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Event Details

Event Type Merit Badge
Title Fall 2019 Advance-A-Rama - UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural R
Location 180 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602  Show Map
Start Date Start Time Stop Date Stop Time
10/26/2019 7:30 am 10/26/2019 3:30 pm
Open for Registration Last day to Register
9/9/2019   10/21/2019
Sessions
(# badges a single scout can attend)
Fees
(cost to attend event)
For
(Who is invited)
1 $10.00 any scout who wants to attend
Council District Type Unit
Northeast Georgia Cherokee Troop

--- Start here for help ---

Most of your questions about payment, start and end times, and where to be are explained beneath the list of badges on this page.
Please read everything we've included in the event description. If you still have questions, contact the event manager by clicking this button.

Email Timothy Penning (cherokeedistrictaar@gmail.com), the Event Manager

--- ---
Click the column header to sort by that column
ActivitySessionLocationPrerequisitesMin. AgeClass FeeMax in ClassSeats AvailableCounselor 
Citizenship in the Community* 1 3a, 5 & 7c not covered10152 Tommy Valentine
Citizenship in the Nation* 1 2 & 6 not covered10150 Gene Pesti Mr John W. Doyle
Citizenship in the World* 1  12201 Joh Chamblee
Communication* 1 7 (4 & 5 not covered)10151 Ian Allen Alison Jibilian
Engineering 1  10122 1None 1None
Entrepreneurship 1  12158 Bob Pinckney
Forestry 1 Closed toe shoes & long pants10152 Scarlet Barber 1None 1None
Geology 1  10107 Dennis O'Connell PhD
Indian Lore 1 Completion of 2 & 5h101510 Jim Maudsley PhD
Medicine 1  11101 Hamzah Ali
Moviemaking 1 Completion of 2b12126 Corey O'Quinn
Personal Management* 1  12150 Neil Hefner
Public Health 1  10158 Erin Lipp
Rifle Shooting 1  10$15120 Jason Roth
Small Boat Sailing 1 Email to be sent131210 Michele Matthews
Space Exploration 1 Bring water bottle & lunch10$13151 Armando Rodriguiz
Sustainability* 1 13 or Life; lunch is offsite13160 Chase Cook Dr Laura Iyer
Veterinary Medicine 1  11150 Andy Moorhead Kaori Sakomoto
Sponsor Information

INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT SPONSORS


The University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources will once again host the Cherokee District Advance-A-Rama. The program committee includes:


  • Bob Ratajczak is a Scouting Dad, active in his son's troop and is a research coordinator with UGA's Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Unit.

  • Dale Greene has been an active Scouter in the Cherokee District at both the Cub and Boy Scout levels since 2000.  He previously served as Chartered Organization Representative for Pack 1, Troop 1 and Crew 1 at Athens First United Methodist Church.  Dale has led one trek to Philmont, hiked with another and served as a Visiting Forester at Philmont during two camping seasons.  Dale currently serves as Dean of the Warnell School and is a recipient of the BSA Silver Beaver Award.

  • Jim Sweeney is an Eagle Scout and a former Scoutmaster and has served as Visiting Forester at Philmont for three different summers. He was a founding member of the UGA Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega as a student. He currently serves on the Cherokee District Eagle Board, the NE GA Council Executive Board and is a Cherokee District Commissioner. Jim is a former Associate Dean for Research and Service at Warnell.

  • Bob Izlar is an Eagle Scout who hiked Philmont as a Scout. He has volunteered at Philmont as a Visiting Forester at the Demonstration Forest near Hunting Lodge and Cimarroncito Camps. Bob is the Director, Center for Forest Business at Warnell.

  • Nat Carmack is an Eagle Scout, former Cubmaster and currently serves as Chair of the Cherokee District.  Nat completed the Woodbadge Training Course 59-101-31 and served on the Staff for Woodbadge Course 59-101-33 in 2016.  He has served on Faculty at The University of Scouting and Co-Chairs the Cherokee Advance-A-Rama.  Nat received the Silver Beaver Award from the NEGA Council in 2016.  In his professional life he is the President of BOS Staffing and BOS Medical Staffing and Vice President of BOS Security.  He has two sons in Scouting.

  • Tim Penning is an Eagle Scout who currently serves on the Cherokee District Eagle Board and is webmaster for the Cherokee website.

  • Tom Holmes has been Scoutmaster of Donovan Catholic High School's Troop 326 for the past 16 years, a member of the board of Pack 326 and a member of the Cherokee District board.  He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia. 


The best way to contact any of the members of the Planning Committee is by email at cherokeedistrictaar@gmail.com.

