Sioux Council is pleased to present the 2014
Merit Badge Academy
April 25-26, 2014
Mitchell Technical Institute
Dakota Wesleyan University
Mitchell, SD
Merit Badge Academy ’14 is offering 28 merit badges and 7 adult training classes
to choose from. The Academy brings together DWU Professors, MTI Instructors
and other professionals to engage with scouts in a day of learning. Scouts will
have an opportunity to earn one or two merit badges depending on the sessions
choosen. Go to the Sioux Council Web Site for the Registration link.
Merit Badge sessions are either half-day or full-day programs. Class sizes are
limited and are on a first come, first pay bases. All scouts and adults attending the
Academy must be pre-registered. There will be no-walk in registrations accepted.
Registration deadline is April 11, 2014.
Tuition includes a t-shirt, blue card, noon meal, and transportation if needed.
Scouts and Leaders should check the notes and pre-requisites listed in the
Academy Guide book for special details relating to the merit badge.
Friday night camping is available for troops that want to come a day early. Camp
arrangements can be made with Lakeview Campground by calling the camp office
at 605-995-8457. The campground has indoor showers and bathrooms for both
male and female, concessions, drinking water, and fire pits.
Academy Schedule:
7:30-8:30
Registration at Mitchell Technical Institute
8:30
Opening Ceremonies and Announcements
9:00-12:00
Session One
12:00
Lunch
1:00-4:00
Session Two
Sioux Council is pleased to present the
2014 Merit Badge Academy
Merit Badge Academy will provide classes for 28 merit badges. The Academy is
an opportunity for scouts to earn merit badges from professors, instructors, and
other professionals for a unique learning experience.
2014
MERIT BADGE ACADEMY
HANDBOOK
April 25 and 26, 2014
Friday and Saturday
Mitchell, South Dakota
Mitchell Technical Institute
Dakota Wesleyan University
Merit Badge Academy Supporters
Mitchell Technical Institute
Davison County Search and Rescue
Vern Eide Ford
Queen of Peace Hospital
South Dakota National Guard
Mitchell BSA Troop 72
Dakota Wesleyan University
Mitchell Public Safety Fire and Police
Lakeview Animal Clinic
SD Dept of Public Safety
PDG+creative
Mitchell BSA Troop 75
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
FRIDAY EVENING
Troop Camping at Lakeview Campground
Fires in fire pits only
Indoor bathrooms
Indoor Showers
Cost: $4 per person
Reservations recommended for best sites available
TAILGATE SUPPER PROVIDED TO TROOPS CAMPING OVERNIGHT.
EARLY REGISTRATION FOR TROOPS CAMPING FRIDAY NIGHT
NO MERIT BADGE SESSIONS SCHEDULED
SATURDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON
8:00 - 9:00
Registration at South Campus MTI
8:30
Opening Flag Ceremony and Announcements: South Campus MTI
Adult Leaders Strongly Recommended to Attend
Offsite Transportation
8:45
9:00 – 11:00 Merit Badge Session One
12:00 Lunch-Must have Name Tag
Trading Post/Concession Stand Open
12:45
Offsite Transportation Loading
1:00 - 4:00
4:00 - 5:00
Merit Badge Session Two
Check Out at South Campus MTI
Evaluation Cards turned in T-Shirts given to Unit Leaders
FRIDAY NIGHT CHECK-IN AND CAMPING
Check in time will start at 5:00 pm on Friday, April 25 at Lake Mitchell Campground.
Register at the campground office on the main drive. You will receive your camp site location at
the time you sign in. Camp fees are not part of the Merit Badge Academy tuition and need to be
paid to Lake Mitchell Campground. Pre-registration is recommended.
Lake Mitchell Campground: 2601 North Main (North of Corn Palace)
Phone Number: 605-995-8457
Camp fires are permitted on sites with fire grates. No open fires allowed. The campground has
handicap facilities, indoor showers and bathrooms (male and female), drinking water,
concessions, and lake recreation. Several sites have electricity hookups and can be used for an
additional fee. Early MBA registration can also be done by troop camping over night.
The MBA Camping Committee will be cooking grilled burgers for troops camping overnight.
