Merit Badge Opportunities



 

Hot News on Merit Badge Opportunities

 

The BSA Merit Badge Program

  • A vital part of the BSA's advancement plan, the merit badge program is one of Scouting's basic character-building tools.
  • Through participation in the program (which may begin immediately upon registration in the troop), a Scout acquires the kind of self-confidence that comes only from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal.
  • Follow the merit badge procedures described in the Boy Scout Handbook  
  • Be prepared!  Remember to obtain a current BSA Merit Badge pamphlet through either the Troop Librarian or Boy Scout Store (see Scout shop website).
  • When attending a merit badge class, you should always wear your Class A Uniform and bring the blue or yellow merit badge card, signed by your Scoutmaster and with your name, address, and Merit Badge class name already filled-out.
  • Badges for Eagle: To qualify for the Eagle Scout Award, Scouting's highest advancement rank, a Scout must—along with meeting five other requirements—earn a total of 21 merit badges, including twelve as listed here:
    1. First Aid
    2. Citizenship in the Community
    3. Citizenship in the Nation
    4. Citizenship in the World
    5. Communications
    6. Personal Fitness
    7. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
    8. Environmental Science
    9. Personal Management
    10. Camping
    11. Hiking OR Cycling OR Swimming
    12. Family Life

 

Troop 828 Merit Badge Resources

How Hard is each Merit Badge?

 

Merit Badge Links

 

Houston-area opportunities to earn Boy Scout Merit Badges

There are many outside opportunities, offered by many different organizations throughout the Houston area, to earn Boy Scout Merit Badges.  Some of these organizations offer them monthly, some once a year, and others on other schedules.  See the details below. Check regularly for new updates! IIf you are aware of other MB opportunities in our area, please contact Robbye Willoughby (see Troop roster) so that we can put the information on this webpage.

 

Aquarena Center, San Marcos, Texas
  • Environmental Science merit badge
  • Saturday, December 1st, 2007
  • $8 per person
  • Call 512-245-7540 to set up a tour for your group of 10 or more. 
  • The Boy Scout Environmental Science program will help scouts understand the importance of critical habitats, such as the San Marcos Springs. Scouts will explore various environmental science concepts while learning about the endangered species of Spring Lake.  This program is approximately 2.5 hours in length.
 
 Aviation Camp at Hondo, Texas (word document)
  • Aviation Merit Badge offered March 14-16, 2008, in Hondo, Texas, west of San Antonio.  $6/person.  The troop needs to register as a group.

  • General information (Word doc)

  • Registration (Word doc)

  • Flier (Word doc)

 Aviation Day Camp at Ellington Field
Bechtel Engineering Day ( www.bechtelengineeringday.org )
  • Merit Badges: Nuclear Science, Chemistry, Computers, Drafting, Electricity,
    Engineering.  Maximum two merit badges during the day.

  • Registration for this event will begin on January 03, 2008 at 7:00 a.m.  Emails will be taken on a first come, first serve basis.  Emails should be sent to EWBoySct@bechtel.com.  Note: Only registration requests for Boy Scouts sent to this address will be processed.

  • Cost: Free

  • Schedule: Saturday, February 23, 2008 (last Saturday of February each year)
  • Where: Bechtel Corporation 3000 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, TX

  • All pre-work that the scout is required to complete for each class they are registered in MUST BE TURNED IN NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 04, 2008.  If your prework isn’t turned in your spot may be released to the next scout that wanted to attend.

Camp Strake: Ecology-Environmental Summer Camp

  • Flyer: http://www.shac.org/Home/Forms/EcologyEnvironmentalSu 

  • Camp Strake website: http://www.shac.org/Home/Camping/Camps4/Strake/

  • Merit Badges Offered: Environmental Science, Fish & Wildlife Management,
    Soil & Water Conservation and Forestry (Get a start on earning the William
    T. Hornaday Badge & Medal and Sam Houston Area Council Conservation
    Awards)

  • Location: Camp Strake

  • Costs: Approximately $270; Check registration for more information.

