Twin Bayou District Merit Badge Fair

Date TBD  |  8:00 am - 3:30 pm

Location: TBD

The Merit Badge Fair is an opportunity for Scouts in troops, crews or ships to work on requirements for one or two merit badges. These are not giveaway merit badges. Each Scout is expected to fulfill all the requirements by reading the merit badge book before the event, attending the class, completing prerequisites, and participating fully during the class in order to receive full credit for the requirements offered. For participants who provided accurate first and last names and BSA ID, the merit badge completion will be uploaded into Scoutbook a few weeks after the event. Additional merit badge class opportunities are listed on the council Scout Days webpage and Merit Badge Days.

There are two classes for Cub Scouts in 2^nd - 5^th grade. Learn more.

Adult participation is needed to offer this event. Every unit with Scouts participating is expected to provide volunteers. Every unit must have a representative from the troop remain on campus during the event. Representatives can switch out during the day but must check in at headquarters. Troops who have six Scouts attending must provide at least one merit badge counselor.

Troops who provide merit badge counselors for the event will be given the opportunity to allow Scouts in their unit to register early before registration opens to other units. Due to overwhelming popularity, registrations per troop are limited to allow all units the opportunity to register. 

Scouts of all ages can stop and visit Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) being held during the event between 11:30 am - 3:30 pm. JOTA is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in your own community. Volunteers are going to set up a HAM radio so Scouts can meet Scouts around the world.

Registration

The registration fee is $25 per Scout for both the Merit Badge Fair and Cub Scout STEM Nova classes and includes lunch and supply costs. Lunch will be a Chick-fil-A sandwich, a bottle of water, and chips. A vegetarian and gluten-free option is available. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. All class sizes are limited.

Important: Before registering, read the prerequisites below. Check your 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. 

Registration is completed by parents. (How to register or change a class selection) Registration is completed online with a credit card or electronic check. Council refund policy. 

Information needed to register: BSA ID number, Scout's rank, troop number, district name, Scoutmaster name and email, and troop advancement chair and email.

 

Scouts BSA Registration (opens in October)      Cub Scout Registration            What to Bring         Volunteer         Drop off    

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. 

2023 Classes and Prerequisites

Merit Badge Classes (click on class for requirements)	AM	PM	Full Day	Status (as of Oct 14)	Prerequisites, Requirements Not Covered, Additional Items to Bring
Camping	♦	♦		Full	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: #4b, 5e, 7b, 8c, 8d, 9a, 9b, 9c, 10; prepare using the Camping Worksheet
Citizenship in the Community	♦	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: #2, 3, 4, 7 • Bring #2 (community map and government chart), prepare using the Citizenship in the Community Worksheet
Citizenship in the Nation	♦				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Start watching the national news. • Requirements not covered: ​​#2, 3, 6, 8 (resource for #6) • Bring #8  (letters); prepare using the Citizenship in the Nation Worksheet
Citizenship in the World	♦	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book. Prepare a current world event or geography topic to discuss during class. • Requirements not covered: ​#3,4,7   • Bring: prepare using Citizenship in the World Worksheet
Coin Collecting	♦			Two Spots Left	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: #6 • Bring: 5 different state quarters plus 2 to trade
Communication	♦	♦		Full	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: #6, 7, 8 • Bring: prepare using Communication Workbook
Composite Materials	♦	♦		Almost Full	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book
Cooking	♦	♦		Full	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: #2c, 4, 5, 6, 7 • Bring: prepare using Cooking Workbook
Family Life	♦	♦		Two Spots Left	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: ​#3, 4, 5, 6b • Bring: prepare using Family LIfe Worksheet
Fire Safety	♦	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: ​#6, 11, 13
First Aid	♦	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book; #1 & 5b are required pre-requisites • Bring #5a (first aid kit); proof of #1 & 5b; prepare using worksheet
Genealogy	♦	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: ​#2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 • Bring verification of completion of Cyber Chip and a wifi enabled device • Bring Genealogy Worksheet
Health Care Professions	♦				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: ​#5, 9
Law	♦				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: ​#4, 6, 7
Personal Fitness	♦	♦		Full	• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: ​#1, 7, 8 • Bring: BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A, B, C titled Are You Going to Camp?) which requires a physical. • Wear activity uniform (e.g., Scout shirt) and appropriate clothes for the fitness test including tennis shoes; prepare using Personal Fitness Worksheet
Photography			♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: ​#7a & 7b • Bring verification of completion of the Cyber Chip, and camera or cell phone camera
Plumbing			♦		• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: ​#2
Public Health	♦	♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Requirements not covered: #1, 7, 8
Radio	♦				• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book  • Requirements not covered: ​#8, 9 • Prepare using Radio Workbook
Stamp Collecting		♦			• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Not covered: #7b
Packet Drop Off (complete all requirements at home and drop them off at check-in for review)
Pets^					• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Bring all requirements in an envelope, folder or notebook clearly marked with the Scout's name. Please type answers; using the Pets Worksheet is encouraged. • Special Instructions: Drop off requirements at check-in before 9am for review by the merit badge counselor and pick up after the event.
Scouting Heritage^					• Prerequisite: Read merit badge book • Bring all requirements in an envelope, folder or notebook clearly marked with the Scout's name. Please type answers; using the Scouting Heritage Worksheet is encouraged. • Special Instructions: Drop off requirements at check-in before 9am for review by the merit badge counselor and pick up after the event.
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). Please type answers; using the Scouting Heritage Worksheet is encouraged. • Special Instructions: Drop off requirements at check-in before 9am for review by the merit badge counselor and pick up after the event.
Interpreter Strip (for adults and Scouts)
Spanish Interpreter Strip		♦			• For Scouts and adults  • Not a merit badge class • Be fluent in Spanish.  Be prepared to carry on a five-minute conversation in Spanish, translate a two-minute speech, write a letter in Spanish, and translate 200 words written in Spanish.
Cub Scout Classes
Uncovering the Past	♦				• For Cub Scouts in 2nd - 5th grade • Must attend with a parent or guardian • Learn More
Out of this World	♦				• STEM/Nova Badge • For Cub Scouts in 2nd - 5th grade • Must attend with a parent or guardian • Learn More

