Raccoon Mountain Caverns is very proud of the fact that we are one of the few caves in this country with a full-time geologist on staff. This permits us to better assist young scouts in completing the requirements for several scout merit badges. The badge coursework is taught by registered merit badge counselors.

We are pleased to offer the following badges to scouts who go caving with us:

Geology Badge: Your scouts will be able to complete all of the requirements for the Geology Merit Badge. We upgraded this program to include the required rock collection and all needed materials. Scouts will be provided with a gemstone mix which they must sift through in our water sluice.  They must then identify the rock and gems using an identification card and can store them in a multi-compartment storage box. The cost is just $11.00 per scout. The Webelos Geology Badge is just $5.00 per person because of reduced requirements.  Please allow approximately 2 1/2 hours.

Forestry Badge: Your scouts will take a guided hike through a portion of our forest where they will study trees, shrubs, ring patterns, and forest management. Most importantly, they will complete all of the requirements for the forestry badge.  All supplies and materials are included at a cost of just $7.00 per scout. Please allow approximately 2 hours.

Soil & Water Conservation Badge: Your scouts can fulfill all of the requirements for this badge as they learn about soil, erosion, conservation practices, watersheds, and water pollution. There is a $7.00 charge per scout to cover the cost of supplies and materials. Please allow approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Orienteering Badge: Your scouts will learn how to read a topographic map, how to take and follow a compass bearing, transferring a map direction to a compass, declination, descriptive clues, and offset.  They will also take part in a cross-country course.  Scouts will be provided with all needed supplies, including an orienteering compass which they will get to keep. The cost is just $11.00 per scout. Please allow approximately 5 hours for the Orienteering Badge Coursework.

Bird Study Badge (New for 2008!): Your scouts will learn about birds and the benefits they provide to the eco-system.  They will receive (and get to keep) a guide to bird identification, a set of binoculars, and all the materials necessary to construct a bird house. Please note that additional at home study / observation is required. There is a $25.00 charge per scout to cover the cost of supplies and materials. Please allow approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Nature Merit Badge (New for 2008!): This nature study program requires your scout to build a birdhouse and make plaster casts of mammal footprints.  All materials are included and additional at home study is required. There is a $15.00 charge per scout to cover the cost of supplies and materials. Please allow approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Important Note: Please add an additional $3.00 per scout per badge if your group is not going caving with us to cover the cost of the instruction.

All information on this Web site is copyright 2008 by Raccoon Mountain Caverns.

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