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eScouter Newsletter December 2017
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Winter Camp
December 26 - 31, 2017
Be a part of
Winter Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. Registration is now open! Space is very limited and will fill up extremely fast. We will offer Merit Badges that are hard to find at Resident Camp. To register please click
here.
Also, click
here to apply to be on Winter Camp Staff.
Souper Bowl of Caring - Scouting For Food
One of Scouting's founding principles is "doing a good turn daily." We encourage all of our Scouts to participate in this tradition of service by joining our annual Scouting for Food Drive in conjunction with the Souper Bowl of Caring. Let's show our community the Scouting value of being HELPFUL by fighting hunger in our area. Scouts will go out on one weekend (Saturday, January 27), place hangers on the doors of their neighbors, and come back the next week (Saturday, February 3) to pick up the food and take it to a local food bank. Door hangers will be availabl
e at the Sam Houston Area Council Cockrell Scout Center and Roundtables in early January. Scouting for Food is the leading service program for Boy Scouts of America and is a part of the national BSA program - Good Turn for America. Make sure your Scouts are a part of it and register now to receive important updates, information and resources. Click
here for more information.
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Leader's News
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Grow Scouting!
It's everybody's business to grow Scouting. Scouts, leaders and parents all have a role in growing membership. We should be sharing with our families, friends and colleagues the fun and exciting experience our members have every week and every month in Scouting. Fall is a great time to invite youth and families to join Scouting and enjoy the great adventures that your unit has planned.
Here some ways you can promote Scouting membership in your community:
School and Neighborhood Newsletters
Write an article for your school and neighborhood newsletters, spotlighting Scouting and all the activities and good things your unit is doing to make an impact in your local community and at your school...include pictures!
School Open House/PTA Meeting
This is a great time to have a booth set up to show off Scouting and explain what your unit does best.
Peer-to-Peer Cards
Give these cards to your Scouts so they can distribute them to their friends with the date, time and location of your next meeting. These cards are available for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing.
Email Invitations (parent to parent)
Ask the families in your unit to send an email invitation to all of their friends that have Scout-age boys. People like to join organizations where they know other people. An email message helps them understand their friends are involved, too.
Social Networking
Ask parents who are on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. to update their status to talk about your unit's website and the activities your Scouts are planning or have completed.
Remember a successful fall recruitment is not just about growing your unit, it is also about giving every youth a chance to be in the Scouting Program! Let's make a difference in our community!
Click
here for the
Family Scouting update.
Popcorn
Popcorn season is still going strong! Sam Houston Area Council Scouts have a few more weeks to sell delicious Trail's End Popcorn. Funds earned through popcorn sales help Scouts throughout the Council earn their own way.
It is not too late to start selling! Click
here to register your scout to sell online or contact your
District Popcorn Kernel for order forms.
Please keep in mind the following date
-December 9th: Unit Distribution Pick Up
-December 9th: Unit Payments Due
-January 6th: Council Top Seller's Bash (for the council top three sellers and the $1,800 Club members)
-February 15th: Online commissions issued and mailed to the committee chair on file for the unit
Contact your District Popcorn Kernel or
District Executive to find specific date and time for popcorn distribution. Distribution does vary by district so please verify through your district website.
Top Leader Basic Training Day 2017
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Cockrell Scout Center
Top Leader Training Day is the last opportunity for leaders (Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, and Venturing Crew Advisors) to receive basic training prior to recharter. All trainings will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will end at varying times depending on which training is being taken. Click
here for more information.
Online registration will be opening soon and closes Tuesday, December 05, 2017 at 4:30 p.m., online registration is $5.00. Walk-ins will be accepted on Saturday morning for a fee of $10.00
Please note: December recharters require that all top unit leaders MUST be trained. Top leaders are Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, and Advisors.
Lunch will be available for purchase on registration site. Coffee, drinks and snacks will be offered throughout the day.
Key Leaders Conference - District Leadership Training
January 13, 2018, at 8:00 a.m.
Cockrell Scout Center
Key Leaders Conference is an annual half-day meeting and orientation for all district committee members and commissioners. The first half of the conference is dedicated to covering the basics of district operations and the role the district plays in supporting units and delivering the Scouting program. Conference participants have an opportunity to meet and interact with other district leaders during the committee breakout sessions.
This is a must attend event if you are involved in delivering district support to your units. Click
here to register.
Recharter
Renewing Your Scouting Membership - Unit Recharters Due December 15th
Every December, all units (packs, troops, teams, crews, posts) are required to renew their affiliation with Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America issues charters to community organizations to enable them to use the Scouting program under their own leadership as a service to their children, youth, and families. Rechartering is the process of renewing the charter agreement between the BSA and the organization, and renewing the registration of youth and adult members.
