(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Some 40 scouts could be seen at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County location Saturday, April 27, for a Merit Badge Day. The event was a collaboration between the college and the Boy Scouts of America’s Coastal Plains District, a part of the Sam Houston Area Council.
Andrew Van Chau, the district chair for the Coastal Plains District, said he was grateful to work with TSTC to provide the opportunity for the scouts.
“After COVID shut down such events (like the Merit Badge Day) as part of pandemic measures, several challenges made it difficult to get the tradition started again,” Van Chau said. “Thankfully, late last year leaders at TSTC approached the district about being a partner to get the Merit Badge Days tradition going again.”
On offer were four merit badges that the scouts could take: Communication, Environmental Science, Electricity, and Truck Transportation. Each merit badge was co-taught by a registered merit badge counselor and a TSTC instructor or staff member. If the scouts had done the prerequisites, they were able to obtain their merit badge that day.
The day kicked off with an opening ceremony during which both Van Chau and John Kennedy, TSTC’s associate provost in Fort Bend County, gave remarks.
“We are so glad to have you here,” Kennedy said during his speech. “I can think of no better place to be this Saturday afternoon.”
Both scouts and their parents expressed appreciation for the facilities available at TSTC and for the quality training that the college provided. For most, it was the first time that they had stepped foot inside the buildings at TSTC.
Talk could already be heard between Van Chau and Kennedy about future Merit Badge Days being hosted at TSTC. Kennedy pointed out that offerings such as the Welding and Robotics merit badges could be met with the college’s resources.
“I love this campus,” Van Chau said. “They have a variety of things they teach that align with scouting and their merit badges.”
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