  • Schedule: July 9-15, 2006

  • Registration: See registration form and register through SHAC Camping
    Services. Maximum 60 participants accepted to program.

  • Restriction: Scouts 13 and older who are at least First Class.

Capital Area Council Hornaday Award Merit Badge Weekend (www.hornadaybsa.org)
  • Merit Badges Offered: Bird Study, Energy, Environmental Science, Fish & Wildlife Management, Fishing, Forestry, Gardening, Geology, Insect Study, Landscape Architecture, Mammal Study, Nature, Nuclear Science, Oceanography, Plant Science, Public Health, Pulp & Paper, Reptile & Amphibian Study, Soil & Water Conservation, Weather
  • Other Offerings: Scouts have the opportunity to register to attend a Hornaday conservation project orientation session.
  • Adult training is also available.
  • Schedule: April 18-20, 2008
  • Event held 2x per year - usually in March & October
  • Location: Lost Pines Scout Reservation near Bastrop
  • Cost: $65.00 per scout and $50 per adult (all meals are provided)
  • Requirements: 1st Class Rank and above.  Any scout who wants to participate can apply for an exemption of this requirement.  Exceptions are available. If this is the monthly troop campout, then any registered scout can attend regardless of their advancement rank.
  • Registration: Register on-line at www.hornadaybsa.org under Registration. 
  • Note: Scouts can earn up to 4 merit badges during the weekend.

Fort Bend YMCA (www.ymcahouston.org look for Fort Bend)

  • Merit Badges Offered: Swimming 9am-12 noon; Lifesaving 1pm-4pm
  • Costs: $7 donation / scout
  • Schedule:  Saturday Sept. 2 and Saturday Oct 7
  • Note: Must have Swimming Merit Badge to get Lifesaving Merit Badge.  It is NOT
    recommended that a scout do both classes on the same day. 
  • Bring $7, Merit Badge Card, towel, swimsuit, long sleeve shirt, long pants and old shoes to swim
    in. (Goggles, snorkel, mask & fins helpful but not required.) 
  • Class limited to 20 scouts per merit badge.  An adult will need to sign in for  each scout under age 18, and all fees must be paid  at the start of the class.
  • Swimming Merit Badge: Participants must be able to perform a minimum 25 yards
    continuous swim, and tread water for 3 minutes in order to attend Swimming
    merit badge class.
  • Lifesaving Merit Badge: Participants must be able to swim a minimum 100 yards continuous swim and tread water for 6 minutes in order to attend the Lifesaving Merit Badge class.
  • To register, contact YMCA's main desk or Amanda Kayes at 281-499-9622
    Preferred method of registration is e-mail.  Include name and troop of
    scout, which merit badge they are attending, telephone number and emergency phone number, to Amanda Kayes at 281-499-9622,
    AmandaK@ymcahouston.org.

 

Goose Creek Canoe Clinic (www.canoeclinic.com)

  • American Red Cross and SHAC approved!
  • Merit Badges Offered: Whitewater  (Basic River Clinic)
  • Costs:$65
  • Schedule: Held in May and September.  See website for dates. 
  • Registration:In order to participate you must be 13+ yrs old and attend the mandatory classroom session in addition to a weekend on one of Texas' fine fast moving rivers. Register through www.canoeclinic.com
Golden Arrow District MB Fair (http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/meritfair-07-05.html )
 
  • Merit Badges Offered: 30 different merit badge classes available
  • Costs: $12 / scout; plus extra fee for a few classes
  • Schedule:  May 12, 2007
  • Location: Paul Revere Middle School at Briar Forest and Beltway 8
  • Registration: Deadline April 21st.  Deadline to register for the May 12 Golden Arrow District MB Fair.  30  merit badge classes available.  Drop off registration forms & payments by 10:00am Saturday April 21 on the front porch of Mrs. Bourgeois' home (see roster for address). We need adult volunteers to stay too!!  Mrs. Bourgeois will register the scouts for the troop.
  •  Registration forms and class information available at this site.
    http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/meritfair-07-05.html

