Overview

New This Year

A few additions have been added to the Merit Badge College program for 2008.

• Adult Leader Classes:  During the merit badge sessions, adult leader classes will be offered as an optional and free service to leaders.  All scout leaders and parents are welcome to participate.  A schedule of events will be given out after the opening of registration.
• Official T-shirt: An official Merit Badge College 2008 t-shirt will be offered for preorder with registration.  The cost will be $10 and can be sent in as part of the registration check.  Check back at registration time for the official design.
• Blue Card Policy: There has been a change to the blue card policy for 2008.  Troops are now asked to send in completed blue cards for each merit badge their scouts are taking by January 27th, one week after the closing of registration.  Doing so will reduce the confusing of the first session, and will allow us to serve you more effectively.   

Registration

For Merit Badge College 2008, troops will have to sign up online. Course sign up will be on a first come, first serve basis. Using online registration, Scoutmasters can immediately determine course availability and troop status. Registering online will also enable Scoutmasters to find and easily solve scheduling problems on the fly.

Epsilon Tau Pi encourages troops to pre-register online to ensure a position in classes for each scout.

Registration Period

Your primary contact will be sent information regarding the scout signup period, which will last from November 26, 2007 to January 20, 2008. Class space is limited, so act quickly.

When registering, it is important to provide a valid email address and a valid mailing address. Both are necessary to receive updates and information about MBC and to receive blue cards after MBC has concluded.

Cost

The cost of Merit Badge College 2008 is $10.00 per scout. When sending payment, please send only one check from your troop. Include the filled out blue cards with your payment (See Requirements section below). We will not be accepting payments after February 2, 2008, so please send the payment by mail as soon as possible.

Day of Registration

Day of registration will not be permitted this year.
There are several reasons for this:

• Counselors will receive up-to-date rosters from the start of the first session
• Scheduling conflicts due to late registration will be eliminated
• Provide a better overall experience for scouts and scoutmasters

Requirements

Properly filled out blue cards are essential to the smooth operation of MBC. In order to be accepted into MBC, each troop must provide legible blue cards with the scoutmaster signature, troop, district, council, and merit badge name for each scout.

This year, in order to reduce the confusion and paperwork of registration day, we are asking that you send in the filled out blue cards no later than January 27, 2008.