For more information regarding the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, please see www.warnell.uga.edu

In conducting the AAR, we are also fortunate to have the tremendous support of The Warnell Ambassadors:



  • The Warnell Ambassadors, numbering approximately 20 undergraduate and graduate Warnell students, represent the School at UGA functions on and off campus. Working with groups such as alumni, the Georgia Forestry Association, and leaders in the forest resources professions provides opportunities for the Ambassadors to grow and develop beyond the classroom.


The Spring and Fall Advance-A-Rama (AAR) program has been conducted for over 25 years by volunteers from the Northeast Georgia Council’s Cherokee District. Held for many years on the historic grounds of the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia, the AAR is now hosted by the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. In recent years, over 200 scouts from troops in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee have registered for both the Spring and Fall AAR.
Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT


The Cherokee Advance-A-Rama is sponsored by the Cherokee District, Northeast Georgia Council.  Any registered Scout is welcome to participate regardless of Council or geographic location.  Participation fees of $10 (early registration payment by October 21, 2019) or $15 (late registration payment after October 21, 2019) are the same for all Scouts.  Additional fees for materials are identified for designated classes.



Event Schedule:

Check-in:                       7:30 am – 8:20 am

Assembly:                      8:30 am - 9:00 am

Morning session:           9:00 am – 12 noon

Lunch:                           12 noon – 12:30 pm (varies by class at discretion of instructor)

Afternoon session:        12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

 

Check-in (day of event) by Troop is required.

Failure to check out with the Registration Coordinator will result in no credit being awarded for attendance.  The safety and security of our Scouts is our top priority.

Each Scout may be registered for one class only. Merit Badge classes that require additional fees for supplies are identified in the listing of classes.

Walk-in registration the day of the event is not allowed. Troops do have the flexibility to substitute Scouts after registration closes. For special situations after registration closes please contact Tim Penning at 706.372.3072 or cherokeedistrictaar@gmail.com.

Adult Youth Protection Training:  Every Adult Scouter attending the event must either show proof of current youth protection training at check-in or become current in their training during the event.  We will have computers with internet access available if YPT training is needed.


Uniform:  The full BSA Class A uniform is the official uniform of the day. The merit badge sash may also be worn.

Code of Conduct:  The Scout Oath, the Scout Law and the Outdoor Code shall be the code of conduct for the AAR. In the unlikely event that the instructor believes a Scout is disrupting the learning experience for other Scouts, the Scout will be removed from the class and escorted to the check-in area. The Troop On-site Contact will be contacted and will assume responsibility of the Scout. The decision as to removal of a disruptive Scout rests solely with the instructor.

Troop On-site Contact:  Each Troop is required to designate at least one registered adult who is responsible for check-in and check-out for all Scouts from their Troop the day of the AAR.  The Troop On-site Contact is required to register with the Registration Coordinator the day of the AAR, providing their name, unit and cell phone number.  The Troop On-site Contact is also required to notify the Registration Coordinator if leaving the AAR during the period when classes are being conducted.

Transportation:  Troop leaders must coordinate arrival and departure times as well as transportation to and from the AAR for their Troop.  Troops may not leave Scouts alone for pick-up by parents at a later time.  Transportation will be provided for Scouts for classes conducted at locations other than the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

Blue-cards. The Cherokee District AAR does NOT use blue cards. By registering, it is assumed that the Scout has permission of the Scoutmaster to participate in the class for which registered. Within 10 days of the completion of the AAR, all class results will have been input to www.meritbadge.info.  Troops may see and print results through the registration system for www.meritbadge.info.  Final sign-off on merit badges is at the discretion of the unit leaders and unit merit badge counselors.  Our event seeks to provide expert instruction while leaving sign off decisions to local unit leaders.

Clean-up:  The Scout is clean.  We are the guests of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, the University of Georgia, and other organizations hosting merit badge classes.  Our goal is to be good stewards and to Leave No Trace by keeping the premises and classrooms in the same condition as found.  Future offerings of the AAR will depend on how neat we leave the grounds and our conduct.  All garbage must be properly disposed in designated containers.

Security:  The University of Georgia is a public access facility with a tremendous record for safety and security.  Notwithstanding, units need to exercise vigilance.  Report any incidents to Bob Ratajczak (Event Manager) 706.202.3276 or Greg Schultz (Cherokee District Director) 706.224.3087.  In the event of serious or life threatening medical situations call 911.

Scout Email Address – Telephone Number:  The online registration system requests the email address and telephone number for Scouts participating in the AAR.  This is intended to facilitate the Merit Badge Counselor providing information to the Scouts prior to the AAR regarding prerequisites and material that will be covered in class.  In the spirit of BSA YPT guidelines, please provide an email address and/or telephone number for the Scout’s parents or adult leader rather than the individual Scout.

