What an amazing weekend at Merit Badge University 4, organized and implemented by Troop 214! Thank you to the numerous volunteers and counselors who donated your time. We had 535 registered Scouts and around 150 registered adults – making this the biggest and most successful Merit Badge University yet.
We were very excited to partner this year with Montana Wild and the Northern Rockies Blacksmith Association to offer archery and metal work. These additions fit superbly into the over 40 course options offered this year, ranging from pioneering, geocaching and moviemaking to robotics, chemistry and aviation – to only name a few.
For those who stayed the night on Friday, the addition of Tent City – where troops could elect to pitch their tents on the football field rather than sleeping in the gym – was a welcome way to score a little more “elbow room.” Plus who wouldn’t rather sleep under the Helena stars.
Again, Carroll College exceeded our expectations with providing a collegiate atmosphere and resources that are not readily available in other cities.
“It’s all about the advantages for the Scouts,” said Beth Wheeler, one of the event organizers, Carroll College employee and Troop 214 Committee Chair. “Such a program provides resources that Scouts may not have access to in their own areas. It opens up a menu to the boys of topics they may have not even thought to consider given their location.
“Things like access to a chemistry lab and observatory are not readily available in other settings.,” said Wheeler. “Getting (Scouts) to spend the day having fun on a college campus, successfully transitioning from class to class, partaking of the dining hall bounty and interacting with friendly helpful teachers will hopefully go a long way in encouraging them to consider college in their own futures.”
Work on MBU5 is already underway and is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, 2017 – no joke! – with the overnight option on Friday, March 31, 2017.
PLEASE HELP as we are in need of more adults to assist in the classes next year. We would like to start an email communications group so:
If anyone would like to receive info via email or if they are willing to help out at MBU5, please email Beth Wheeler at MontanaWheelers@bresnan.net
We would especially like to thank event sponsors: Carroll College, Helena College, Allegra Marketing, Great West Engineering, KLJ Engineering, and Exploration Works. We truly could not make this event happen without your assistance.
