The Atomic Energy Merit Badge Program is offered by Dominion as a free educational service for Boy Scouts who are interested in earning this prized badge. The event, held at Dominion's nuclear power stations, is run by company volunteers, mostly station employees.

Dominion's program is packed with interesting activities and opportunities to learn about nuclear energy. The scouts also meet new friends and enjoy two nights of tent camping. The following is a brief summary of the program:

Friday Evening
The program starts with a check-in, and the boys get a start on the requirements for the badge. Then they head to the Recreation Island adjacent to the power station where they set up camp. About 10 p.m., there is a “cracker barrel” to go over rules and answer questions.

Saturday  The troops wake up and get breakfast. (They camp on a baseball field so there are no open fires.) There is a pavilion that the troops are welcome to use.  Then the troops go to the North Anna Nuclear Information Center where the actual training begins. (The photo shows a group of scouts exploring the "NANIC.")

While visiting the NANIC, the scouts have class room training, see a movie, and study the displays until about 2 p.m. when they take a test. Lunch is provided during the training sessions.
  

In the evening, the boys finish up the requirements for the merit badge while the tests are graded. Then about 5 p.m. dinner is provided, usually spaghetti.  Dominion volunteers hand out certificates, hats and a patch for attending the program. Then the boys do skits and games until bed time.

Sunday
A pancake breakfast is provided in the morning. A devotional service may also be provided by an employee at the plant or by one of the visiting troops. A general clean-up is performed and everyone heads for home.

Other Information
The recreational island at North Anna has full male and female bathroom facilities including running water and heat.

While on the island, the boys may play basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, baseball or play on the open field. It is near the lake, but boys are directed to stay away from the water so there is no fishing or swimming while camping.

The program is better suited to older scouts. The classroom time can be very challenging as a lot of material is covered in a short time.

How to Get Registered 
Generally in November of each year, dates are set for the up-coming year. Once the dates are set, a letter is sent to the troops announcing the dates for the programs. The troops then reply to the letter indicating their choice of dates to attend. Once approximately 100 boys are registered for a date, registration is closed for that event.

Required information includes the troop number, contact name, address, work phone, home phone, and if available, an e-mail address or fax number.

E-mail us for more information about the Atomic Energy Merit Badge Program offered by Dominion, or to be put on a mailing list for 2002.