Lunch:  Each participant – Scout or Adult – is responsible for their own food and beverage for lunch.  This minimizes waste and issues with food allergies while allowing event registration fees to cover class expenses rather than subsidizing lunch.  Scouts must carry their lunches with them to class.  There will not be time to go get lunch.  Water fountains will be available for filling water bottles.

A Scout is Prepared: Scouts are expected to bring paper, pencil, and a copy of the Merit Badge pamphlet. Any Scout expecting to complete the Merit Badge in class must also complete the pre-requisites listed on the registration page and bring them to class. Any requirements not completed in class or as pre-requisites must be completed at a later date at the Troop level.

Requirements:  There are some merit badges that we are offering during the Advance-A-Rama that are beyond the scope of this program.  Those have been indicated in the individual merit badge description as a prerequisite to completing the merit badge at the Advance-A-Rama.

Merit Badge pamphlets and supplemental information: Merit Badge pamphlets are available at either the Scout Store in Lawrenceville or the Northeast Georgia council office in Jefferson. Many counselors have posted supplemental information for their class at their individual pages on the registration site. Simply click on the instructors name to access this great information.

Adult Leader Training:  There will be an Adult Leader training session at the Advance-A-Rama on Journey to Excellence.  This will include a review of the metrics and explanation of the calculations.  Sit in on this session and learn more about what it takes to make a unit highly successful.
Counselor Information

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MB COUNSELOR


Each counselor will be provided a roster of all Scouts pre-registered for their class.

Check-in for instructors is 7:30 am - 8:00 am.

The counselor serving as the instructor aide is requested to take attendance at beginning of class in the morning and when class starts again after lunch. Simply line out any Scout not present and add the name and the Troop number for any Scout not listed.


The roster also serves as a "grade sheet." The number for each requirement is listed and should be marked with an "X" to signify that the requirement has been completed. There is also the option to mark "All Complete" for an individual Scout.  The grade sheet serves as an advisory document for the Scout’s unit leader or merit badge counselor – it is not a replacement for a blue card.

The instructor is asked to return the blue folder with the class roster to the "check-in" area at the completion of class.

All instructors have the ability to contact Scouts registered for their class prior to the AAR. In the interests of BSA YPT policies the email address for Scouts is that of their parent or Troop leader.
Unit Sign-up Instructions

UNIT SIGN-UP INSTRUCTIONS


Registration for the AAR can only be made online at http://www.meritbadge.info/. Locate and click on the Cherokee District Advance-A-Rama on the Calendar of Events for easy access.

Registration is exclusively available for Cherokee District Units from September 9, 2019 through September 22, 2019.  Units and individuals from other Districts may register September 23, 2019 through October 21, 2019.  Any Units or individuals who are not with the Cherokee District and register during the Cherokee District registration period will be removed from the rolls.  If this happens repeatedly, they will not be allowed to register for the event during the regular registration period of September 23, 2019 through October 21, 2019.

Walk-in registrations the day of the event will NOT be accepted.

Questions concerning registration should be addressed to cherokeedistrictaar@gmail.com  or 706.372.3072.

Check-in Procedures.  There will be extensive signage directing you to the AAR once you turn onto Green Street from East Campus Road.

Check-in opens at 7:30 – come early, avoid the last minute rush.

Access to the On-site Check-in area is restricted to the Troop On-site Contact and the Troop’s Senior Patrol Leader.

Adult Leader Training Opportunities: 
There will be an Adult Leader training session at the Advance-A-Rama on Journey to Excellence.  This will include a review of the metrics and explanation of the calculations.  Sit in on this session and learn more about what it takes to make a unit highly successful.

Adult Leader Training questions: Please contact Greg Schultz (Cherokee District Director) at greg.schultz@scouting.org or 706.224.3087.


 


Payment Instructions for the Unit

UNIT PAYMENT ONLINE


The participation fee of $10 (early registration payment by October 21, 2019) or $15 (late registration payment after October 21, 2019) is the same for all Scouts.  Additional fees for materials are identified for designated classes.

Troops are obligated to pay for the total number of Scouts registered as of the cutoff date for registration posted.

Recognizing that the number of Scouts attending may change during the registration period, please finalize and make your payment for AR registrations after registration closes on the posted cutoff date.

You must first register your Scouts in the http://www.meritbadge.info system before submitting payment.  Here's the link to the online payment system for this Cherokee District AAR:  https://www.nega-bsa.org/CHER2019AAR
.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Disregard the payment section at the bottom of the registration page.  The ONLY way to pay online is to use the online Cherokee District AAR payment link. 

