Boy Scouts
Archery Merit Badge
In this two day program, participants learn the principles of safe and effective shooting. Under the qualified supervision of a certified rangemaster, the children make their own bow string and arrow and learn good shooting technique. Due to the subject matter taught and skills learned, the class size is limited to 32 students. Fee includes lunch.
| Sat – Sun | Apr 22 – Apr 23, 2012 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $85 |
Astronomy Merit Badge – Overnight
Use a telescope, learn the constellations that are visible from your backyard, discover planets, orbits and eclipses. Learn about Earth’s moon. Examine star age, magnitude and spectral class by creating a Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. Get your hands on a star chart and make it work. On display during the December session will be the Geminids Meteor Shower. Considered by many to be the best meteor shower in the heavens, the Geminids are known for producing up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour at their peak. In addition to astronomical activities, we’ll hike The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center’s trail system and learn some things about the planet we call home. It will be two days and one star-filled night of fun. Fee includes 3 meals and bunkhouse lodging.
| Fri – Sat | Dec 16 – Dec 17, 2011 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $90 |
| Fri – Sat | Mar 23 – Mar 24, 2012 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $90 |
Environmental Science Merit Badge – Overnight
Plant a garden, eat a Rancher’s Dinner and take a hike to learn about wild edible plants and their pollinators in the wilderness areas of The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. We will examine the services that plants, insects and the natural environment provide. Participants will come to understand the importance of farming and agriculture to society, and seeds will be planted to instill a lifelong love of gardening and nature. Fee includes 3 meals and bunkhouse lodging.
| Sat – Sun | Oct 1 – Oct 2, 2011 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $90 |
First Aid
Participants will learn how to provide immediate medical care to an ill or injured person until medical personnel arrive. Participants will learn how to respond to emergencies, preserve life, prevent further harm and promote recovery. At the end of this session, participants will feel comfortable responding to conditions that commonly require first aid. The following first aid basics will be covered: contacting emergency medical assistance, triage, blood borne pathogen precautions, CPR, AED use, tourniquet use and the treatment of common symptoms and ailments. Fee includes lunch.
| Sat | Mar 17, 2012 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $65 |
Gardening Merit Badge
As part of the Gardening Merit Badge, campers spend time in our herb garden and learn about California plants at our Ranch Camp. While enjoying the beautiful environment, campers also explore our orchard that has 188 citrus plants ranging in variety from blood oranges to Buddha’s hand citrons. This class is divided into 4 sessions.
| Sat (session 1 of 4) | Mar 3, 2012 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | $75 |
| Sat (session 2 of 4) | Apr 14, 2012 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| Sat (session 3 of 4) | May 19, 2012 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| Sat (session 4 of 4) | Jun 9, 2012 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Geocaching Merit Badge
Geocaching Merit Badge is brand new for 2011. We’ll learn all of the safety and technical information needed for safe geocaching, practice geocaching on the IROEC course, and set up a mini geohunt for Cub Scouts. All participants must register on Geocache.com prior to the weekend. Bring your Geocache.com username and password. Fee includes lunch.
| Sat | Dec 3, 2011 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $65 |
Geology Merit Badge
Dig deep into the Lucy Lou Mine. The Blackstar and Silverado shafts will be open to allow discovery of the three types of rocks, how they are formed and some basic rock identification techniques. Participants will discover the vast array of mined minerals and ores and how we are dependent upon them on a daily basis. A geologist will make rocks come alive for participants with stories of Earth’s geologic processes. Fee includes lunch.
| Sat | Sep 24, 2011 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $65 |
| Sat | Mar 10, 2012 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $65 |
Lifesaving Merit Badge – Overnight
Participants will learn advanced water rescues, escapes, surface dives and first aid. At the first session, participants must complete a 400-yard swim without struggling in order to continue in class. On the last day, students will learn how to correctly remove someone with a spinal injury from the water. Fee includes 3 meals and bunkhouse lodging.
| Fri – Sat | May 11 – May 12, 2012 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $90 |
Orienteering Merit Badge
Orienteering Merit Badge will teach you skills that could save your life. Become familiar with map and compass, then follow and set up an orienteering course. We will also provide instruction for the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units to find and establish geocaches. Please bring compasses and handheld GPS units if you have them. Fee includes lunch.
| Sat | Dec 10, 2011 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $65 |
Rifle Shooting Merit Badge
Students start the weekend by learning the importance of safety. Under the supervision of a qualified rangemaster, the students learn the principles of good shooting while practicing on the IROEC’s Powerline 901 Air Rifle and/or Avanti Champion 499 BB gun. Due to the subject matter taught and skills learned, the class size is limited to 28 students. Fee includes lunch.
| Sat – Sun | Sep 17 – Sep 18, 2011 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $85 |
Swimming Merit Badge
Swimming Merit Badge is for girls and boys who would like to improve their swimming ability and strokes. Qualified instructors will teach first aid and water survival skills, as well as dives and stroke techniques. Fee includes lunch.
| Sat – Sun | May 5 – May 6, 2012 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $90 |
Trail to First Class
The Trail to First Class series is composed of a number of overnight campouts designed to teach first year Scouts the basics of safe, respectful camping and outdoor skills. Each session builds on the skills learned in the previous campout. The series is designed so participants can attend any or all. Key skills emphasized in the sessions include: trip planning, Leave No Trace, camp set-up, camp cooking, pioneering, survival strategies, land navigation, safe hiking, citizenship, aquatic rescue and first aid.
Tenderfoot
| Fri – Sat | Nov 4 – Nov 5, 2011 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $65 |
| Fri – Sat | Mar 16 – Mar 17, 2012 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $65 |
Second Class
| Fri – Sat | Nov 11 – Nov 12, 2011 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $65 |
| Fri – Sat | Mar 30 – Mar 31, 2012 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $65 |
First Class
| Fri – Sat | Nov 18 – Nov 19, 2011 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $65 |
| Fri – Sat | Apr 13 – Apr 14, 2012 | 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm | $65 |
