2018 Merit Badge University Leaders Guide

February 24th

MSUB Billings, MT

Sponsored By:

Welcome!Welcome to Merit Badge University at Montana State University-Billings! We’re excited to see the campus turn into a sea of Scouts again, and become a tremendous learning environment for Scouts across Montana.

LocationThe location for MBU will be at MSUB, 1500 University Dr., Billings, Montana.

Schedule at a Glance12/02/17 – List of classes posted online at meritbadgeu.wordpress.com1/04/18, 9:00am – Online registration opens2/7/18 – Last day to register

Friday Night 2/235:00pm Campus opens to Scouts.7:00pm-10:00pm Outdoor Games, and other Events10:30pm Quiet time.11:00pm Lights out.

Saturday 2/246:00am Wake up, put tent/all gear back in vehicles by 7:00am.6:30am Breakfast for those who stayed overnight. Ticket required.6:45am Check-in opens for troops arriving Saturday morning.7:30am Check-in closes.7:45am Please have a seat in the gym.8:00am Opening Ceremony in the gym.8:00am-2:00pm Council Trading Post open.8:30am Morning session begins.11:45am-1:30pm Lunch shifts (depends on lunch shift assigned).1:15pm-1:30pm Afternoon sessions begin (depends on lunch shift assigned).5:00pm Classes end. Return to PETRO Hall, outside of theater. Troop check out beforeleaving.

********Adult Leadership Training Opportunity: 8:30am to 4:30pm

Please let Office know how many adults when sending in Registration Payment, no fee required.

Class RegistrationRegistration opens on 1/04/2018 and closes 2/07/2018Only online class registration on Tentaroo is accepted. A single Troop Representative willneed to register all members of the troop. It is highly suggested that you access yourTentaroo account and build your roster of participants ahead of time. If you wait until the dayregistration opens you may not be able to complete this step quickly enough to secure thedesired classes before they fill up and close. Registration opens on a Saturday morning andCouncil will not be available to help with creating new passwords, etc., so it is advised yougain access and become familiar with your account beforehand.

Please review the list of Merit Badge classes offered at this year’s MBU and help your Scoutsdetermine what classes they would be interested in and best suited to take. It is veryimportant that leaders help their Scouts choose a badge that is appropriate to their age, rankand maturity level. Please go over the requirements with your Scouts before they are signedup and make sure they know what will be expected of them.

To assist in the registration process, have each of your Scouts fill out a copy of the classworksheet, which will be posted with the final class schedule on December 27, before you goonline to register for MBU. It will help expedite your troop’s registration. Adult registration is

also required to attend adult training classes. See the instructions for using Tentaroo at theback of this guide.

Registration FeeThe cost for each Scout is $15. This includes lunch, a patch and many other supplies andmaterials needed to operate MBU. There is a $6 fee for every Scout and adult stayingovernight. This will include breakfast on Saturday morning. Adults may purchase lunch ticketsfor $8 when making registration payment..

PaymentDO NOT pay by credit card upon checkout, even though you will be prompted to do so uponcheck out. (Unfortunately we are unable to remove that option from the registrationsoftware). Payment needs to be made in the form of a check. Once you register for classes,you will have a total amount due listed on the Tentaroo registration website. We need toreceive your registration fee within a week of your registration to confirm your class schedules.Payments are made to Montana Council and mailed to Boy Scout Office, 2409 Arnold Lane., Billings, MT 59102. Also remember to send a list of Adults wishing to attend a training class, no fee required

Cancellation/Refund PolicyThere will be no refunds for participants who cancel or do not show up for the event. If youknow ahead of time that a Scout will not be able to attend, we would appreciate being told sothe class slots may be open to someone else.

PrerequisitesSeveral merit badges require preparation. Scouts should complete the prerequisites prior toMBU; however, the Scout may complete those requirements with a Troop merit badgecounselor at a later date. Prerequisites will be identified with the class offerings when they arereleased.

Field TripsSome classes will conduct a field trip to a local site off campus. Those classes will beidentified with the class offerings when they are released.

Parental PermissionSome merit badges require parental consent to conduct research on the internet. A Scout’sparticipation in these merit badges implies parental consent. Adult supervision is provided atall times.

Arrival to campusTroops may arrive any time after 5:00pm on Friday.Parking allowed in any MSUB parking lot, except in a reserved spot or handicap spot unless applicable Go directly to check-in before unloading gear.

