The Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council hosted Merit Badge University (MBU) on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at St. Philip’s College. Scouts explored 43 career fields ranging from Chemistry and Robotics, to Communications and Radio where they could earn a merit badge on their path to reach the highest rank in Scouting – the Eagle Scout.
MBU is a bi-annual event hosted by the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council that gives Scouts, ages 11-18 years-old, the opportunity to earn up to four merit badges ranging from recreational activities like Photography and Horsemanship to Eagle Scout required merit badges like Communications and Sustainability. The opportunity to earn these merit badges help the Scouts to earn their Eagle Scout rank and serve our community. In 2014, 340 Boy Scouts in the Alamo Area Council achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, contributing over 56,829 service hours with a value equaling $1,329,814 (million) invested into our local economy and community.
“MBU is all about making a difference in a young person’s life through learning and career exploration,” says John Haines, Chair of Merit Badge University. “It is also an opportunity to learn about life skills that will help you later on in life.”
MBU, the largest organized event put on by the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, has over 75 volunteer counselors who teach a wide range of topics from hobbies to life skills. Their teachings, provide the Scouts the opportunity to practice the Scouting Slogan, “Do a good turn daily,” by making a difference in the lives of citizens in our local community. All MBU counselors are required to have a background check, be qualified, and have a strong passion in their career field.
“We spend a lot of time finding the right teachers with the right skills and the right knowledge and ones that love to work with these kids and have passion about the topic they are teaching,” says Haines. “MBU is about being prepared for life and learning, it is an opportunity for Scouts to learn with a purpose by exploring careers, hobbies and skills that can used throughout their lives.”