Greater Houston Coin Club (www.money.org/clubs/GHCC2003.html)

  • Annual Event: The Money Show of the Southwest
  • Merit Badges Offered: Coin Collecting
  • Schedule: Saturday, January 24, 2004  3:00pm (plan to arrive early)
  • Location: Greenspoint Expo Center
                   12300 I-45 at Beltway 8  Houston, TX 
  • Note:  The scouts will review the requirements in the "Coin Collecting Merit
    Badge Book."  SCOUTS DO NOT HAVE TO BRING THE TYPE OR DATE SETS. THE PRIMARY
    PURPOSE OF THE WORKSHOP IS TO OUTLINE WHAT HAS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED AND TO
    SHOW OR FAMILIARIZE THEM WITH THE TERMINOLOGY AND HOW TO DO SOME OF THE
    THINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED. Scouts that have been collecting may also bring a
    "Type Set" of U.S. coins currently in circulation to sign off on some of the
    additional requirements.  This set should include one specimen each of the 1
    cent, 5 cent, 10 cent and 25 cent coins.  The dates do not have to be the
    same, but at least one coin should be from the Philadelphia and Denver
    Mints.  If you can, bring a date set, one coin of the same denomination from
    each year the scout was born thru 2003.  The denomination can be any of the
    above or 50 cent or 1 dollar.  This will fulfill many of the merit badge
    requirements.
  • Notebook and pencil required, too! 
  • Additional information contact Carl Schwenker at texascoins@houston.rr.com regarding the scout merit badge qualification session.
  • Other events for youth at the show:
    12:00 noon Youth Auction
    1:00 pm Youth Treasure Hunt
    1-3:00 pm Educational Presentations
    Plus displays and competitive exhibits 

Gulf Coast Chapter of Texas Society of Professional Surveyors
(www.tsps-9.org look for Education&Standards/BSA MB Requirements Flyer -
BSAMB.PDF)

  • Merit Badges Offered: Surveying
  • Registration:  The Gulf Coast Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional
    Surveyors is available to assist Scouts wishing to pursue the Surveying
    Merit Badge. For information and assistance in pursuing the Surveying Merit
    Badge Troup Leaders should contact the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Texas
    Society of Professional Surveyors in writing or at their Website,
    www.tsps-9.org.

 

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center (Houston Arboretum and Nature Center: Education: Scouting: Boy Scouts)

Houston Area Blacksmith Association - HABA (www.habairon.org)

  • Merit Badges Offered: Metalworking (Blacksmithing Option)
  • Registration: The HABA is available to assist Scouts wishing to pursue the Metalworking Merit. Badge.   For information and assistance the Troup Leaders should contact HABA current president on HABA website or Dave Koenig at 281-855-2869 or TudorForge@cs.com
  • Copy of article from a previous class: http://www.habairon.org/Newsletters/HABALTR53.pdf

 

Houston Gem and Mineral Society
  • Annual Event: Houston Gem and Mineral Show
  • Merit Badges Offered: Partial Geology MB
  • Schedule: September 22-23, 2007
    • Saturday Sessions: Every hour, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
    • Sunday Sessions: Every hour, 11a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Location: Humble Civic Center
               8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble TX  (½ mile east of Hwy 59)
  • Cost: Admin at door $5 adults, $3 students with ID, children under 12 free
           Scout badge program free with show admission
  • Registration: ackeiffers@aol.com or 281.830.9641
  • See the flyer
Houston Gulf Coast Railroad Museum
  • Houston Gulf Coast Railroad Museum
    http://www.kingswayrc.com/gcst/edu_bsa.html
  • Merit Badges Offered: Railroading
  • Schedule: Flexible Saturday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
  • Cost: $10
  • Registration: For more information or to schedule a workshop, contact Al
    Dykes by telephone at 281-575-2813 (days) or 281-367-7019 (evenings).
  • Railroading Merit Badge can be sponsored by the museum.  If scouts are
    interested it is suggested that they get together prior to contacting the
    museum to determine a primary liaison.
  • For more information, contact
    Chapter Vice President Al Dykes at al_dykes@swbell.net or see
    http://www.kingswayrc.com/gcst/educate.htm

