Join us for a one-of-a-kind STEM Merit Badge College hosted at The University of Texas at Arlington. This premium, hands-on experience is designed to go beyond a traditional merit badge class by giving Scouts the opportunity to learn in a real college environment, work alongside top engineering students, and explore future STEM pathways.

Participants will spend the day on the UTA campus engaging in immersive, hands-on learning led by members of IEEE-HKN, the international honor society recognizing top engineering students. Throughout the program, Scouts will gain exposure to college labs, real-world engineering concepts, and potential career paths in STEM fields.

Every program track includes a significant hands-on component, and Scouts will build and take home real technology and project materials related to their badge. These are not typical classroom activities. Participants will leave with meaningful projects such as robotics builds, computer setups, electronic devices, engineering kits, or scientific models that reinforce what they learned during the day

Merit Badge Offerings: Electronics, Electricity, Digital Technology, Engineering, Nuclear Science, Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics

Register at this link. https://scoutingevent.com/662-STEM 

There is still time to register for the campout.

All new crossover scouts are encouraged to attend. 

Adults who are a registered Leaders with the Troop can signup and spend the night with the troop.

All scouts are invited to this quick, fun, inexpensive, and easy one night camp out.  

Older scouts can: earn a night camping, cook up to three meals, earn the EDGE method requirement for Life, lead a campfire, lead a chapel service.  New scouts will have a great time on their first camp out with the troop as well as get a bunch of stuff signed off for advancement.

Andrew and I went and scouted it out today, Sat March 14th (good excuse to fish). Three of us fished for about 3 hours. We landed more than 50 keeper sized fish. This should be a great campout. 

Getting to the campsite will require driving off road for about 1/4 mile. Terrain is not bad. Any truck, suburban or SUV will do fine. This is not a campout for cars or minivans. 

The land has lots of brush and and thorns, sturdy footwear and long pants are HIGHLY recommended. 

The cost for the campout is $40 per scout and $25 per adult.  Mr. Hall is hosting a fish fry on Saturday as the evening meal for everyone.

The troop will supply LURES. Scouts need to bring a medium action rod and reel loaded with 8–12-pound test line. Rod and reel need to be in good working order. A trip to academy and $35-$40 for a rod and reel is well worth it for this trip. 

NO BAITCASTING REELS. Spinning reels and push button reels are fine. Push button reels are encouraged for kids without a lot of experience fishing. 

Bass will be spawning. This is a CATCH AND RELEASE campout. 

Plan is to leave from White’s Chapel and for everyone to grab dinner in Corsicana. We will determine a time for all to meet in Corsicana to caravan to the campsite. (People will never find it if we do not caravan as a group).

We should plan on 1hr 15 minutes to get to Corsicana. It will be 15 minutes from Corsicana to campsite.

Thanks,

Mr. Hall has provided the following links for a couple of the rod and reel combos he suggest.

Troop 928 Campout Schedule for School Year 2025-2026

This year, we are going to be heading to Camp Strake in the Sam Houston National Forest, located outside of Coldspring, TX. There is a lot of tree canopy in the forest, given the dense Texas pine and hardwood forest it is located in. Most campsites, trails, and program areas are shaded.

Camp Stake is about 3 1/2 hours from Southlake, so we will be able to make it this year without stopping overnight on the way there.

We will be leaving Southlake on Sunday morning, June 14, 2026, and returning on Saturday afternoon, June 20, 2026, so put it on your calendar now if you are interested in attending.

This camp has been newly built from the ground up and has received excellent reviews from many Scoutmasters we have spoken to. It was literally finished in 2020 and has excellent new facilities.

Camp Stake offers 56 Merit Badges with 8 being Eagle! They have a state-of-the-art aquatics center with a four-lane, Olympic-size swimming pool with water polo, water basketball, and a water climbing tower. They have a 40-foot rock wall climbing tower with a double zip line that traverses the 28-acre lake. 11 miles of trails for walking, biking, and ATVs.

Scout Account balances have been updated Jan 2, 2026. See link under the left menu.

Events can't be partial paid with these amounts or a refund can be processed via Zelle.

If you have any questions reach out to Mr. O'Donnell.