Kennebec Valley Scouts go to Merit Badge College

PHOTO: Scouts in the Genealogy Merit Badge session at Merit Badge College, listen to guest speaker Emily Schroeder, right, an archivist with the Kennebec Historical Society. Schroeder explained to the Scouts the resources available at the society’s collections to help with genealogy investigations. Shown with Schroeder are, from left, Anthony Fortin, of Augusta Troop 603; Ricky Phillips, of Winthrop Troop 604; Manny Stevenson, of Augusta Troop 603; Devyn Deleomardis, of Anson Troop 481; Nicholas Gower, of Anson Troop 481. (Submitted photo)

By Anthony Fortin and Stasha Wells

AUGUSTA – A Scouts Merit Badge College was held in February and March, led by volunteer Scouting leaders of the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting.
The event, which allows Scouts to earn merit badges at no cost, was held at the Augusta Church of the Nazarene on Feb. 25 and the March 25. It was the first time in three years it had been held, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scout leaders volunteered their time teaching classes and regulating behavior both days. Julie McKenney, of Belgrade, Kennebec Valley District of Scouting program director, took the lead to get the event up and running again after the hiatus, with Theresa Poirier, of Augusta. McKenney gave out multiple ideas for merit badges and the ones that gained the most interest were Art, Aviation, Cooking, Journalism, Personal Fitness, Reading, Weather, Basketry, Law, Genealogy, American Heritage and Scholarship, along with some additional training offered for adults.
Overall, there are 138 merit badges available to Scouts. Nearly 50 Scouts attended the classes, with some coming from as far away as Falmouth, Anson and Gorham.
McKenny said, in the midst of the busy event, that it was going well. “It has taken us a year to get the event running” after COVID, she added. The college was offered annually before the pandemic, but this was the first time in three years it was held. “We are getting back after Covid. It is a good turnout.”
Cub Leaders also had a leader training opportunity led by District Training Chair Walter Fails, of Farmington.
Stacey Wells, Winslow Troop 433G assistant scoutmaster, said that the event was an opportunity for both youth and adults to grow. At the end of the Feb. 25 session, McKenney had a message board for Scouts to make suggestions on what merit badges they would like to see offered at the next Kennebec Valley District Merit Badge College. Stay tuned for next year’s offerings.

Editor’s Note: Scouts Anthony Fortin, Augusta Troop 603, Stasha Wells, Winslow Troop 433G, wrote this article as a requirement of their Journalism Merit Badge.