Parent Orientation for the PPC Merit Badge Introduction Workshop

A virtual and in-person event sponsored by Patriots’ Path Council Advancement Committee, 8:00 am-12:15 pm on November 6, November 13, and December 11, 2021.

Thanks for your interest in the Merit Badge Introduction Workshop!  The purpose of the workshop is to introduce Scouts to individual badges (listed below) and qualified counselors, to give the Scouts an understanding of the requirements, and to to motivate and encourage them to complete the work necessary to earn the badge.  During the Workshop, counselors have the goal of completing a few requirements appropriate for a brief online course.  Scouts will be able to obtain a “partial,” recorded in their Scoutbook account, but generally will not be able to complete the merit badge at this event. The supporting faculty will be available in the days following the Workshop to provide follow-up support for Scouts to complete their badge(s).  (A two-hour Den Chief Supplement course will also be offered during the Workshop.)

WHAT DO PARENTS NEED TO DO?

• • Register your scout by 11:59PM EST by the dates shown below.           
    • November 6^th – registration closes on October 24^th
    • November 13^th – registration closes on October 31^st
    • December 11^th – registration closes on November 28^th
    • Space is limited and classes may close out!  Scroll down for a list of merit badges.  (If registration changes are needed, contact Brenda Sonzogni, 973-765-9322 ext 253, [email protected].  Changes cannot be made after November 6.)

• IMPORTANT: Ensure that your Scout’s unit leader has connected your Scout and the lead class Counselor on the Scoutbook platform.  They can do this even if you and your Scout do not yet have a Scoutbook account.  (See the MBIWS Technology page if you have questions about Scoutbook, or if your Troop is not yet established in Scoutbook. By default, the Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, or Sponsoring Organization Representative can invite you and your Scout onto  Scoutbook and connect your Scout with the lead counselor, or permissions for this can be delegated by them to another unit leader.  The lead Counselor for each class is listed in the Course Catalog on the Registration site. Leaders simply select your Scout’s advancement, add the specific badge, and then invite the lead counselor. NOTE: Leaders need to use formal first names, e.g. “Christopher” for “Chris”, and “Joseph” for “Joe”.  This finicky info learned after the catalog went to press….)
• Encourage your Scout to review the requirements for each badge (here are official requirements for all merit badges), and any prerequisites mentioned in the Workshop Course Catalog on the Registration site.
• Provide a PC (no phones) and a quiet, safe space where your child can focus and participate respectfully in a joint learning experience.
• Review the Scout MBIWS orientation page and encourage your Scout to Be Prepared by reviewing and following those instructions.
• Thanks to those who volunteered as a Parent Monitor to help support a seamless, high-quality experience for every Scout!

Still have questions? Contact Michael Merritt, MBIWS Volunteer Coordinator 973-568-7979 [email protected].