Looking for the sign-up link? There are two of them, but if you're here, you've passed the first one already.

Please take time to read all the important info below, then at the very bottom of this page, look on the left. 

Sweetwater District Advance-A-Rama 2019

New for 2019:

ADULT LEADER TRAINING SESSIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE

 Cub Scout Den Leader Position Specific (AM)

Cubmaster/ Pack Committee Training  (AM)

Scouts BSA Troop Committee Challenge (AM)

Scouts BSA New Merit Badge Counselor Orientation (AM)

Scouts BSA Scoutmaster/ Asst. Scoutmaster Position Specific (ALL DAY)

Sweetwater Eagle Scout Process seminar for adult leaders and parents (AM)



THERE IS NO COST FOR THE ADULT LEADER TRAINING BUT PRE-REGISTRATION IS

REQUIRED TO INSURE WE HAVE ENOUGH PROGRAM MATERIALS AND CLASSROOM

SPACE RESERVED.

LOOKING FOR AN ADULT LEADER TRAINING CLASS WE AREN'T OFFERING? EMAIL THE EVENT MANAGER

AND WITH ENOUGH INTEREST, WE'LL GET ONE ADDED!

This event is sponsored by the Sweetwater District of the Northeast Georgia Council,

Boy Scouts of America.

The Sweetwater Advance-A-Rama is an annual one day Merit Badge clinic designed to help and encourage Scout advancement.

Held at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, GA, this event is typically attended by over 500 Scouts.

This event is open to ALL Scouts from ALL Councils and ALL Districts.

Each Scout may be registered for one class only, except as noted for special BONUS offerings. There is a nominal participation fee for each Scout. Some of the Merit Badge classes may also require additional fees for supplies, and any additional fees will be noted in the individual class descriptions. Pre-registration for the event is accomplished online, which provides convenience and up-to-date event information for the attending units and the event organizers. You must pre-register your Scouts to be guaranteed a seat/ seats. In addition many classes have pre-requisite requirements which must be completed outside of this event to complete the badge. Please consult with your Scouts early, as last-minute registrations often result in incompletes at the end of the day!

Registration fees must be received by the deadlines listed below.



Walk-in registration on the day of the event will be allowed, but will be limited to only those classes with available seats, Any classes with open seats will be filled on a first come first serve basis.



The class sizes for the individual Merit Badge Classes will be fixed, and multiple classes will be offered for the popular badges. Once a class becomes full, registration will be closed for that class.

 

Summary of important Dates:

November 11,2018     Pre-registration Open for Units in the Sweetwater District, Northeast Georgia Council

December 2, 2018      Pre-registration Open to all Units, Districts, Councils

December 31, 2018    Early-Bird fee ends- payment is due by this date otherwise regular fees will apply.

January 20, 2019        Pre-registration Closes 

January 22, 2019        All Registration fees due at Lawrenceville Scout office

January 26, 2019        Advance-A-Rama Event Day at Berkmar High School



Event Day Schedule

7:45am - 8:00am     Merit Badge Counselor Check in

8:00am - 8:40am    Unit Check in

8:40am - 8:50am    Opening ceremony

9:00am - 11:55am    Morning Merit Badge class session

Noon - 12:30pm    Lunch in cafeteria

12:45pm - 3:00pm    Afternoon Merit Badge class session

3:00pm    Merit Badge classes dismissed, classrooms are cleaned and restored to original order. Scouts return to the cafeteria to depart.

3:00pm - 4:00pm    Counselor check out. Staff meeting in cafeteria.

4:00pm    Staff departs.

 

Check-in: Check-in on the day of event by Unit is required. Senior Patrol Leader or Registered Adult Unit leader must check-in for entire unit. Failure to check in with the Registration Coordinator will result in no credit being awarded for attendance.  The safety and security of the Scouts is our top priority.