Troop Check-inTroop check-in will be in the lobby of the Petro Theater. Enter the Petro dorm and go down stairs to the theater. Troops must check in upon arrival. Leave your troop in a waiting area and send one adult leader to the check in desk.

Troops arriving Friday night: Check in starting at 5pm.Breakfast served at 6:30 for those staying the night, cost $6.00 served near Stingers Coffee Shop

Troops arriving Saturday morning: Check in between 6:45am and 7:15am. After check in youwill need time to distribute materials to your Scouts.Bring to Check-in:Scout medical forms A & B (I will not collect them but will need to see that you havethem.)Activity consent formAviation consent form for those taking Aviation Merit BadgeAll Scoutmasters must read the Conduct and Discipline section below to all boys attending and the boys need to follow it

Troop Adult ContactsTroop adult contacts (TAC) are the conduit between the MBU staff and Scouts. At least oneTAC per troop must be present throughout the entire event. The TAC may be Scoutmasters,Assistant Scoutmasters, Committee Members, or Adult Volunteers that the Scoutmaster truststo respond to problems or issues that may arise with troop members attending MBU.

TACs are responsible for:Signing in for their Troop

Carrying a cell phone that can be reached all day by MBU Staff (provide the cell phonenumber, as well as the names, times of relief and cell phone number of any other adultsthat are taking over the TAC responsibility later that day when signing in. (Note that theremust be at least one TAC per troop throughout the entire event);Supporting and enforcing LEAVE NO TRACE;Turning in Medical Binder (for attending Scouts and adults) at Registration. Medical formsA&B are required.Ensuring that their Scouts know who the Troop Adult Contact is for MBU to avoidconfusion;Distributing the packets to their Scouts after checking in;Maintaining presence at MBU and being able to assist with problems or issues while troopmembers are in attendance;Monitoring attendance and early departure of Scouts;Signing their Troop out at the end of MBU and securing the MBU Patches and MedicalBinder at the CUBE.

Staying overnight on FridayThe option available for staying overnight, this year is Tent City! Camp overnight on the campus lawn. There is a designated area-please check in with the Tent City coordinators before placing any tents. No fires or cooking permitted on the lawn. Adult leaders must spend the night with ScoutsFriday Night activities.Will be updated as soon as possible, check Wordpress webste for updates

Being Prepared-What to BringBring all items needed for check-in (see “Troop Check-in” above).Signed Blue Cards for each Scout, plus some extras.Scouts should wear the official field uniform for MBU. Most units call this a “Class A”uniform. It is recommended you wear a Class B (activity shirt) under it in case your classhas any messy activities.Scouts must have their completed, signed Blue Cards with them.Scouts should be ready to take notes and come prepared with a notebook with blankpaper and a pencil/pen.Some classes have other requirements thatScouts need to complete prior to or after MBU, if done prior to MBU please bring completed requirements.Scouts should bring a water bottle for the day.

Scouts need to bring clothing appropriate for the weather. Some classes take placeoutside, and all Scouts will be outside from time to time.

Conduct and DisciplineAt Merit Badge University, we expect all guests to abide by the following:Observe the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.Attend the classes I am assigned.Be personally responsible for breakage, damage, or loss of property.Be courteous to other students, counselors, and staff.Clean up my trash after eating lunch, and put classrooms back the way you found them.Have a great time.All youth are not Allowed Upstairs above ground floor at any timeElevators in the Liberal Arts building are for going to and from classes, and are not to be used to play in, If caught boys Scoutmaster will be notified immediatelyNo playing on outside stairways.

Blue CardsBlue Cards (Merit Badge Application, BSA Form #34124), are required. Please bring your ownBlue Cards. Extras will be available for purchase in the Trading Post. Blue card must be filledout properly and signed by the Scoutmaster when the Scout arrives for MBU.

The Blue Card (Merit Badge Application) is the official record of the Scout’s progress on themerit badge. Scouts are required to submit their complete and signed blue card to thecounselor at the beginning of class. Please look over your Scouts’ Blue Cards at the end ofthe day to be sure they have the correct cards and they are filled out correctly. Classcounselors will be on hand at the end of the day to answer question or make corrections asneeded.

