Baylor To Host Boy Scout Merit Badge College Nov. 15 And 22
More than 800 Boy Scouts, scoutmasters and merit badge counselors will be on the Baylor University campus from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 15, and again Saturday, Nov. 22, for the Heart O' Texas Council Merit Badge College. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. each Saturday in Waco Hall. Classes will be held at various sites across campus.
Since 1993, the two-Saturday event has allowed Boy Scouts ages 11 to 17 to work on the necessary badges to advance towards the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouts will choose from 41 merit badge classes on topics such as atomic energy, citizenship, rock climbing, crime prevention and fingerprinting, emergency preparedness, graphic arts, journalism, space exploration, veterinary medicine and weather. Baylor faculty and registered Scout leaders will serve as instructors.
"Usually a Scout works on merit badges through appointments with a merit badge counselor, so depending on the initiative of the Scout and the number of qualified counselors, that may take awhile," said Dr. Greg Benesh, professor of physics and Merit Badge College director. "This gives Scouts a boost towards advancement through the ranks to Eagle Scout."
Benesh will be among the Baylor faculty members who will be involved in the Merit Badge College. Others include Wickram Ariyasinghe and Dwight Russell (physics); Jim Karban, Kevin Pinney and Chuck Garner (chemistry); Ben Pierce (biology); Don Greene, Vince Cronin and Rena Bonem (geology); Denny Kramer (information systems); Ray Nazzario and Michelle Toon (information technology), and Clif Mouser (Baptist Student Ministries). Baylor President Robert B. Sloan will greet Scouts from 7:15 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in Waco Hall.
The Merit Badge College also will include the Liberty Program at the Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village. Scouts who are working on requirements for their first three ranks will learn several skills including knife, ax and saw safety, first aid and map and compass skills.
For more information, Benesh will be available both Saturdays at Waco Hall or by mobile phone at (254) 715-7525.