Merit Badge University

August 5, 2022

Location TBD

Merit Badge University is an opportunity for Scouts in troops, crews and ship of any rank, to work on one or two merit badges. Classes sizes are limited. Registration is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. 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.All Scouts are required to bring a blue card. Adult participation is required to offer this event.

Registration

The registration fee is $25. Due to popularity, and availability of counselors, some classes will fill up quickly. Scouts who register early have the best chance of getting the classes they want. Class sizes are limited. Scout can sign up for two half-day classes or an all-day class.

Important: 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. Before registering, check the Scout's school, sports and troop calendar for conflicts.

Check for additional merit badge class opportunities on the council Scout Days webpage.

Registration opens in June!

What to Bring

  • Merit badge book, read prior to class; purchase at the Scout Shop.
  • Sack lunch
  • Water and snacks
  • Blue card for each merit badge
  • BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & B for all Scouting events)
  • Notebook paper and writing utensil
  • Field uniform (Scout uniform) is encouraged

Preparation

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 in a seminar. The counselor's job is to encourage self-discovery and then check that each Scout has the minimum knowledge and does the requirements. Each Scout should have read his merit badge pamphlet and prepared answers to each requirement. 

Scouts should be ready to take notes and come prepared with a notebook with blank paper and a pencil. Remember one goal of the merit badge advancement system is to develop individual growth and initiative. 

Only use merit badge information from the Boy Scouts of America's official website: www.scouting.org/meritbadges.aspx.

Prerequisites and Partials

Many merit badges require prerequisites to be completed at the merit badge fair. If a Scout does not complete the prerequisites, the Scout may complete those requirements with a troop or district merit badge counselor at a later date. Prerequisite requirements will be posted here as they are released. Scouts should read the merit badge booklet in its entirety prior to class and be prepared to discuss.

If a Scout is unable to complete his merit badge, the partial completion will be noted on his blue card, which will be given back to the Scout. Merit badge counselors are not always available to serve as a counselor the after merit badge fair ends unless arrangements are made. 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—along with him attending the session.

Prior to the event, the assigned merit badge counselor will email each registered Scout with prerequisite information, if any.

Schedule

Scouts sign up for two merit badges or for an all-day class.  The Scouts experience a quality merit badge session during a single day to mimic what would normally take a week at summer camp (1 hr to 1.5 hours for 5 days).  But please note, this event is not meant to replace the summer camp experience but only to give the opportunity for Scouts to achieve a merit badge from a local counselor.

Conduct and Discipline

As a participant, Scouts must:

  • Observe the Scout Oath (or Promise) and the Scout Law.
  • Attend the full time of the class.
  • Be personally responsible for breakage, damage, or loss of property.
  • Be courteous to other students, counselors, and staff.
  • Clean up the classroom at the end of each session.
  • Clean up trash after eating lunch.
  • Keep cell phone in your pocket when in class.

Volunteers

Registered merit badge counselors are needed to teach merit badge classes. In addition, adults are needed to help with check-in and various other tasks. Please contact the Advancement Chair or Programs Chair to volunteer.

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. Your encouragement and occasional “refocusing of purpose” that Scouts require will be invaluable. 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 registration, 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 must have current Youth Protection Training. YPT can be taken at my.Scouting.org. 

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 my.Scouting.org. It is our goal for the Scouts to be afforded opportunities to share resources from other troops with diverse occupations and skills. The Scouts will be expected to complete all the requirements as indicated by the Boy Scouts of 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.

Scouting Safely

Safety is Your Responsibility posterThe BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed and all participants must follow youth protection guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:

  • Two-deep leadership on all outings required.  
  • No one-on-one contact between adults and youth members. 
  • The buddy system should be used at all times. 
  • Discipline must be constructive.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting     Enterprise Risk Management

Contacts

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