 Houston Museum of Natural Science (Spring Break)

 

Environmental Science

Earn the Environmental Science Merit Badge in this three day class.  Learn how biologists study and protect the world we live in by conducting pollution cleanup experiments and population studies.  Research the history of environmental science and endangered species using the internet and exhibit halls.  This merit badge is required for Eagle.

All requirements will be completed in class.  No outside work is required.

Cost: $75.00 per child

Dates: March 17-19.  All three days are required.

Time: 10am to 3pm daily.

Lunch: Bring a sack lunch or order McDonald's Monday morning.

Purchase Tickets Here <https://store.hmns.org/Default.aspx?dspgrp=16>




Nuclear Science/Electricity

For Spring Break 2007, HMNS is offering two brand-new Boy Scout Merit Badges in one class: Electricity and Nuclear Science.  This class will be taught by a former Nuclear-trained Electricians' Mate who served aboard nuclear-powered submarines for 10 years.

The Nuclear Science Merit Badge will teach the scouts basic nuclear theory, the biological effects and hazards of radiation exposure, the beneficial uses of radioactive elements and how a chain reaction is started and maintained.  They will also build a model of a nuclear reactor and explain how it works, and describe how radon can be detected in your home.

For the Electricity Badge, scouts will learn basic electrical theory, along with first aid, emergency procedures, and how to conduct an electrical home safety inspection.  They will also learn how electric motors work, and how to read your home's electric meter.

Outside work is required before the class.  Click here <http://www.hmns.org/files/education/Electricity-MB-Online-Home-Safety-Inspection-Checklist.pdf>  for the online worksheet.

Cost: $75.00 per child

Date: March 17-19.  All three days are required.

Time: 10am to 3pm daily.

Lunch: Bring a sack lunch or order McDonald's Monday morning.

Purchase Tickets Here <https://store.hmns.org/Default.aspx?dspgrp=16>




Cinematography

Go behind the scenes in the Burke Baker Planetarium to learn how to make a movie!  Then it's Lights, Camera and Action as you produce your own mini-feature film that you can take home!

All requirements will be completed in class.  No outside work is required.

Cost: $75.00 per child

Dates: March 17-19.  All three days are required.

Time: 10am to 3pm daily.

Lunch: Bring a sack lunch or order McDonald's Monday morning.

http://www.hmns.org/education/scouts/boy_scouts.asp#springbreak

  Houston Museum of Natural Science (Boy Scouts)

  • Merit Badges Offered: Archaeology, Astronomy, Bird Study, Chemistry, Energy, Geology, Indian Lore, Insect Study, Reptiles and Amphibians Study
  • Cost: Vary $25-30 / scout depending on class
  • Schedule: The class schedule is updated monthly on the website
  • Pictures: Texas Archeological Society www.txarch.org/kids/scouts.html Really cool pictures of scouts in Fort Bend!
  • Check for prerequisites in the Workshop area listed under the class description!
 Houston Museum of Natural Science 2007 Summer Xplorations program

Scouts can earn badges in the summer at the Houston Museum of Natural Science! Classes for Boy Scouts, Webelos, Cub Scouts, Junior Girl Scouts, and Brownie Girl Scouts are available as part of the HMNS Summer Xplorations program.

