2008 Extravaganza - March 8 & April 12, 2008

(note the first weekend is different from previous years)
Updated 1/3/08

Registration is now available at this website! Read the information below - link to registration is at the bottom of the information page.

***Note to Scouts interested in metalwork - class is limited to 14+, has a $50 fee (checks for that class to be payable to Eric McKell on the first weekend), and is a 4 session class as the project will take 9 hours, plus general instruction. Scouts will be making an aluminum ukulele. This is a special opportunity for instruction from an expert craftsman, Scouts will be and will be a great opportunity***

A schedule of available badges is available at Extravaganza Schedule Page


The FMSAA is looking for qualified merit badge counselors for this event. If you or someone you know is willing to help, please contact mbext(at)firemtn.org

Please refer questions to mbext(at)firemtn.org (replace (at) with @ in your e-mail program, no hyper-link is provided to prevent spam.) No information is available by telephone. Please be patient, we are an all volunteer committee involved with many other Scouting and community projects.

2008 Extravaganza costs:

• $7 per Scout
• one can of food per Scout. Canned foods will be donated to a local food bank as a part of Scouting For Food.
• One adult or older Scout per troop to participate in the camp work projects (wear work clothes, see list of planned projects to be posted in mid-January)
  Some badges have additional materials fees - check the list

  The Extravanza How-to-Guide and Frequently Asked Questions

  • Have Scouts select badges they are interested in working on by looking at list at the Extravaganza Schedule Page
  • Have one representative from the troop register all scouts interested at this website after January 1, 2008.
  • Mail $7 per participant to the PO Box mailbox (must be recieved within 7 days to validate registration, unpaid registrations may be dropped), please indicate the names of the Scouts who are included on the check, a yes will be added to their registration column when fees are receieved and recorded (note that this will not happen right away).
  • If your troop is planning on staying overnight, reserve your campsite through the Everett Scout Office at 425-338-0380
  • File a tour permit
  • Check back to the website to adjust Scout's schedule (note that the schedule is dynamic and available classes will change as classes fill or Scout's drop out.
  • Arrive at Fire Mountain March 8 to check in at 8:30am. Each Scout should have a list of their classes they are registered for from the troop contact person, one can of non-perishable food. One adult or older youth from the troop should be prepared to participate in the work party on on of the weekends as a part of your troop's fee.
  
  

  Mailing Payment

  After registering you must MAIL your payment.

  You cannot walk it into any office, we have a Post Office Box that you must mail it to, please do not take payment to the Scout Office, they cannot accept it there.

  The address to mail it is:
  Fire Mountain Staff Alumni Association
  PO Box 14576
  Mill Creek WA 98082
  checks payable to FMSAA.

  Arrival Time & Schedule

  March 8 - Check in at 8:30am (please bring your 1 can of food per Scout)
  April 12 - Check in at first class
  
  Schedule: 9-12 Session 1
  12-1 Lunch (please bring your own, or plan to buy for $3)
  1-4 Session 2
  Both sessions take place on a Work Party Saturday. It is required that one adult or older Scout from each troop participate in at least one of the work party days during the Extravaganza for your unit to participate. They are encouraged to bring their tools, work clothes, boots and rain gear to help the work party give service to camp while Scouts are participating in Merit Badges. A list of projects will be available soon.

  Pre-registration is required. Space is limited, so you are encouraged to register early. Due to the popularity of this program - spaces will fill up quickly, class limits and registration deadlines will be enforced. No 'drop-ins' admitted to this exciting event! Class size limits apply, classes will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis through on-line registration, if the class is full, you will not see it on the list of available classes. It is anticipated that there will be more people that want to attend than we can accomadate, we recommend you register early. If a Scout drops out of a class, the space becomes available to others to register, so please keep your troop roster up-to-date.

  Once you register online, please mail registration fees including your troop number to Fire Mountain Staff Alumni Association - PO BOX 14576, Mill Creek, WA 98082 - checks payable to FMSAA. NO REGISTRATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE SCOUT OFFICE, THEY MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE and fees mailed to the Fire Mountain Staff Alumni Association mailbox to be considered valid. All registrations must be made as a Troop.