Blue Cards: As required by BSA protocol, we will be using official BSA Blue Cards to report Merit Badge partials and completions. It is the responsibility of the individual units to provide each of their attending Scouts with a Blue Card signed by the Unit Leader. The Merit Badge Counselor will list completed requirements on the individual Blue Cards and return these to the Scouts at the end of class. No other printed advancement records will be provided to the Unit.

Uniform:  Full BSA Class A Field Uniform is the uniform of the day. The merit badge sash may also be worn (optional).

Code of Conduct:  The Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the Outdoor Code will be the required code of conduct at the Advance-A-Rama. A Scout whose conduct is not consistent with this code will be directed to report to his Unit leaders immediately.  Adequate adult supervision is the responsibility of each participating unit, and all leaders are expected to support disciplinary actions deemed necessary by the counselors or event coordinators.

Unit On-site Contact:  Each unit is required to designate at least one registered adult leader who is responsible for check-in and check-out for all Scouts from their unit the day of the Advance-A-Rama. The On-site Contact is required to register with the Registration Coordinator the day of the Advance-A-Rama, and remain on site with their Scouts, helping to maintain two deep leadership throughout the event.

Transportation:  Adult leaders must coordinate arrival and departure times as well as transportation to and from the Advance-A-Rama for their Scouts.  Adult leaders may not leave Scouts alone for pick-up by parents at a later time. All Merit Badge classes will be conducted on the Berkmar High School campus, so no off-site transportation will be required during the event. Follow the Outdoor Code and be Conservation Minded. Please carpool to conserve fuel and parking places.

Clean-up:  A Scout is Clean. We will be the guests of Berkmar High School. Our goal is to be good stewards and to Leave No Trace by keeping the high school premises and classrooms in the same condition as found. Future offerings of the Advance-A-Rama will depend on our conduct and how neatly we leave the grounds. All garbage must be properly disposed in designated containers.

Security:  During the Advance-A-Rama event, Berkmar High School is usually only open to the event organizers and attending troops. However, due to ice and snow in previous years, there will often be a couple of make-up events held Saturday in other parts of the school. Security will not be rigid and units need to exercise vigilance.  Report any incidents to one of the event coordinators or counselors.  In the event of serious or life threatening medical situations call 911. Each unit participating must have at least two adult leaders at the event to provide proper supervision, and must assist in monitoring of hallways during classes to help ensure security. Scouts will not be allowed out of classrooms except during breaks and lunch.  

Scout Email Address and Telephone Number:  The online registration system requests the email address and telephone number for Scouts participating in the Advance-A-Rama. This is intended to facilitate the Merit Badge Counselor providing information regarding prerequisites and material that will be covered in class to the Scouts prior to the Advance-A-Rama. In the spirit of BSA Youth Protection guidelines, please provide an email address and/or telephone number for the Scout’s parents or adult leader rather than the individual Scout.  BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE ANY INFO PROVIDED BY THE COUNSELOR GETS TO THE SCOUT!

Concession Stand:  A concession stand will be available in the cafeteria throughout the day. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day. In the morning, doughnuts will also be available. Limited amounts of pizza may be available after all orders have been filled. The concession stand will be closed to Scouts during class time.

Lunch/Pizza: Units may choose to bring their own food for lunch, or pre-order pizza at the time of registration which can be picked up at the concession stand. Pizza must pre-ordered by whole pizza only and paid with registration. The cost of pre-ordered pizzas is $10 each (by Jan 22nd.) or $12 at the door during sign-in.  Attendees are required to eat in the cafeteria, and Scouts will not be allowed out of the cafeteria during the lunch hour.

Scouts must Be Prepared for class: Scouts are expected to bring paper, pencil, and a copy of the Merit Badge pamphlet. Any Scout wishing to complete the Merit Badge in class must also complete the pre-requisite requirements, which will be listed on the class registration page. Any requirements not completed in class or as pre-requisites must be completed later at the unit level.

Merit Badge Pamphlets:  Merit Badge pamphlets are available online at:  https://www.scoutshop.org/books/for-scouts/merit-badge-pamphlets.html or at the NEGA Council Scout Store in Lawrenceville. 