Mid-summer classes focus on space and rockets (July 2 and 3) with a fun rocket launch the morning of the 4th, and on nature (July 5 and 6) with a family outing to Brazos Bend State Park on Saturday. Scouts can earn a space or nature related badge in these classes.

Younger scouts can earn up to five badges during the end of summer Badge-O-Thon (weeks of August 8 and 13). Boy Scouts have the opportunity to earn the Environmental Science, Space Exploration, Cinematography and Radio Merit Badges.

Go to the Summer Camp section of the HMNS web site for complete information at http://www.hmns.org/education/children_families/summer_camps.asp

Houston Orienteering Club is holding a Boy Scout Orienteering MB Day http://hoc.us.orienteering.org/
  • Merit Badges Offered: Orienteering
  • Cost: unknown
  • Schedule: Dec 1, 2007
  • Location:  Jones State Forest, The Woodlands
  • Contact: Larry Vidinha 281-604-7740 or majvidinha@aol.com

 

IEEE (Electricity and Electronics merit badges) LDS Merit Badge Day
  • Saturday, September 23, 2006
  • Merit Badges: TBD (Typical Opportunities include - Dentistry, Geology,
    American Cultures, Electricity, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Law,
    Plumbing, Textile, Radio)
  • Cost: Free
  • Dress: Class A
  • Registration: Complete form; mail or e-mail; 1st come 1st served
  • Reminder: Pick up blue MB card from Mr. Rankin prior to attending class!
Moody Gardens (www.blizzard-marketing.com/secure/moodygardensinc/scouts.html)
  • Merit Badges Offered: Communications, Landscape Architecture, Nature, Oceanography, Photography, Weather. Astronomy Merit Badges are also available in conjunction with Star Parties.
  • Costs: Vary $10-17; More for overnight sessions
  • Schedule: The class schedule is updated in the fall and spring on the website
  • Registration: Please call (800) 582-4673, x4325 or x4320
 

Museum of Health & Medical Science (Boy Scout Classes)

 

Nature Discovery Center (www.naturediscoverycenter.org and look for Programs/Scout Programs)

  • Merit Badges Offered: Mammal Study. They are open to possibly undertaking other nature type MB classes.
  • Costs: Approximately $10 / scout
  • Schedule and registration: Programs by special arrangement and requires participation of 5-12 scouts. Call them at 713-667-6550.
 

NBO Training Center - Home of Deer Lake Canoe Clinic (www.scoutcpr.org)

  • Dedicated to providing American Red Cross training for registered Boy Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, Royal Rangers, Girl Scouts and adult leaders.  SHAC approved!
  • Merit Badges Offered: First Aid, Lifesaving, Canoeing, Kayak, Sailing, Whitewater (Basic River Clinic)
  • Location: North Houston at Deer Lake and Camp Strake. 
  • Costs: $45+
  • Schedule: Year around.  Check website out for class specific dates.
  • Registration information is available on their website.  See  www.scoutcpr.org 
 Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum
 
  • Merit Badges Offered: Energy, Geology
  • Cost: $15 / scout; $6 / adult
  • Energy schedule: 2007 Scout Days

    February 17             August 18

    April 21                   October 20  

    June 16                   December 15

  • Geology schedule: 2007 Scout Days

    January 20              July 21

    March 17                 September 15

    May 19                   November 17

  • Dress: Class A
  • To register, call 409/766-7827 for more information or see this flyer & www.OceanStarOEC.com
  • Contact: Arminda Scarbourgh, program coordinator, at osprograms@aol.com

Red Cross

  • Merit Badges Offered: First Aid  (requirements 2b and 7 not covered)
  • Costs: $25 / scout
  • Schedule: 1st Saturday of each month
  • To register: Mail in registration form located in the Scouter or contact
    Gidget at 713.526.8300 ext 1606.

