May 18, 2024 | 7:20 am - 4:00 pm
The Merit Badge Fair is an opportunity for Scouts in troops and crews to work towards one or two merit badges in person and one or two badges at home and have the requirements verified during the event. These are not giveaway merit badges, and this is not a merit badge factory. Each Scout is expected to fulfill all the requirements by attending classes and reading the merit badge book and preparing ahead of time. Scouts are expected to participate fully during the class in order to receive full credit for the requirements completed onsite.
Adult participation is required to offer this event. Every unit with Scouts participating is expected to provide volunteers.
Registration
The registration fee is $10.00 and includes all materials needed for the merit badge class unless otherwise stated. An optional lunch can be purchased for $10.00. Registration is typically completed by parents, but can also be completed by the troop leadership. Registration is done only online using a credit card or electronic check. There is no onsite registration. Council refund policy.
Class sizes are limited and fill up fast. Classes will be canceled if a counselor is not found. (How to Register. How to Change a Class)
Register Adult Volunteers
Important: Before registering check the Scout's school and troop calendar for conflicts. Check which merit badges the Scout has already completed. Have the Scout discuss which merit badges they should sign up for with their Scoutmaster or troop advancement chair.
BSA ID Number: Have the Scout's BSA ID number ready before registering. The correct BSA ID number is critical to identifying the Scouts in Scoutbook to ensure the Scout gets credit for requirements completed. The BSA ID number can be found: • Scoutbook (1. click on My Dashboard, 2. for a Scout - click on name of Scout, 3. select Edit Profile), • MyScouting.org (1. click on the upper right icon 2. select My Profile), • BSA membership card, • ask the unit leader to check the unit roster.
Merit Badge Classes
When registering, if a class doesn't show up, then it's full. Some of the merit badges cannot be completed in the time we have which will result in a partial completion of the merit badge. Uncompleted requirements and/or prerequisites will be addressed by the respective Scouts and troops. There may be some requirements in addition to the prerequisites that are not completed. For all merit badges, the Scout must read the merit badge book and bring it to class.
Changes: Merit badge class selections can be changed after registering. See the instructions below or in your email receipt.
Merit Badge Classes
(click on course for requirements)
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All
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*At Home
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Prerequisites, Partials and Notes
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| American Business |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.
• Not covered: #5
• Bring internet device and research or interview #6 notes, completed worksheet |
| Camping |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #6b, 8c, 9d, 9a, 9b
• Bring completed worksheet |
| Chemistry |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Bring completed worksheet |
| Citizenship in the Nation |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Start watching the national news.
• N• Prerequisite: Read merit badge bookot covered: #5, 6, 7, 8
• Bring #8 (letters) and completed worksheet |
| Citizenship in the World |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Prepare #3 (a current world event or geography topic to discuss during class).
• Not covered: 3, 4, 7
• Bring completed worksheet |
| Communication |
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#1a, 1b, 4, 5, 6, 6, 8; bring #3 (pre-written speech); bring laptop or Chromebook to write and do research
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.
• Requirements not covered: #1a, 1b, 4, 5, 6, 8
• Bring #2, #3 (5-minute speech which is typically ~800 words); laptop or Chromebook to write and do research; completed workbook; |
| Family Life |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #3, 4, 5, 6b
• Bring: completed worksheet |
| First Aid |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; must have completed all first aid requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class rank (refer to #1)
• Bring: #5a (first aid kit), #5b, 14, completed worksheet |
| Personal Fitness |
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• Prerequisite: #1a, 1b; Read merit badge book
• #8 is not covered
• Bring: BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A, B, C entitled Are You Going to Camp?) which requires a physical signed by a health care provider, completed worksheet
• Wear activity uniform (e.g., Scout shirt) and appropriate clothes for the fitness test including tennis shoes |
| Public Speaking |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #2, 4
• Bring: completed worksheet |
| Salesmanship |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #5, 6
• Bring: completed worksheet |
| Textiles |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Bring: completed worksheet |
| Traffic Safety |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Bring: completed worksheet |
At-Home Merit Badges
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| Reading |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Bring all requirements in an envelope, folder or notebook clearly marked with the Scout's name, including the completed worksheet
• Special Instructions: Drop off requirements at check-in for review by the merit badge counselor and pick up after the event. |
| Scholarship |
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• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Bring all requirements in an envelope, folder or notebook clearly marked with the Scout's name. Include: completed workbook, #1 (copy of report card), #3 (letter from principal/counselor), #5 (report)
• Special Instructions: Drop off requirements at check-in for review by the merit badge counselor and pick up after the event. |
Classes that are full will not show up in the online registration.
Classes will be added as additional merit badge counselors volunteer.
What to Bring
Schedule
| 7:20 - 7:50 am |
Check-in |
| 7:50 am |
Opening ceremony |
| 8:00 am - 11:30 |
AM classes |
| 11:30 - 12:00 pm |
Lunch |
| 12:30 - 4:00 pm |
PM classes |
Merit Badges Completed at Home
Scouts can complete the Scholarship and Reading Merit Badges at home and drop off the completed requirement in a notebook, clearly marked with the Scout's name at check-in. A registered merit badge counselor will review the requirements. Scouts can pick up their notebook at the end of the day.
Scouts are encouraged to use the meritbadge.org worksheets to help organize their work. (Reading.pdf, Scholarship.pdf; Word versions of these worksheets are also available.)
