Calling all Boy Scouts - Earn the Railroading Merit Badge!

Beginning in 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.

 

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. No "partial completions" will be awarded - Scouts not successfully completing all requirements will not receive a "blue card" and will not earn the badge. Scoutmasters will be notified of individuals not completing merit badge requirements.

 

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. Click here for the Class Agenda.

 

Dates for Fall 2010 classes:

Saturday, Sept 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Saturday April 2, 2011

 

What you will need:

Boy Scout Class B Uniform
The printed workbook. Please be sure to complete requirements 1a, 1c, 3a and 5a,c,e PRIOR to arrival at the class.
Bag lunch (no glass bottles, please)
$10.00 fee for the class

If you would like to do 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
Money if you want to buy model train materials, and/or various Reading Railroad books/items from the Museum Gift Shop

 

 

Registration

Registrations will be accepted starting in July 2010 for all class dates, and is strictly "first come, first served." Space for each class is limited to 15 Scouts and approximately 5 adults. The time-stamp of your e-mail 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). 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 on-line 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 e-mail address
Numbers of any unit leaders / parents who will attend (adult attendance is welcome, but not required)
Scoutmaster's name and e-mail address

You will receive an e-mail message confirming your registration. If you do NOT receive an e-mail, you are NOT registered for the class!

 

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 e-mail 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!

Railroading Merit Badge Instructions - Additional Links Merit Badge Class Agenda Registration Form Merit Badge Workbook Frequently Asked Questions