WHO - Registered members of Scouts, BSA. 

WHEN - Saturday, January 4th, 2025

Where: Rhode Island College, North Providence, RI
Time: 8:00 AM To 4:30 PM

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Report to first class. Patches and meal tickets will be waiting for you in your first class - no check-in at Donovan this year!
4:30 PM Dismissed (Note: There will be NO Closing Assembly)

Half-Day Classes:
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Half Day Morning Session
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Half Day Session Lunch
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Half Day Afternoon Session
All Day Classes:
8:30 AM– 11:00 AM: All Day Morning Session
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: All Day Session Lunch
12:00 PM – 4:30 PM: All Day Afternoon Session

PRICING:

Adventure card holders - In-Council - $50 each (Fees for some classes noted in Course Catalog)

Non-Adventure card holders- Out of Council - $60 each (Fees for some classes noted in Course Catalog)

Cell Phones - A Scout is Courteous - If you must have a cell phone, set it to silent/vibrate. Demonstrate respect for the instructors and other classmates and do NOT make or take calls or text messages during class time.

Registration and payment by Scouts and adults must be made online.  Website features will allow whole Troop registration or individual Scout registration by an adult leader or parent.  Classes will be filled in order of registration.

IMPORTANT:  At least 2 adults from each Troop must register and attend for the day.  If a Troop is NOT registering their Scouts at one time, please ensure that at least 2 adults attend representing that Troop.  This is for the safety of your Scouts.  We ask that adults register for and be available to provide 2-deep leadership in MB classes.

The registration fee covers lunch, patch, facilities, and communication costs. Some classes may require an extra fee. Adults are encouraged to register online to support two-deep leadership coverage of MB classes.  There will be NO REFUNDS. However, you may transfer a scout or scouter registration to another.

Scouts are expected to secure a MB pamphlet in advance of the MBC and to have read it. 

Prerequisite information is included in the course catalog that can be found on the MBC website. It is the Scout’s responsibility to be familiar with and complete any prerequisite, project, or other outside work prior to the MBC and present the work or evidence to the counselor. A note from the Scoutmaster or a signed prior partial MB Card may be useful in this. The Merit Badge Counselor has the discretion to determine if the Scout has met the MB requirements.

Guidance for Scouts Attending the MBC  

The Merit Badge College is an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts in career or lifelong hobby subjects. We seek out experts in areas that may be difficult for you to find such as Drafting or Archeology.

The MBC will publish a course catalog on the MBC website. This catalog will provide a list of every workshop being offered; its schedule; the list of requirements that are prerequisites for the workshop.

If you want an idea of what the Merit Badge is about, there is much information available online. A fantastic resource is the US Scouting Service Project. http://usscouts.org/usscouts/meritbadges.asp.

1.) Pick a Workshop: EXPLORE.

Talk to your parents about which workshop to take.  But in the end, we expect you to select a topic that you truly wish to learn about.  Don’t let your only motivation be an Eagle badge, get outside your comfort zone and try something new.

2.) Consider Your Age

While there is not an age or grade requirement for any merit badge, certain classes at the MBC are recommended for scouts in the 9th grade and older.  This group will include only a few badges such as Environmental Science.  In the short duration of a single day, the nature and amount of material covered in these classes will make it very difficult for a younger scout to keep up.  This can slow the pace of the class and the class will not complete the intended material. We want you to enjoy what you do here so you will do it well.   Be sure to select something age-appropriate and get your Scoutmaster’s approval on a blue Merit Badge Card.

3.) Getting Ready for MBC Day (Read the book) LEARN          LEARN         LEARN         LEARN

OK.  So, you have selected your workshops and registered online.  congratulations!  The next thing that you should do, if you have not already done so, is to get a copy of the Merit Badge pamphlet for yourself.  (Read the book)  You should read through the pamphlet so that you are completely familiar with it. In fact, (read the book) you may want to read it through more than once. (Read the book)

We do not guarantee that you will complete any badge.  Many MB Workshops will have published a list of pre-requisites in the course catalog.  These are requirements that you should complete before MBC day.  When you complete them, bring all material to class with you such as notes, pictures, writings, reports, letters.  (Read the book.) It is up to you to make sure that you complete every requirement. Even if they are not listed, some requirements may by their nature not be doable in a classroom. (Read the book.)  You should at least attempt to complete these before the MBC.  If you can do this, then you will get the most out of the workshop.  If you do not, then you won’t. (Read the book.)

4.) Blue Merit Badge Cards

Your card is your ONLY record of achievement at the MBC.  Keep it safe.  You must have with you a Merit Badge Card for every workshop.  Before the MBC, you should fill out the card with your name, address, Merit Badge, and Troop information.  Your Scoutmaster should sign this card indicating that he approves you taking the class. (Read the book.)  This card will be the ONLY record of your achievement at the MBC.  Counselors are not required to keep records.  Some will but most will not.  You are responsible for your card.  Keep it safe and bring any prerequisite work that you have done (or its proof) with you. Bring your Merit Badge Pamphlet. (Read the book.)
 

Excellence is not an act...Excellence is a habit...Be Excellent

Proper Scout behavior is expected. Each Scout is an ambassador to Rhode Island College.

Each of the two sessions during the day is 3.5 hours. The first session starts at 8:30 and will go until 12:00 noon. Counselors will schedule short breaks. Make sure that you have water and/or snacks if needed. This is a college campus, and you will be walking outdoors in-between buildings, so be dressed for the weather. Donovan Hall will be open for you to wait for your ride until 5:00 PM.

Youth will select from the "Full Day Class list" or the "Half Day Class list".

Registration Changes: If you would like to make a change to your class selections after you have registered sign back into your account using your username and password to make changes. Changes can be made until 12/29/2024.

We look forward to welcoming many new Scouts BSA at the Merit Badge College in January 2025!”