2012 Extravaganza - March 24 & April 28, 2012
The Extravaganza How-to-Guide and Frequently Asked Questions
Program and Arrival
- General Information
- Do we have to be a part of the Mount Baker Council to participate?
- Arrival Time and Schedule
- Daily Schedule
- Lunch and Trading Post
- Can my whole troop sign up for the same badge?
- What if a Scout only wants to attend one class?
Web Registration
- I am having trouble registering online
- What if I forgot my password?
- Pre-Registration Information
- Number of Scouts
- Only one Scout?
- Scheduling classes, and what do "sessions" mean?
- A Scout that registered for the event can not come.
- What if I want to change a Scout's registration?
- Can I save places in a class?
- What if a class is not in the list?
- Troop Numbers
- After entering a Scout
Payment and Fees
Merit Badge Course Specifics
- Fly Fishing Merit Badge
- Is there homework between sessions?
- I have a Scout who can attend only one of the sessions.
- Are there any age limits for Merit Badges?
- I just need to complete one requirement of a Merit Badge you are offering.
- Merit Badge Cards
Hodgepodge
- Overnight Reservations
- Medical Form Requirement
- Work Party Requirements
- Adult Leader Training
- Can I go fishing?
General Information
- Have Scouts select badges they are interested in working on, note the number of sessions required. Be aware that all badges that are two or four sessions require attendance at BOTH weekends, AND completion of projects or packets between the weekends. A full month separates the two weekends to accommodate Scouts completing the work.
- Have one representative from the troop register all scouts interested at this website after January 1, 2012.
- We use PayPal for the payment of $9 per participant and all additional material fees. Unpaid registrations may be dropped.
- 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 and go directly to your first class starting at 9am, class schedules and locations are avaliable on your registration page. 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 one of the weekends as a part of your troop's fee.
Submitting Payment
After registering, you must submit your payment through the PayPal service, which allows payment using credit card and banking funds transfer.
Merit Badges with additional fees (rifle shooting, basketry, etc.) are paid with your registration as part of the PayPal check out.
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 event, 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.
back to topArrival Time & Schedule
March 24 - Check in at at your first class 9am (no more "check-in" process since your schedule and class locations are avaliable in the online registration system)
April 28 - Check in at first class
back to topDaily Schedule
9-12 Session 1
12-1 Lunch (please bring your own, or plan to buy)
1-4 Session 2
Work Party Information
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.
back to topPre-Registration Information
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. Spaces are non-transferable, once a Scout is registered, no registration fee may be transfered to another Scout. Scouts may un-enroll but registration fees must be paid for another Scout to attend. It is anticipated that there will be more people that want to attend than we can accommodate, we recommend you register early. The online system is 'live' and changes with registration, 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, you must submit your payment. See the Payment Information FAQ for more information. NO REGISTRATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE SCOUT OFFICE, THEY MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE and fees submitted to be considered valid. All registrations must be made as a Troop.
back to topPaying Additional Fees
Additional fees for classes are to be paid through PayPal with the registration.
Lunch costs will be collected at the event if purchasing a lunch.
back to topMerit 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 Return
We will be mailing Merit Badge Cards to the individual who registers the Troop - be sure we have an accurate mailing address. Cards are mailed about two weeks after the event, if you are willing to stay after the end of the second weekend a troop representative will be able to take the blue cards home at that time.
back to topOvernight 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.
back to topMedical Forms
All Participants must fill out the Class 1 portion of the medical form. This includes a medical history and permission to treat in case of injury or illness. Unit leaders will retain medical forms.
back to topLunch and Trading Post
The Fire Mountain Staff Alumni Association will be offering lunch in the dinning hall for $5 (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.
back to topScheduling classes, and what do "sessions" mean?
Merit Badges that are:- 1 Session long - you can sign up for AM or PM on EITHER weekend
- 2 Sessions long - you can sign up for AM or PM for BOTH weekends
- 4 Sessions long - this will take all both AM and PM of BOTH weekends
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.
back to topI 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 mandatory on both weekends to complete any requirements for the badge.
back to topNumber of Scouts
Is there a minimum number of Scouts in a troop to participate? No. All we ask is that participants in a troop register together.
back to topOnly 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 register together.
back to topAre 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.
There are no solid age limits on any of the classes. However, Scoutmasters may want to counsel with Scouts on the class they sign up for. There are a few classes like rifle and Environmental Science 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.
back to topAdult Leader Training
The Mount Baker Council may be holding some adult leader training, for information, please contact the BSA office for information.
back to topI 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.
back to topCan 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.
back to topFly Fishing Merit Badge
The Fly Fishing merit badge is time intensive both during, between and beyond the Merit Badge Extravaganza. It is possible and likely that the merit badge will not be completed during this program. The merit badge instructor will teach the skills required for the badge, however, due to nature of the badge you may not complete it here.
The $20 additional course fee will provide you with a fly-box to keep for yourself with six or more trout fly patterns, along with costs for leaders, line replacement and fly-tying stuff. It is helpful if the Scout can provide their own rod, reel and line (a very limited amount of "loner" pieces are avaliable).
back to topDo 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.
back to topI 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.
back to topWhat if I forgot my password?
Your registration information is password protected for your safety, if you have forgotten your password, please use the password reset functionality on the registration page.
back to topA 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. Reminder that after you have "finalized" your registration and paid you may not edit or delete any registration.
back to topCan 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.
back to topWhat if I want to change a Scout's registration?
To change a Scout's registration, log back in using your troop number and password, and edit their registration. Reminder that after you have "finalized" your registration and paid you may not edit any registration.
back to topCan 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.
back to topWhat 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.
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.
back to topWhat if a Scout only wants to attend one class?
Choose from the list the class he wants to attend.
back to topTroop 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.
back to topAfter 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".
back to top