Partials and Completions
Attending a merit badge class does not guarantee that a Scout will complete the merit badge, but it is an opportunity for Scouts to meet with qualified counselors, to help them work on the requirements needed to complete a merit badge. The merit badge fair should not be considered another school where the pupils sit and stare for hours on end. Scouts should come prepared to participate. The counselor's job is to encourage self-discovery and then check that each Scout has the minimum knowledge and does the requirements. Scouts should be ready to take notes and come prepared with notetaking materials and writing utensils. Remember one goal of the merit badge advancement system is to develop individual growth and initiative.
Prerequisites: For all classes, the Scout must read the merit badge book prior to the event. Merit Badge books can be purchased at an area Scout Shop. Scouts are to be prepared to answer the questions to each of the requirements before the merit badge fair; Scouts can utilize the worksheets at http://usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/worksheets/list.asp to help them prepare.
Some merit badges require additional prerequisites to be must be completed before the merit badge fair.
Requirements not covered: Some of the requirements cannot be completed during the class. The Scout should bring documentation of requirements not covered. If the Scout does not complete the requirements not covered and bring documentation to the class, the Scout will receive a partial completion of the merit badge.
Partials: If the Scout does not complete the requirements not covered and bring documentation to the class, the Scout will receive a partial completion of the merit badge. The partial completion will be noted on the blue card, given to the Scout at the completion of the class. Scouts will need to complete the badge with a registered merit badge counselor approved for that particular badge back with their unit. Merit badge counselors are not usually available to serve as a counselor after merit badge fair ends unless arrangements are made. Find a list of merit badge counselors by logging into http://scoutbook.scouting.org with your my.scouting userID and password, click on My Dashboard, Administration, your unit and scroll down the page. Remember that a youth member must not meet one-on-one with an adult. Sessions with counselors must take place where others can view the interaction, or the Scout must have a buddy: a friend, parent, guardian, brother, sister, or other relatives—or better yet, another Scout working on the same badge.
Blue Cards (Application For Merit Badge)
The Application For Merit Badge or Blue card is a two-sided, tri-section document. It is a perforated trifold card with three distinct parts: the actual application, the applicant’s (Scout’s) record and the counselor’s record. The document serves as a sort of passport while a Scout is working on a badge and then later as a permanent record. Blue cards are an official Boy Scouts of America document that serves as a record of progress toward completion of a merit badge. There are two official ways to complete blue cards: on paper and online utilizing Scoutbook.
Scouts must bring a blue card for each merit badge class signed by the Scoutmaster. Learn how to fill out a blue card.
Advancements Completed: The merit badge counselor will document all requirements completed on the blue card and return it to the Scout before the Scout leaves the class; the Scout needs turns the blue card back to the unit leader after the event. If the Scout ends up with a partial and working with more than one counselor, multiple registered counselors can sign the card. Keeping up with the blue card helps the Scout learn personal responsibility.
How to Fill Out a Blue Card Learn More about Blue Cards
General Rules
- Scouts need to be prepared for each of the requirements of the merit badge class including reading the merit badge pamphlet before the class.
- Scouts are expected to participate fully during the class in order to receive full credit for the requirements completed onsite.
- Scouts that do not behave appropriately in class will be asked to leave.
- If a Scout is unable to attend once registered, please use the link provided in the emailed receipt to delete the class so a spot can be opened up for another Scout. Council Refund Policy.
How to Register or Update a Registration
Adult Volunteers
Adult participation is required to offer this event. Every unit with Scouts participating is expected to provide at least one volunteer for every six Scouts attending. Additional volunteers are needed and appreciated. Adults can serve on event staff or as merit badge counselors.
Event Staff
Successful Scouts have the support and guidance of parents. The parents are a treasure trove of information that can benefit every youth in our leadership program. The successful leader in Scouts learns quickly to be successful in everything they attempt.
Adults are needed to set up the facilities before the fair starts, handle registration, act as "roamers" to look out for issues that need to be resolved, assist the merit badge counselors, and to help clean-up after the event is over. Volunteers who work directly with the youth must have current Youth Protection Training. YPT can be taken at www.myScouting.org.
Volunteer for Staff
Merit Badge Counselors
Merit badge counselors are needed to run the merit badge classes. Merit badge counselors must be registered with the council and have up-to-date Youth Protection Training. YPT can be taken at www.myScouting.org. It is our goal for the Scouts to be afforded opportunities to share resources from other troops with diverse occupations and skills. The youth will be expected to complete all the requirements as indicated by the Boy Scouts of America. Merit badge counselors should wear their Scout uniform if possible.
Youth Protection Training
The merit badge counselor is a key player in the advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or hobby (basketry, leatherwork, coin collecting), a profession (veterinary medicine, aviation, engineering), or perhaps a life skill (cooking, personal management, communications)—as a merit badge counselor, you can play a vital role in stirring a young man's curiosity about that particular topic. By serving as a merit badge counselor, you offer your time, knowledge, and other resources so that Scouts can explore a topic of interest.
Volunteer as a Merit Badge Counselor
Scouting Safely
The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them.
BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow youth protection guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:
- Two-deep leadership on all outings is required.
- One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited.
- The buddy system should be used at all times.
- Discipline must be constructive.
Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in Scout activities, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council has developed the SAFE Checklist of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.
Youth Protection Guidelines Guide to Safe Scouting SAFE Checklist Enterprise Risk Management
Contacts
For questions, contact Rory Collins.