The grill kitchen will be open from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Other fast food restaurants are located
within walking distance of the campground.
No merit badge sessions scheduled for Friday night.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
No Breakfast planned.
Lunch will be served to all participants at the Mitchell Technical Institute. Lunch will be served
between 12:00 and 12:45 pm.
Lunch is included in the Merit Badge Academy tuition.
Merit Badge Academy registration opens at 7:45 am at the MTI South Campus. Signs will direct
Leaders where to check in. Each troop will receive their packet of information when they sign in.
The packet will contain name tags for each paid participant, a list of registered scouts, and merit
badge sessions they are registered for. The list will include the location for each session and
pertinent details relating to the merit badge session.
Each troop will have been given a pre-registration notice prior to Saturday’s event. Each
Scoutmaster is required to check his troop’s packet to confirm their registered classes and note
any changes that may have been made after the pre-registration was sent out.
Opening Ceremonies will begin at 8:30 am at the South Campus Technology Center. All
participants including adult leaders are expected to attend. Announcements and last minute
details will be given at this time.
Transportation will be furnished to participants taking classes at off-site locations. Maps will be
made available from the campground to Mitchell Technical Institute.
At the conclusion of the afternoon session, Unit Leaders need to check out at the registration
table. Unit Leaders will be required to complete and turn in a MBU evaluation. The Unit Leader
will receive their pre-ordered T-Shirts at this time.
CLASS SCHEDULES
Morning classes will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at 12:00 noon.
Afternoon classes will begin at 1:00 pm and conclude at 4:00 pm.
Check out times will begin at 4:00 pm and conclude at 5:00 pm.
Some classes may last all day depending on the requirements needed.
COURSE AVAILABILITY
Class sizes are limited to 15 scouts or less. Several classes will have fewer students due to
instructor/student ratio and availability of space and equipment. Sessions will be filled on a “first
come, first paid” bases. Full payment of a scout’s tuition secures his placement in the classroom.
If the learning material differs substantially from the pre-requisites already provided in this
handout, staff will notify scout units as soon as possible. The goal is to make this a good
learning experience for every scout.
MERIT BADGE SESSIONS
There are two merit badge sessions scheduled for Saturday, giving scouts the opportunity to earn
two merit badges during the event. Scouts should select 4 merit badges on the registration with
the third and fourth merit badges used as alternates. If the merit badge session is an all day event,
the scout should still provide a total of four merit badge selections in case the first is full. If the
Scout chooses a full day merit badge selection, only one merit badge will be earned during the
event. Every Scout should review the Merit Badge Course Guide prior to attending the MBA.
PRE-REQUISITES
Each Scout is expected to do the planning required before registering for a merit badge so that
the time spent during each class session can be as productive as possible. If the pre-requisite are
not completed prior to class time, the Scout will not be able to complete the merit badge during
the event. To receive credit, each Scout must provide signed documentation from a Scoutmaster,
teacher or other Merit Badge Counselor that confirms they completed all pre-requisite
requirements prior to attending any merit badge class that requires a pre-requisite. The use of
Merit Badge worksheets should be used when documenting completed work.
EMERGENCIES
Any medical emergency must be reported to staff. The emergency contact number will be
provided in your packet.
MERIT BADGE WORKSHEETS
The event will require the use of a Merit Badge Worksheet, which can be downloaded for print
by clicking on the Merit Badge link. A copy of the worksheet is required before any scout can
attend class. You should use the worksheet to complete the pre-requisite work needed for
completion of each Merit Badge.
BLUE CARDS
The MBA will provide Blue Cards to every scout attending a merit badge session. The Blue
Card will have the date and name of the session, Counselor name, the completed requirements,
and pre-requisites. MBA and Counselors will not sign off on any other blue card.
UNIT AND INDIVIDUAL SCOUT RESPONSIBLITIES
All units must be under the supervision of their own adult leaders. There must be at least two
adults at MBA at all times and standard BSA Youth Protection guidelines must be followed.
Medical and Parent Consent forms are the responsibility of the troop. Please remind each of your
scouts to practice the “Leave No Trace” Principles and to “Live by the Scout Oath and Law”.
