MERIT BADGE MIDWAY - Black Hills Area Council

MERIT BADGE MIDWAY
& ADULT TRAINING EXTRAVAGANZA

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Table of Contents
What is Merit Badge Midway? ....................................................................................................... 4
New This Year ............................................................................................................................. 4
What is STEM? ............................................................................................................................ 4
What are the Nova Awards? ....................................................................................................... 4
What is Adult Training Extravaganza? ............................................................................................ 4
General Information ....................................................................................................................... 5
Locations ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Transportation and Travel .............................................................................................................. 6
BHAC TOUR PLAN GUIDELINES ................................................................................................... 6
Schedule .......................................................................................................................................... 7
Overall Schedule ......................................................................................................................... 7
Registration and Fees ...................................................................................................................... 7
MBM Registration Fees ............................................................................................................... 7
Merit Badge Specific Fees ........................................................................................................... 7
Training Registration Fees........................................................................................................... 7
Overnight Lodging Fees .............................................................................................................. 7
Registration Verification & Check-in ............................................................................................... 7
Payments......................................................................................................................................... 8
BHAC ACTIVITY REFUND POLICY ................................................................................................. 8
Lodging ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Scout Spirit ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Preparation ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Merit Badge Offerings ................................................................................................................... 10
Expected Offerings .................................................................................................................... 10
Counselor Information .................................................................................................................. 10
Attention Scouts ........................................................................................................................... 11

What is Merit Badge Midway?
A Merit Badge Midway features many exciting hands-on activities for Scouts. While they have
the opportunity to practice many skills related to the merit badges, they also meet and
complete some of the requirements of the badge(s) onsite, while other requirements may be
completed at home. By the same token, some merit badge work is begun at home and may be
completed at the Merit Badge Midway.
“You can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers as you earn
these merit badges. There are more than 100 merit badges. Any Boy Scout may earn any merit
badge at any time. You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible.” –
scouting.org
Merit Badges are the second main area of the Boy Scout advancement program. Unlike ranks,
there is a degree of choice in the merit badge program. A sub-group of merit badges are known
as Eagle required merit badges. To earn Eagle Scout, most of these badges must be earned
although some are "either/or" badges. The remainder of the badges help with earning ranks as
well as Eagle Palms after the Eagle Scout award has been earned.
New This Year
Merit Badge sessions will be designated with an Eagle Required indicator, a STEM Program
indicator, or a Venturing indicator.
What is STEM?
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is part of an initiative the BSA
has taken on to encourage the natural curiosity of youth members and their sense of
wonder about these fields through existing programs. From archery to welding, Scouts
can't help but enjoy the wide range of STEM-related activities. To support this initiative, the
BSA developed the Nova Awards program so that youth members have fun and receive
recognition for their efforts.
What are the Nova Awards?
The BSA developed the Nova Awards program to excite and expand a sense of wonder in
our Scouts. By working with an adult counselor or mentor, the various modules allow them
to explore the basic principles of STEM and discover how fun and fascinating STEM can be.
The Supernova awards are offered for those who enjoy a super challenge. For more
information about STEM and the Nova Awards program, visit www.scouting.org/stem.
Discover how the Nova Awards program helps youth be "Prepared. For Life."
What is Adult Training Extravaganza?
The Training Extravaganza is for leaders from an entire council or district and takes place in a
festive atmosphere. Sessions are taught by volunteers who share not just their knowledge but
their passion about their subject.

The Training Extravaganza is a one-day "convention." Each Scoutmaster or Cubmaster should
take all leaders to this extravaganza. It's a time for experienced, new, and prospective leaders
to share ideas and see what the other troops and packs are doing. Often the ones who learn
the most are the volunteer instructors. The way to really learn a topic is to teach it.
General Information
All Scouts participating in the Merit Badge Midway must be registered by the unit leader. Adult
Leaders attending adult leader training must be registered on the meritbadge.info site under
Black Hills Area Council Adult Training Extravaganza 2013.
All other adult leaders who want to receive a lunch MUST register on the meritbadge.info site
under ABA Attendance by Adult under Black Hills Area Council Adult Training Extravaganza
2013. Non-registered adults will not be provided lunch.
Locations
S.D. School of Mines & Technology Classroom Building
501 East Saint Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701
Butler Machinery Company
4601 Deadwood Avenue, Rapid City, SD 57702
National Weather Service
300 East Signal Drive, Rapid City, SD 57701
Rapid City Regional Airport
4550 Terminal Road, Rapid City, SD 57703

