September 7, 2024
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. 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.
Update 9/24/24: Advancements have been uploaded to Scoutbook. If you don't see a Scout's advancements in Scoutbook, provide the Advancement Report to the unit leader to enter in Scoutbook. This typically happens if a Scout's name and/or BSA ID doesn't match Scoutbook.
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 needed to assist merit badge counselors and serve in additional roles such as check-in.
Volunteer
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. How to change your class selections.)
At checkout, pay with a credit card or electronic check. There is no onsite registration. Council refund policy
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. Look up the name of the Scout in Scoutbook as the first and last name put into the registration must match exactly what is listed in Scoutbook.
BSA ID Number: Have the Scout's BSA ID number ready before registering. The Scout's name and BSA ID number must match what is listed in Scoutbook to ensure the Scout gets credit for requirements completed. The BSA ID number can be found: • Scoutbook (1. click on My Dashboard, 2. for a Scout - click on 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.
Register Classes / Prerequisites Volunteer
Due to the popularity and 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.
Changes: Merit badge class selections can be changed after registering. See the instructions below or in your email receipt.
Merit Badge Classes
Merit Badges
(click on merit badge to see requirements)
|
AM
|
PM
|
All Day
|
Prerequisites and Partials
|
|
| Automotive Maintenance |
♦ |
|
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; |
|
| Camping |
|
|
♦ |
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #8d, 9a, 9b, 9c
• Bring completed worksheet |
|
| Chess |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #6 (complete after class)
• Bring chess set, completed worksheet |
|
| Citizenship in the Community |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
• Bring #2 (community map and government chart), #2 (phone to map your area or a preprinted map of your community), #8 (presentation), completed worksheet |
  |
| Citizenship in the Nation |
♦ |
|
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Start watching the national news.
• Not covered: #2, 3, 8
• Bring #8 (letter) and completed worksheet |
|
| Citizenship in the World |
|
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Prepare a current world event or geography topic to discuss during class.
• Bring completed worksheet |
|
| Coin Collecting |
|
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Bring: #6 (5 different state quarters) |
|
| Communication |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #2, 3, 8
• Bring: completed workbook |
 |
| Dog Care |
|
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.
• Not covered: #4, 5, 8 |
|
| 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: #1, 2c, 6c, 9
• Bring: #8b (emergency pack or a picture); completed worksheet |
|
| Engineering |
♦ |
|
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.
• Requirements not covered: #2, 3, 9 |
|
| Family Life |
♦ |
♦ |
|
Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #3, 4, 5
• Bring: completed worksheet |
|
| First Aid |
|
|
♦ |
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; #1 & 5b
• Bring: #5a (first aid kit) and neckerchief; Scout Handbook; completed worksheet |
|
| Home Repairs |
|
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; |
|
| 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 |
|
| Radio |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #8, 9 |
|
| Salesmanship |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #5
• Bring: complete worksheet |
|
| 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.
• Requirements not covered: #8a
• Bring: highly recommend preparing & bringing completed worksheet |
|
| Weather |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book |
|
Off-site Classes
• Morning off-site classes will start at the off-site location and parents will transport the Scout to the afternoon class. Scouts will eat lunch on their own en route.
• Afternoon off-site classes - Scouts will attend their morning class and then parents will transport the Scout to the off-site location for the afternoon class. Scouts will eat lunch on their own en route. |
| Canoeing |
♦ |
|
|
• Held at Faith West Academy Lake (2225 Porter Rd). Parents are responsible for transporting the Scout to and from this location.
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Must be physically fit. Have passed the BSA swim test.
• Not covered 1a-c, 3a-c, 4a, 5a, 5c, 6, 7a
• Bring: filled water bottle, towel, swim clothes, proof of passing BSA swim test, completed workbook, 1a-c, 3a-c, 4a, 5a, 5c, 6, 7a |
|
| Cycling |
♦ |
|
|
• Held at Mason Creek Park North Hike and Bike Trail (2500 Porter Road). Parents are responsible to transport their Scout to and from this location.
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.