  Additional fees & Lunch costs will be collected at the event .

  Merit Badge Cards

  Merit Badge cards must be provided by the troop, please bring them with you. Please fill out name of merit badge troop number, district name, and Scout's name on the blue card. For those who forgot bluecards, a limited supply will be available for purchase at greater than retail price through the trading post.

  Merit Badge Cards Pickup

  in 2008 we will be mailing Merit Badge Cards to the individual who registers the Troop - be sure we have an accurage mailing address.

  Overnight Reservation

  Reservations for overnight camping must be made through the Council Service Center(425-338-0380). A Tour Permit, of course, is required. Individuals are welcome to participate by providing their own adult supervision. All participants must meet Youth Protection Guidelines.

  All Participants must fill out the Class 1 portion of the. This includes a medical history and permission to treat in case of injury or illness. Unit leaders will retain medical forms.

  Lunch, and Trading Post

  The Fire Mountain Staf Alumni Association will be offering a light dining hall lunch for $3 per person (of course you can bring your own lunch). The Mount Baker Council will be operating the camp Trading Post to provide snacks and camp souvenirs.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Scheduling Classes

  Merit Badges that are 1 session long: you can sign up for AM or PM on EITHER weekend.
  Merit Badges that are 2 sessions long: you can sign up for AM or PM for BOTH weekends.
  Merit Badge that are 4 sessions long: will take all 4 sessions.
  See the Extravaganza Schedule Page for more information.
  

  Number of Scouts

  Is there a minimum number of Scouts in a troop to participate? No. All we ask is that participants in a troop must register together.

  Only one Scout

  If only one Scout from a troop wishes to participate, they register as a troop with only one Scout. All we ask is that participants in a troop must register together.

  How are fees remitted?

  Registration fees must be mailed to the Alumni Association within 7 days of online registration. Mail checks with your unit number included to FMSAA PO Box 14576, Mill Creek, WA 98082 - checks payable to FMSAA. If registration fees are not paid in a timely manner, registrations may be droped and reserved spots re-opened for others to sign up.
  Merit Badges with additional fees (rifle shooting, basketry, etc.) bring cash or check (payable to BSA) to the trading post at Fire Mountain the day of the event, you will purchase a ticket or a craft kit for the particular badge you are participating in. Metalwork merit badge has a $50.00 fee that must be brought the first weekend with a check payable to Eric McKell.
  ***Note to Scouts interested in metalwork - class is limited to 14+, has a $50 fee (checks for that class to be payable to Eric McKell on the first weekend), and is a 4 session class as the project will take 9 hours, plus general instruction. Scouts will be making an aluminum ukulele. This is a special opportunity for instruction from an expert craftsman, Scouts will be and will be a great opportunity***
  Can of food - please bring 1 can of food per participant to the Skagit Shelter at Fire Mountain, food will be collected, packaged and taken to a local food bank after the March 8, and April 12 events, you are welcome to bring food each weekend, however it is only required the first weekend. This is a part of the Scouting for Food movement in the Mt. Baker Council and helps local food banks to feed hungry families in the Puget Sound area.

  
  

  Are there any age limits for Merit Badges?

  The lead instructor of the First Aid Merit Badge has requested that only Scouts who have completed the Second Class Rank sign up for the First Aid Merit Badge. So much of the foundation of the badge is completed during the Tenderfoot and Second Class rank requirements that she has found that these Scouts are more successful at the badge.

  The Metalwork instructor has requested a 14+ age limit on the metalwork meritbadge based upon the physical ability of the Scout.

  There are no solid age limits on any of the classes except metalwork. However, Scoutmasters may want to counsel with Scouts on the class they sign up for. There are a few classes like rifle and climbing that everyone wants to take, but these have class size limits and require all of the Scouts time for the attempt of the badge and there is no guarantee that they will earn it after the weekend is over. With younger Scouts we encourage Troop leaders to steer younger Scouts away from the more difficult Merit Badges so that they are successful.

  Adult Leader Training

  The Mount Baker Council will be holding some adult leader training, for information, please contact the BSA office for information.