 

 SHAC Merit Badge Fair 2007
  • Merit Badges Offered: 31 MBs!  List of merit badges, prerequisites, etc
  • Cost: $7, which includes a hot dog lunch
  • Schedule: Saturday, October 13, 2007
  • Location: Cockrell Service Center- 2225 North Loop West, Houston, 77008
  • Registration: CLOSES October 4th!  Registration is on-line ... see the link on the flyer page

 

Space Center Houston (www.spacecenter.org look for education/scouts)

  • Merit Badge Offered: Space Exploration
  • Costs: Requires Troop Check; $50 / scout; $20 / adult within 1:4 ratio
  • Note: The Scouts will build and launch a model rocket, design a model space craft for a specific mission, design and build a model space station, view a Giant Screen space film, go on a scavenger hunt looking for spin-offs from the space program and much, much more!
  • Schedule:
    • September 16, 2006
    • September 15, 2007
    • October 20, 2007
    • November 17, 2007
    • January 5, 2008
    • February 2, 2008 (FULL)
    • March 15, 2008
    • April 26, 2008
    • May 10, 2008
    • July 26, 2008
  • To register, call 281-244-2148, email acase@spacecenter.org, or obtain registration form.

Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/openhouse/)

  • Merit Badge Offered: Veterinary Medicine
  • Costs: $7 per scout (Adults free)  One adult per 5 scouts is mandatory
  • Schedule: March 29 2008.  Registration starts November 10, 2007
  • Location: Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station
  • Registration: Online at http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/openhouse/
    Note: 15th Annual Open House. 300 scouts accepted on a first serve basis.  Confirmation will be sent in January to confirm scouts' registration.  Fee due after confirmation.  Open House will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2008, from 9 am to 4 pm at Texas A&M's Veterinary School. There will be an opportunity to earn the Veterinary Medicine Merit Badge, along with educational displays/events to view.
  • Flyer
  • Contact: Christine McCoy    boyscouts@cvm.tamu.edu 

Texas Rock Gym (www.texrockgym.com look for scouts)

  • Merit Badges Offered: Rock Climbing
  • Location: Memorial and Clear Lake Facilities
  • Costs: $40 per scout which includes both sessions and the required gear.
  • Registration: Contact either location - Memorial 713-973-ROCK(7625) or Clear Lake 281-338-ROCK(7625).
  • Due to the volume of material, the merit badge
    class is divided into two segments.  It is suggested to plan a troop lock-in
    for the initial segment, and a second session after school for the
    remainder.
  • Lock-in hours are normally from 11:00pm to 7:00am giving you 8
    hours of climbing, socializing, and games.

University of Texas - Austin: Merit Badge University (www.utmbu.org)

  • Approximately 40 MB options + Adult Training and Venturing
  • Registration is now open!
  • Schedule: Saturday,  February 16, 2008
  • Cost: $7.50 per merit badge
  • Location: University of Texas - Austin!
  • Register:  Registration is open now for the 2008 session.  Sign up for the classes online at http://www.utmbu.org/registration.html by January 1, 2008.  (You'll choose your own user name and password, and use the drop-down menu to indicate that you're a member of Troop 828 in the Sam Houston Area Council). Then print out a couple of forms from their website, get a scoutmaster or assistant scoutmaster signature, and send a check, the signed registration form, and a signed waiver by mail, post-marked by January 1.  This is a very popular event with over 1000 scouts in the Texas area attending each year.

    Contact registration@utmbu.org or mail form to

    Merit Badge University
    Alpha Phi Omega
    P.0. Box 8141
    Austin, TX 78713-8141

Weather Research Center (http://www.wxresearch.com)
 
  • Merit Badges Offered: Weather
  • Schedule: Flexible
  • Cost: $15
  • Location: 3227 Audley St. Houston, Texas 77098
  • Registration: To make an appointment for a class call 713-529-3076 or email
    wrc@wxresearch.org.

Many thanks to Robbye Willoughby and Candy Bourgeois for gathering and organizing all of the information on this page!!