Partial CompletionIf a Scout is unable to complete his merit badge, the “PARTIAL” completion will be noted onhis Merit Badge Application, which will be returned to the Scout. MBU Counselors are seldomavailable to serve as counselor after MBU ends, unless arrangements are made afterwardswhich are acceptable to the Scout, his parents, and the counselor.

The PETRO

You will read and hear references to “The PETRO”. This is Headquarters for Saturday, as wellas the location of first aid, and the trading post. Coffee will be available herefor purchase after the opening ceremony.LunchLunch will be in the Cafe,and will be broken into 3 time blocks.The boys’ name tags & adult lunch tickets will indicate which time block each person is in.Time blocks were chosen to accommodate class schedules & lunch flow, not necessarilytroop members eating together. Please share this info with your boys ahead of time andencourage them to use the opportunity to get to know other Scouts if their buddies arenot in the same group.

****Please email any dietary restrictions to Chris Robertson at cdscsrober@msn.com by February 10th, 2017****

Adult lunch tickets can be purchased when sending in registration payment, please note how many adults.Scouts will not be allowed to re-enter the dining area to search for their leaders. Adultsare encouraged to be available to their Scouts in the area outside the dining area when theyare not eating lunch.Lunch will be provided for Scouts that will be off campus with their class at lunch time.After lunch, the Scouts will gather under the appropriate merit badge sign posted outsidethe PETRO and follow their teachers to class.

Council Trading PostA Council Trading post will be available on Friday Night until 8pm and on Saturday until2pm. It will be located in the Liberal Arts Building.

Campus StoreCampus store will be open Saturday for purchasing University related items or snacks

Health, Safety, and First AidThere will be a First Aid kit at the Check-in/Info table in the PETRO, as well as at student affairs on 2nd floor of Petro DormitoryIn the case of a major disaster, all Scouts will be directed to go to the CUBE, and go into theater

Lost and FoundThe MBU Lost and Found is located at the Check-in/info table in the PETRO. The return of lostitems after the end of MBU is not guaranteed, so be sure to check before you leave. Put yourname on EVERYTHING: books, papers, lunch boxes, coats, hats – EVERYTHING.

Check OutScoutmasters or Parents need to return to PETRO at end of Day to receive event patches, pick up medical forms, and check out prior to leaving

QuestionsPlease don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions that weren’t answered above.Thanks so much for enduring all this info! Your willingness to follow the above steps is MUCHappreciated and really helps share the load of such an amazing event. I am so thankful youare all participating and I look forward to seeing you on February 23rd and 24th

Chris RobertsonMerit Badge Universitycdscsrober@msn.com406-545-9817

Using Tentaroo for Class/Activity RegistrationGo to http://www.tentaroo.com/montanaCreate an account/Log inYou will use your existing login and password if you have one. Your user name is your emailaddress. If you forgot your password, click the lost password link. Otherwise, create a newaccount. Select “Merit Badge University” in the Event menu. After you have filled in theinformation and submitted it, you will receive a verification email. Click “Activate” in the emailto continue.

Roster Building (do this before registration opens)First you will need to build a roster, entering all Scouts that will be attending MBU. Also enterall adults who will be taking classes, training and/or staying overnight. If you have a rosterfrom last year, be sure to verify all information is current on the existing names.

Click the “Your Roster” icon.Click “New” to add to your roster.Complete the information, and click “Save”.Repeat for all participants.

Registering for classes/activities (opens 12/10/16 9:00am)There are three class sessions: “1” is AM, “2” PM and “1,2” is an all-day class.Click the “Event Registrations” icon.Click “New” to add a participant from your roster.Click “Create Registration”.Click the “Classes” tab. You will see available classes and the session numbers on the right.Drag a class to the “Current Schedule” on the left. Once you choose a session 1 class, onlysession 2 classes will show on the right. You can drag a class back to the list to remove it.Friday Night: Be sure to select the class “FRIDAY NIGHT On Campus” at the bottom ofthe list if the participant is staying Friday night.When you are done with a participant, click “SAVE”. A window will pop up with 2 options:you can register another participant for classes or “Checkout”.Please DO NOT pay by credit card. Leave the option as “Pay minimum required amount”Mail a check to the address listed earlier in this guide.It is advised that you “Checkout” and then “Submit Order” for each participant. Someclasses will fill fast, and until you “Submit Order”, the schedule you created is not final.

Leaders who bring a copy of the Leaders guide signed by boys attending, medical forms, and activity consent forms will receive Special Prize