Sample Event Publicity Flyer

BIRD STUDY MERIT BADGE DAY
Saturday October 7th, 2000 - 9AM - Washington Crossing State Park
Interested in the fastest-growing outdoor activity in America?
Bird Study Merit Badge is easy and fun!
Most Boy Scouts can earn Bird Study Merit Badge in just one or two days!

A free Bird Study Merit Badge class will be given at the Washington Crossing State Park Interpretive Center on Saturday, October 7, 2000. Instruction will be from 9AM to 1PM, followed by a bird walk ending at 4 PM. If we don't see enough birds, Scouts will be able to complete the badge on their own or at a later bird walk.

The event is limited to 15 registered Boy Scouts, who have completed the pre-work below. Register by mailing the completed permission slip to Gary Wilson before September 30th. Call (609) 555-1212 if you have any questions.

MANDATORY PRE-WORK BEFORE THE EVENT (about three hours of reading)
1. Completely read the 1999 printing of the Bird Study Merit Badge pamphlet.
2. Learn the field marks of these local birds from a field guide before the event.

Double Crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Mallard
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Red-Tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Wild Turkey
Killdeer
Sanderling
Laughing Gull
Herring Gull
Common Tern
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Tree Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Red-Eyed Vireo
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Cardinal
White-Throated sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-Eyed Junco
Red-Winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
European Starling

If you observe any bird species before the event, record it in a notebook as shown in requirement 5. They will count!

Bring the following to the event:
[ ] A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America by Roger Tory Peterson (borrow a copy from your public library if you can't afford your own)
[ ] A good pair of binoculars (the best ones you can borrow, ideally 7x35)
[ ] Suitable hiking shoes, clothing and equipment (see Boy Scout handbook pages 204 & 207)
[ ] Bird Study MB Pamphlet (1999 Edition)
[ ] Empty one gallon plastic milk jug
[ ] Bag lunch
[ ] Small backpack
[ ] Water bottle
[ ] Raingear
[ ] Merit badge application card
[ ] Small spiral notebook
[ ] Two pencils
[ ] Pocketknife
[ ] Scissors

Directions to Washington Crossing State Park from US Route 1:
Take US1 to I-95 South to Exit 3 bearing right onto Scotch Road (north). Turn left at the light onto Rte 546 West. The park entrance is on the right 0.6 miles beyond the Rt. 579 intersection traffic light. Follow signs to the Interpretive Center.

Mail registration form to Gary Wilson, 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA 12345 before September 30th:
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Scout ________________ of Troop ____ living at _________________________ has my permission to participate in the Bird Study Merit Badge Day. In the event of an emergency, I authorize any necessary medical treatment in the event that I can't be reached at (______)________________.

Parent or Guardian Signature: __________________ Date: ___________