Merit Badge College, Saturday, Feb. 14

Dear Colleagues:

Marshall University and the Buckskin Council BSA will again partner for the annual Scout Merit Badge College on our campus on Saturday, February 14, 2026 Scouts BSA (which is inclusive of all demographics) invites scouts from throughout our state and region to Marshall for the opportunity to work on one or two merit badges during the day while receiving instruction from university volunteers serving as merit badge counselors. Classes are offered in the morning, there is a break for lunch, and then classes are offered again in the afternoon. We hope you will consider participating in this valuable opportunity for the scouts and for Marshall. This is a good way for us to support community development and citizenship, bringing Marshall’s creed to young people throughout our region.

Most classes can be completed in a single morning or afternoon session. You may teach a session in either the morning or afternoon, or both, depending on the demand for the badge and your availability. Each merit badge has requirements and scouts are advised in advance of what preparation is expected for each class. It is typical for this event to attract between 400-500 participants ranging in age from 11 to 17. Most of these scouts are likely to attend college in West Virginia, so this presents an excellent opportunity to showcase Marshall and its academic programs. President Smith views this as an important opportunity to attract new students.

We prepared a list of badges appropriate for merit badge college which is included below. Please look at the list and, if you are interested in offering a badge through merit badge college or have questions, please contact Steve at mewaldt@marshall.edu. Obviously, you may choose a merit badge that reflects your discipline: however, you may also choose badges that reflect a hobby or other interest which you might enjoy sharing. We can provide you with a booklet which contains the requirements and the material the scouts should have read to prepare for any merit badge class you volunteer to teach. We hope you will consider this an opportunity to excite some young students about your field or interests and about what Marshall has to offer and perhaps attract some new majors for your department. For your annual report or application for promotion or tenure, President Smith has confirmed that you may claim your participation in Merit Badge College for credit in both University and Community Service.

We appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely,

Steven P. Mewaldt, Professor Emeritus, Psychology Department

Brandon M. Dennison Vice President – Workforce and Economic Development