Merit Badge Opportunities

Merit Badge DaysThe merit badge classes are interactive and require active participation by each Scout. Merit badge class sizes are limited so that each Scout can learn about future careers, trades, citizenship, hobbies, and life skills while working on merit badge requirements.

Registration

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

  • Classes that are full will not show in the registration system.
  • Important: Before registering, check the school and troop calendars for conflicts. Check which merit badges the Scout has already completed. Scouts must confer with their unit leader before participating in the class.
  • Member ID Number: Have the Scout's member ID number ready before registering. The correct ID number is critical to ensure the Scout gets credit for requirements completed in Scoutbook. The ID number can be found • scoutbook.scouting.org (login —>click on "My Dashboard"—>click on name of Scout—>click on "Edit Profile"); • My.Scouting.org (click on "My Profile"); • Membership card; or • ask the unit leader to check the unit roster.
  • Changes: Class changes can be made after registering if space is available.
Date
Class or Event
Prerequisites / Notes
Status
Location
Volunteer
(merit badge counselor or staff)
Register
(click link to register)
Contact
District Merit Badge Event            
August 17, 2024 District Merit Badge Fair ~15 merit badge classes   Missouri City   Opens Soon  
September 7, 2024 District Merit Badge Fair ~25 merit badge classes   Katy   Opens Soon  
Council Merit Badge Day            
September 28, 2024 Fire Safety • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Prerequisite:  Complete #6a, 6b, 13 before event. 
  The Woodlands Fire Department
9951 Grogan's Mill Road The Woodlands, TX 77380
  Register Dawn Kotalik
Council Merit Badge Day
October 5, 2024 Law • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.  

Harris County Administration Building 

1001 Preston Houston, TX 77002

  Register Dawn Kotalik
Architecture • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: Requirement: #1
  City of Houston Permitting Building
1002 Washington Avenue Houston, TX 77002
Automotive Maintenance • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: Requirement: #11
  Christian Brothers Automotive
1455 W Grand Parkway S Access Rd
Katy, TX, 77494
Council Merit Badge Day              
December 7, 2024 Architecture • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.
• Not covered: Requirement: #1
  City of Houston Permitting Building 
1002 Washington Avenue, Houston, 77002
  Register Dawn Kotalik
Automotive Maintenance • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: Requirement: #11
  Christian Brothers Automotive Grand Parkway
1455 W Grand Parkway S Access Rd, Katy, 77494
Disability Awareness • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: Requirement: #2, 4
  Cockrell Scout Center
2225 N Loop W, Houston, 77008
First Aid • Prerequisite: must have completed all first aid requirements for
  Tenderfoot through First Class rank (refer to #1), 
• Prerequisite: complete #5b prior to event
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Bring: #5a (first aid kit), completed worksheet
  Cockrell Scout Center
2225 N Loop W, Houston, 77008
Journalism • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: Requirement: #2, 4
  Cockrell Scout Center
2225 N Loop W, Houston, 77008
Law • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.  

Harris County Administration Building

1001 Preston, Houston, 77002

Surveying • Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Bring: #2
  Cockrell Scout Center,
2225 N Loop W, Houston, 77008
Camp Camping Events            
August 17, 2024 Aquatics Day Aquatics-related merit badge classes and more   Camp Strake      
September 28, 2024 Angler Classic Fishing-related merit badge classes   Camp Strake      
November 2024 STEM Camp
(for units and individual Scouts)
~20 STEM-related merit badge classes   Camp Strake Volunteer Register Contacts
December 26-31, 2024   Winter Camp
(for units and individual Scouts)
~80 merit badges classes   Camp Strake   Opens in August Contacts
March 9-12, 2025 Trail to Eagle Camp ~14 Eagle Scout-required merit badge classes   Camp Strake   Register Contacts
June/July 2025 Summer Camp
(for units)
~45 merit badges classes   Camp Strake   Check with Scoutmaster Contacts
July 2025 Trail to Eagle Camp     Camp Strake      
July 2025 Super Troop 
(for individual Scouts)
~45 merit badges classes   Camp Strake   Register Contacts
             

Council Merit Badge Opportunities

Summer Camp

Summer CampSummer Camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts in troops that operates under council-retained leadership. There are unique programs for first-year Scouts and experienced Scouts. Summer camp is held at Camp Strake, a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Program areas include shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, archery, sporting arrows), climbing, rappelling, boating (canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, rowing), swimming, ATV riding, ziplining, cycling, merit badge classes and more.

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Trail to Eagle Camp

Trail to EagTrail to Eagle Camp is an opportunity for Scouts to earn Eagle-required merit badges along their advancement trail. 

