A Letter from the Scouting University Chairs Hello again Troops! We are about a week away from this year’s Scouting University!  We hope that you are as excited about this event as we are.  The new classes we offered this year have been a success, and despite the ice storm and crazy weather this winter we are expecting over six hundred boy and girl scouts on March 7th! We have a couple of updates for you.  First, the schedule of events has now been posted.  Second, because we are meeting for check-in and opening ceremonies in the exact same place as we did last year (just outside the ballroom on the 5th floor of the Arkansas Union), the parking map has stayed the same and can also be downloaded at this time.  The stadium drive parking garage and lot 44 will be the best places for you to park.  Finally, both the liability release that must be filled out for all scouts and the climbing waiver for those scouts in the climbing merit badge class are also posted.  All of these documents can be reached by clicking on the links in the column to the left. Things to remember: please bring a sack lunch for each scout as lunch will not be provided, nor will scouts be allowed to purchase items from vending machines.  Also, please have your scouts dress appropriately for the event.  Scouts will be traveling from building to building to get to classes, and some classes will be taught in part outside, so it might be wise bringing a light jacket.  Scouts in swimming should remember their extra set of clothing, towel and suit.  Scouts in climbing should remember comfortable, non-baggy clothing, and shoes that can grip (such as tennis shoes). If you have not received an e-mail regarding your final class registration, please e-mail scoutingu@gmail.com.  For those classes your scouts are enrolled in, we ask that the scouts are familiarized with the requirements of the badge so that classes run smoothly.  All badge requirements can be found at www.meritbadge.org .  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at the above address, or call 918-430-5854 for Emily Messner or 870-208-5279 for Jessica Gahr. Thank you again for your attendance and support!  We’ll see you soon. Emily and Jessica Scouting University Co-Chairs For those who will be climbing, please bring the following waiver filled out and signed to the event: Climbing Waiver. Dear Scout Leaders: The Beta Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega will be hosting the annual Scouting University on March 7th on the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville campus.  At this time, we are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the event.  Troop leaders will need to fill out a form for their entire troop and send it along with a check to the address listed on the form.  Merit badge classes will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so we encourage everyone to send in their forms ASAP to ensure that your Scouts get enrolled in the class of their choice.  We will post information as we finalize additional details about the event (such as the schedule, the location of opening and closing ceremonies, class or registration updates, etc.).  Please visit this website from time to time to check for updates.  Thank you so much for your continued support of Scouting University!  We’re very excited about bringing you an amazing event in 2009.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us by e-mailing us at scoutingu@gmail.com.  We look forward to seeing you in March!  Thank you, Emily Messner and Jessica Gahr Alpha Phi Omega Scouting University Co-Chairs Scouting University: a Successful Tradition at Beta Rho Chapter Every year on the first Saturday in March, the Beta Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville hosts Scouting University.  The idea behind Scouting University is to allow area Boy and Girl Scouts a chance to earn merit badges or interest project badges that might be difficult to earn in their communities.  The event also provides Scouts with an opportunity to experience the university environment at one of the best college towns in the area.  General Information This year, the tradition continues.  Held on March 7th, 2009, this will be Beta Rho’s 17th Scouting University. The attendance for Scouting University has increased exponentially with each successive year, and this year will be no exception.  Last year, we hosted more than 600 Boy and Girl Scouts and taught over 28 merit and interest project badges.  As always our goals for Scouting U are high, and this year is no exception! Scouting University is an all day event.  Plan to check-in at 7:15 A.M. and for ceremonies to close at approximately 5:00 P.M.  We will teach a variety of merit badges and interest project badges throughout the day, many for which all requirements will be completed.  There are however a few merit badges that will not be finished at Scouting University.  We’ve noted this in several areas (including the registration form) and have put together requirement lists for every merit badge we plan on offering.  Boy Scouts will still have the option of signing up for two half-day classes.  Both Boy and Girl Scouts will attend classes during the day.  We encourage Scoutmasters or those who travel with Scouts to attend the classes to help maintain order within the classrooms (if they do not plan on participating in adult leader training).  Even without additional help, we will still have “two deep leadership” in all classrooms at all times.  Like last year, fees this year will be $7 for each Scout that registers early (prior to February 1).  After February 1 (including the day of the event), the fee will be $10 for each Scout.  Scouts that register on the day of the event will only be allowed to join open classes, so we encourage you to register early.  Included in the registration fee will be a patch that you will receive the day of the event.  It also helps to cover material costs as well as room and building reservations.  We assure you that Scouting University is not run by our chapter to earn a profit.  The event is our largest community service project of the year and the income from the event is used solely to fund the next year’s Scouting University. Note: Lunch will NOT be provided to scouts that attend the event.  Please make arrangements for Scouts and those that travel with your group to bring their own lunch.  Scouts will NOT be released from their classes to have tailgate lunches with their Troops. Click here for a map of the campus.

Alpha Phi Omega - ARKU A665 - Fayetteville, AR 72701 - (479) 575 - 8612 - alphiom@uark.edu