Area scouts earn merit badges at badge college

Ryan Poulin, President of New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, instructs Scouts including Elizabeth Blais, of Windsor, shown here on Personal Fitness Merit Badge. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America, turned 115 years old on February 8. Scouts from central, western and southern Maine celebrated by doing something Scouts have done since the program began. – they earned merit badges.

The Kennebec Valley District hosted its annual Merit Badge College at Augusta’s First Church of the Nazarene and welcomed Scouts from nearby such as Augusta, Winthrop, Chelsea and Windsor to as far away as Gorham, Falmouth, Wilton, and Pittsfield.

“I am very impressed by our Scouts,” said Program Chairman Julie McKenney. “While other kids are sitting at home playing video games, these Scouts are learning about Graphic Arts, Architecture, and Digital Technology. The Merit Badge College could not happen without the volunteer Scouting leaders who are giving up three Saturdays to develop tomorrow’s leaders.”

McKenney, of Belgrade, stressed that these instructors are experts in the fields they are teaching. Such as Ryan Poulin, of Sidney, who taught Personal Management Merit Badge and is also the President of New Dimensions Credit Union. “Americans do not always make good financial decisions,” Poulin said. “Personal Fitness Merit Badge helps give the Scouts the tools they need to help them make good decisions down the road so they know how to avoid pitfalls and how to deal with them if they should happen.” One of the youth in his class was Augusta Troop #603 Star Scout Elizabeth Blais, of Windsor. “Merit Badges teach you important skills you can use throughout your life,” Blais said. She hopes to be an Eagle Scout one day.

Chris Clark, of Damariscotta, is a Tenderfoot Scout in Troop #213 draws in Scouts from all over Lincoln County. “I like learning things in Scouting,” Clark said during Coin Collecting Merit Badge class. “It’s fun.”

Theresea Poirier, of Augusta, one of the organizers of the event, said that over the course of three Saturdays nearly fifty Scouts will earn a total of 84 merit badges. “We began organizing this event back in November. It takes a lot of time and dedication from our volunteers to put it all together,” Poirier said. The most popular badge Scouts signed up to take was Family Life which is required for Eagle.

Kennebec Valley District Commissioner Christopher Santiago of Vassalboro was impressed with the results. “This is fantastic,” he said. “Merit Badges can introduce youth to a career interest or a hobby that will stay with them for life. There are 139 Merit Badges available ranging from Emergency Preparedness and First Aid to Environmental Science and Nature to Reading and Sustainability. I would love to see every Scout try to earn them all.”