Merit Badge Fair

October 21, 2023  |  8:00 am - 3:30 pm

St Thomas High School
4500 Memorial Dr.
Houston, TX 77007

The Merit Badge Fair is an opportunity for Scouts in troops, crews or ships to work on requirements for one or two merit badges. These are not giveaway merit badges. Each Scout is expected to fulfill all the requirements by reading the merit badge book before the event, attending the class, completing prerequisites, and participating fully during the class in order to receive full credit for the requirements offered. Merit badge completion will be returned via email to the Scoutmaster or advancement chair submitted during registration. Please allow for two weeks for processing after the conclusion of the event. Additional merit badge class opportunities are listed on the council Scout Days webpage and Merit Badge Days.

Adult participation is needed to offer this event. Every unit with Scouts participating is expected to provide volunteers. Every unit must have a representative from the troop remain on campus during the event. Representatives can switch out during the day but must check in at headquarters.

Troops who provide merit badge counselors for the event will be given the opportunity to allow Scouts in their unit to register early before registration opens to other units.

Scouts of all ages can stop and visit Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) being held during the event between 11:30 am - 3:30 pm. JOTA is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in your own community. Volunteers are going to set up a HAM radio so Scouts can meet Scouts around the world.

Registration

merit badge sashThe registration fee is $25 per Scout and includes lunch and supply costs. Lunch will be a Chick-fil-a sandwich, a bottle of water, and chips. A vegetarian and gluten-free option is available. 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 (How to register or change a class selection). Registration is completed online with a credit card or electronic check. Council refund policy

Information needed to register: BSA ID number, Scout's rank, troop number, district name, Scoutmaster name and email, and troop advancement chair and email.

Register           What to Bring         Volunteer    Drop off     Event Feedback

The Scout's BSA member ID number is critical to identifying the Scouts in Scoutbook. 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. The BSA ID number is how the merit badge counselor will identify your Scout in Scoutbook to input advancements completed. 

Classes and Prerequisites

 

2022 Merit Badge Classes
(click on class for requirements)

Morning

Afternoon

Full Day

2022 Prerequisites, Requirements Not Covered, Additional Items to Bring

 
American Business     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.
• Requirements not covered: #6
• Bring internet device and research or interview #6 notes
 
Camping     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: #4, 5e, 7b, 8d, 9; prepare using the worksheet
Citizenship in the Community     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#3, 4, 7
• Bring #2 (community map and government chart), prepare using the worksheet
Citizenship in the Nation     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Start watching the national news.
• Requirements not covered: ​#2, 3, 6
• Bring #8  (letters); prepare using the worksheet
Citizenship in the World   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Prepare a current world event or geography topic to discuss during class.
• Requirements not covered: ​#3,4,7 - if you prepare ahead of class for presentation during class, it may be signed off - prepare using worksheet
Coin Collecting     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: #6
• Bring: 5 different state quarters plus 2 to trade
 
Communications   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#4,5,7,8
• Bring: prepare using workbook
Composite Materials     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​ TBD
 
Cooking     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book, be prepared to discuss #7
• Requirements not covered: ​ #4-6, prepare #7 to complete in class
• Bring: prepare using worksheet
Emergency Preparedness   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book, #1 (First Aid Merit Badge) is a required prerequisite
• Bring: Merit Badge card, proof of #1 (e.g., Scoutbook printout); prepare using worksheet
Family Life   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#3, 4, 5, 6b

• Bring: prepare using worksheet
Fire Safety   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#6, do a home inspection
 
First Aid   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; #1 & 5b are required pre-requisites
• Bring #5a (first aid kit); proof of #1 & 5b; prepare using worksheet
Indian Lore     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#3, 4
 
Personal Fitness   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#1, 7, 8
• Bring: BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A, B, C titled Are You Going to Camp?) which requires a physical.
• Wear activity uniform (e.g., Scout shirt) and appropriate clothes for the fitness test including tennis shoes; prepare using worksheet
Photography     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#7a & 7b
• Bring a copy of Cyber Chip for #1a and 
camera or cell phone camera to complete #4,5,6 in class. 
 
