Area Scouts Earn Badges at "Badgapalooza"

Midland County Historical Society’s Heritage Park was a flurry of Scouting activity in June when a dozen area Scouts participated in “Badgapalooza,” presented as part of MCHS’s programming for the exhibition On My Honor:  100 Years of Boys Scouts in America, 1910 – 2010.  The Scouts had the opportunity to earn all 4 of the “historic” badges that were brought back this year to commemorate the anniversary:  Tracking, Pathfinding, Carpentry, and Signaling.  Boys also worked in a real blacksmith shop to earn their Metalworking badge.  “Boys Scouts don’t just give away badges; the kids really have to work for them,” remarked Trena Winans-Bagnall, Curator of Educational Programs.  “Most badges required homework, from learning about the science and vocabulary of metalworking, to becoming familiar with Morse code and semaphore signals – I know that’s not something they’ve covered in school!”

Credit for the week’s success goes to many.  Providing Scouts with hands-on experience required contributions of time and talent from community members.  “Some of these badges are pretty involved, and we were really fortunate to receive so much local support from skilled volunteers.  We’re grateful that Chippewa Nature Center provided a terrific program to work on our Tracking badges. There was an amazing group of four skilled carpenters who came together to teach carpentry and eight blacksmiths who taught metalwork! It was certainly a fun and exciting week!” says Winans-Bagnall. All of these people are so dedicated; they will do it again in August for another sold-out camp. 

On My Honor:  100 years of Boy Scouts in America, 1910 – 2010 includes local and regional scouting artifacts, describes the unique contributions of the local scouting movement, and highlights area scouts throughout time.  The exhibition continues through November 13.  Museum hours are Thursday through Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm.  Admission is $5 adults; $3 children; free for ages 3 and under and for MCHS members.  Admission includes access to all Heritage Park facilities:  Michigan County History Gallery, H. H. Dow Museum, and 1874 Bradley Home.  The exhibit is presented in partnership with Lake Huron Area Council Boy Scouts of America, with support from Kiwassee Kiwanis, Kiwanis Club of Midland and Midland Meijer.

The Midland County Historical Society maintains Heritage Park, which includes the Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center, 1874 Bradley Home Museum and Carriage House and the Herbert H. Dow Historical Museum. The Historical Society was founded in 1952 and is dedicated to fostering the understanding, appreciation and preservation of Midland County's heritage.

Midland Center for the Arts, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation formed under the laws of the State of Michigan incorporating six groups: Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art, Center Stage Theatre, MATRIX:MIDLAND, Midland County Historical Society, Midland Symphony Orchestra, and Music Society – Choral. Activities at Midland Center for the Arts are supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. For the latest Center news, visit the Midland Center for the Arts website.