^For the Packet Drop-off Merit Badge, complete all requirements at home and drop them off.
*Classes that are full will not show up in the online registration.
 Classes will be added as additional merit badge counselors volunteer.
 = Eagle Scout required merit badges and require more preparation (e.g., completing the worksheet).

Schedule

Time	Activity
8:00 am	Check-in (one parent/unit must stay remain on campus)
8:30 - 11:30 am	Morning Sessions Tours of the newly renovated St. Thomas High School are available
11:30 am - 12:30 pm	Lunch Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)
12:30 - 3:30 pm	Afternoon Sessions  Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)  |  11:30 - 3:30 pm

Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in your own community. Held on the third full weekend of October each year, this worldwide jamboree requires no travel, other than to a nearby radio amateur’s ham shack. Many times the hams will agree to set up at a Scout event. There are many ways to get your Scouts involved in JOTA. 

Volunteers are going to set up a HAM radio. Scouts of all ages can stop by and participate and meet Scouts around the world. 

Cub Scout Classes

There are two STEM Nova classes for Cub Scouts in 2nd - 5th grade, Out of this World and Uncovering the Past.  Scouting America developed the STEM Nova Awards program to excite and expand a sense of wonder in our Scouts. By working with an adult counselor or mentor, the various modules allow them to explore the basic principles of STEM and discover how fun and fascinating STEM can be.  An adult parent or guardian must attend the STEM Nova class with their Cub Scout.  The STEM Nova class will be from 9am - 12pm.  The registration fee includes lunch for the Scout and adult and all program supplies.  Each STEM Nova class has an additional field trip element that must be completed to earn the STEM Nova award.  More information about field trip opportunities will be provided by the STEM Nova teacher.

What to Bring

• 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:
  ⇒ Merit badge book, read each merit badge book 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)
  ⇒ Merit Badge Worksheets for each class (optional, but are highly recommended to help Scouts prepare)
  ⇒ Blue cards are not needed.
• Scouts are encouraged to wear their field uniform (Scout uniform)
• Note-taking materials and writing utensils
• Filled water bottle and snacks 

Drop off / Pick up

Please enter on Memorial Dr. by the parking garage and proceed to the Main Building. Continue the flow to exit on Shepard. 
Parking: Participants can use the parking garage on the Memorial side. Incorrectly parked vehicles may be subject to St Thomas's regulations. Please park only in designated spaces.

Before leaving campus, let your troop representative know. In the event you cannot find them, please let the organizers know before leaving. 

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

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.       

Update 11/12/23:  All merit badge advancements earned at the event have been entered into Doubleknot and uploaded into Scoutbook. If the advancements are not showing up in Scoutbook, provide the advancement report to your unit leader and the unit leader or designee can enter the advancements into Scoutbook.

2023: Advancement Report          How to View Advancements Entered in Doubleknot

Interpreter Strip

The Interpreter Strip badge is available to Scouts in the Scouts BSA program who can write, translate, and speak a foreign language or who can carry on a conversation in sign language. Scouts and adults who speak Spanish can complete the requirements for the badge and can wear the interpreter badge on their uniform. The interpreter strip badge signifies that a youth or adult member speaks a foreign language. Adults of Scouts who speak a specific foreign language; demonstrate knowledge by carrying on a five-minute conversation in this language, translating a two-minute speech or address, and writing a letter in the language; or, translating 200 words from the written word.

Event Volunteers

One adult volunteer per troop should remain on-site for the duration of the event. If you need to share this role with another adult, please let the check-In table know when you are switching. All adult volunteers should visit the check-in table upon arrival. 

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

Contacts

For questions, contact the Merit Badge Day chair or district activities chai