Harrisburg Merit Badge College

The 2025 Harrisburg Merit Badge College
Venue: Lower Dauphin Middle School
Dates: March 29 and May 10, 2025

The primary contact person is: Carlos M Inacio Jr


Looking for Instructors.  Please contact Carlos M Inacio Jr if interested.


Registration Open!  Registration closes March 22, 2025

Register HERE

Schedule

Prerequisites

 

The Keystone Capital District will be having the
Harrisburg Merit Badge College.
 Please direct any questions to Carlos M Inacio Jr
Merit Badge and Instructor Prerequisites
Citizenship in the Community
Jeff Connelly
Read the book – the merit badge pamphlet – it will guide you on all the requirements. You will have to use other resources but the pamphlet is the place to start. Be sure to have your name and troop # on each document you need to submit. We will do Requirements 1, 2, 6 and 7 at the first session, but you will need to know what you will do for the other requirements so we can discuss next steps at the first session. Requirement 1 – come to the first session ready to discuss what Citizenship is in your own words. Requirement 2 – Do printouts of maps with things marked and bring them along. You can hit Print Screen to get a copy of your screen to paste into a Word document. It’s an easy way to get just what you want. It is okay to write in the places with a pen on the printed sheet. Do the local government organization chart. Be sure to cover all offices at the level and to note if the person is elected or appointed (and by whom). Requirement 3 – attend a meeting, take note of an issue they are considering (we will talk about it at our second college session under requirement 3b). Now is a good time to attend so you have time to think about 3b. Requirement 4 – figure out which issue you will do and who you will interview. I will approve the idea and interviewee when I hear it at the first session so you may actually do the work for the second session. Requirement 5 – Same as 4, choose a movie to watch so I may approve it at the first session for you to report on at the second session. I suggest you have a list of at least three movies. I would like each scout to choose something different from other scouts, if possible, that is why I’d like you to have a list of at least three movies. Requirement 6 – Do this list now as we will discuss at the first session. Requirement 7 – We will do at the first session. This is going to take a bit to do. You need to talk to someone at an organization, so you may have to do that right after school as a number of these may close after 5 PM. Be sure to have your parent’s permission to do so. Requirement 8 – This one will also require a bit of doing, so while you will present it at the second session, you should begin on it now.
Citizenship in the Nation
Morgan Nec
Obtain the merit badge pamphlet (paperback or digital) & print out the merit badge workbook at usscouts.org Please bring both along to your session. Complete requirements 1, 2, 3 & 8. Choose a speech for requirement 6 approved by your parent or guardian & complete it as well. Use the workbook to record your information & be prepared to discuss these completed requirements during your session. We will cover the remaining requirements during your session.
Citizenship in the World
Karl Dietrich
Citizenship in the World is an Eagle Scout merit badge that focuses on the meaning of citizenship in the world as it is contrasted with US Citizenship.  During this course, Scouts will discuss the meaning of citizenship, the differences of rights, duties, and obligations of foreign citizens, and how world events affect countries around the world.  We will discuss national and international law, as well international organizations that play important roles in overseeing these laws.  The course includes the comparisons of various forms of government.  The first session will be strictly academic, with credit given for active participation.  The second session will involve the Scouts providing summaries of their homework research.  The three homework assignments to be ready by the second session are: (1) pick a country and write about the similarities and differences of their rights, duties, and responsibilities compared to US citizens (Requirement 2); (2) pick a country (could be the same) and report on how its geography, natural resources, and climate affect its economy and international partnerships (Requirement 3.b.); and (3) describe a world organization and its role in the international system (Requirement 4.c.).
Communications
Aimee Connelly
Please have these requirements completed BEFORE the first session: Requirements 2A or 2B, 7A or 7B or 7C.
Be prepared to cover requirements 1D and 9 during the first session
Requirements to be complete prior to the second session: Requirements 4, 5, 6, 8
Be prepared to cover requirement 3 during the second session
We will be utilizing the Scoutbook Merit Badge process to sign off on the badges and processing of blue cards.
Genealogy
David Klees and Ray Scarazzo
There are no prerequisites for the genealogy merit badge that must be done before the first session of the College; however, please do read the following before signing up for the genealogy merit badge —
 
Your family situation will not prevent your earning the genealogy merit badge.  For requirement 6 (a three generation family tree), you must submit a “Pedigree Chart” which shows full names for the Scout, two parents, and four grandparents; all birth dates and places; and any death dates and places.  If you are unable to complete this chart using your biological or adopted family, please email both counselors to negotiate how you can fulfill the requirements for the genealogy merit badge.
If siblings or first cousins are taking this genealogy merit badge, each Scout is to submit completely different sets of written homework. Please email both counselors to negotiate details.
 
