Merit Badge College-Arrowhead

We cannot wait to welcome you to Arrowhead University for 2026!!

Join us for our 7th annual merit badge college on Sat. March 7th, 2026, at St. Barnabas United Methodist Church, 5011 W. Pleasant Ridge Rd. Arlington, TX 76016.  Registration opens 7:30am. Session One 8am-12pm, Lunch 12-1pm, Session Two 1-5pm.  This is an opportunity to have an introduction to over twenty-five merit badges with some of THE best merit badge counselors Arrowhead District has to offer. If you are new to a Scouting unit or trying to learn something new, we will be offering both Eagle and non-Eagle required merit badges.  Most likely, many of the merit badges will NOT be completed unless specifically stated by the merit badge counselor. We want to make you aware that you will start merit badges, but you will have to work on completing them with the counselor or a registered merit badge counselor from your unit. 

We have a large variety of merit badges that we are offering, from Art to Oceanography and a large majority of Eagle required merit badges. 

Registration Details 

Early Registration: Cost $15 

Late Registration: Feb. 20th, 2026, cost $20

A custom patch & pizza lunch is included in the cost (pizza options are pepperoni, sausage, cheese, and veggie). Chips, Fruit and bottled water also included. 

Schedule: 

7:30am: Opening Flag Ceremony 

8am-12pm: Session One 

12pm-1pm: Lunch / Announcements / Midway / Group Photo 

1pm-5pm: Session Two 

MERIT BADGES OFFERED: 

AM Session

Artificial Intelligence

Citizenship in the Community (ALL DAY)

Citizenship in the World

Cycling

Digital Technology / Programming

Emergency Prep (ALL DAY)

Genealogy/American Cultures

Music/Bugling

Oceanography

Personal Management

Photography

Sustainability

PM Session

Art/Animation

Citizenship in the Community (ALL DAY)

Citizenship in the Nation

Communications/Public Speaking

Cybersecurity

Emergency Prep (ALL DAY)

Environmental Science

Family Life/Reading

Game Design

Geocaching/Orienteering

Personal Management

Photography

Safety

Scouting Heritage

**There will be an opportunity for scouts to earn their Interpreter Strip in any of the following languages: Arabic, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish, Vietnamese after lunch.

Please use the link to Sign Up for Interpreter Strip: InterpreterStrip

Blue Cards: Will NOT be offered. We will be recording merit badge progress through Black Pug. Those updates will be available two (2) weeks after the Merit Badge College is held. Some of our Merit Badge Counselors are comfortable and can connect with and record requirements met through Scoutbook & can connect with you that way too. IT IS IMPERITAVE THAT YOU MEET WITH YOUR SCOUTMASTER AND THEY OPEN THE MERIT BADGE BEFORE YOU ATTEND THE MERIT BADGE COLLEGE!! THIS IS A CHANGE IN THE GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT (7.0.0.3). 

Adult Unit Participation: We ask that each unit send at least one YPT trained adult to help with YPT class requirements and plan on staying the whole day to help with any unit issues or help with any Adult 2 Deep leadership class requirements. 

What You Can Expect: 

Variety of Badge Classes: that cover all the areas of merit badges from Eagle Required, STEM, outdoor adventures, and essential life skills. 

Hands-On Learning: You will have hands-on experiences led by instructors who are very knowledgeable and have a well-known track record for communicating with scouts to help ensure completion. 

New Friends & Connections: Meet fellow Scouts, share experiences, and climb the advancement ladder together. 

Rank Advancement Progress: We will be following the updated 2026 Merit Badge requirements.

Who Should Come? 

Scouts of all ranks who are registered with a troop in order to meet the new Guide to Advancement Guidelines of opening merit badges before attending Merit Badge College. Introduction to a new merit badge, building connections with other scouts, and using new skills on your way to Eagle. 

Event Details 

Date: Saturday, March 7th, 2026 

Times: 7:30am – 5pm 

Location: St. Barnabas United Methodist Church of Arlington, 5011 W. Pleasant Ridge Rd. Arlington, TX 76016 

Sign Up Soon! Secure your spot before spaces fill up! We look forward to seeing you at our 6th Annual Arrowhead Merit Badge College! 

Esmeralda Hornyak, Dean

Arrowhead.Advancement@gmail.com