Attendance at MBA and/or Prerequisites Work  =/=  Automatic Blue Cards Sign offs

Due to the complexity of some merit badges, it is impossible to be signed off in one day.  Prerequisites are there to help you but does not guarantee sign offs nor does attendance.  All prerequisites work needs to be shown to the Merit Badge Counselor and meet the counselor's approval that you, the Scout, have met the merit badge requirement AS STATED in the MOST CURRENT revision.  Partials may be given. If a counselor doesn't sign off on your blue card for a prerequisites that you've done, the counselor will tell you why and what you need to do to help you complete the requirement.  For some merit badges, pre-sessions or post-sessions will be required.

MBA is an opportunity for you to EARN merit badges. Do your best to COMPLETE your prerequisites work, not just start them.  Take the time to read the merit badge pamphlet/book as much information is in there to help you do the work for your prerequisites.  Do not be afraid to speak up and ask for help from those around you if you are struggling with a prerequisite. In fact, some merit badges are BEST done with a BUDDY so you become accountable to each other in supporting and encouraging one another in completing prerequisites work.

When MBA is done, it is up to the you, the Scout, to develop your self-initiative in FOLLOWING UP the completion of your blue card.  A good rule of thumb is to finish in a year although partials are good until your 18th birthday.  Self-initiative is a skill that you, the Scout, needs to be Prepared. For Life.  (The 'year' rule is just a 'friendly wisdom' imparted to keep those already started blue cards called Ordinary from turning into forgotten about blue cards called Nobody and turn them into completed blue cards called Somebody.)

Merit Badges were designed to help you:

• acquire skills and/or hobbies.
• explore career possibilities.
• grow in confidence, social skills, self-initiative, and self-reliance.
• experience learning in many different settings.

In other words.... Prepared (you, the Scout). For Life.  

So have FUN and EXPLORE away on the Merit Badge Adventure trail!

• First: Talk to your Scoutmaster about which merit badges you are interested in or need.
• Second: Obtain blue card with signature of unit leader.
• Third: Register for MBA. Please note: There will be NO session switching on the day of MBA.
• Print papers needed (counselors' notes, requirements, prerequisites and/or worksheets)
• Make a checklist for yourself (include prerequisites info, things you need to bring, and a column for checkmarks) (Word doc with inserted table or lined paper with columns work GREAT!...*winka)
• Read the most recent merit badge pamphlet for the merit badges you chose. (Helps you BE. PREPARED. and able to do prerequisites work BEFORE you come to MBA.)
• Do your prerequisites work so its done BEFORE you arrive at MBA. (Ask for help if needed at your weekly Troop meetings.  Doing it the night before is NOT HELPFUL to yourself.)
• Attend pre-sessions/pre-visits set up for you by MBA and/or the Counselor.
• Please note: Some sessions will require post sessions to complete some requirements.  Please don't let that stop you from signing up as there are some COOL places to visit!

• Class A uniforms = required
• All your prerequisites work and reports.
• Make sure you bring everything you need.  Checklists are helpful.  (Remember, gathering things up the morning of MBA is NOT practicing BE PREPARED.)
• Merit Badge worksheets, if needed.  (Worksheets make great records if you lose your 'partials' blue cards.)
• Most recent merit badge pamphlet. 
• Paper and pencil/pen for each class.
• Merit Badge blue card, signed by your unit leader for EACH merit badge. NOTE: Counselors WILL NOT provide merit badge blue cards.
• Bag lunch if you did not pre-order pizza lunch.  Seconds are $1/slice & $1/drink and based on leftovers.
• Extra money for purchases. (limit yourself to $10 dollars please.)

• Complete merit badge requirement work.
• Attend post-session/post-visits set up for you by MBA and/or the Counselor.
• Follow up to complete blue card sign offs.  (Scout's responsible to follow up with Counselors WITHOUT reminders if they desire to finish the merit badge for completes/advancement.)
• Follow up signed off blue cards to either your Scoutmaster and/or Troop Advancement Chair. (Scout's responsible to turn blue cards over to adult leaders WITHOUT reminders.)