12/5/99

Item for the Colonial District Homepage

MERIT BADGE JAMBOREE

Register now for the Colonial District’s second annual Merit Badge Jamboree. The Jamboree will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2000, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Carl Sandburg Middle School, Fort Hunt Road (just south of Aldersgate UMC).

Copies of the Registration Form and Instructions have been made available to Scoutmasters at the December Roundtable. You can download a copy of the form and instructions by clicking ………. Out-of-District and out-of-Council registrations are welcomed.

Completed Registration Forms and checks (payable to NCAC) for the registration fee of $15.00 should be returned no later than January 12, 2000. (The fee covers lunch, a special Jamboree patch, and administrative expenses such as school rental, insurance, and materials.) The forms and checks may be turned in at the January Roundtable. If Scoutmasters or other Troop representatives cannot be at the Roundtable, mail the registration forms and checks directly to David Stewart, SM T1515, 1101 N. Gaillard Street, Alexandria, VA 22304-1607, no later than January 12. Because of the need to schedule classes, rooms and instructors, REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED AFTER JANUARY 19 CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.

Cancellations will be accepted in writing up until two weeks before the Jamboree; after that time, the registration fee cannot be refunded. Out-of-District and out-of-Council registrations are welcomed, subject to availability of spaces.

Class “A” uniforms will be worn for the Jamboree. The Jamboree is an excellent time for Scouts to wear their Merit Badge Sashes, too. Scouts should be sure to read the relevant Merit Badge pamphlets thoroughly before coming to the Jamboree, and to complete the specific “homework” assignments indicated by the counselor. You can find the list of requirements and other information for every badge on-line by going to http://www.meritbadge.com or http://usscouts.org/mb/index.html.

We need volunteers (both Scout and adult) to assist at various jobs during the Jamboree, including registration, lunch service, first aid station, and similar. Volunteers will get a free lunch, and Scouts could earn service hours for helping.

Adult Training: We plan on offering a concurrent training program for adults during the Jamboree, including such courses as FAST START, Youth Protection Training, Ethics in Action, Health and Safety, Safety Afloat, “Cold Wet and Alive,” Orientation and Instruction for Troop Merit Badge Counselors, etc. More information about this program will be announced at the January Roundtable.

=================

Separate item for MB Counselors?

How to register as a Colonial District Merit Badge Counselor. All adults who are participating as counselors in the February Jamboree must be registered with NCAC. If you have not already done so, complete the registration form (available from NCAC or on-line at ….) and mail it ASAP to Jeffrey Schweiger, 203 Yoakum Parkway, #1211, Alexandria VA 22304-3734.

All registered Merit Badge counselors should complete the necessary training. The District offers a short course of instruction for for this purpose. If you are participating in the February Jamboree and have not previously been trained, you should attend the one-hour course on Wednesday, February 2, 2000, 7:30 p.m., at Groveton Baptist Church, 6511 Richmond Highway in Alexandria (Route 1 just north of Beacon Mall). Another MB counselor training session will be offered at the Jamboree itself.