Blue Cards will be handed out at every class. The Blue Card confirms the scout’s presence at the
session and the requirements completed for the course.
Scouts disrupting or not actively participating in the merit badge session will be removed from
the classroom. It will be the responsibility of the unit leader to monitor the scout once he is
removed from the classroom. A scout removed from the session will forfeit his Blue Card.
SCOUT ATTIRE / SCOUT BEHAVIOR
It seems silly that this topic even needs to be mentioned, but the reality is that not all scouts
possess common sense, so we must address these issues.
This is a SCOUTING EVENT and participants are required to be in SCOUT UNIFORM. This
includes the general neatness expectations of wearing a belt and keeping shirttails tucked into
trousers. We don’t care how they dress other places; at MBA, neatness counts! Scouts who are
unwilling to meet our dress code are invited to stay home.
Counselors are giving up their day to share their knowledge and teach classes for scouts who
sincerely want to learn and advance. Most counselors will spend hours of advance preparation in
an effort to make the subject interesting. The bringing and use of gum, snacks, toys, playing
cards, personal electronics, cell phones and similar items is rude, disrespectful, and disruptive.
Just like in school, any such items will be confiscated and scouts can pick up the items at the end
of the day. All participants must sign up and attend classes each period they are on campus; and
they must attend the classes for which they are registered. Scouts may not simply change classes
without permission from the registrar, nor may they wander the halls. Scouts must be, and will
be, under adult supervision at all times.
We work very hard to create a serious educational environment at MBA. Scouts who wish to
view this program as a “play day” should not bother to come. Please explain these expectations
to your scouts and make sure they understand them.
ADULT TRAINING
Adult leaders will have an opportunity to attend several training sessions throughout the day.
Check the MBA registration form for the time and training programs scheduled.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
Every effort has been made to provide the highest quality program possible. All information in
this handout was accurate at the time of printing. However, an individual merit badge may have
to be cancelled or changed due to unforeseen circumstances. If this happens, staff will make
every attempt to notify the affected individuals in a timely fashion.
Request for refund or cancellations will be honored anytime up to April 11th.
PRE-REGISTRATION, FEES, AND TUITION
Registrations and tuition fees are due at the Sioux Council office by April 11, 2014.
No registrations will be taken after the April 11th deadline. No walk-ins will be allowed to
register or attend the Academy. Full payment of a scout’s tuition secures their placement in the
merit badge session.
Merit Badge Academy tuition is $30 per individual Scout.
Adult training sessions are $18 per individual adult.
A confirmation email will be sent within 10 days of receipt of your registration.
Registration includes name tags, insurance, facility costs for classes, Friday night supper and
lunch, transportation costs if needed, t-shirt, and miscellaneous expenses. Some individual merit
badge classes require an additional fee for that merit badge. Please include the cost of additional
merit badge tuition costs to your registration total. Registration and payment can be sent to:
BSA SIOUX COUNCIL
800 N. WEST AVE
SIOUX FALLS, SD 57104
Make checks payable to Sioux Council. Please note Merit Badge Academy on your check
MERIT BADGE ACADEMY 2014
MERIT BADGE NOTES AND PRE-REQUISITES
ART
Pre requisite: 4
Notes: Morning Session Only
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Art merit badge pamphlet and workbook.
AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE
Pre requisite: 1,2a, 2h, 2i, 11, 12
Location: Vern Eide Ford Car Dealership
BACKPACKING/HIKING
Pre requisite: Backpacking: 6b, 8bcd, 9, 10, 11
Hiking: 4, 5, 6, 7
Note: Morning Session Only
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Backpacking/Hiking merit badge pamphlet and workbook
BIRD STUDY
Pre requisite: 5, 6, 8
Location: Dakota Wesleyan University, Will spend time outside, dress for the weather
Bring to Class: BINOCULARS, Bird Study merit badge pamphlet and workbook
CAMPING
Pre requisite: 3, 4, 5e, 7, 8cd, 9, 10
Note: Afternoon Session Only
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Camping merit badge pamphlet and workbook
CHEMISTRY
Pre requisite: 4a
Note: All Day Session; Will be a Field Trip in the Afternoon. Dress for the weather.
