For sixteen years Cal Poly Pomona Engineering hosted an annual event at which Boy Scout troops could earn badges in predominantly engineering and science areas. More than 3,300 scouts participated in those events.

What started in 1991 with three professors, quickly grew. As word spread, the number of participating troops expanded each year. The number of troops desiring to attend far exceeded the limits of our facilities and resources. Cal Poly Pomona faculty and staff, a number of whom had participated in scouting themselves, volunteered their time to prepare and teach the workshops. Many of those original professors have now retired. New faculty are encouraged to serve the community through research, publishing, service project, and other programs.

Merit Badge Day 2006 was the finale to a long run of highly-acclaimed performances.