Video: Boy Scouts Merit Badges at NEMCC

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BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — For the first time ever, the Boy Scouts and Northeast Community College have teamed up to provide an excellent way for the scouts to earn merit badges.

Some learned about the basics of auto repair. Others visited a farm north of Booneville to learn what it takes to give a cow a shot. Still others visited Booneville dentist Jeff Johnson’s office, to make a mold of their teeth.

Those were just three of the merit badges 122 area Boy Scouts earned at Boy Scout Merit Badge College. Michael Rutherford the Scout Master for Troop 39 in Booneville.

“We couldn’t have put it on without Northeast’s help because they’ve got the all the facilities, the rooms resources that helped us out,” Rutherford said.

Patrick Eaton is Executive Director of the Development Foundation at NEMCC.

“That is something that we’re really excited about because many of the merit badges that are offered here on campus with this particular class and day is exactly what we offer here at Northeast Community College. Whether you’re trying to pursue dentistry, auto mechanics, what to go on to become a medical doctor, we have all of those things that you can start right here at Northeast Community College,” Eaton notes.

This is the first year that Booneville’s Troop 37 has teamed up with Northeast Mississippi Community College to sponsor a Boy Scout merit badge day. The goal is to earn enough merit badges to achieve the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. Will Mott should have his Eagle by August.

“Eagle is a great thing to have because it tells you that you’re good at doing what you’re doing. And that you get what you’re doing done,” Mott explains.

Clinton Shoffner is already an Eagle Scout but is still earning merit badges.

“You can earn more badges and you can rank up as an Eagle Scout and get what’s called a Palm which is basically you’re becoming an elite Eagle Scout,” Shoffner said.

Shoffner says being an Eagle provides opportunities.

“You’ll get many scholarships to wherever you decide to go. Becoming an Eagle Scout is one of the highest honors you can be,” he said.

Northeast Mississippi Community College intends to make Boy Scout Merit Badge College a regular event.