Orion District Merit Badge University

February 7, 2026   |  7:30 am - 5 pm

Lone Star College - Beckendorf Conference Center
30555 Tomball Pkwy
Tomball, TX 77375

Check in 30 minutes before 1^st class (most classes start at 8:00 am)

Merit Badge University is an advancement opportunity open to Scouts in troops, crews or ships. A Scout has the opportunity to work on requirements for several merit badges. These are not give-away merit badges, and this is not a merit badge factory. Each Scout is expected to fulfill all the requirements by reading the merit badge book ahead of time, attending classes and doing prerequisites. Scouts are expected to participate fully during the class in order to receive full credit for the requirements completed.

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

        What to Bring        Prerequisites

Registration

The registration fee is $30 and includes lunch. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Merit badge class sizes are limited. 

• Due to the high demand and limited availability of counselors, some classes will fill up quickly. Scouts who register early have the best chance of getting their desired classes. Class sizes are limited. 
• Full classes will not show in the registration system.
• Before registering, check the Scout's school and troop calendar for conflicts. Check which merit badges the Scout has already completed.
• New:  Before attending a merit badge opportunity, "a Scout must meet with their unit leader or their delegate … this meeting is a required part of the merit badge process, and that it should be documented … in Scoutbook Plus or other method.” (Source, p.40, 7.0.0.3). Have the Scout discuss which merit badges they should sign up for with their Scoutmaster. 
• Member ID Number: Have the Scout's Member ID number ready before registering. The ID number can be found in Scoutbook (click on My Dashboard, then click on the name of Scout and select Edit Profile).
• Changes: Class changes can be made after registering by going to https://scoutingevent.com/000/Login (click on profile name at the top right) or using the link in the emailed receipt. See the instructions below.
• There is no onsite registration. You must register online before the event.

Register        Volunteer          What to Bring  

Classes and Prerequisites

Merit Badges (click on class to see requirements)	Time									Prerequisites, Requirements Not Covered, and Notes Requirements completed may vary depending on the Scout’s preparation and participation, makeup of the class, material covered within the allotted time, and weather (for outdoor classes). Learn more about prerequisites, partials, and requirements not covered
	8	9	10	11	12	1	2	3	4
American Heritage	✓									• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. Must research #3a, 5, 6 before class. • Not covered: #2, 3c  • Suggest preparing using the American Heritage Worksheet
American Labor						✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. • Not covered: #2 • Suggest preparing using the American Labor Worksheet
Automotive Maintenance	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet • Not covered: #11, 12
Citizenship in the Community		✓				✓				• 3-hour course (9am-12 pm or 1-4 pm) • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet • Not covered: ​3, 4, 7, 8 • Bring #2 (community map and government chart) • Bring: highly recommend preparing & bringing completed Cit in Community Worksheet
Citizenship in the Nation	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. Watch the national news for five days for #5. Research #6 • Not covered: #5, 6, 7, 8 • Bring copies of #8 (letters) and highly recommend preparing & bringing completed Citizenship in the Nation Worksheet
Citizenship in the World	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. Prepare #3 (a current world event or geography topic to discuss during class). • Not covered: #7 (and #3, 4 if not prepared) • Bring #4, 7 • Bring: highly recommend preparing & bringing completed Citizenship in the World Worksheet
Communications	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. Prepare and practice #3 (800+ words depending on rate of speaking) • Not covered: #5, 8 • Bring #1, 2, 3, research #9, and highly recommend preparing & bringing completed Communication Worksheet
Electricity						✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. • Not covered: #2, 7  • Bring an electric bill and a picture of your electricity meter (to read numbers) for #9a, b and prepare #2, 7 • Suggest preparing using Electricity Study Guide
Energy	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamplet. • Not covered: #4  (TBD) • Suggest preparing using Energy Worksheet
Engineering	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet • Not covered: #3 • Suggest preparing using Engineering Study Guide and watching the videos for each requirement
Entrepreneurship	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. • Not covered: #3, 4, 5 • Suggest preparing using Entrepreneurship Worksheet
Exploration					✓					• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. • Not covered: #4 • Bring appropriate clothing & footwear to walk around campus (including wooded areas) and tools, equipment & supplies useful for exploring for an extended period
Family Life		✓				✓				• 3-hour course (9am-12 pm or 1-4 pm) • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet • Not covered: ​#2, 3, 4, 5, 6 • Bring: highly suggest preparing & bringing Family Life Study Guide
First Aid	✓									• All day course • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet • Bring: #2b1 (first aid kit), research #15b • Bring: highly recommend preparing & bringing First Aid Worksheet
Genealogy	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. • Not covered: #2, 4b, 4c, 5 • Suggest preparing using Genealogy Worksheet
Hiking		✓								• 3-hour course (9am-12 pm) • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. • Not covered: #4 • Suggest preparing using Hiking Worksheet
Music		✓								• 3-hour course (9am-12 pm) • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet (and suggest viewing videos for each requirement) • Not covered: #3a, 3b, or 3c, and 6a or 6b • Will sing in class for #1 (playing an instrument option is not available)
Personal Management	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. • Not covered: #2, 8 & #10 if not prepared • Bring: highly recommend preparing & bringing completed Personal Management Worksheet and research for #10
Photography	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet; bring verification of viewing the Personal Safety Awareness "Digital Safety" video • Not covered: #7 • Bring: camera, and 12 digital pictures that you are willing to share for #4, 5. • Suggest preparing using Photography Worksheet
Public Health	✓									• For Scouts ages 13+ due to content covered • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet • Not covered: #1, 7, 8
Safety						✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
Salesmanship	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet • Not covered: #5 • Suggest preparing using Salesmanship Worksheet
Soil and Water Conservation						✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Must be able to read a topo map, • Not covered: 5a, 6d, 7c
Sustainability	✓					✓				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. • Not covered: #8a • Bring: highly recommend preparing & bringing Sustainability Worksheet
Weather	✓									• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
Packet Drop Off (complete all requirements at home and drop them off and then meet counselor at HQ or during lunch for discussion items)
Scholarship										• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Bring all requirements in an envelope, folder or notebook clearly marked with the Scout's name. Include: #1 (copy of report card), #3 (letter from principal/counselor), #5 (report); be prepared to discuss #2 & 4; suggest using workbook. ​• Special Instructions: Drop off requirements at check-in before 9am for review by the merit badge counselor.  Meet the counselor during lunch or at HQ for the discussion of #2 & 4.