Go to www.nega-bsa.org for directions or call 770-962-2105.  

 

OTHER MERIT BADGE SPECIFICS:

New Classes this year: Animation, Entrepreneurship, Photography, and Space Exploration MB's.

We dropped Electricity MB due to low demand.

We added additional Fist Aid and Cit in the World MB classes.

Bonus Class(es) again this year:

• Sign up for Coin Collecting, get Traffic Safety as a BONUS

Instructions for Merit Badge Counselors:

Thank you! to all of our volunteer staff and Merit Badge Counselors. Our goal is your success, and the success of all the Scouts attending this event.

Existing Counselors, If you need to change any of the information listed on this web site, including pre-requisites, etc. Please email edwin.henderson@outlook.com and I will do my best to help you. 



The Merit Badge Counselor coordinator for this event is Darrell Yoder, Sweetwater District Advancement Chairman ac-sweetwater@nega-bsa.org , and will be assisted by Stacy Henderson, Sweetwater District Merit Badge Coordinator sweetwatermbc@gmail.com . Any BSA Registered MB Counselors who wish to counsel a badge at this event please contact either of them for more info. and to get signed up.

It is the responsibility of the individual units to provide each of their attending Scouts with a Blue Card signed by the Unit Leader.  The merit badge counselor will work with his/her class to fill out the blue card as efficiently as possible.

At the end of class, the Merit Badge Counselor will list completed requirements on the individual Blue Cards and return the blue card to each Scout.

The Counselor will also be provided a MBClass Roster that includes each pre-registered scout in the class.  Please manually make any adjustments to your roster noting adds and/or deletes to the class.  No other written advancement records will be provided to the MBC.

CHECK IN: All counselors must check in at the registration desk when you arrive. You will receive a copy of your class roster for the day.

LUNCH: Pizza and sodas/ water are provided for our counselors and volunteer staff. Scouts will not be allowed in the staff room during lunch.



CHECK OUT and Staff Meeting:  After classes are dismissed, please return to the staff meeting area located just off the cafeteria area for final check out. At that time, you will return class roster sheets noting all scout adds/deletes and recording all partial or total completions for each Scout on your class roster.

 

Online Pre-registration Process:

1. Sign in to this website using your email address and password.


2. Click the SignUp link next to the Sweetwater Advance-A-Rama event, or scroll to the bottom of our event page and look for the link in the bottom left corner.


3. It is very important that YOUR correct Council, District, and Unit are specified during the "District Only" registration period. Please note that there are errors in the meritbadge.info system. If you do not select the correct Council and /or District, your unit information may not be displayed properly or your registration may not process properly. Proof-read everything before you submit.


4. To begin registration, at least one Unit leader must first register in the online system. (Always 2 deep leadership!) If a unit is only sending one Scout, the process is the same (a parent may be registered as the on-site leader for his/her Scout at time of registration and check-in). We recommend at least one leader or adult per 4 Scouts to help ensure order.


5. For each Scout attending, enter their name, age, contact email & phone. Remember, in the spirit of BSA Youth Protection guidelines, please provide an email address and/or telephone number for the Scout’s parents or adult leader rather than the individual Scout. The Counselor will in many instances, contact the attendees to remind them of class requirements.


6. Next select session - either AM, PM, or ALL DAY. (All MB classes are all-day classes.) Available classes will then be shown. Select a class. The system will only allow a class to be selected that still has seats remaining. 


7. Once all of the Scout's information has been entered, click Add, and that Scout will appear on the roster for your unit.


8. After all Scouts have been entered, the unit leader should review the roster for accuracy. Make any changes necessary by clicking Edit for the selected Scout. Click Show & Print Roster, and print 2 copies of the registration information screen from your browser window.


9. If you are registering adult leaders for the free training, then no fee will be added to the total for these registrations. Please register them as you would a scout, and choose the appropriate class.


10. Look at the total owed, and make One Combined Payment using your choice of methods below by the payment deadline for the period in which you are registering.

