BSA Programs

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troops are invited to complete their Merit Badge requirements onboard!

Our programs touch all of the required milestones in the BSA Manual as the Scouts earn their Merit Badges in Aviation, Radio, First Aid, or Weather.

Please note, Merit Badge Programs for the remainder of 2020 have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our commitment to the health and safety of our guests, volunteers, and staff. We plan to resume this program in 2021. If you have any questions please email youthprograms@midway.org. 

MERIT BADGE

All Merit Badge programs include lunch as well as admission to the Museum after the exercise is completed. 

The Scouts should report to Navy Pier, adjacent to the Midway at 09:30 am in Class A Uniforms and bring their blue cards. Merit Badge programs begin at 10:00 am.

The Boy Scouts will touch all the required milestones per the BSA Manual to earn the Aviation Merit Badge through interactive lecture and practical exercises on the USS Midway.

This program includes:

  • Understanding of the fundamentals of aviation: the four forces on an aircraft, wing structure, low-pressure and impact lift, control surfaces, and aircraft power plants.
  • Access to all supplies, instructions and enthusiastic program facilitators is provided.
  • Knowledge of the basic principles of Aviation on an aircraft carrier.
  • Guided tour of the USS Midway Museum that provide practical examples of aviation on display.
  • Instruction on the significance of the Bernoulli Principle.
  • A controlled flight exercise with an FPG-9 per the BSA Manual.
  • A hands-on practical flight exercise using flight simulators in the exclusive Midway Flight Academy presented by Southwest Airlines.

The Boy Scouts will touch all the required milestones per the BSA Manual to earn the First Aid Merit Badge through interactive lecture and practical exercises on the USS Midway.

This program includes:

  • A review of the First Aid Requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class Ranks.
  • Learn how to obtain Emergency Medical Assistance.
  • Define triage and the steps to handle a medical emergency until help arrives.
  • Discover precautions regarding blood borne pathogens.
  • Preparation of a First Aid Kit, including discussion of the importance of the contents.
  • Learn what action to take in case of shock, heart attack, and signs of stroke.
  • Use and understanding of Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
  • Use and understanding of tourniquets and managing severe lacerations.
  • Each Scout will achieve CPR Qualifications during this exercise.

The Boy Scouts will touch all the required milestones per the BSA Manual to earn the Radio Merit Badge through interactive lecture and practical exercises on the USS Midway.

This program includes:

  • Access to all supplies, instructions and enthusiastic program facilitators is provided.
  • Knowledge of the basic principles and history of Radio on an aircraft carrier.
  • Guided tour of the USS Midway Museum for practical examples of radio fundamentals.
  • Actual on-air experience from the USS Midway Special Event Station NI6IW (USS Midway HAM call sign.)
  • Delicious lunch with your peers.

Due to space restrictions, this program allows a maximum of 15 participants.

The Boy Scouts will touch all the required milestones per the BSA Manual to earn the Weather Merit Badge through interactive lecture and practical exercises on the USS Midway.

This program includes:

  • Define Meteorology learning about weather and climate and the effects on navigation and aviation.
  • Learn to identify the 5 Dangerous Weather related conditions and the safety rules for each.
  • Understand the difference between High-Pressure and Low-Pressure Systems in the atmosphere and how it impacts Weather conditions.
  • Review Cloud Research and diagram the Water Cycle.
  • Learn how the Earth’s Axis determines climate from the Poles to the Equator.
  • Construct a weather recording instrument and keep a log for at least a week.
  • Learn the in’s and out’s of weather related career opportunities.

For information about our BSA Programs, please contact the Youth Programs team at (619) 398-8213 or youthprograms@midway.org.

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