September 9, 2023

Holy Covenant United Methodist Church
22111 Morton Ranch Road
Katy, TX 77449

7:30 am - Check-in;  8:00 am - Classes Begin

The Merit Badge Fair is an opportunity for Scouts in troops, crews, or ships of any rank, to work on one or two merit badges. These are not giveaway merit badges, and this is not a merit badge factory. Each Scout is expected to prepare ahead of time (by reading the merit badge book and completing prerequisites), and to participate fully during the course in order to receive credit for the requirements completed. All Scouts are required to bring signed blue cards in order to work on merit badges. Scouts can work on Scholarship Merit Badge at home and a merit badge counselor will review the materials during the event. Check for additional merit badge class opportunities on the council Scout Days webpage and Merit Badge Days.

Volunteers and Merit Badge Counselors Needed: 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. Adults (with YPT training) are need to assist merit badge counselors and serve in additional roles such as check-in. 

Registered merit badge counselors are still needed to teach the following classes: American Business, Digital Technology, Geocaching, and Geology. Additional classes will be added as merit badge counselors volunteer. 

Volunteer              Printable View

Registration

The cost to register is $10 per Scout which includes a patch and supplies. There is an extra $15 charge for the Electronics and $20 for the Space Exploration Merit Badge. Registration can be completed by individual families or the unit leader. (How to register.)

At checkout, pay with a credit card or electronic check. There is no onsite registration. Council refund policy

Register        Classes / Prerequisites         Volunteer          Event Feedback

Due to the popularity, and availability of counselors, some classes will fill up quickly. Scouts who register early have the best chance of getting the classes they want. Class sizes are limited. 

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.

Changes: Merit badge class selections can be changed after registering. See the instructions below or in your email receipt.  

Merit Badge Classes

2022 Merit Badges (click on merit badge to see requirements)	AM	PM	All Day	Prerequisites and Partials
American Business	*	*		Need a merit badge counselor to open the class. (volunteer) • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. • Not covered: #6 • Bring internet device and research or interview #6 notes
American Heritage	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. • Not covered: 3c • Bring completed worksheet
Automotive Maintenance	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Camping			♦	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #4, 5e, 7b, 8d, 9 • Bring completed worksheet
Chess	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: ​#6 (complete after class) • Bring chess board, completed worksheet
Citizenship in the Community	♦	♦		• Requirements not covered: #2, 3, 4, 7, 8 • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: ​3, 4, 7, 8 • Bring #2 (community map and government chart), completed worksheet
Citizenship in the Nation	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Start watching the national news. • Not covered: ​#2, 3, 6 • Bring #8  (letters) and completed worksheet
Citizenship in the World	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Prepare a current world event or geography topic to discuss during class. • Not covered: ​#3,4,7 • Bring completed worksheet
Coin Collecting	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: ​#7, 9 • Bring: ​#6 (5 different state quarters)
Communication	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: ​#2, 3, 5, 8 • Bring: completed workbook
Cycling	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. • Not covered: #7
Digital Technology	*	*		Need a merit badge counselor to open the class. (volunteer) • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; Cyber Chip • Bring: laptop or tablet and email address; proof of Cyber Chip
Electricity	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. • Not covered: #2
Electronics			♦	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. • Costs an extra $15 to cover the supplies
Emergency Preparedness	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; #1 (already earned the First Aid Merit Badge) • Not covered: #2c,  7a, 9 • Bring: #8b (emergency pack); completed worksheet
Family Life	♦	♦		Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: ​#3, 4, 5, 6b; • Bring: completed worksheet
Fire Safety	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: ​#6 (home inspection)
First Aid			♦	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; #1 & 5b  • Bring: #5a (first aid kit) and neckerchief; Scout Handbook; completed worksheet
Geocaching	*	*		Need a merit badge counselor to open the class. (volunteer) • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Geology	*	*		Need a merit badge counselor to open the class. (volunteer) • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Home Repairs		♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Law	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #4 • Bring: completed worksheet
Personal Fitness	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #1, 7, 8 • Bring: BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A, B, C entitled Are You Going to Camp?) which requires a physical signed by a physician • Bring completed worksheet • Wear activity uniform (e.g., Scout shirt) and appropriate clothes for the fitness test including tennis shoes
Personal Management	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #2, 8, 9 • Bring completed workbook
Photography	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: ​#7a & 7b • Bring proof of Cyber Chip and DSLR camera to complete # #4,5,6 in class; 12 pictures you taken; completed workbook
Radio	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: ​#8, 9
Reading	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #2, 3
Salesmanship	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #5 • Bring: complete worksheet
Scholarship^	^			• 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) • Instructions: Drop off notebook at check-in for review by the merit badge counselor and pick up after the event.
Space Exploration	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered:  #2, 5, 8 • Costs an extra $15 to cover the rocket supplied
Stamp Collecting		♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #7b
Sustainability	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #1, 2a, 4, 6; after event complete #5a
Weather	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Wilderness Survival	♦	♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #6, 8, 10 • Bring #5 (survival kit)

Classes that are full will not show up in the online registration.
^For the Scholarship Merit Badge, complete all requirements at home and drop them off at check-in.
*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

Lunch

Scout needs to bring their own lunch or $5 cash for lunch (pizza or hotdog, plus chips, cookie and a drink). Additional snacks will be available for purchase, so bring extra cash. All food must be consumed in the gym. No food or drink is allowed to be consumed inside the classrooms. Adults are permitted to drink in classrooms, but only covered containers should be used. Scouts are expected to clean up after themselves.

Schedule

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 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.

Learn More about Blue Cards

Leader Training

Training is an important part of learning to become an effective leader. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be! Every Scout deserves a trained leader. Several training courses are being offered for leaders and parents during the event.

Register for Leader Training

Conduct and Discipline

Scouts must:

• Observe the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
• Attend the classes.
• Be personally responsible for breakage, damage, or loss of property.
• Be courteous to other students, counselors, and staff.
• Clean up classroom at the end of each session.
• Clean up trash after eating lunch.
• Keep cell phone in their pocket, unless for emergencies 

Health, Safety, and First Aid

• No running inside or outside the school.
• No roller blades, roller shoes, roller skates, or skateboards are allowed.
• No alcohol, illegal drugs, fireworks, firearms, slingshots, or anything else that might distract from the learning environment. No tobacco or coffee for Scouts.
• The first aid station location will be announced during the opening ceremony

Lost and Found

The lost and found will be located at the check-in tables.  

Event Volunteers

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 print your Youth Protection training certificate

1. Log in to My.Scouting.org.
2. Click “Menu” at the top left.
3. Click “My Dashboard.”
4. Make sure you're under “My Training” and “YPT.”
5. Next to “YPT Status,” look for a small blue printer icon. ...
6. Your browser will open a PDF that you can print or save to your computer. 

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

Contact

For questions, contact your Scoutmaster. 

Scoutmasters can contact Ron Vogel or Bethany Voges, or the district activities chair.