Scouts buckle down for Merit Badge College
Monday, February 26, 2024
Photos by Conor P. Fry, student photographer
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A total of 205 Scouts from five states buckled down at the Merit Badge College, held recently at Pennsylvania College of Technology. With 20 different badges offered and the ability to earn up to three badges during the day, the youngsters took in a wide range of technical opportunities under the guidance of college faculty, staff and students.
“The Susquehanna Council, Boy Scouts of America would like to thank Pennsylvania College of Technology for partnering with us for the eighth year!” said Dennis Dugan, scout executive/CEO, Susquehanna Council, BSA. “We had 104 male and female Scouts attend from within the council and 101 Scouts from 19 different councils in five states travel to Williamsport to learn what a hands-on college experience can be – learning from professors, traveling from building to building, making new friends, sharing new experiences, and trying dining hall food. (It was almost unanimous that it is much better than food in their schools!) Most importantly, they were given the opportunity to safely try new skills in welding, metalwork, textile, composite materials, among other merit badges offered. I hope that we can continue to grow the program, which I believe will benefit both the Susquehanna Council and Penn College in the future.”
Other merit badge options included digital technology, programming, electronics, landscape architecture, plumbing, and search and rescue.
States represented were Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.