Scouts take part in the Pathfinding merit badge class in 2010.
On February 7, 2009, Troop 202 held its first Merit Badge Academy — beginning a tradition of assisting scouts on their trail to Eagle. The troop now holds about three MBAs a year, usually in the winter, fall and summer.
The mission of the MBA is to provide a day of intensive — and, hopefully, fun — instruction from experienced counselors to help scouts successfully fulfill their merit badge requirements.
- Over the past several years, Troop 202 has offered MBA classes for Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in the Nation, Communications, Environmental Science, Family Life, Fingerprinting, First Aid, Indian Lore, Journalism, Leatherwork, Personal Management, Robotics and Scouting Heritage.
- During 2010, the troop offered the special historic merit badges in carpentry, pathfinding, signaling and tracking.
- At each MBA, between 4-6 classes are offered. We try to vary the offerings each time, and will always strive to offer at least two Eagle-required merit badges.
- The MBA is a full-day affair, starting usually at 8 a.m. and ending around 3 p.m. We include lunch with the price of the classes. All of our MBAs are held at Troop 202?s home base, Vista Community Church on Chickasaw Trail in eastern Orange County.
- Our MBA has been featured on WESH 2 News, when meteorologist Jason Brewer came to speak to one of our Communications merit badge classes. Click below to see the video.
