What Is A Weekend Merit Badge Academy? 

It is an opportunity for merit badge advancement within in a condensed summer camp experience. Each weekend offers at minimum 10 hours of instruction. This, combined with pre & post requisite efforts by scouts, can lead to the completion of merit badges in a time and cost effective manner without compromising quality. Badges at Barton 2023 will offer a wide array of Core Badges, which are offered every weekend, and On-Demand Badges, which differ from weekend to weekend depending on demand and instructor availability. 

Scouts and Troops/Crews/Ships can utilize a merit badge academy to:

• Supplement summer resident camp if their schedule is too full.

• Complete partials obtained earlier in the summer at a resident camp. 

• Venture into merit badges not commonly offered in a camp setting. 

• Continue their summer scouting adventures. 

See below for information on what badges are being offered each week. 

What is a Specialty Program?

Specialty Programs will focus on various aspects of Scouting. The Specialty Programs for 2023 will include:

• Sidney Winter Trail - Advancement Program Leading to First Class Rank - Sessions 1 and 4 - Download a Weekend Schedule here (PDF)
• Trail to Eagle - all sessions
• Woodsman - Outdoor Skills/Backwoods Engineering Program - Sessions 2 and 4
• Helmsman - High Adventure Sailing Program - Session 4
• "I Dig Camp Barton"- Advanced Archaeology Quest - Sessions 3 and 4
• Endeavor - Advanced Ecology & Natural Sciences Program - Session 3
• Watersports- Waterskiing & Motor Boating Program (Includes Option for NYS Boater Safety Cert) - Sessions 1 and 5
• Jet Ski - Personal Watercraft (PWC) Program (Includes Option for NYS Boater Safety Cert) - Sessions 1 and 2

What is Trail To Eagle?

Trail to Eagle is a special Advancement Trek and Preparatory Workshop for Life Scouts approaching Eagle. This program will be offered every one of the Badges at Barton sessions. 

Scouts enrolled in the Trail to Eagle Program are provided significant learning opportunities and leadership development by a collaborative staff of scouting leaders and professionals. They are exposed to a variety of resources, and practical experiences that help to accelerate their focus on individual advancement & preparation towards the Eagle Rank. Each Scout develops their own foundation for achievement through exposure to rigorous expectations and challenges. Scouts will gain immeasurable experiences as they prepare for their life as an Eagle.

SCHEDULE: For a breakdown of each weekend's activities, merit badge opportunities, and areas of focus, click here (PDF)

The registration link for Trail to Eagle  is  https://scoutingevent.com/368-TrailtoEagle  
- or use the QR code at right. 

What Does a Weekend Include? 

Each Weekend, aside from its own unique merit badge and specialty offerings, includes a full meal schedule, open program area time, specialized training sessions, in-camp service projects, formal retreat & colors, vespers service, campfires, and regional off-campus adventures.

When is Badges at Barton happening? 

• Weekend Session 1 July 21st – 23rd

• Weekend Session 2 July 28th – 30th

• Weekend Session 3 August 4th – 6th

• Weekend Session 4 August 18th – 20th

• Weekend Session 5 August 25th – 27th

How can I register a Scout or Unit for Badges at Barton?

A Scout can attend with a Troop / Ship / Crew or attend individually as a Provisional Camper. Provisional Campers attend camp without their unit, and are placed in a Provisional Troop under camp-provided leadership.

Registration for all programs at 
Badges at Barton 2023 is open now!

• Go to https://scoutingevent.com/368-badgesatbarton, the BlackPug registration system or use the QR code at right. . 

• Registration for each weekend closes on the Tuesday before the session. 

• The system will be updated weekly as more badges are added to the weekend schedules.

Need help with the sign-up system ("BlackPug")? 

Download a Step-by-Step Instruction sheet on how to sign Scouts up for Badges at Barton
MSWord .docx format - Adobe PDF format 

What does Badges at Barton Cost? 

• Standard Registration Fee - $70 Scouts /Adults 
  • Scouts who attend for a Saturday Only - $50 - No Additional Discounts Apply
• Early Bird Registration Fee - $55 if paid before the Early Bird Deadline (May 13th)
• Additional Fee for Specialty Programs: Some specialty programs have additional fees to cover program supplies and other costs:
  • Trail to Eagle - add $5
  • Woodsman - add $5
  • Helmsman - add $15
  • Watersports-Waterskiing & Motor Boating Program - add $35
  • Jet Ski - Personal Watercraft (PWC) Program - add $50
  • "I Dig Camp Barton"- Advanced Archaeology Quest - add $5
  • Endeavor - add $25

Discounts and Incentives: 

• Multiple Session Discount (Merit Badge Academy): Scouts receive a $10 Discount for each additional weekend (after the first at full price)
• Multiple Session Discount (Specialty Programs): Scouts who attend a weekend long Specialized Program receive a 2nd Standard Weekend for half the regular fee. Note: this does not apply to the Sidney Winter Trail Program
• CIT Program: Standard Registration Fee for one session is waived for Scouts who apply & participate in the Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program (Min. Age 14)
• Leader Discounts: 
  • Unit Leadership: Registration Fee is waived for One Leader per Unit who registers 10 Scouts for 1 session, plus a discount of 50% off one adult fee for every 5 additional Scouts.
  • Volunteer Staff: Registration Fee is waived in any session for all Adult Leaders who register in full as Volunteer Staff in an agreed capacity.
  • Provisional Campers: Registration Fee is waived for Adult Leaders who volunteer as a Provisional Troop Leader during a separate weekend session or who agree to accept provisional campers into their troop for the weekend.

Baden-Powell Council Camp-to-Camp Program for 2023

Attending Summer Camp at Tuscarora Scout Reservation in 2023? Ask us about transportation from Camp to Camp so you can participate in both!! Drop off at one, pick up at the other!

• End of Week 2/Start of Week 3 (July 21)
• End of Week 3/Start of Week 4 (July 27)
• End of Week 4 (August 4)

Badges at Barton Downloads

Program Guide

Master Badges/Program Schedule (PDF) - revised Feb. 2023 - this will be updated as new badges are added
Pre- and Post-Requisites Guide to Badges (PDF) - revised Feb. 2023 - this will be updated as new badges are added
Flyer for Badges at Barton (PDF) - revised Feb. 2023
Campsite Map, Names and Capacities chart (PDF)
Weekend Schedule for Badges at Barton (PDF)
Details will be added to this page as they become available - check back often!