Why Google Form?
It puts EVERYTHING onto a spreadsheet for the Towpath MBU Team and ensures all NECESSARY information Towpath MBU NEEDS is at their fingertips thus saving YOU and US email exchanging. And cuts out work of us putting email answers onto spreadsheets ourselves. Because of the lateness in starting we are trying to speed things up and get Counselors listed in days, not weeks. Unfortunately there are some aspects of the Google from we have no control over. Your help, understanding and patience is GREATLY appreciated.
Remember we are doing this for the Scouts!
Questions ending with a red * are your required questions.
PLEASE be sure to hit the 'SUBMIT' button at the end!
Listing of what merit badges are on board:
https://www.meritbadge.info/MBN2/EventDetails.aspx?ID=02443824-213F-47BE-A39D-20584943737CA Helpful Pre-Planner (before you fill out this Google form):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/138jkhJHkT1L7NZPwo4B5suWh6Et8IXSg3-pRYEHsdlI/edit?usp=sharingA consideration of what merit badges to offer: merit badges for the 50th Anniversary EPA Award.
This is a short-term (one year- from Jan1 to Dec 31, 2021) award being offered Scouts and they are seeking these merit badges to help them earn it.
https://i9peu1ikn3a16vg4e45rqi17-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/512-09821_EPAAward.pdfIt is OKAY for Scouts to walk away with partial, yet you offer a merit badge from the list of the 50th Anniversary EPA Award. If Scouts want it badly enough, they WILL finish the merit badge thus learning goal setting skills in the Be Prepared. For Life.
On the information below..
WE HEARD YOU... IT IS BEING MOVED TO PDF AND will be sent to all Counselors! This form was our starting point since recruitment was the priority for the obvious reason that Scouts need Counselor FIRST to have an event or merit badge choices. Towpath MBU Team says... THANK YOU in advance for volunteering to counsel merit badges for our Scouts! MANY THANKS to you, the Scouts can have the event they love virtually!
Date:
Saturday, February 13, 2021 – 1st merit badge session and event date.
Saturday, February 20, 2021 - If needed for a merit badge as we have shortened the time by an hour so It may affect some merit badges. Plus in the virtual arena, two sessions for most merit badges works best.
If a Scout has two sessions, the Scout MUST attend BOTH Saturdays: February 13 & 20.
Also the K-12 winter break falls between February 13 to February 20 so you might want to utilize Scouts doing the requirements over the week, then wrap up your merit badge in the second session. Scout will be expected to attend BOTH session if you choose this route. Worksheets are allowed.
Schedule:
Counselor Check In to hospitality Zoom room - between 9:00 am to 9:30 am.
Counselor Check In to their Counselor zoom session - BY 9:30 am
AM session = 10:00 am - Noon
Lunch = Noon to 1:00 pm – Scouts/Counselors make their own lunch.
Counselor Check In - to their Counselor zoom session BY 12:30am
PM = 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Sessions Sign Up:
It is preferred Counselors do an AM and PM session of the SAME merit badge as it makes things easier for Troops signing up, plus provides a balanced schedule for the organizer in ensuring Scouts can sign ups for both: a morning and an afternoon session.
Platform:
Zoom is utilized for this event and Alpha Omega Phi is hosting utilizing breakrooms. Each Merit Badge session will have Two Deep Leadership.
Submissions for merit badge requirement work:
By email --or-- Google Classroom.
All Google Classrooms MUST have
MeritBadgeDays@gmail.com add as a second TEACHER for Two Deep to ensure YPT compliance. Google Classroom can be set up for Counselors at the Counselor's request.
Blue Cards -
Counselors can either use Scoutbook or email out electronic blue cards. There will be training on electronic blue cards. It will be the Counselor's responsibility to get the blue card to Scouts. Counselors should wrap up all their Scouts' submissions and issue our the electronic blue card or enter into Scoutbook, regardless of whether the Scout earned partials or completed the merit badge. Please end your merit badge on Saturday February 20, 2021 as the last day for Scouts' submissions. If the Scout didn't complete the merit badge, they can find another counselor easily just like before COVID. Electronic blue card should be emailed out to Scouts BY February 28, 2021.
FYI... During COVID, many Scouts picked up the habit of merit badges are 'forever' thus leaving Counselors hanging. As a Counselor, save yourself trouble and SET deadlines for your Scouts and ANNOUNCE them! It IS okay for a Scout to walk off with PARTIALS as PARTIALS helps Scouts in goal setting, a Be Prepared. For Life. skill!
Communication with your Scouts and obtaining your rosters:
It is a Counselors responsibility to get your class rosters from
www.MeritBadge.Info through your Counselor portal. Counselors can also communicate with their Scout this way, including expanding on the prerequisites numbers information with in-depth details. Counselors MUST submit their final roster with blue card information to
TowpathMBU@gmail.com by March 1, 2021.
Prerequisites:
It is best to give the prerequisites you would like Scouts to do for your first session, along with ones that cannot be completed through our event. If you have two sessions, during the first session give the prerequisites for the second session and if you want, follow up with an email.
Worksheets and Video submissions:
Google Classroom is a huge help as a drop box and a great tool in keeping things for the counselor in one place, especially if your email is a busy one. For videos, most videos files are too large as an attachment so the Google Classroom is helpful!
BSA registration status - How validated:
Registered BSA Member - validation through MeritBadge.Info
Current YPT - validations through MeritBadge.Info
Current REGISTERED Counselor - Through respective Councils --or-- email us your Merit Badge Counselor BSA membership card for faster validation of your registered counselor status.
Training is being set up for: Electronic Blue Cards, Google Classroom
Updates and more:
Bookmark this link as it is your one stop for everything, including Counselor Merit Badge Trackers --
https://www.scoutingevent.com/397-MBU2021THANK YOU in advance for volunteering to counsel merit badges for our Scouts!
Looking forward to a another year of an AWESOME event, THANKS to your help!
Yours in Youth Leadership, Friendship, and Service,
Kip, Ursula, and the Towpath MBU Team
TowpathMBU@gmail.com