More than 200 Boy Scouts learned about trucking and safety at the Mid-America Trucking Show, earning their Truck Transportation and Traffic Safety merit badges.

The trucker-classroom pen-pal group Trucker Buddy and the Lincoln Heritage Scout Council partnered to bring over 240 Scouts, Scouting leaders and parents to MATS on March 29 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.

Each Scout earned his Truck Transportation and Traffic Safety merit badges with instruction by Matt Slovack, a Trucker Buddy and driver for Don Hummer Trucking, as well as visiting selected booths. Booth personnel gave them insight and examples of new technology as well as general information about how the trucking industry affects them in everyday life.

Among other things, the requirements for the Truck Transportation badge include:

• list the major truck lines serving their town

• describe the difference between gasoline and diesel engines

• name government agencies that work closely with the trucking industry

• Define terms such as bill of lading, logbook and intermodal

• Visit a truck terminal

• Learn about career opportunities in the field of truck transportation

"Anytime you show over 250 people how innovative and responsible our industry is that goes a long way in changing perceptions,” said Randy Schwartzenburg, executive director Trucker Buddy International.

This is a great program to help improve trucking's image and make young people aware of the careers available in our industry. And when these young men take to the highways themselves, they will likely be safer drivers and better at sharing the road.

Trucker Buddy hopes to expand the event to other trucking shows.