Western Dakota
800 Mickelson Drive, Rapid City, SD 57701
Transportation and Travel
Transportation to and from the SDSM&T campus and any offsite locations will be provided by
home unit.
Tour Plans must be completed in accordance with National and Council guidelines.
BHAC TOUR PLAN GUIDELINES
• Times when a tour plan must be submitted for Council review include:
o Trips of 500 miles or more
• Trips outside of council borders not to a council-owned property
• Trips to any national high-adventure base, national Scout jamboree, National
Order of the Arrow Conference, or regionally sponsored event.
• When conducting the following activities outside of council or district events:
o Aquatics activities (swimming, boating, floating, scuba, etc.)
o Climbing and rappelling
o Orientation flights (process flying permit)
o Shooting sports
o Any activities involving motorized vehicles as part of the program
(snowmobiles, boating, etc.)
• At a council’s request
o When attending/conducting events other than at your regular meeting
place
o (Note: this does include District and Council events.)
o When travel by youth is needed to attend an event, such as: National
Youth Leadership Training, Order of the Arrow Ordeal or Conclave, etc.
o When traveling with any youth other than your own riding in your vehicle.
• Please complete and submit this plan at least 21 days in advance to ensure your
council has enough time to review the plan and assist you in updating the plan if it
is found defective.
• When review(s) are complete, the second half of the plan is returned to you to
carry on your travels.
• You are strongly encouraged to file these plans electronically through MyScouting.

Schedule
Merit Badge Midway will be held Saturday, March 2nd, from 8:00am – 4:00pm. There are four
Merit Badge sessions this year.
Overall Schedule
7:00 am Registration Verification & Check-in
8:00 am Session One
9:45 am Session Two
11:30 am Lunch
12:30 pm Session Three
2:15 pm Session Four
There are several offsite locations that may have different start and end times; check the 2013
Black Hills Area Council Merit Badge Midway site for details.
Registration and Fees
Register online at www.meritbadge.info under the 2013 Black Hills Area Council Merit Badge
Midway option or Black Hills Area Council Adult Training Extravaganza 2013 option. Online
registrations are due no later than February 25th. There will be no late registrations allowed.
NOTE: Check the site frequently for merit badge session updates
MBM Registration Fees
Merit Badge Sessions (with Meal) ................................................. $20.00 per Scout
Meal Only .......................................................................................... $5.00 per adult
Merit Badge Specific Fees
Robotics......................................................................... $30.00 for USE of Robot Kit
Robotics..................................................................................... $90.00 for Robot Kit
Space Exploration ......................................................... $10.00 for Rocket & Engine
Training Registration Fees
Under 4 Hours-with Meal ................................................... $15.00 per adult leader
Over 4 Hours-with Meal ...................................................... $20.00 per adult leader
Overnight Lodging Fees
SDNG Camp Rapid ............................................................................ $7.50 per guest
No walk-ins will be allowed March 2, 2013 the day of Merit Badge Midway. All Scouts and adult
leader participants need to be registered. There is no way to update the counselor's roster on
the day of Merit Badge Midway.
Registration Verification & Check-in
Registration verification, check-in and payment will begin at 7:00 am in the Classroom Building
room 203. Scouts do not need to participate in registration verification, and should not be in
room 203.

Scouts that have registered for a Merit Badge session located at an offsite location will need to
be on time for the scheduled session. Leaders should plan appropriately to have registration
verification completed in a timely manner AND have Scouts to offsite locations on time.
Payments
Payment is to be made in full during Registration Verification and check-in on March
2nd. Advanced payments will be accepted at the Black Hills Area Council office.
Payment will be accepted in the form of a unit check, personal check, or cash. No credit or
debit cards will be accepted. All checks need to be payable to: Black Hills Area Council.
Important Note: Do not combine payments for Merit Badge sessions and Adult Training
Extravaganza, please make separate payments.
Refunds will be authorized per the Black Hills Area Council Activity Refund Policy.
BHAC ACTIVITY REFUND POLICY
Food and program supplies are purchased in advance based upon projected
youth/adult attendance. Last minute cancellations create an overstock of supplies
and food that often times cannot be returned. To ensure all requests receive uniform
treatment, the following refund policy has been established:
• “No Shows” at activities, those sent home because of misbehavior, and Scouts
leaving an activity for non-emergency reasons forfeit all fees and no refunds
will be authorized. This applies to individuals and/or units.
• All cancellations must be in writing and received by the Council office at least
five (5) calendar days prior to an activity’s start date. Please return request
addressed to the Attention of the “Refund Committee”.
• The unit leader or person in charge of the unit activity must handle all refund
requests.
• No requests for refunds will be honored after the event.
• Refund checks will be made out to the “unit” rather than an individual.
NOTE: Activity personnel cannot authorize refunds. All refunds require the
approval of the Refund Committee which includes the Scout Executive.

