Autumn Dates for Boy Scout Merit Badge Program

Boy Scouts who want to earn the oceanography and environmental science merit badges can now register for fall classes. The programs are open to all Boy Scouts. To register for either program, contact Jody Sackett [email protected] or 732-872-1300, ext. 20.

Environmental Science

Date: Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: $25 a scout. (An accompanying adult is free.)

Description: In this five-hour interactive program at Sandy Hook, scouts will learn the basics of environmental science as they explore aspects of the maritime environment.  Through seining (net and boots provided), we will learn what lives in Sandy Hook Bay and about aquatic-based food webs.  By hiking through the salt marsh, they will learn about its ecology through birding, plant identification, tidal impacts, 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 thermal pollution and soil erosion effects and prepare an environmental impact statement.

Oceanography

Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $25 a scout. (An accompanying adult is free.)

Description: In this four-hour, hands-on ocean experience at Sandy Hook, Boy Scouts complete the Oceanography Merit badge with the help of a certified merit badge instructor. 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 exotic sand samples under the microscope, plankton collection and identification, laboratory experiments, and seining in Sandy Hook Bay. Scouts need transportation to the marsh.