• Not covered: #7
• Bring: bike and biking gear; replacement tire tube |
|
| Fishing |
♦ |
|
|
• Held at Mary Jo Peckam Park (5597 Gardenia Lane). Parents are responsible for transporting the Scout to and from this location.
• Costs an extra $5 to cover the supplies
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book.
• Not covered: #9
• Bring: sunscreen, hat, fishing rod (if you have one) |
|
| Fire Safety |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Held at Willowfork Fire station #2 (26950 Cinco Ranch Blvd). Parents are responsible to transport their Scout to and from this location.
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #6, 12 |
|
| Lifesaving |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Held at Williamsburg Settlement community pool (1602 Hoyt Lane). Parents are responsible for transporting the Scout to and from this location.
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; must be able to pass a BSA swim test.
• Bring: longs pants, long-sleeved button-down shirt, shoes |
|
| Reading |
|
|
|
• Held at Katy Library (5414 Franz Rd). Parents are responsible to transport their Scout to and from this location.
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
• Not covered: #2, 3, 6 |
|
| Swimming |
♦ |
♦ |
|
• Held at Williamsburg Settlement community pool (1602 Hoyt Lane)
Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. |
|
| Drop-off Merit Badge |
| 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. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
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
Camp chair (there are no chairs in most classrooms)- Field uniform (Scout uniform) is encouraged
- Sack lunch or $5 to purchase lunch onsite (must be purchased at check-in between 7-8 am)
Scouts who are taking off-site classes will eat lunch on their own en route between classes.
- Water bottle and healthy snacks
- Money for snacks and drinks sold onsite, optional
- Copy of the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record* (Part A & B for any Scouting event) for every person attending. Do not bring originals.
- For every merit badge class bring:
⇒ Merit badge book (read books prior to class; purchase at the Scout Shop)
⇒ 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 Merit Badge Worksheet (optional, but highly recommended)
⇒ Blue cards are not required. How to pull advancement reports.
- Note-taking materials and writing utensils
- Scouts taking Cycling, Automotive Maintenance, Home Repair, Space Exploration, and Fire Safety will need to dress for cold weather as these classes are being held outdoors.
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. Scouts with off-site classes will eat lunch on their own en route between classes.
Schedule
| |
7:00 - 8:00 am |
Check-in |
| |
8:00 - 8:15 am |
Opening Ceremony |
| |
8:30 am - 12:00 pm |
Morning sessions |
| |
12:00 - 1:00 pm |
Lunch |
| |
1:00 - 4:30 pm |
Afternoon sessions |
| |
4:30 pm |
Clean-up (all Scouts help) |
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.
Advancements Completed
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. How to pull advancement reports.
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
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. Additional volunteers are needed and appreciated. Adults can serve on event staff or as merit badge counselors.
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. The successful leader in Scouts learns quickly to be successful in everything they attempt.
Adults are needed to set up the facilities before the fair starts, handle check-in, act as "roamers" to look out for issues that need to be resolved, assist the merit badge counselors, and to help clean-up after the event is over. Volunteers who work directly with the youth (e.g., assist the merit badge counselor) must have current Youth Protection Training. YPT can be taken at myScouting.org.
Volunteer
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 up-to-date Youth Protection Training. YPT can be taken at myScouting.org. It is our goal for the Scouts to be afforded opportunities to share resources from other troops with diverse occupations and skills. Participants will be expected to complete all the requirements as indicated by Scouting 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 young man'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.
Volunteer as a Merit Badge Counselor
About Youth Protection Training
Youth Protection Training (YPT) is designed to help keep youth safe from abuse. During YPT, participants learn Scouting 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
- Log in to My.Scouting.org.
- Click “Menu” at the top left.
- Click “My Dashboard.”
- Make sure you're under “My Training” and “YPT.”
- Next to “YPT Status,” look for a small blue printer icon. ...
- Your browser will open a PDF that you can print or save to your computer.
How to Register or Update a Registration
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
Contact
For questions, contact your Scoutmaster, the merit badge fair chair or the district advancement chair.