ALL REGISTRATIONS FOR OUR 2021 EVENT WILL BE THROUGH OUR COUNCIL WEB SITE. PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK AND LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

https://www.nega-bsa.org/swaar

The Sweetwater Advance-A-Rama is an annual one day Merit Badge clinic offering approximately 40 Merit Badge classes, and it is organized by district volunteers with the support of our professional staff to promote the merit badge program and encourage Scout advancement.

SWAAR is held at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, GA, and is typically attended by 500+ Scouts.

ALSO LIKE AND FOLLOW SWEETWATER AAR ON FACEBOOK @SWAdvARama TO STAY INFORMED

This event will be open to ALL Scouts from ALL Councils and ALL Districts.

All registrations will include lunch at no additional cost.

• Check-in: Unit Check-in on the day of event is required. Senior Patrol Leader or primary adult leader must check-in for entire unit in the school cafeteria by picking-up the troop packet. Troop packets will contain your name tags, roster, unit leader information, map of classes, and patches. Scouts MUST wear their name tag and attend the class on their badge. NO EXCEPTIONS. The safety and security of the Scouts is our top priority. Class changes on event day will incur a change fee.


• 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. Scouts who have forgotten their blue card may purchase one at the concession area.


• 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 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 requires an 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. The concession stand will be closed to Scouts during class time.


• Lunch: Beginning in 2020 all scout registrations will include a lunch. Adult leaders and parents may also pre-order a lunch. A limited number of lunches will be available for purchase on-site. Attendees are required to eat in the cafeteria, and Scouts will not be allowed to roam the halls 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. Some classes also have age and/or rank requirements. Unless indicated otherwise, all other requirements for the Merit Badge should be covered in class.


• 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. Limited quantities of pamphlets and blue cards will be available for  sale at the concession stand . For ALL classes, Scouts are required to READ and BRING the Merit Badge pamphlet for the class they wish to complete.


• Bonus Class(es): 
  
  
  
  • Sign up for Coin Collecting, get Traffic Safety as a BONUS
  
  
  • Sign up for Crime Prevention, get Fingerprinting as a BONUS
  
  
  
  

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!

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.

The Merit Badge Counselor coordinator for this event is Stacy Henderson, Sweetwater District Merit Badge Coordinator sweetwatermbc@gmail.com . Counselors who have special classroom needs (i.e. outdoor access, computer lab, science room, etc.) should communicate those needs in advance, as it is often difficult to make changes on event day. Please do not assume we already know. 

• Check-in: All counselors must check in when you arrive. Your packet will include two copies of your class roster for the day. (One for you and one to turn in.)


• Attendance/ Roster: Scouts who are not on your roster and who are not in posession of a name badge with your class name on it should be directed to the class on their badge. NO EXCEPTIONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED. Please manually make any adjustments to your roster noting adds and/or deletes (no-shows) to the class.


• Blue Cards: 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. Make sure your contact info and all signatures are in the proper places. Please make sure the number of blue cards matches the number of scouts on your roster.   


• Lunch: Lunches are provided for our counselors and volunteer staff. Scouts will not be allowed in the staff room during lunch.


• Check-out:  After classes are dismissed, please return to the staff room located just off the cafeteria area for final check out. At that time, you will return one copy of your class roster, noting all scout Adds/ No-Shows and recording all total completions on your class roster.