Athens — Boy Scouts invaded the Warnell School this past weekend in search of merit badges. Warnell hosted the Cherokee District’s Fall Advance-a-Rama, in which more than 250 Boy Scouts and Scout leaders took classes on UGA’s campus and at Whitehall to work towards earning merit badges.

Warnell, which has a long history with the organization and has several school leaders and students who are former Boy Scouts, not only provided the space, but also transportation and teachers. The weekend was a great success, said Jim Sweeney, an Eagle Scout and Warnell’s associate dean of research.

“The event was a great success due in large part to our students and staff who volunteered as instructors and shuttle van drivers,” Sweeney said. “We had almost 260 scouts participating in 20 merit badges (classes). We used all of our classrooms and several labs, a lab in Plant sciences, the UGA Dairy, Oconee County Jail, Athens Fire Training center, and the University’s Cedar Street art complex and South Thomas Art Complex.  So we had many other UGA and Community volunteers help with the day’s events.”

Forestry was one merit badge the Boy Scouts worked on at the Advance-a-Rama. (Photo by Michael Ransom)

One student volunteer was Michael Ransom, who helped teach students for those seeking merit badges in forestry. Helping out wasn’t a hard decision, he said.

“I think that the education of today’s youth is vital to the future of professions involving natural resources and public health in general,” he said. “The growing disconnect of urban and rural lifestyles makes this increasingly difficult, and I think that Warnell is setting the standard by stepping up and providing a venue for educational opportunities.”

Held biannually, the Advance-a-Rama has been held at Warnell seven times. It was previously held at the U.S. Navy Supply School.

While at Whitehall, the Boy Scouts met some of Warnell’s friendly deer. (Photo by Michael Ransom)

Tags: Advance-a-Rama, Boy Scouts