Merit Badge Camp-outs?

[Mrw]

Our troop has been to Laurel Caverns a couple of times for a week-end and to earn some badges. Very nice programs, but we already have quite a lot of boys with forestry, geology and climbing.

We are wondering if anyone can recommend any other locations where there is a similar sort of merit badges available program that we could attend.

We are in the Cleveland, Ohio area, so we would be talking 3-4 hours from here.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[EagleBoy62204]

I know it would be a haul, but a friend and i are hosting a merit badge day camp at the YMCA we work at. Its in Auburn Hills, MI, about 2 minutes away from where the detroit pistons play. Its from june 26 - 30th, if you are interestd i can give you more information.

[Mrw]

We are really looking for more of a troop weekend camp where there is a program for a few select merit badges.

Laurel Caverns in PA does programs for climbing, forestry and geology. We have been twice and are not ready for another trip there yet. Probably another year and then we will again have a bunch that want these and don't already have them.

[Mad Dog]

You might want to try Lincoln Caverns. They offer a scout camp in with the geology and mammal study merit badges.

WWW.LINCOLNCAVERNS.COM

[scout_momx2]

Our council has several very active districts. Many have a tradition of annual merit badge camps. Various troops get together, canvass the boys as to what badges they'd like to earn (the more unusual, the better!), line up MB counselors, and charge a small fee for the weekend.

Ask your DE or unit commissioner for help in getting these going.

[Chief J]

In Ohiopyle, PA just down the road from Laurel Caverns, there are several outfitters that offer the Canoeing and Whitewater merit badge programs.

My older scouts have completed the merit badge offerings at Laurel Caverns, but they still keep coming back for the unlit cave tour and kavernputt. They have a blast on this outing.

Chief J

[momma_bee]

The Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh over overnighters, but I don't know if they complete badges or are partials.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Carnegie Science Center

I see that CMU offers a Merit Badge Univeristy.

[wagionvigil]

ACE Adventure Center in WV also offers MB.

[FrankJ]

The space center in Huntsville has space exploration. A bit more than 3-4 hour drive.

The air museum at Wright Pat AFB is well worth a visit. I do not know if they do merit badges or overnighters. I believe the museum is run by a non profit.

[Mrw]

We have been to the Air Force Museum - no merit badge programs to my knowledge. The kids thought it was pretty cool and when we were there the SM at the time was retired Air Force and his plane was on display.

Huntsville would be a long trip for us.

[pipestone1991]

Oh my! I've accually earned my forestry badge from Laurel Caverns......the easiest abdge I've ever earned, I think it took us an hour.