Alternatively, you may pay the day of the event with cash or check, but at the $15 on-site late registration payment amount.

Enter the following information in the form provided:



  • Council

  • District

  • Unit

  • Contact Name

  • Phone Number

  • Email Address

  • Total number of Scouts registered for the AAR



Once you have verified the above information, click 'Submit'.

A registration fee total will be provided and you will then be prompted to enter your credit card information.  After completing the transaction, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided.

For questions regarding the oline payment system or to make other arrangements in which to pay for attendance, please contact:

Greg Schultz, Cherokee District Director

Email: 
greg.schultz@scouting.org

Phone:  706.224.3087

Refunds:  The registration fees are non-refundable.  The amount paid will be forfeited if the Troop or Scout does not attend.  However, Troops may substitute Scouts as long as the total number in the Merit Badge Class does not change.


Directions to the Event

DIRECTIONS



1.  General.  The Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources is located on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, GA

2.  From Atlanta, via Georgia 316 East to Athens.  Be advised that GA 316 is heavily patrolled for speeders.  The distance from the I-85/GA 316 split to the Athens perimeter is approximately 40 miles.  Approaching Athens, make sure not to exit at the first exit for Athens/Monroe at US highway 78.  Continue until you see signs for the Athens Perimeter – Loop 10.  Bear right onto the Athens Perimeter (GA Loop 10) traveling east.  For reference purposes, there is a sign for the University of Georgia/Athens By-Pass at the junction of the GA 316 and the Athens Perimeter.  (If you come to the Home Depot and Lowe’s you have gone too far)  After approximately 5 miles on the Perimeter, exit onto College Station Road (exit #7).  At the end of the ramp, turn left onto College Station Road.  At the 3rd traffic light, turn right onto East Campus Road. At the 2nd traffic light, turn left onto Green Street

3. From Atlanta, via US highway 78.  Travel east on US 78.  Exit right onto GA 316 at the stoplight (there will be a sign for South Athens).  Continue on GA 316 following the directions in #2 directly above

4. From Jefferson.  Approaching Athens on 129 South, pass Athens Country Club on your left.  Cross GA Loop 10.  Immediately after crossing GA Loop 10, there will be a white Athens First Bank on your right.  At the next traffic light, turn left onto the Athens Perimeter/Loop 10.  Follow Loop 10 eastbound to the fourth exit and exit right in order to stay on Loop 10.  Go to the College Station Road exit #7.  Exit at College Station Road.  At the end of the ramp, turn right onto College Station Road.   At the 2nd traffic light, turn right onto East Campus Road. At the 2nd traffic light, turn left onto Green Street

5. From Commerce.  Approaching Athens on US 441 South, pass Country Rock Café on left, Sandy Creek Nature Center on right, and Bulldog Inn on right.  Travel under the Athens Perimeter and make an immediate left onto the Athens Perimeter (Loop 10).  Continue on the Athens Perimeter following signs for the GA Loop 10 – you will have to exit right to stay on the Loop.  Continue to College Station Road, exit #7, and exit right.  At the end of the ramp, turn right onto College Station Road.   At the 2nd traffic light, turn right onto East Campus Road. At the 2nd traffic light, turn left onto Green Street.

6. From Athens Technical College on US 29 South.  Reference point is McLane Southeast on your left.  Cross Athena Drive (there is a stoplight).  US 29 joins Loop 10 (Athens Perimeter).  Follow Loop 10 West to College Station Road, exit #7, and exit right.   At the end of the ramp, turn right onto College Station Road.   At the 2nd traffic light, turn right onto East Campus Road. At the 2nd traffic light, turn left onto Green Street

7.  From Watkinsville on US 129/441 or GA 15 North.  In Watkinsville, Highway 15 and US 129 join.  Go north towards Athens.  At the Clarke county line, there will be a sign indicating Highway US 441 North and a right turn (there will also be a sign for the University of Georgia).  Turn right at this sign onto Loop 10/Athens Perimeter.  At College Station Road exit #7, exit right.  At the end of the ramp, turn left onto College Station Road.  At the 3rd traffic light, turn right onto East Campus Road. At the 2nd traffic light, turn left onto Green Street.

8. From Oglethorpe on US 78 West.  Once in Athens, travel under the Athens Perimeter – GA Loop 10.  Turn left at the next traffic light onto the Athens Perimeter/Loop 10 West.  Exit the Athens Perimeter at the next exit, College Station Road, exit #7).  At the end of the ramp, turn right onto College Station Road.   At the 2nd traffic light, turn right onto East Campus Road. At the 2nd traffic light, turn left onto Green Street.


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