2021 Orion Merit Badge College

Dates: January 30 and February 27, 2021
Location:
This year, the college will be delivered at least partly online (the first weekend will be online; if conditions allow, the second weekend will be in person).
Cost: $5.00 per Scout + optional pamphlet costs
Registration Deadline: December 28, 2020
Contact: For more information, contact one of the planning committee members Lynne Cox, Christina Cunningham, Yoli Johnson, Rudy Kamman, Mark Lampe, or Jeff Mack.

The objective of the Orion District Merit Badge College is to provide Merit Badges that a Scout may not have an opportunity to take otherwise. Scouts may sign up for three Merit Badges offered during three sessions: Session 1: 9:00 – 10:45; Session 2: 11:00 – 12:45; lunch break 12:45 to 1:30 and Session 3: 1:30 – 3:15. Session times may be adjusted as we get closer to the event. Class sessions are for both Saturdays and will require off site work (homework) and/or field trips in order to complete all requirements. Attendance alone will not result in any/all requirements being completed. Each Scout must participate and demonstrate they have met each requirement in order to earn the badge. Scouts are limited to no more than two Eagle required merit badges. Scoutmasters must discuss all merit badge choices their Scouts sign up for but please keep in mind that per the Guide to Advancement, there are no minimum age requirements for participation in a class.

The event cost per Scout is $5.00, which covers all required program expenses and includes a patch. Troops will designate one person to register Scouts using an online system. Registration closes on Dec 28th. Registering early is a good thing to do – classes will fill on first come first serve basis!

Since many units have extensive libraries, the MBC committee has adjusted the budget to make the purchase of pamphlets optional this year. Pamphlets will be available for pre-order only through the MBC committee at a reduced cost. Registered troops will be contacted to collect the pamphlet pre-orders. Troops will then be invoiced for the cost of the event and the pre-ordered pamphlets. Money will be collected prior to distribution of program materials. Units will be required to furnish Blue Cards to each Scout. Scouts will need a pen or pencil and workbooks or paper to take notes with. If a Merit Badge requires additional expenses the Scout will be notified in advance.

Merit Badges offered:

  1. Archaeology
  2. Architecture
  3. Art
  4. Citizenship in the Community
  5. Citizenship in the Nation
  6. Citizenship in the World
  7. Coin Collecting
  8. Communication
  9. Crime Prevention
  10. Emergency Preparedness
  11. Engineering
  12. Digital Technology
  13. Fire Safety
  14. Game Design
  15. Graphic Art
  16. Inventing
  17. Law
  18. Leatherwork
  19. Medicine
  20. Movie Making
  21. Personal Management
  22. Photography
  23. Programming
  24. Reading
  25. Space Exploration
  26. Truck Transportation

Holiday Toy Drive

For the past 2 years, Blake Travis with Troop 9168 has organized a toy drive to benefit Scottish Rite Hospital. Unfortunately this year due to COVID, his toy drive does look different and he was unable to speak at the Orion District Roundtable as he has done in previous years with Tonkawa District. Blake has partnered with several hospitals in the area for this year’s drive. There are 2 options for donation:

  1. Donate a toy in person. Contact Blake’s dad Jonathan, at 214-293-2921 to arrange the donation.
  2. You may donate via Amazon to one of the hospitals.

Read on for a note from Blake about the drive as well as links for all of the hospitals.

Continue reading “Holiday Toy Drive”

2020 Wellness Checks

Given the uniqueness and challenges of 2020, Longhorn Council has asked for a ‘wellness check’ of registered Scouts.

District Commissioners/Committee Members will contact scout families by phone within the next couple weeks to see how they and their unit are doing during these unprecedented times. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your District unit representatives.