415 North 2nd Street (Route 31) St Charles, IL 60174
Merit Badge University
In 1997, Scoutmaster Keith Miller and some fellow Scouters hosted the 1st Merit Badge University for Three Fires Council. The turnout was light – only about 100 Scouts. They brought sack lunches and ate in the hallway. Today, nearly 2,000 Scouts and more than 300 Volunteers attend and run MBU. Scouts come from 11 States and 24 Councils to take advantage of this annual event. We teach 90+ merit badges, deliver hundreds of classes and serve thousands of meals on the big day.
Our Philosophy
No matter your Scout’s interests – sports, STEM, outdoor adventure, completing his Eagle badges – we’ve got it all at MBU. Here’s the thing, though. Your Scout’s got to do the work. Nearly ALL of our merit badges have pre-requisites. There are very few badges that can be earned in a single day unless the prerequisites have been completed. MBU is a great way to start a merit badge or tick off those last requirements. Good news is – you’ll stay in contact with your instructor and continue the work you start at MBU. When you’re ready, you’ll meet up to review and get those requirements signed off together. It’s been a successful formula for over 20 years.
Classes & Registration
Staff & Instructors
Welcome to the 30th Annual Merit Badge University’s Instructor & Staff page.
THANK YOU for your willingness to help at MBU. We usually have a volunteer staff of over 300 adults working at Merit Badge University. These positions are either merit badge counselors or staff members. Setup is the evening prior and the morning of depending on the location.
Locations: We will now be at Addison Trail High School (New is 2027) on February 20th and at Camp Big Timber on May 1st.
We have 4 positions that need staffing.
Parents Frequently Asked Questions
How does check-in and arrival work?
Parking is at a premium for either our Addison Trail or Camp Big Timber sessions of MBU. We want you to drop your Scout off in the circle up front and have a nice day – then pick him back up from the circle. There will be lots of Security Staff to direct your Scout to Registration. If you absolutely need to come in, do your best to find a parking spot and make your way to Registration. Find the line with your last name initial and check in. Registration begins at 7:30am. You’ll get an updated Merit Badge assignment sheet and a wristband indicating your lunch period. As a reminder, Parents may not accompany Scouts to class. Parents may not stay at the school or camp – you must depart after you register your Scout – we just don’t have the room for everyone to stay.
What is First Class Trail? Do you earn merit badges in FCT? (NOW RETIRED)
One of the best (and most popular) classes at MBU! Recommended for all New Scouts. Learn and practice the requirements for map & compass, the Scout Oath & Law. Learn to properly fold our Flag. Take the BSA Swim Test, learn the basics of first aid and practice your knots and lashings. You won’t earn a merit badge, but learning these skills will prepare you for when you return to your unit and need to demonstrate these skills so you can get that sign-off in your Handbook! Will your Instructors sign off in my Scout’s Handbook for what he learns in FCT? Our Instructors cannot sign-off on a requirement at MBU – that’s the Scoutmaster’s job. We will provide a sheet that shows what skills you learned in FCT at MBU.
The cost includes a Lunch. What’s for lunch?
We provide a quality lunch through a local Caterer. It will include a salad, bread, pasta and a protein (usually chicken) along with a drink. Lunch is also provided at our in-person MBU session at Camp Big Timber.
Can you accommodate my special dietary needs?
My Scout has allergies to xxx ingredient. We can’t possibly anticipate every allergen, cultural, religious, or personal preference. We don’t serve peanut products at lunchtime. Please be aware that we do have a snack table with drinks, candy, chips and other products for sale. These products may contain allergens. Please ensure that your Scout is properly prepared for his particular allergies. Due to allergies, my Scout needs to bring a sack lunch. That’s fine. Please don’t pack peanut or peanut butter-based products as a courtesy to others. Any additional dietary concerns you may note in your registration.
Why do I have to choose a Lunch Period?
Crowd control. We need to move nearly 2,000 people through a 20-min lunch period efficiently as possible. Can my Scout sit with his buddies? Can we choose a lunch period by unit? You can coordinate lunch period choices and have everyone pick the same period. If a period is closed, it will not appear in the list of available choices. Because schedules vary – we can’t make group ‘reservations’ for lunch.
What are the ‘Midway’ and ‘Auditorium’ in the lunch period choices?
At Camp Big Timber, we rotate Scouts through the Lunchroom, the Midway and the Camp’s Auditorium space. There will be lots of exciting things to see and do in our Midway – learn about High Adventure, Canoeing opportunities, summer camp, visit the Scout Shop – and more!
My Scout doesn’t want doesn’t want to eat the meal provided. May my Scout leave and come back to MBU?
Classes are spaced so that lunch is 20 mins only. There’s no time to leave campus and return. Parking is restricted for security purposes and you may not return to campus once you leave. There are no food choices within walking distance of the school.
My Scout doesn’t want to eat at MBU. Is there a reduced price?
No. Lunch is included in his registration fee.
I’m an adult volunteer at MBU (not an Instructor or Staff). May I eat lunch at MBU?
Sure! We’ll have a line for you to purchase lunch for a small fee.
May I wait for my Scout while he attends classes?
No. Due to limited parking, and the lack of space – every inch of Camp Big Timber is being used for our classes – we ask that Parents drop their Scouts off in the circle in front and return and pick them up at the end of the day. There’s no wifi, no extra outlets and no Starbucks – we’d prefer that you drop off your Scout and return to pick him later. You may register as a Staff Volunteer for the day – we always need help – and you may stay at the high school. Please go to tfcmeritbadgeuniversity.org to pre-register as a volunteer. Your registration must be received and approved prior to the day of the event.
It’s my Scout’s first MBU. Can I walk him/her to class?
For Security purposes, Adults are not allowed past drop off. Scouts with special needs may be accompanied by a parent; however, they must check-in, register as a companion/aid, pay for lunch and be issued a wristband. There are a ton of Security volunteers posted around the Camp who will direct your Scout to classes. We haven’t lost one yet!
What are the ‘Midway’ and ‘Auditorium’ in the lunch period choices?
At Camp Big Timber, we rotate Scouts through the Lunchroom, the Midway and the Camp’s Auditorium space. There will be lots of exciting things to see and do in our Midway – learn about High Adventure, Canoeing opportunities, summer camp, visit the Scout Shop – and more!
Will you be adding additional classes before registration closes?
Not usually. Occasionally we’ll announce openings in a particular badge – either we’ve added an instructor or classroom space has become available. We announce additional classes on our Facebook page. Type your paragraph here.
If you have a question that is not on this list, please feel free to
use our Contact Us form found here.
- Be a Merit Badge Counselor or Asst. Merit Badge Counselor.
- Assist as a helper with a merit badge for the day. (No experience needed, & you will be assigned to a specific badge.)
- Outdoor/Indoor Security and direction assistance. (This is Indoors or outdoors, and offers plenty of fresh air, so dress for the weather. Job description includes directing traffic for safety at the start & end of MBU and assisting Scouts in finding their way to their classes during MBU.
- Registration & Check-in for Staff & Students, & assisting at the Lunch rotations.
Staff Registration is now open! Click Here for more information.
