MERIT BADGE DAY

Process Explained

• Enrollment period will almost always be offered way in advance to the date of the event.
  • Parents, you may need to step in at the start of the merit badge process. Your son most assuredly will not know of a merit badge day opportunities unless it is announced at one of the troop meetings. There is absolutely no reason why a parent can not actively search out merit badge day opportunities. Or better yet, encourage your son to find out more opportunities on his own.
    • By attending every troop meeting the scout will be told of up coming merit badge opportunities.
    • Your local Scout Shop typically has fliers available.
    • Once a month there is a Boy Scout meeting called Roundtable (see calendars). At the back of the meeting room is a very long table with loads of fliers about upcoming scouting events. Parents can attend this meeting. Show up before the meeting begins and scour the table for merit badge information.
    • Web sites may list opportunities.

  Tip: You can go outside of the Portola District and participate in any merit badge day unless there is a stipulation otherwise by the host. Check to make sure by contacting the event organizer or registrar.

  • You will probably see the term "No Walk In". Enrollment is typically denied for those people that do not enroll prior to the event. Walking in at the last minute in an attempt to participate in the event is disruptive to a smooth operating event. The hosting group typically does not like this as they can not calculate class size and thus they do not allow this practice. So please enroll well in advance.
  • Enrollment might be at a cheaper cost to you, closer to the start of the event being publicized. The cost just might go up after a certain date. Just be aware that this might be a stipulation.
• There usually will be a cost for your son to enroll in the event.
  • The cost may offer with or without lunch option. If you choose a without lunch option (cheaper cost to you), there is absolutely no reason you son can not take a sack lunch if he will stay and participate in the afternoon sessions. Some times the event documentation will tell you if snacks and lunch items can be purchased at the event site.
• Take a look at the proposed schedule offered for the day. Determine how many possible merit badges your son can work on. Typically there is a morning session and an afternoon session. We encourage your son to participate in all the possible sessions for the following reasons:
  • If you are paying the registration fee it stands to reason to get your full money out of this opportunity. Typically, if you do not stay the whole day, your registration fees will not be any less.
  • Middle school and high school boys, if active in sports and school activities, may translate into heavy impacted schedules. The parents schedules may be toast too for the same reason if the parents do the driving. It stands to reason to stay the whole day and get the most out of the merit badge opportunity to better manage you limited time.
  • The merit badge process is an integral part of scouting. It is an excellent learning and career exploring process that will benefit your son.
• When filling out the registration, you typically will note that there are more choices for merit badges to work on then there are sessions available. The reason for this is it is very typical that your son will not get all his choices due to the limited class size. If there are 4 sessions total for the day, then be prepared to list 6 or more merit badges in case your son is denied any of his first picks. Do list them in order of your son's interests.
• Please be aware that the registration process typically is first come first serve. The classes do fill up for the more popular merit badges. Please realize that the longer you wait to register, the more there is a chance that one or more of your son's merit badge picks may not be available to him. Popular merit badges will be filled first.
• If you son wants to achieve Eagle then you might want to entertain the possibility of starting on the Eagle merit badges. Some of these badges can take some time to complete. Here is a list of Eagle merit badges with a web site link:
  • Camping
  • Citizenship in the Community
  • Citizenship in the Nation
  • Citizenship in the World
  • Communications
  • Cycling
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Environmental Science
  • Family Life
  • First Aid
  • Hiking
  • Lifesaving
  • Personal Fitness
  • Personal Management
  • Swimming