The APS is excited to announce that Great American Stamp Show 2024 will host two Stamp Collecting Merit Badge sessions, sponsored by the APS and the Scouts on Stamps Society International (SOSSI) and led by APS member and Connecticut scoutmaster Bill Shea.

The sessions, held on August 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Eastern at the Connecticut Convention Center, are offered at no cost. Registration for GASS 2024 is required to attend, but also free. Scouts only need to attend one session to earn their merit badge.

Participating scouts should plan to arrive at the show early for their session; wear their Class A Uniform; and bring a lunch, water bottle, and a Blue Card. As well as earning their stamp collecting merit badge, participants will leave the session with a stamp collection, covers, periodicals, and other philatelic items.

Scouts who wish to participate should register for the merit badge sessions prior to August 12 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for the Thursday session and prior to August 13 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for the Friday session. Prerequisites for the merit badge sessions will be sent out to registered participants prior to the show; all materials and stamps needed to earn the badge will be provided.

Updates will be posted on the Connecticut Rivers Council site; if you have any questions or require any additional information, please reach out to Bill Shea at william.shea@sbcglobal.net. 

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