Classes will be added as additional merit badge counselors volunteer.
 = Eagle Scout Required 

What to Bring

Copy of the Annual Health and Medical Record* (Part A & B for any Scouting event) for every person attending. Do not bring originals For each merit badge class: ⇒ Merit badge book (read prior to class) ⇒ Proof of completed prerequisites and any items noted to bring ⇒ Documentation of any requirements not covered (optional, but highly recommended; learn more about partials) ⇒ Completed guide or worksheet for each class (optional, but highly recommended) ⇒ Blue card is not needed Note-taking materials and writing utensils Filled water bottle and snacks Money for onsite vending machines (optional)  Field uniform (Scout uniform) is encouraged Label everything you bring. The lost and found will be located at the check-in tables. Cell phones or electronic devices should only be used at the direction of the counselor. Keep personal use to between classes or during lunch.

Check-in and Arrival

• Check-in will be held in the Beckendorf Conference center at Lonestar College (30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, 77375) between 8-8:45 am. Enter the North entrance at SH 249 and Zion Road.  Look for the flag poles to your left as you enter the campus.
• Check-in will start at 8 am and classes start at 9 am.  Scouts check in individually by last name, not by troop. Only Scouts should enter the check-in lines to avoid congestion.
• Lunches are scheduled at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm.  Scouts should pick up lunches in the conference center, behind the check-in area.
• Lost lunch tickets cannot be replaced.  Scouts should write their name on the back of their ticket after check-in.
• What to Bring 
• Prerequisites      

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 note-taking 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 online prior to the Merit Badge Fair. Scouts are to be prepared to answer the questions to each of the requirements before the merit badge fair; Scouts are highly encouraged to prepare. Some merit badges require additional prerequisites that must be completed before the merit badge fair.

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 advancement report available in Blackpug after the event. 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 university 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.    

Merit Badge Completions 

A few weeks after the event, all of the completed requirements will be posted in BlackPug, the registration site. The Scoutmaster, committee chair, or registrant contact (i.e., person who registered the unit for the event) can log in to BlackPug and view the reports.

How to Pull Advancement Reports

• Go to https://scoutingevent.com/000/Login/ 
• Click on profile name (top right)
• Click on View Activity (tabs: Summer Camp & Activities or Year Round Camping)
• Select the activity
• Click on Reports Tab (provide these reports to the unit advancement chair)
  ⇒ Unit Advancement Summary: summarizes all advancements completed at camp  (e.g., merit badges, rank advancements)
  ⇒ Unit Advancement Detail: list of all advancements completed at camp in a grid  (one page per Scout)
  ⇒ Scoutbook Export: is a report of all merit badge completions that can be uploaded into Scoutbook.  Note: rank advancements have to be entered manually. This report exports merit badge data in Scoutbook format using Scoutbook's "advancement.csv" template. Chrome Users - an extension is available that allows direct import of this data into Scoutbook. This extension can be obtained here: Feature Assistant Extension for Scoutbook. Firefox Users - a similar extension for Firefox can be obtained here: Feature Assistant - Scoutbook. A document describing the upload process can be found here: Importing Summer Camp Data from Black Pug Software
• Video: How to view Reports       

Event Volunteers

Scouting Safely

Scouting America's Commitment to Safety is ongoing, and the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Scouting America puts the utmost importance on 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. 

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 is 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 Scout activities, the National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the National Council has developed the SAFE Checklist of safety procedures for physical activity. These points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities. 

*About Medical Record: Scouting America requires all participants to bring an Annual Health and Medical Record to every Scouting event. The Scouting adventures, camping trips, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in ensuring you have a great Scouting experience. Completing a health history promotes health awareness, collects necessary data, and provides medical professionals with critical information needed to treat a patient in the event of an illness or injury. It also provides emergency contact information. Please download the form and have it with you at all Scouting events for every member of your family.  

^Closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for all Scouting events. Many of our outdoor venues have snakes and sticks that can injure toes. Many of our activities include active games, so shoes that Scouts can run in (e.g., tennis shoes) are recommended.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting      SAFE Checklist      Enterprise Risk Management

Late-Breaking Information

Late-breaking news and announcements will be emailed to those registered and posted on the Orion District Facebook page.

Please like our page at www.facebook.com/orionbsa. Invite parents and Scouters in the district to like our page. Units and Scouters can tag us (@orionbsa), and message pictures. To make sure you never miss a post, after liking the page, click on 'Following' and 'See First.' To help us promote Scouting, please engage with our content by liking, commenting and sharing our posts.

For additional district communications, sign up for the Orion District newsletter.

For additional council information, sign up for the eScouter and follow the Sam Houston Area Council Facebook page. Tag the council (@shac.bsa) and send them pics of your Scouting memories.

Orion District Facebook    Orion District Newsletter    SHAC Facebook    

Contacts

For questions, contact the event chair or district activities chair.