MERIDIAN —
From making a foot stools to learning how to carry an injured person to safety, some 106 youths from across the area got first-hand experience thanks to the Merit Badge University held Saturday on the campus of Meridian Community College.
This event sponsored by Boy Scouts of America’s Choctaw Area Council is an opportunity for Scouts to earn merit badges in a college setting. Not only educational, but MBU is an educational, fun-filled day.
“Merit Badge University offers a unique chance for them to complete or almost complete a badge in one morning,” said Shaun Olynick, senior district executive for with the Choctaw Area Council. He added it offers the Scouts to learn from professionals. “This is definitely one of the highlights of the Boy Scout year,” he said.
Olynick, who had worked with events such as that on Saturday’s in Cincinnati and Jacksonville, Fla., noted the MCC venue was ideal. Youths as far away as Hattiesburg, Starkville, Columbus and Madison took part because of what they heard about Merit Badge University at the College.
Scouts worked on badges including Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Communications, Electronics, Emergency Preparedness, Graphic Arts, First Aid, Metalwork, Nuclear Science, Truck Transportation, Woodwork, Engineering and Readyman.
But the younger Scouts were not the only ones learning, adults got in on the act, too for there were sessions in Cub Leader Specific Training and Scoutmaster Specific Training I and II. “This was convenient for them to strengthen their skills as adult leaders,” Olynick said.
The Choctaw Area Council covers the Mississippi Counties of Lauderdale, Clarke, Newton, Neshoba and Kemper as well as Choctaw County in West Alabama. The Merit Badge University at MCC 2012 marked the 10th year the College has hosted the event.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Jacob Bond, 13, from Scout Troop 22 in Newton, gets hands-on assistance from Olin Thomas, Meridian Community College Construction Trades Program Coordinator and Instructor and Scout Troop 46 Leader from Decatur, on a wood project he was making at Saturday’s Merit Badge University. Submitted photo
-
Scouts help transport a “victim” in the Emergency Preparedness session. Below, Submitted photo
Discussion
MCC hosts Merit Badge University
- Local News
-
-
Large crowd attends police station ribbon cutting
"Central Dispatch?"
"Dispatch."
"The Meridian Police Department on Sixth Street is 10-7."
"10-4. The MPD on Sixth Street is out of service."
"Central Dispatch?"
"Dispatch."
"The Meridian Police Department on 22nd Avenue South is now 10-8."
"10-4. The MPD on 22nd Avenue South is now in service." -
Police track down robbery suspect
-
Robbery suspect nabbed
-
Paramedic drops pounds in ‘Biggest Loser’ challenge
-
For the sake of the children
For the vast majority of children quietly walking from West Lauderdale Elementary School Wednesday morning, they knew they were taking part in a drill.
-
One charged in weekend shooting
-
MPD looking for robber in drag
- Plan in place for arts center
- Autistic man found
-
School Counts
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