Lodging
PLEASE RETURN YOUR REQUEST TO: Black Hills Area Council, BSA
Attention: Refund Committee
144 North Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
Lodging for out of Council and BHAC out of town units will be available at the SDNG Camp Rapid
facility.
Register for lodging under LODGING on the meritbadge.info site; make sure to choose youth
female and youth male and adult female and adult male.
The SDNG will not provide bedding, so individuals will be required to provide their own sleeping
bag and/or blanket, pillow and toiletries.
Saturday breakfast will be on your own.
Remember that the SDNG Camp Rapid is an active US Army Base - adhere to all rules and
regulations and act accordingly.
Scout Spirit
Scouts and adult leader participants will need to show Scout spirit by wearing a complete Scout
uniform while at Merit Badge Midway, unless specifically requested not to for a specific session
(i.e., Farm Mechanics, Automotive Mechanics, Metalworking, etc.).
The Scout Oath and Scout Law shall be enforced for Merit Badge Midway. A Scout whose
behavior and conduct that is not consistent with the Scout Oath and Scout Law will be asked to
leave the classroom. Merit badge counselors will make decisions whether or not a Scout is
asked to leave due to behavior; his/her decision will be final. Adult leader participants and
additional adults must supervise their Scouts.
Discipline is the responsibility of the Scoutmaster and adult leaders and not the merit badge
counselors. Adult leaders that are not taking adult training will need to be in the merit badge
classrooms assisting the counselor.
Preparation
Scouts need to Be Prepared for the merit badge session that they are taking by reading the
merit badge book and having the appropriate merit badge worksheet. Scouts wishing to
complete a merit badge in session MUST complete the prerequisites requirements prior to the
session.
Prerequisites for a merit badge are listed on the 2013 Black Hills Area Council Merit Badge
Midway site.

Not all merit badges can be or will be completed at the Merit Badge Midway. Some Scouts may
only earn a partial merit badge and the remaining requirements will need to be completed at
their home unit.
NOTE: Unit leaders are responsible to track and obtain a completed and partially earned merit
badge list from the 2013 Black Hills Area Council Merit Badge Midway site.
Merit Badge Offerings
Merit Badges offered are subject to change based on the merit badge counselor availability
and/or meeting minimum session size requirements. The BHAC reserves the right to limit the
number of session participants and to cancel any merit badge session.
Merit Badge sessions may have age and size restrictions, these restrictions were coordinated
with the Merit Badge counselor. Details are available on the 2013 Black Hills Area Council
Merit Badge Midway site.
Expected Offerings
American Business
Art
Auto Mechanics
Cinematography
Citizenship of the Community
Citizenship of the Nation
Citizenship of the World
Coin Collecting
Communications
Crime Prevention
Den Chief Training
Eagle coaching
Electricity
Emergency Preparedness
Energy
Environmental Science
Farm Mechanics
Finger Printing
Fire Safety
First Aid
Counselor Information
First Aid Requirements – First
Class
First Aid Requirements –
Tenderfoot & Second Class
Fishing
Forestry
Geocaching
Law
Metalwork
Music
Personal Management
Photography
Public Speaking
Railroading
Robotics
Scouting Heritages
Scouting.org Online Training
Space Exploration
Traffic Study
Weather
Merit Badge counselors will take attendance at each session, updating the roster provided for
each merit badge session.
Counselors will not allow Scouts that are not registered and on the merit badge roster to
participate in the merit badge session. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Attention Scouts
Want to participate at the 2014 Merit Badge Midway for free?
Submit your ideas for the 2014 Merit Badge Midway patch to the BHAC office NO LATER THAN
August 1, 2013. All submitted patch designs will be reviewed by the Merit Badge Midway
Committee. The winning Scout will be notified in September 2013.
Claim a little piece of Scouting history as your own. Good Luck!!
SAVE THE DATE
MERIT BADGE MIDWAY
& ADULT TRAINING EXTRAVAGANZA

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Black Hills Area Council
144 North Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
P 605.342.2824 * F 605.342.2826
www.blackhillsareacouncil.com