Radio     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#8, 9
 
Stamp Collecting     • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Requirements not covered: ​#7b
 
*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).

Schedule

Time

Activity

8:00 am Check-in (one parent/unit must stay remain on campus)
8:30 - 11:30 am Morning Sessions
Tours of the newly renovated St. Thomas High School are available
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Lunch
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)
12:30 - 3:30 pm Afternoon Sessions 
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)  

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)

Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in your own community. Held on the third full weekend of October each year, this worldwide jamboree requires no travel, other than to a nearby radio amateur’s ham shack. Many times the hams will agree to set up at a Scout event. There are many ways to get your Scouts involved in JOTA. 

Volunteers are going to set up a HAM radio. Scouts of all ages can stop by and participate and meet Scouts around the world.

 


What to Bring

* BSA Medical forms left will be shredded at the end of the event. 

Drop off / Pick up

Please enter on Memorial Dr. by the parking garage and proceed to the Main Building. Continue the flow to exit on Shepard. 
Parking: Participants can use the parking garage on the Memorial side. Incorrectly parked vehicles may be subject to St Thomas's regulations. Please park only in designated spaces.

  • Bring a copy of BSA Annual Health and Medical Record. Forms will be shredded at the conclusion of the event. Do not bring originals. 
  • Before leaving campus, let your troop representative know. In the event you cannot find them, please let the organizers know before leaving. 

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; completing worksheets available at http://usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/worksheets/list.asp can help Scouts 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 bring documentation to the class, the Scout will receive a partial completion of the merit badge. Partials will be noted on the documentation provided after the course. 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

Blue cards are not issued at the event. Approximately two weeks after the event, a list of advancements completed will be sent to the Scoutmaster and advancement chair listed in the registration. Questions after the fair regarding the merit badge, contact the merit badge counselor who taught the class or the Merit Badge Day event chair

Event Volunteers

One adult volunteer per troop should remain on-site for the duration of the event. If you need to share this role with another adult, please let the check-In table know when you are switching. All adult volunteers should visit the check-in table upon arrival. 

Adult participation is needed to offer this event. Every unit with Scouts participating is expected to provide volunteers. Every unit must have a representative from the troop remain on campus during the event. Representatives can switch out during the day but must check in at headquarters.

Troops who provide merit badge counselors for the event will given the opportunity to allow Scouts in their unit register early before registration opens to other units.

It is the purpose of the event to provide an exciting program for youth to build character, train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and 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.  This year, if you can volunteer to be a second adult in the video/teleconference meetings, please let us know. Parents are always welcome! Volunteers who work directly with the youth must have current Youth Protection Training. YPT can be taken at myScouting.org

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 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 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 current Youth Protection Training. YPT can be taken at myScouting.org. It is our goal for the Scouts to be afforded opportunities to share resources with 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.

About Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection Training (YPT) is designed to help keep youth safe from abuse. During YPT, participants learn the Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse. After each section of material, participants will answer questions about that section’s topic. All adults working with youth during the event are required to have current YPT training. To take the training, go to My.Scouting.org, click Menu then My Dashboard from the menu list. The My Training page displays to take Youth Protection training.  

How to Register or Update a Registration

Click on the registration link, then click Register. 

Step 1: Select a participant: 
Step 2: If applicable, 
Step 3: Select a class 
Repeat step 2 and 3: , if needed if more than one class is offered in a day.
Continue steps 1, 2 and 3 for additional participants

Step 4: Review the schedule.
Step 5:  
Step 6:
Step 7: Select payment type  
Step 8: 

Classes that are full will not appear.

Change Classes

To modify your registration:

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

Safety is Your Responsibility posterThe 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.