BANNER ELK, N.C.─ On Saturday, March 16, Lees-McRae College hosted the Daniel Boone Council of Boy Scouts of America for their 2024 Merit Badge College event. Each year the Merit Badge College event is held as a day of advancement within the Scouts, focusing on Scout spirit, fun, and the earning of Scout merit badges.
Scouts who signed up were able to camp overnight on the college’s South Campus property, explore the college’s campus, and receive instruction from some of the college’s faculty and staff that contributed toward the earning of different merit badges.
“The scouting merit badge day is a priority we had initially planned in 2020 and had to postpone because of the pandemic,” President Lee King said. “Scouting’s values align perfectly with the mission of Lees-McRae, and we want all scouts to consider Lees-McRae as a strong option for their higher education because students with scouting backgrounds will thrive here. I fully intend for this to be an annual event and look forward to seeing this grow.”
Badges Scouts could earn from Lees-McRae faculty and staff included Bird Study with Director of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Nina Fischesser, Chemistry with Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry Mark Silver, and Law with Executive Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator Tim Koch.
With institutional priorities such as responsible community, outdoor programming, and environmental sustainability, Lees-McRae College is an excellent place for Scouts to reinforce the mission of Boy Scouts of America.
“Walking around on Saturday, it was an absolute joy seeing these young men and women learning and becoming better leaders and Scouts,” Program Executive and Camp Director with Boy Scouts of America Jacob Whitlow said. “We chose Lees-McRae as the host site for our Merit Badge College primarily due to the great relationship between the Daniel Boone Council and the college and because the facilities at the college are able to provide a meaningful environment for instruction. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America and of Lees-McRae College are also closely aligned with each other, which makes this partnership even more exciting.”