  I have a Scout who can attend only one of the sessions.

  The Extravaganza is designed to provide access to counselors for Merit Badges that may be more difficult in your home area. Most Merit Badges require participation both weekends. If a Scout can only attend one weekend, he may only register for Merit Badges that require only 1 session to complete. Some Merit Badges do not COMPLETE any requirements the first weekend, instead they instruct, inform and prepare to complete requirements on the second weekend. Therefore attendance would be manditory on both weekends to complete any requirements for the badge.

  Is there homework between sessions?

  Almost all Merit Badges that span two weekends have work that is required to be completed at home. Failure to complete and return the work will result in the issuance of a 'partial' merit badge.

  I just need to complete one requirement of a Merit Badge you are offering.

  Because of the size of the event, we do not offer partial completion at the Extravaganza. We offer the program start to finish only.

  Can I go fishing?

  The Council Camping Department has closed the lake during merit badge class sessions. Fishing is permitted by youth before 9am or after 4pm. No fishing is permitted during class times, even by those not taking classes. Adult fishing is only permitted when fishing with youth.

  Do we have to be a part of the Mount Baker Council to participate?

  While the event is primarily a service to Scouts in the Mount Baker Council, any Boy Scout Unit may register for the event. Merit Badge classes are filled on a first come, first serve basis.

  I am having trouble registering online

  If you experience difficulty, please e-mail mbext(AT)firemtn.org, please do not call the Scout Office, this is 100% volunteer operated, they have been asked to send you back to the e-mail address, we typically respond to e-mails within a few hours, there are 5-7 volunteers who respond to help requests to that e-mail address.

  What if I forgot my password?

  Your registration information is password protected for your safety, if you have forgotten your password, please e-mail mbext(AT)firemtn.org, be aware that it may take a little longer for us to respond than usual as only two people have access to the password information.

  A Scout that registered for the event can not come.

  If a registered Scout cannot attend, please log in, and click delete next to that Scout's name.

  Can my whole troop sign up for the same badge?

  No. This event is designed for Scouts in troops to come and take different badges. If you troop wanted to have everyone earn one badge, call a counselor local to your area (lists are available through the Scout Office). Please be courteous to other Scouts by not registering your whole troop (or large chunks of your troop) in one badge, it removes opportunities for other Scouts to earn the badge, and is not courteous.

  What if I want to change a Scout's registration?

  To change a Scout's registration, log back in using your troop number and password, add the Scout as a new registration, then delete the old registration. Be aware that deleting the Scout first, then adding him back in is risky as the desired classes may be full.

  Can I save places in a class?

  The first-come-first-serve registration process is designed to reward units who are prepared and on-time. Please do not attempt to save places in classes, this is dishonest, and unfair to those who are prepared. Units discovered doing this may be removed from the event and fees returned.

  What if a class is not in the list?

  If the class if full, it is no longer in the list of available classes. You are encouraged to check back later, as a spot may open from a Scout who has decided not to take the class. A deleted registration becomes available for the next person who registers for it.

  What if a Scout only wants to attend one class?

  Choose from the list the class he wants to attend, then choose "No Class" for other spaces.

  The Merit Badge I wanted to sign my Scout up for is not on the list

  When a class fills up, it is no longer visible on the sign up list. If the class if offered in the AM and PM, check to see if it is available during the other time slot. Remember, classes are first-come-first-served, spaces will open up only if another Scout drops the class.

  Troop Numbers

  Please use your official full troop number when registering for the event (ie '4004' instead of just '4' if that is your official unit number. If you unit is in Whatcom, Skagit, or some parts of Island district your unit number is in the 4000's.

  After entering a Scout

  After entering a Scout and their merit badges, click the "Register Scout" Button. Your registration is confirmed when the Scout's information appears under "Registered Scouts".

  
  
  

  Registration is available online NOW

  Click here to enter registration site

  
  Please be patient as we may still experience some unexpected technical 'features.' If you do have challenges, please e-mail us right away to mbext(at)firemtn.org. Remove (at) and replace with @.