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Calling all Boy Scouts - Earn the Railroading Merit Badge!

Since September, 2009, the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum will offer instruction in the Railroading Merit Badge, led by Museum Docent (and Eagle Scout) Andrew Dietz. Through both the pre-work you will complete before you attend class, and the hands-on instruction provided during the all-day class at the Museum, interested Scouts will gain insight into the past, present and future of Railroading and will successfully earn the merit badge.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY ASPECT OF THE RAILROADING MERIT BADGE CLASS, THAT IS NOT COVERED IN THE INFORMATION BELOW, PLEASE CONTACT CLASS COORDINATOR ANDREW DIETZ AT: scouting@readingrailroad.org

IMPORTANT! Pre-Work Required Before Attending Class!

Before attending the Railroading Merit Badge class, Scouts must print out this workbook. Requirements 1a, 1c, 3a and 5a,c,e MUST be completed PRIOR to the start of class!

The remaining requirements will be covered during the class so Scouts can complete the remainder of the workbook. The workbook must be completed in order to be issued a "blue card" and be awarded the badge. There are a few short quizzes throughout the class, with a test at the end of the day. The completed workbook can be used as reference during the test.

Class Agenda:

10:00-10:15: Arrival and Registration & Blue Card Completion

10:15-10:30: Introduction to the Reading Railroad Movie 10:25-10:50: Introduction to Freight Railroads

10:50-11:15: How a Train Develops Power, Dynamic Breaking, & Radial Steering Trucks

11:15-11:40: The formation of Amtrak & Planning a Trip Using a Time Table

11:40-11:50: Ten Minute Break 11:50-12:10: Various Forms of Public/ Mass Transit

12:10-01:15: Operation Lifesaver

01:15-01:45: Lunch

01:45-02:30: Tour

02:30-03:15: Signals & Layout

03:15-03:45: Test & Model Building

03:45-04:00: Completion of Blue Cards & Any other requirements Scouts are welcome to tour the Museum during lunch!

*Schedule Subject to Change When Necessary

1. A Scout is COURTEOUS, Respect the instructor and classmates by being quiet during class, paying attention and taking notes.

2. Good conduct while touring the Museum and at Lunch.

3. Have Fun!

4. A Scout is CLEAN, please pick up after yourself.

Class Schedule:

Merit Badge Instruction will be offered on the following dates. If classes are full, they will be crossed out, so check back often for the most current status. On all class days, Check-in begins at 10:00 am, and the Class itself will run from 10:15am to 4:00pm including a 30-minute break for lunch.

About the Class If classes are full, they will be crossed out, so check back often for the most current status. Check-in begins at 10:00 am, and the Class itself will run from 10:15am to 4:00pm including a 30-minute break for lunch.

Dates for Fall 2011 classes:
Sunday ~~September 25, 2011~~ from 10:15am - 4pm COMPLETED
Sunday ~~October 23, 2011~~ from 10:15am - 4pm FULL
Sunday ~~November 13, 2011~~ from 10:15am - 4pm FULL
Sunday ~~December 11, 2011~~ from 10:15am - 4pm FULL

What you will need:

Boy Scout Class B Uniform
$10.00 fee for the class
Museum Merit Badge Workbook
Bag lunch (no glass bottles, please)
If you would like to complete the "build a model" requirement, there will be an additional $10.00 fee for the model
A clipboard or something hard to write upon and a writing utensil.
Spending money if you would like to buy model train materials, and/or various Reading Railroad books/items from the Museum Gift Shop.

Registration:

Registrations will be accepted starting in August 15, 2011 for all Fall 2011 class dates. and is strictly "first come, first served."
Space for each class is limited to 20 Scouts and approximately 5 adults.
The time-stamp of your email registration will determine scheduling priority.

ATTENTION SCOUT LEADERS!

We would appreciate if you would refrain from attempting to reserve "spaces" in the class. Registrations will not be accepted for unnamed participants. Registering for a class demonstrates a personal commitment by a Scout who has an interest in this topic. If a participant must later cancel because of illness or a change of plans, the slot will be filled by the next Scout on the waiting list. However, in the interest of using all available spaces, substitutions for last minute illnesses will be accepted at the door for an additional processing fee of one dollar ($1).

Blue Cards:

Also, "blue cards" will be pre-printed with each individual Scout's name, and will be issued upon satisfactory course completion. If your Scout does not return with the "blue card," you should not award the badge. Questions regarding completion should be directed to the course registrar at scouting@readingrailroad.org.

To Register:

Fill out the Registration Form.

Be sure to complete all fields and to include this required information:
Scout's name, troop number, district
Contact name, phone number and email address
Numbers of any unit leaders / parents who will attend (adult attendance is welcome, but not required)
Scoutmaster's name and email address

You will receive an email message confirming your registration. If you do NOT receive an email, you are NOT registered for the class! The emails are are responded to manually. It may take a few hours or a day to receive a response.

PLEASE NOTE:

Standard BSA procedure requires Scoutmaster approval before a Scout begins work on a merit badge, which is why Scoutmasters have to sign the "blue cards." Prior to the class, Scoutmasters will receive an email with a roster of registrants from their troop. Approval will be implied unless we are notified otherwise. Scoutmasters will also be asked to help us minimize no-shows by reminding the Scouts to attend or to provide a timely cancellation notification to the Registrar. This courtesy reflects on the honor of both the troop and the individual Scout.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY ASPECT OF THE RAILROADING MERIT BADGE CLASS, PLEASE CONTACT CLASS COORDINATOR ANDREW DIETZ AT scouting@readingrailroad.org!