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 and South Carolina have registered for both the Spring and Fall AAR.

Founded in 1906 through an endowment from George Foster Peabody, the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is the oldest school of forest resources in the South.  The School is housed in a four-building complex on UGA’s South Campus and also manages the 740-acre Whitehall Forest near campus as well as more than 23,500 acres across the state for research, teaching and service activities. Over 375 undergraduate and 160 graduate students study under the guidance of 53 faculty and 125 support staff.   

We are extremely grateful to the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources for allowing us to use their tremendous facilities as the host location for the AAR.  What a tremendous setting for our Scouts to learn and grow!  Our thanks to the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources for their hospitality and support of Scouting!

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

The Spring 2008 Advance-A-Rama is sponsored by the Cherokee District, Northeast Georgia council.  Any registered Boy Scout is welcome to participate regardless of Council or geographic location.  Participation fees of $5 are the same for all Scouts.

Event Schedule:

Check-in:                     7:00 – 7:50

Assembly:                    7:50

Morning colors:            8:00

Morning session:           8:30 – 11:30

Lunch:                          11:30 – 12:15

Afternoon session:        12:15 – 3:30

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.

Walk-in registration the day of the event is not allowed.   

Uniform:  The full B.S.A. 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.  A Scout whose conduct is not consistent with the code will be directed to leave the grounds immediately.  Adequate supervision is the responsibility of each participating unit.  Discipline is the responsibility of the Scout or the Troop On-site Contact.

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.  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.

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 conducting 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 John Doyle (Event Manager) or Greg Schultz (Cherokee District Executive).  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 regarding prerequisites and material that will be covered in class to the Scouts prior to the AAR.  In the spirit of B.S.A. 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.

Food Court:  Pizza will be available for purchase for lunch for $1 per slice.  Complementary bottle water will be provided.  Troops are encouraged to plan and place orders by Troop rather than individual Scouts.  Payment for the food Court will be separate from Registration.  Please place separate orders for Scouts attending (off-site classes to be identified later).

Please note - Scouts taking the Animal Science Merit Badge class will be provided various dairy products for their lunch by the UGA Dairy as part of the class.

All Scouts must bring the following to class:

Pen and paper for notes

All completed pre-requisite material

Merit Badge pamphlet for class being taken

Many counselors have identified material that is extremely helpful in completely prerequisites or developing an appreciation of what will be covered in the merit badge class.  The Scout motto is “Be Prepared.”  Studying the material that the counselor has provided is being prepared for class.  To access this material, simply click on the instructors name on the listing of classes at the top of this page.

Special informtion for scouts taking Journalism.

* Requirement 3d will be focused on writing a story on the Cheorkee AAR.  Talk to your parents, Scoutmaster, and fellow scouts.  Ask them about why they are participating in the AAR and preparations they have made.  You will write the news story in class about the AAR.

Requirment 4a - attend a public event in your community and take detailed notes.  The community event can not be the Cherokee District Spring 2008 AAR.

Registration for the AAR can only be made online at http://www.meritbadge.info/ Locate and click on the Cherokee District Spring 2008 Advance-A-Rama on the Calendar of Events for easy access.

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

Questions concerning registration should be addressed to john.doyle@cdc.hhs.gov or 706-714-8139.

March 1 Check-in Procedures.  Check-in for the AAR, i.e. registration, class confirmations, class changes, final payments, etc. will be held at Building 4 of the Warnell School.  This is immediately adjacent to Parking Lot S07 on Green Street.  Please consult the directions section below for detailed directions.  Please note, the directions provided on the various online maps, i.e. Google Maps, Mapquest, Switchboard are inaccurate and should not be followed.   There will be extensive signage directing you to the AAR once you turn onto Green Street from East Campus Road.

Check-in opens at 7:00 – come early, avoid the last minute rush.

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

Pizza orders will be taken the morning of the AAR at a designated station.  Please pay for your pizza orders only on-site the day of the event.

Please note - Scouts taking the Animal Science Merit Badge will be provided a lunch consisting of various dairy products produced by the UGA Dairy as part of the class.

The participation fee is $5 per Scout.  Additional fees for materials are identified for designated classes.

Troops are obligated to pay for the total number of Scouts registered as of Wednesday, February 20.  Registration closes February 20.

Recognizing that the number of Scouts attending may change during the registration period, please do not mail payment for AAR registrations until after registration closes on

February 20.

Please mail payments to:          Mr. Greg Schultz

                                                Cherokee District Executive

                                                NEGA Council

                                                P.O. Box 399

                                                Jefferson, GA 30549

Payments for Food Court purchases should only be made when the pizza order is placed the day of the AAR.

Directions

1.                  General.  The Warnell School of Forest 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.

Talent Release

I hereby assign and grant to the Boy Scouts of America the right and permission to use and publish the photographs/film/video tapes/electronic representations and/or sound recordings made of me during the Spring 2008 Cherokee District Advance-A-Rama by the Boy Scouts of America, and I hereby release the Boy Scouts of America from any and all liability from such use and publication.

I hereby authorize the reproduction, sale, copyright, exhibit, broadcast, electronic storage and/or distribution of said photographs/ film/video tapes/electronic representations and/or sound recordings without limitation at the discretion of the Boy Scouts of America and I specifically waive any right to any compensation I may have for any of the foregoing.

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Name:  ______________________________________________________

Address:  ____________________________________________________

City:  ________________________     State:  ______     Zip:  __________

Phone Number:  ______________________________________________

Troop #:  __________      Troop City:  _____________________________

Signed:  _____________________________________________________

Guardian:  ___________________________________________________

(if under the age of 18)

Witness:  _____________________________________________________

Session Date:  March 1, 2008