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Winter Camp

Winter CampWinter camp is a wonderful opportunity for troops to camp and Scouts to earn merit badges and participate in fun evening program and activities There are over 80 merit badge classes taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. Troops and individual Scouts can attend.

Learn More & Register 

 

 

 

 

Full Throttle

Full ThrottleFull Throttle is a weekend event for Scouts in troops, crews, ships, and individual Scouts. Scouts spend a half-day participating in program areas such as shooting sports, climbing, swimming, ziplining, and boating. Scouts will spend a half-day working on a merit badge. Full Throttle is a great way for Scouts to have fun, learn new skills, and earn nature and conservation-related merit badges.

Learn More & Register

 

 

 

 

STEM Camp

Camp Strake SignSTEM Camp is an extraordinary opportunity for troops, crews, ships and individual Scouts to earn STEM-related merit badges and take NOVA activity classes. If you want more in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, this is the week to be out at camp! 

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Aquatics Day

Aquatics DayAquatics Day is an opportunity for Scouts to earn aqautics-related merit badges.

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Angler Classic

Angler ClassicScouts in troops, crews and ships are invited to the ultimate fishing derby and earn fishing-related merit badges!  

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Merit Badge Classes with Community Partners

Below are all of the outside agencies that have gone through the Sam Houston Area Council approval process and have permission to conduct Scouting programs, such as merit badge classes.

Houston Gem and Mineral Society

   

Geology Merit Badge taught at the Houston Gem and Mineral Society Annual Show      Saturday November 9, 2024         The HGMS makes good use of our Society’s extensive earth science resources to teach the Scouts BSA Geology Merit Badge (2023 update). We cover general geology and basic rock types, properties of minerals and fossils, economic uses of minerals, and types of geoscience careers and requirements to enter this profession. We’ll also help start Scouts on acquiring their mineral/fossil collection.

Register

 

 

 

 

Rosenburg Railroad Museum

Railroad MuseumScouts can experience hands-on merit badge workshops (e.g., Railroading Merit Badge and Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge). Units can take tours and campout at the museum.  The Rosenberg Railroad Museum has a mission of education and preservation of Fort Bend County's rich railroad history

Learn More

 

 


The Health Museum

Health MuseumScouts can take a variety of merit badge classes about medical topics that are both educational and fun (e.g., Health Care Profession Merit Badge, First Aid Merit Badge, Dentistry Merit Badge). The Health Museum inspires passion and curiosity in health, the medical sciences and the human body. 

Learn More

 

 

Lone Star Flight Museum 

Lone Star Flight MuseumLone Star Flight Museum is an aviation museum and STEM learning center with a mission to celebrate flight and achievements in Texas aviation history. We educate and engage our youth through science, technology, engineering and math; and honor aviation heritage and history. In addition to the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and a Flight Academy, the museum is home to a flying collection of rare and historic commercial, general aviation and military aircraft. Scouts can experience the wonder of flight through merit badge workshops, overnights with warbirds, and troop tours.

Register for Merit Badge Classes      Sign up for Overnights

 

 

 

James B Harrison Foundation 

Harrison Foundation The James B Harrison Foundation focuses on nature-based education and conservation. They offer the Bird Study and Nature Merit Badge classes at JBH Long Point Ranch (8200 FM 1994, Whaley-Long Point Rd, Richmond, TX 77469). 

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Bay Area Rowing Club

Rowing ClubThe BARC (Bay Area Rowing Club of Houston) is offering the Rowing Merit Badge on a sliding-seat rowboat for Scouts age 14 years and older (size and weight restrictions due to boat limitations: at least 5 ft tall and less than 220 lbs) for a max of six Scouts per class. The class is held over two meetings, one off-the-water, and one-on-the water at the BARC boathouse in Clear Lake Park. The off-the-water meeting would be in the afternoon or evening (approx. 2 hrs) and the on-the-water on a Saturday or Sunday morning (approx. 3 hrs). Prior to the course, Scouts must have passed the BSA swim test with Swimmer classification, complete Safety Afloat training online, and know all knots through First Class. The Bay Area Rowing Club of Houston (BARC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of rowing in the Houston/Clear Lake area. 

Learn More & Register

 

Houston Museum of Natural Science

HMNSThe Houston Museum of Natural Science offers a variety of classes with trained experts and museum specimens at the Hermann and Sugar Land locations and virtually. In-person classes include admission to all permanent exhibits for the Scout and one chaperone.

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*Class sizes are limited. Full classes will not show in the registration system. Find additional merit badge classes sponsored by our community partners.

 

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