About Merit Badge University
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Alpha Rho’s Merit Badge program began in Spring 2001 by then Service Vice President Tim Francis. Our first Merit Badge University was a great success – 47 scouts attended and many earned their badges. After Tim graduated, the Merit Badge Program was passed down to Billy Russell. Our second year had over 600 scouts and 60 volunteers. The third year the event was put on in February of 2003 we had over 1000 scouts and 100 volunteers. In the fourth year of the program, aerospace engineer John VanOverloop ran the program, over 1300 scouts, 100 Ventures, and over 200 adults. In 2004 the Merit Badge University was featured in Scouting Magazine. Merit Badge University has continued to serve the scouts of Texas and surrounding areas since.
Other than the obvious benefit of getting closer to the rank of Eagle Scout, Merit Badge Universities are a great opportunity for scouts around the United States to visit a neighboring college campus and interact with professionals from around the community.
All proceeds from the Merit Badge University go to support the scouts of the Capitol Area Council. This year 33 percent of our proceeds went to develop a scholarship for Eagle Scouts attending the University of Texas. Another 33 percent went to pay for Eagle Scout Award Medals in the Council. 11 percent went to the Tonkawa Lodge for their support of MBU to help with Lost Pines. 5 percent went to the Capitol Area Council Friends of Scouting Campaign. Another 5 percent went to helping the Spanish Scouting Organization. And 2 percent went to funding local programs of In School Scouting.