Join us May 14-16 for the Lake of the Ozarks Merit Badge College 2021 at the Lake of the Ozarks Scout Reservation! Here you will find all the information you need regarding the merit badge course catalog, prequisites, & camping options. Merit badges will be offered on both Saturday all day and Sunday half-day. Please review the information below:

Registration deadline is May 9th at 11:59pm.

Scout cost (all registrations include instruction, facilities, camping, & patch)
$37 per Scout (Saturday & Sunday) - includes lunch Saturday and a grab n' go snack Sunday
$25 per Scout (Saturday only) - includes lunch Saturday
$12 per Scout (Sunday only) - includes grab n' go snack Sunday
 
Adult cost (all registrations include facilities, camping, & patch)
$20 per Adult (Saturday & Sunday) - includes lunch Saturday and a grab n' go snack Sunday
$12 per Adult (Saturday only) - includes lunch Saturday
$8 per Adult (Sunday only) - includes grab n' go snack Sunday

Be sure to order an optional event t-shirt! T-shirts are $15 each. Pre-order in the registration to guarantee your size.

Social distancing guidelines will be followed and masks are encouraged. Masks will be required in all indoor facilities. Please bring your own masks. 

Directions to the Lake of the Ozarks Scout Reservation

Map of Lake the Ozarks Scout Reservation

Camping: Camping will be available Friday & Saturday evening.  Please indicate in the registration what nights you will be camping or if you will not be camping. Once registered, camp sites will be assigned. You will receive notification of your campsite approximately a week before the event. If you have any questions, please contact Camp Director, Dennis Kerns.

Restrooms/Showerhouses: Restrooms and showerhouses are located at Show n' Do, Cherokee, Program Building, and the Welcome Center/Pool Area

Campfires: There are fire pits at each campsite.  In addition, there are fire barrels in each shelter. Units may bring their own firewood and charcoal.  You can also purchase charcoal. Please contact Dennis Kerns if you need to purchase charcoal.

Overnight Accomdations: If you are not planning on camping but would like to stay overnight, there are a few options available near camp:

1. Lake House Inn (closest to camp, 245 S Main St Laurie, MO 65038) - (573) 374-7744

2. Water's Edge Motel (about 20 minute drive from camp, 25587 MO-5, Gravois Mills, MO 65037) - (573) 372-2201

Meals: Lunch Saturday and a grab n' go snack Sunday are provided.  Units and attendees will need to provide other meals. Please bring cooking gear, etc. if applicable.

Trading Post: the Trading Post will be open! Get camping gear, t-shirts, snacks, and more!

Things to do: Adult, parents, & siblings are more than welcome to join their Scouts with their meirt badges.  If you are interested in hiking, we highly encourage you to hike the Kit Carson Trail. It is an 8 mile hike that will take you around the Lake of the Ozark Scout Reservation. Find more information below.

Kit Carson Trail

Merit Badge Course Catalog & Prerequisites

Please view our course catalog (see attachments) for a full list of merit badges & their prerequisites. You can also download & print a course catalog at the link below.  More badges may be added. 

 If there is a prerequisite listed, Scouts must complete the prerequisites before the day of the event and must either bring proof of completion to the class (i.e. the actual work which was completed/pre-requisites completed in the actual workbook and brought with them) or bring a signed prerequiste completion form (see attachmetns).  If the Scout does not complete these prerequisites, he or she will not complete the badge and will receive a partial which will require follow up with a different counselor after the event. Proof of having completed pre-requisite work WILL BE RETAINED by the counselors and kept with event records, so BE SURE to keep a copy for yourself beforehand.

Lake of the Ozarks Merit Badge College 2021 Course Catalog, Updated 4/8/21 (Click to access)

The most updated merit badge workbooks if you wish use them, are available HERE.

*In order for a Scout to participate in the Canoeing, Kayaking, Rowing, Small-Boat Sailing, or Water Sports merit badges, he or she must have proof of a qualified swim test (see pre-camp swim test form in attachments) or have already earned the Swimming Merit Badge. You must bring proof to your counselor. Scouts who cannot prove that they have a qualified swim test or that they have already earned the Swimming Merit Badge will not be able to participate in the designated activities.

^The Brownsea program is aimed at 11-year old Scouts, or those that have recently crossed over from Webelos. It is designed to give a new Scout the basic camping skill he or she needs and will include many requirements for rank advancement through First Class. Scouts will not complete merit badges but instead work on the required rank advacements from Scout to 1st Class.

&Must be at least 13 years of age to participate in Climbing Merit Badge

%If a Scout is 11-13 years of age, they must have an adult accompanying them during the actual welding portion of the merit badge. 13+ Scouts may weld alone.  

LOTOSR Merit Badge College Refund Policy: 

Refund requests must be submitted prior to April 30th, 2021. If the refund is granted, a 25% readiness fee will be withheld. After April 30th, no refunds will be granted, no exceptions - other than for cancellation of a class.  A unit leader, parent, or Scout may only request a refund of the fees under the following conditions:

     1 - Illness or serious accident of the Scout prevents his or her attendance at the Merit Badge College.

     2 - A family illness or an emergency prevents the Scout's attendance at the Merit Badge College.

If you need to request a refund, please contact Charles Wood at charles.wood@scouting.org.