Again- Registration should be completed By Unit Only An adult leader must complete the process for his/her unit. Note: Additional classes may open up as they fill; check back if you see multiple classes listed, but no spots are available. All registration fees are calculated and paid "BY UNIT" at time of registration. It is up to the individual units to collect money from individul Scouts.

If a unit is only sending one Scout, the process is the same (a parent may be registered as the on-site leader for his/her Scout at time of registration and check-in).

Fees must be received by the deadlines listed for discounts to apply. You may make a "Payment #1" for earlybird registrations and another payment by the second deadline for on-time registrations. We will calculate accordingly.

There will be no refunds, the unit may delete/ add Scouts at any time online during the registration period without penalty as long as the total number of Scouts does not change. Online roster changes will be locked at the end of pre-registration, and late changes must be made in person at the event.

During check-in a unit's record will show total number of Scouts and total paid/ owed by that unit.

Many classes have pre-requisites which must be done if the Scout wishes to complete the badge during class. Some classes also have age and/or rank requirements. Unless indicated otherwise, all other requirements for the Merit Badge should be covered in class.

 

For ALL classes, Scouts are required to READ and BRING the Merit Badge pamphlet for the class they wish to complete.

Event Registration Schedule of Fees

Earlybird Registrations Received by December 31, 2018             $8 per scout (Ended)

On-Time Registrations Received Jan 1 through Jan 22, 2019      $12 per scout

Late Registrations Paid after Jan 22 or Walk-in                             $15 per scout (Late payees should be prepared to pay or show a receipt at check-in.)



Other Fees

Pizza orders (cheese or pepperoni) (Paid by January 22, 2019) -  $10 per pizza

Pizza orders at the door at time of check-in - $12 per pizza

(Limited amounts of pizza will be available at the concession area after all orders have been filled.)



Cooking merit badge class fee                    $10 per scout (if offered)

Electronics merit badge class fee               $10 per scout



Again, Units should make a consolidated payment for all Scouts to ensure all payments are credited properly.  

If a unit is only sending one Scout, the process is the same (a parent may be registered as the on-site leader for his/her Scout for registration, payment and check-in).

No roster changes can be made on-line after the close of registration on January 20, 2019 (Notes: All Payments must be at the Lawrenceville Scout Office by Jan 22, 2019.)



REFUNDS: The registration and pizza order fees are non-refundable. The amount paid will be forfeited if the Scout does not attend. However, Units may substitute Scouts as long as the total number of scouts registered does not change.

 

Unit Payment Instructions for On-line payments:

YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR SCOUTS IN THE meritbadge.info SYSTEM FIRST.

Payments received for units that have not registered their Scouts through meritbadge.info will be voided.

The following link will connect you with the on-line payment system for the Northeast Georgia Council, Sweetwater Advance-A-Rama: https://www.nega-bsa.org/swadvance-a-rama (You may have to copy and paste the link into your browser)

Enter the following information in the form provided:

• Council


• District


• Unit


• Contact Name


• Phone Number


• Email Address


• Total number of Scouts registered for event (Every Scout attending is a Participant)


• Total number of Scouts registered for the Electronics merit badge (Electronics)


• Total number of Cheese pizzas to reserve


• Total number of Pepperoni pizzas to reserve

Unit Payment Instructions for Mail-in or Drop-off:

1. Please print two copies of your registration form as described in the registration section. Send one copy with complete payment. Retain the other copy for your records.


2. On the printed copies of the registration info, indicate the total number of whole cheese and pepperoni pizzas that you would like to pre-order. Total pizza amount and add this to your registration fees (see below).


3. Prepare a unit or personal check for the total amount, which includes all registration and class fees, and the pizza total.


4. Send registration form and payment to the Lawrenceville Scout office.

Northeast Georgia Council, Boy Scouts of America

Re: Sweetwater Advance-A-Rama 2019

203 Swanson Drive

Lawrenceville, GA 30043