Coastal Plains District Merit Badge Fair

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

What to Bring

Registration

The registration fee is $20. (How to register.)

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. 

Important: For Scouts in Troops, have the Scout's BSA member ID number handy before registering. 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 the 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.  The Scout's first and last name and BSA ID number must match exactly to what is listed in Scoutbook in order for the advancements to be uploaded in Scoutbook. 

Changes: Class changes can be made after registering using the link provided in the emailed receipt. 

Registration is completed online using credit card or electronic check. Registration closes 4/25/24. There is no onsite registration. Council refund policy.

Register      

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. 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.

An Application for Merit Badges (blue cards) is not required; a few weeks after the event, all of the completed requirements will be posted directly into Scoutbook by the merit badge counselor. Scouts will also receive a list of requirements completed before leaving 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

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. 

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 - New!

Blue cards are not issued at the event. A few weeks after the event, all of the completed requirements will be posted directly into Scoutbook.Blue cards are not needed; a few weeks after the event, all of the completed requirements will be posted directly into Scoutbook by the merit badge counselor.  If a parent doesn't enter the first and last name and BSA ID correctly in the registration system, then the advancements won't upload into Scoutbook. A few weeks after the event, a parent can log in to Doubleknot and pull a report to provide to the Scoutmaster or unit advancement chair of advancements completed.       

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 TBD.