Location: Dakota Wesleyan Campus
Bring to Class: Chemistry merit badge pamphlet and workbook
COIN COLLECTING
Pre requisite: 7, 9, 10
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: BSA Coin Collecting Coin Folder , Coin Collecting Book and workbook
COOKING
Pre requisite: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Notes: Morning Session Only
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Cooking merit badge pamphlet and workbook
DISABILITIES AWARENESS
Pre requisite: 4
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Disabilities Awareness merit badge pamphlet and workbook
ELECTRICITY
Pre requisite: 2, 8, 9a
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Electricity merit badge pamphlet and workbook
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Pre requisite: 6
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Entrepreneurship merit badge pamphlet and workbook
FARM MECHANICS
Pre requisite: 5, 7
Notes: Recommend bringing a set of old clothes
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Farm Mechanics merit badge pamphlet and workbook
FINGERPRINTING
Pre requisite: None
Location: Mitchell Dept of Public Safety Police Division
Bring to Class: Fingerprinting merit badge pamphlet and workbook
FIRE SAFETY AND FIREMAN CHIT
Pre requisite: 6a, 12 (Bring note from parent and fire safety plan)
Location: Mitchell Dept of Public Safety Fire Division
Bring to Class: Fire Safety merit badge pamphlet and workbook.
GENEALOGY
Pre requisite: 2, 3, 6, 7
Notes: Strongly recommend pre requisite be done and brought to class for research.
Location: South Campus MTI
Bring to Class: Genealogy merit badge pamphlet and workbook
GEOLOGY combined with Plant Science and Soil and Water Conservation
Pre requisite: 4
Notes: All Day Session; Field trip in the afternoon, dress for the weather
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Geology merit badge pamphlet and workbook
HIKING see Backpacking
PHOTOGRAPHY
Pre requisite: Bring Photographs for Requirement #4
Notes: Afternoon Session Only
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Photography merit badge pamphlet and workbook
PLANT SCIENCE combined session with Geology and Soil and Water Conservation
Pre requisite: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Requirement 6, 7A and/or 7C to be done in class)
Notes: All Day Session; Field trip in the afternoon, dress for the weather
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Plant Science merit badge pamphlet and workbook.
PLUMBING
Pre requisite: 1
Notes: Limited to 8 Participants per session
Location: Queen of Peace Hospital
Bring to Class: Plumbing merit badge pamphlet and workbook
RADIO
Pre requisite: 3, 5, 6, 8
Note: All Day Session
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Radio merit badge pamphlet and workbook
REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN STUDY
Pre requisite: 8, 9, 10
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Reptile and Amphibian Study merit badge pamphlet and workbook
ROBOTICS
Pre requisite: 1, 2, 3, 7
Note: All Day Session
Location: South MTI Campus
Bring to Class: Robotic merit badge pamphlet and workbook
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Pre requisite: 4, 5, 10
Notes: Several requirements will be done outside. Scouts need to dress for the weather
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Search and Rescue merit badge pamphlet and workbook.
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION combined with Geology and Plant Science
Pre requisite: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 (7 may be worked on depending on time)
Notes: All Day Session; Field trip in the afternoon, dress for the weather
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Soil and Water Conservation merit badge pamphlet and workbook
TRAFFIC SAFETY
Pre requisite: None
Location: South Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Traffic Safety merit badge pamphlet and workbook
VETERINARY MEDICINE
Pre requisite: None
Notes: Limited to 3 Participants per Session
Location: Lakeview Vet Clinic
Bring to Class: Veterinary Medicine merit badge pamphlet and workbook
WELDING
Pre requisite: 7
Notes: Scouts must bring an old pair of jeans, an old long sleeve shirt and a pair of shoes
to participate in class. Scouts will be able to change into their old clothes during
class.
Scouts wearing shorts, open-toed shoes, and/or short sleeve or sleeveless shirts will
not be allowed to weld.
Location: North Campus-MTI
Bring to Class: Welding merit badge pamphlet and workbook; proper clothing