May Merit Badge Blitz

Broers Adventure Camp, Houston MN | May 9th, 2026

Join us for a Merit Badge Blitz event at Broers Adventure Camp in Houston, MN! Not only will you work on one of three offered badges, but you'll be among the first Scouts to participate in an event at Broers!

Online Registration:

You do not need to have a BlackPug account to register – you may choose to register as a guest. The BlackPug account allows you to save rosters of youth, and so is most useful for a unit leader to use while signing up their whole unit. For help with the BlackPug Registration System, go to https://youtu.be/7wa1CXDLz48?si=yZqCPX0lWIbosbEL

Badges Offered:

• Bird Study Merit Badge
• Welding Merit Badge
• Fly Fishing Merit Badge

Attendees:

• Member Youth (Scouts BSA Members) | $25 / Scout
• Non-Member Youth (Scouts BSA Members) | $30 / Scout

Meals:

• Badges will last over the lunch period. Scouts are encourage to bring their own lunches, or pay an additional $5/Scout at registration to cover a small lunch provided by Gamehaven Council (hot dog, chips, and a drink)
• Healthy, kid friendly meals are served daily, supervised by trained and certified kitchen staff. Accommodations can be made for special dietary needs upon request.

BIRD STUDY PRE-REQUIREMENTS:

• Bird Study:  Eric Dierks   https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17Ta38MdyFliVO4kqk9KTYVhBU5IeiECp?usp=sharing
• Class size (max number of Scouts) 15.
• Cost for materials  $5.00
• Scouts need to bring the following:
  • Birding field guidebook (If the scout cannot get their hands on one, borrow one from the local library or can be purchased on amazon and similar sites) My go-to birding book is Birds of Minnesota Field Guide by Stan Tekiels (2nd or 3rd edition)
  • Binoculars (something simple like 7x35 or slightly higher)  no need for super expensive but if that is all the scout can get there hands on, not a concern
  • Small hammer
• We will go through everything in the workbook on-site but want the scouts to be familiar with their equipment and field guide for our observations
• Pre-reqs 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 13

WELDING PRE-REQUIREMENTS

Welding:  Marty Hassig (T57), Erik Voss (Eagle Scout - 18yrs)   https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FUx_o4CAUD3XAikE90YuAxNU7NL1h0NC?usp=sharing

    Pre-requisites  (read pamphlet and watch videos in the attached - requirements 1,2,3,5,6,7  and complete requirement 7)
    Class size (max number of Scouts)  6
    if they have their own welding gloves and helmet they should bring them. We will have extras on site if they don't come with them.

FLY FISHING PRE-REQUIREMENTS

Fly Fishing:  Chuck Shephard and Trout Unlimited    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13GfJ2TsCVT9xjgTcT2h9ypjck3fwCFpl?usp=sharing

    Pre-requisites - review all requirements and sections in pamphlet
    Be prepared to discuss requirements 1, 2, 7, 8, 9
    Class size - 6
    There are three options for requirement 10 - catching a fish on a fly rod.
        We are seeing if we can get trout stocked in the pond at the farm.  Scouts could then fish for those.
        The counselors are willing to take scouts on a guided fishing trip on a local stream.  To participate Scouts would need waders and a YPT trained adult.
        The counselors would meet at lake Winona with the Scouts and YPT trained adults to catch spawning sunfish near the shore (very fun!!)