Adult participation is needed to offer this event. Every unit with Scouts participating is expected to provide volunteers.

Event Feedback

Registration

The registration fee is $15 per Scout and includes lunch, supply costs and a participation patch. Lunch will be a Chick-fil-a sandwich, bottle of water and chips. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Merit badge class sizes are limited.

Important: Before registering, read the prerequisites below. Check your 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. 

Registration is typically completed by parents, but can also be completed by the troop leadership. Registration is completed online with credit card, or electronic check. Council refund policy. Registration closes 10/12/19.

Registration opens in August.

Important Procedures

• Check-in:
  • One representative from each troop should check-in at registration to pick up class assignments.
  • Scouts should check-in with their troop leader to pick up their class locations. 
• 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. 
• NO Scout should leave without checking with the adult volunteer from his troop and the registration table.
• Requirements for all merit badges can be found at www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges.aspx
• Scouts that do not behave appropriately in class will be asked to leave.
• Merit Badges can generally be completed if the prerequisites are completed before class, although there is no guarantee all requirements will be finished in class.

Advancements Completed

A list of advancements completed during the Merit Badge Fair will be emailed approximately two weeks after the event to the troop representative.

Event Volunteers

It is the purpose of the event to provide an exciting program for youth 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

Event Staff 

Successful Scouts have the support and guidance of parents. The parents are a treasure trove of information that can benefit every young man in our leadership program. Your encouragement and occasional refocusing of purpose that youth 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 www.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 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 Scouts 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 youth'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

Late-Breaking Information

For late-breaking news and announcements, join our district Facebook page and sign up for our district e-mail list.

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, contact the Merit Badge Day chair or district activities chair.