Arrive one hour prior to the star party.
Get the group oriented to the site. Show them the bathrooms etc.
Head up classroom. It there are no plans to use the big scope, this would be the time to open the doors and give a brief visual tour.
Classroom:
- Safety - include solar observing.
- If you are able to do solar observing, take your group out right away and observe sunspots. While boys are looking through the scope review question 7. Otherwise, the scouts are supposed to have used web resources to complete this question in advance.
- Check in with the Scoutmaster about the items that were to be done in advance. You will not have time to review every item.
- Do check to see that scouts are dressed appropriately for the event. Talk about weather hazards. Explain procedures for the night.
- Adapt scout flashlights for night viewing.
- Review the items they need to finish during the star party and where they are located on the grounds (or in the building).
- Intro - What is a telescope? What does it do and how does it do it?
- Head out together to look at the constellations and star that the scouts put on their observing (4a 4b)
- At the end of the evening, the scout should assist or watch one of the telescope operators pack up their equipment. (3d)
- Come back together as a group. Sign merit badge blue cards which the scoutmaster will bring. Sign and date the cards with Kate Meredith's name. Send a list of names of the boys who have completed the merit badge, their troop number and hometown to Kate. If they did not complete the entire merit badge, you will initial the individual requirements that have been completed. Sign off the entire card only if they have finished all requirements. It is up to the individual scout to contact Kate or another merit badge counselor if they need to finish.