Attention Scouts: New Spring Dates for Individual Boy Scouts Programs!

March 7th, 2016

You can now register for two Boy Scout Individual Enrollment classes: Oceanography and Environmental Science. We offer these classes once in the fall and once in the spring.  It is for individual scouts (not whole troops) who wish to study Oceanography or Environmental Science.

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Oceanography Merit Badge

In a fun “hands on” ocean experience at Sandy Hook, Boy Scouts can complete the Oceanography Merit badge in one day with the help of NJSGC instructors who are Certified Merit Badge Counselors. Scouts will explore the salt marsh and discover why the ocean is important to people. Activities include measuring water quality, studying waves and currents, viewing worldwide sand samples under the microscope, plankton collection and identification, laboratory experiments, and seining in Sandy Hook Bay. Mandatory worksheets must be completed in advance of the program.

The program runs approximately 4 hours and scouts will need transportation to the marsh site. Cost is $35/individual scout; accompanying adult is free.  Program is scheduled for Saturday, April 30th from 11:30 – 3:30 pm. Open to all Boy Scouts. To register, please go to our website at www.njseagrant.org/education/scout-programs or contact Jody Sackett at [email protected] or 732-872-1300, ext. 20.

Environmental Science Merit Badge

In this interactive one-day badge program at Sandy Hook, scouts will learn the basics of environmental science as we explore various aspects of the maritime environment.  Through seining (net and boots provided), we will discover what lives in Sandy Hook Bay. Hiking through the Salt Marsh, we will learn about its ecology through birding, plant identification, tidal impacts, water quality testing, and conduct a vegetation survey. We will study the effects of pollution on various environments both at the beach and in the laboratory, including simulated oil spills and acid rain; and discover how waves and tides affect pollution. Scouts will learn about biodegradable materials.  We will study ocean acidification and soil erosion effects and analyze an Environmental Impact Statement. Mandatory worksheets must be completed in advance, and a subsequent lab report must be submitted using data collected during this class.

The program runs approximately 5 hours and scouts will need transportation to the marsh site. Cost is $45/individual scout; accompanying adult is free. Program is scheduled for Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 – 3:00 pm. Open to all Boy Scouts. To register, please go to our website at www.njseagrant.org/education/scout-programs or contact Jody Sackett at [email protected] or 732-872-1300, ext. 20.