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Merit badge classes offered at the Saratoga Springs library June 30, 2017, 6:18 pmEach month, the library tries to offer two different merit badge classes to help boys earn required and non-required merit badges. In June, they are offering Salesmanship and Basketry. The reading merit badge is always an ongoing class. Boy Scouts Jordan and Jason Monsen of Saratoga Springs started participating in the merit badge classes during Christmas break. Since then, Jordan has earned six merit badges: Sustainability, Animation, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the World, Emergency Preparedness and Signs, Signals and Codes. Jason has earned two: Sustainability and Citizenship in the World merit badges. "The Animation merit badge was my favorite," said Jordan, "because we got to draw something on paper and make it move." Jason says that boys should "take advantage of the opportunity, so they can get ahead on the merit badges toward their Eagle." Melissa Monsen, their mom, has appreciated this merit badge program because she feels that her oldest has been able to get the required merit badges and her younger son has been able to get a good start. She recommends the program to other families because of the convenience of the location and the low cost to earn merit badges. "I have loved that during the winter it has been convenient to attend the classes," she said. But she reminds parents that sometimes there will still be "homework" in order to finish up the merit badges. Taffi Pugh, the Saratoga Springs library clerk who helps with this program said, "We offer these classes as a community service. We have heard from many families that it is a need in our area ... We try to accommodate as many scouts as we can, but we do have limited resources; all of the classes are taught by community members that volunteer their time to help, and we receive more requests for classes than we can handle." Parents can register and pay online. To see the current merit badge classes the library is offering, visit saratogaspringscity.com/library, and click on the programs and events line to pull up the list and registration link. The cost is $5 per class for Saratoga Springs residents and $10 for non-residents. After registering, it is best if the scout reviews the requirements of each merit badge at meritbadge.org or scouting.org before the class. Then, for each class, the boy should come dressed in his scout uniform and be ready to listen and participate. "The availability of specific classes is based upon community volunteers who are essential to keep this program running. Volunteers are always needed to help this program thrive," said Pugh. If you are interested in being a merit badge teacher/counselor, please visit saratogaspringscity.com/library to get more information. If you have further questions about the program, contact tpugh@saratogaspringscity.com. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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