We will be using the new genealogy merit badge pamphlet, digital download, or Kindle with the revised requirements with an effective date of January 1, 2023.  Please make certain that the merit badge source you are using has requirements (1a), (1b), and (1c).
 
You will be receiving an email:  “written homework for genealogy merit badge”.  If possible, please read this email before the first session of the college.
 
If a Scout wishes to begin working on the genealogy merit badge before the first session of the College, please email both counselors, and we will email you in advance the above “written homework for genealogy merit badge”.
 
If you have any questions, please email both counselors, Ray Scarazzo and David Klees:
Oceanography
Skipper Justin Weaver
Personal Fitness
Carlos M Inacio Jr (cinaciojr@gmail.com)
Be prepared to present Requirement 9 at the March session. We will be utilizing the Scoutbook Merit Badge process to sign off on the badges and processing of blue cards.
Personal Management
Walter Zdazinsky
Requirements 1, 2, 8 and 9 may either be completed before or after the merit badge class in April

1. Do the following:
(a) Choose an item that your family might want to purchase that is considered a major expense.
(b) Write a plan that tells how your family would save money for the purchase identified in requirement 1a.
(1) Discuss the plan with your merit badge counselor.
(2) Discuss the plan with your family.
(3) Discuss how other family needs must be considered in this plan.
(c) Develop a written shopping strategy for the purchase identified in requirement 1a.
(1) Determine the quality of the item or service (using consumer publications or rating systems).
(2) Comparison shop for the item. Find out where you can buy the item for the best price. (Provide prices from at least two different price sources.) Call around; study ads. Look for a sale or discount coupon. Consider alternatives. Can you buy the item used? Should you wait for a sale?

2. Do the following:
(a) Prepare a budget reflecting your expected income (allowance, gifts, wages), expenses, and savings for a period of 13 consecutive weeks.
(b) Compare expected income with expected expenses.
(1) If expenses exceed budget income, determine steps to balance your budget.
(2) If income exceeds budget expenses, state how you would use the excess money (new goal, savings).
(c) Track and record your actual income, expenses, and savings for 13 consecutive weeks (the same 13-week period for which you budgeted). (You may use the forms provided in this pamphlet, devise your own, or use a computer-generated version.) When complete, present the records showing the results to your merit badge counselor.
(d) Compare your budget with your actual income and expenses to understand when your budget worked and when it did not work. With your merit badge counselor, discuss what you might do differently the next time.

8. Demonstrate to your merit badge counselor your understanding of time management by doing the following:
(a) Write a “to do” list of tasks or activities, such as homework assignments, chores, and personal projects, that must be done in the coming week. List these in order of importance to you.
(b) Make a seven-day calendar or schedule. Put in your set activities, such as school classes, sports practices or games, jobs or chores, and/or Scout or place of worship or club meetings, then plan when you will do all the tasks from your “to do” list between your set activities.
(c) Follow the one-week schedule you planned. Keep a daily diary or journal during each of the seven days of this week’s activities, writing down when you completed each of the tasks on your “to do” list compared to when you scheduled them.
(d) With your merit badge counselor, review your “to do” list, one-week schedule, and diary/journal to understand when your schedule worked and when it did not work. Discuss what you might do differently the next time.

9. Prepare a written project plan demonstrating the steps below, including the desired outcome. This is a project on paper, not a real-life project. Examples could include planning a camping trip, developing a community service project or a school or religious event, or creating an annual patrol plan with additional activities not already included in the troop annual plan. Discuss your completed project plan with your merit badge counselor.
(a) Define the project. What is your goal?
(b) Develop a timeline for your project that shows the steps you must take from beginning to completion.
(c) Describe your project.
(d) Develop a list of resources. Identify how these resources will help you achieve your goal.
(e) Develop a budget for your project