacking meals on Monday, for one person.
  • They WILL NOT need to pack any food for Tuesday: meals will be provided.
  • Scouts should dress for the weather and for cooking. We will be working outdoors in a pavilion.
  • Class B is appropriate.
  • PLEASE ALERT THE COORDINATORS OF ANY FOOD ALLERGIES ASAP!!!!
  • WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE MERIT BADGE, BUT SCOUTS WHO COME WITH THEIR PREREQUISITES COMPLETED WILL ACCOMPLISH ABOUT 75% OF THE MERIT BADGE.

Robotics - July 22

• NOTE: It would be helpful if each scout uses the robotics merit badge workbook to document their research before coming to class.

Rifle Shooting - July 7

• NOTE: 
  • Students bring binoculars. Wear weather-appropriate clothing.
  • This class has a maximum occupancy of 8 youth and runs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Geocaching - July 28

• NOTE: 
  • Wear weather-appropriate clothing and hiking-appropriate footwear. 

Horsemanship - July 29 & July 30

• NOTE:
  • This class requires two days from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm to cover all the material. If a scout cannot attend both, they will receive a partial.
  • This class is split between a 9:00 am to 4:00 pm class at Camp Bucoco, and a 9:00 am to 12:00 pm class at Stormy Harbor Stable, 245 Harmony Rd, Slippery Rock, PA 16057
  • All participants must fill out the participant packet for the stable facility and bring it with them to class. 
  • For the second day of the class, everyone is required to wear long pants (preferably jeans) and closed-toed shoes with preferably some form of heel. The stable provides helmets.
  • Badge Class costs an extra $50 to cover the cost of going to the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center. 

Aviation - August 3

• NOTE: This class will be held off-site at the High Flight Academy: 475 Airport Rd, Butler, PA 16002, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

Shotgun Shooting - August 4 & August 5

• NOTE: 
  • This class requires two days from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Day 1, then 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Day 2 to cover all the material and target shooting. If a scout cannot attend both, they will receive a partial.
  • Wear weather-appropriate clothing. 
  • This class has a maximum occupancy of 8 youth. 
  • Badge Class costs an extra $20 to cover the cost of shotgun shells used by the Scouts.