Thunder Wolf District Merit Badge University

August TBD, 2024  |  8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Christ Church Sugar Land
3300 Austin Parkway
Sugar Land TX 77479

The Merit Badge Day is an opportunity for Scouts in troops, crews or ships to work on requirements for up to three merit badges. These are not give-away merit badges, and this is not a merit badge factory. 

Scouts are expected to fulfill all the requirements by reading the merit badge book ahead of time, attending classes, and doing prerequisites. Scouts are expected to participate fully during the class in order to receive full credit for the requirements completed onsite. 

Adult volunteers are required to offer this event. Every unit with Scouts participating is expected to provide volunteers.

Please arrive at 7:45 am for morning classes and 12:00 pm for afternoon classes to check-in.

Registration

The registration fee is $25 for the first class and free for any additional classes within the same registration; the fee includes lunch. 

Important: Before registering, check the school and troop calendar for conflicts. Check which merit badges the Scout has already completed. The Scout should 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 Scout 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, or for adult - click on My Account, 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

Changes: Class changes can be made after registering. 

Registration is completed online using credit card or electronic check. (How to Register) There is no onsite registration. Council refund policy.

Register          Volunteer Sign-up           What to Bring   

Merit Badges and Prerequisites

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. (Learn about partials and requirements not covered.) 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 prior to the event and take it to the class. 

2023 Merit Badges Click on the class for requirements.	AM	PM	All Day	Prerequisites and Partials Learn about partials and requirements not covered.
Citizenship in the Nation	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #2,3,6,8 • Bring: must bring merit badge book
Citizenship in the World	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #3a, 3b, 4b or 4c and two of 7a, 7b, 7c 7d or 7e
Chess	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Bring a chess set if you have one
Communication		♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Bring #2 • Not covered: #5, 8 is not covered
Crime Prevention &  Fingerprinting	♦			• Prerequisite: Read both merit badge books
Digital Technology	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; Cyber Chip • Bring a tablet or laptop with wifi, merit badge book, email address, Bring verification of completing the Cyber Chip
Engineering			♦	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Environmental Science			♦	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; recommended for Scouts ages 13+
Family Life	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #3, 4, 5, 6, 11
First Aid			♦	• 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) • • Not covered: #5b
Genealogy	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Indian Lore		♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Music	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. • Not covered: #3; #4 • Bring #1 (be prepared to play or sing; bring instrument if applicable)
Nuclear Science		♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Personal Fitness	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #1, 7, 8  • BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A, B, C entitled Are You Going to Camp?) which requires a physical signed by a physician • Wear activity uniform (e.g., Scout shirt) and appropriate clothes for the fitness test including tennis shoes
Photography			♦	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; bring verification of completing the Cyber Chip • Bring: camera, and 12 digital pictures that you are willing to share for #4, 5.
Service Hours	♦	♦		Scouts who do not have a morning or evening class can earn four service hours for advancement. This is not a merit badge.
Space Exploration	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered:  #2, 5, 8
Traffic Safety		♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book

Classes that are full will not show up in the online registration.
*Classes will be added as additional merit badge counselors volunteer.
 = Eagle Scout required merit badges and require more preparation (e.g., completing the worksheet). 

What to Bring

Prerequisites, Requirements Not Covered and Partials

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: All Scouts are to read the merit badge book prior to the Merit Badge Fair. 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 are highly encouraged to print and complete the worksheets available 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.

Merit Badge Worksheets

Requirements not covered: Some of the requirements cannot be completed during the class. The Scout should bring documentation of requirements not covered. Scouts are encouraged to complete requirements not covered before the merit badge fair and bring proof of completion; otherwise, the Scout will receive a partial.

Partials: If the Scout does not complete the requirements not covered and take 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.   

Advancements Completed: Scouts do not have to bring Application for Merit Badges (blue cards). A few weeks after the event, all of the completed requirements will be posted directly into Scoutbook.     

General Rules

1. Scouts need to have read the merit badge pamphlet before Merit Badge Fair and be prepared for each of the requirements.
2. Attendance in class does not mean a Scout will complete the merit badge.
3. Scouts who do not complete all the requirements for a particular merit badge at Merit Badge Fair will need to complete the badge with a registered merit badge counselor approved for that particular badge back in their unit.
4. Merit Badge Fair is not a program that guarantees advancement, but it is an opportunity for Scouts to meet with qualified counselors, to help them work on merit badges needed for advancement.
5. Classes will not all end at the same time; therefore, Scouts will be required to go to a common activity area when their class concludes. Roaming of the halls and grounds will not be allowed. 
6. Scouts are not to leave the Merit Badge Fair without checking with the adult volunteer from their troop and the registration table.
7. 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.
8. Scouts who have not read the merit badge book and are not prepared for the class may be asked to leave the class.
9. Scouts that do not behave appropriately in class will be asked to leave. 
10. There will be no refunds for those asked to leave a class because of failure to be prepared, wear their uniform, or because of behavior. 

Event Volunteers

It is the purpose of the event to provide an exciting program for youth and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and to develop personal fitness. Providing advancement opportunities is a primary part of this educational program. The Merit Badge Fair can only be offered to our Scouts if adults assist in running the event.  

Volunteer - Closed

 

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. Your encouragement and occasional “refocusing of purpose” that Scouts your child’s age require will be invaluable. 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 myScouting.org. 

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 atmyScouting.org. It is our goal for the Scouts to be afforded opportunities to share resources from other troops with diverse occupations and skills. Participants 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.  

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 Scout'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.

How to Register or Update a Registration

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 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 a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting      Sweet Sixteen      Enterprise Risk Management

Contacts

For questions, please contact Joanna Ouderkirk.