Rechartering on time is critical. It is required for Journey to Excellence. It is required for units to continue registration without interruption. It is required to ensure Scouts are registered, critical for receiving rank advancement and other awards, and for insurance coverage.
A representative of each unit completes the paperwork for renewing a charter online. Through the process, chartered organizations, youth member and adult leader information is updated as well as registration fees and Boys' Life subscriptions are collected/paid.
If this is your first time to be involved with recharter, or if you need to brush up on how recharter is done, please click
here to learn more.
For more information and Frequently Asked Questions about the 2017 Membership Fee increase, please click here.
Family Friends of Scouting
As Southeast Texas continues to recover from Hurricane Harvey, families are coming to rely on programs such as the Boy Scouts of America to help restore some level of normalcy in their lives. Numerous Scouting units have helped with community clean-up projects and other service projects to help their neighbors. While the storm was truly devastating for many, it also offered Scouts the opportunity to build stronger communities and stronger families. Our fall recruiting efforts have shown that families want our program for their boys.
As we start putting plans together for 2018, we are asking for your continued support of the Friends of Scouting campaign. Friends of Scouting is our annual appeal to all Scouting families in which we offer them the opportunity to support the character education and leadership programs that their children participate in. Your gifts to Scouting are very important to our success as one of the largest and most successful Boy Scout councils. The Sam Houston Area Council will spend $250 per youth member in 2018 to provide world-class programming. Please consider a gift at this level to support one Scout. If you can give more, please do. A gift of any amount is appreciated. As always, your contributions are 100% tax deductible and may be matched by your company. Click
here for more information about company matching gifts.
A district volunteer will be contacting your unit to schedule a Friends of Scouting presentation. We appreciate your help in ensuring there is a time for someone from the district to come out and share the Scouting story and enroll your unit's families as Friends of Scouting supporters.
40th Annual Sam Houston Area Council First Aid Meet
Please make plans to attend the Sam Houston Area Council First Aid Meet on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Houston Fire Department Training Center, 8030 Braniff St, Houston, TX 77061. Each district is allowed THREE representative teams from Boy Scout Troops within their districts. Patrols will compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The cost for the 2018 Sam Houston Area Council First Aid Meet is $25.00 per patrol. The participation fee must be paid in advance by Tuesday, February 6, 2018. This may be the only opportunity for some Scouts to participate because not all districts have a District First Aid Meet. No fees will be accepted at the meet. For more information please click
here or call Monica Cotten at 713-756-3322.
University of Scouting - Save the Date
March 24, 2018
Registration opens in January
University of Scouting has something for everyone, from Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Sea Scouts, Order of the Arrow, district, and council leaders, and parents! University of Scouting is now a semi-annual training event that is an action-packed, fun-filled single day of supplemental training where participants choose from over 100 courses. Sessions are led by experienced volunteers who will help you enhance your ability to deliver a fun and exciting program to the Scouts. This unique day of seminars provides information, techniques, and best practices on how to improve your Scout program, regardless of whether you are new to the program or a veteran of many years!
Click here for more information.
The Sam Houston Area Council is Now Hiring!
We continually search for potential career employees who would like to work in a profession that has a meaningful, rewarding purpose. Bring to the BSA your varied life experiences, education, and perspective, and in return you will have an opportunity to combine those skills and experiences in a career that values and respects others. Scouting is a profession with a purpose!
Check out our current openings
here
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Be A Scoutreach Volunteer
-Use your experience to help Scouting's neediest youth
-Help expand Scouting into new parts of Southeast Texas
-Volunteer according to your schedule and availability
Scoutreach is the Sam Houston Area Council's program to build Scouting in traditionally under served communities. 7,000 Scouts participate in this program, which are primarily led by paid employees. Most unit activities are held in elementary and middle schools throughout Houston. The goal of the Scoutreach program is for all participants to have the same experiences and opportunities as those in traditional, volunteer led, programs. Scoutreach parents are not typically available to provide the support enjoyed by traditional volunteer units. Experienced Scout Volunteers are needed to bring the skill components to the Scout's experience.
SHAC's new Scoutreach Volunteer program will fill this gap and ensure a high quality program is delivered to these Scouts. Volunteers are needed to help in ScoutReach Boy Scout Camping and Merit Badge Classes, and Cub Scout Day Experiences. Campout assistance is generally needed for day only classes, although leaders that can stay over night are needed from time to time.
Volunteers must be registered Scouters and have completed youth protection training. Please contact Lionel Jellins at
lionel@jellins.ne
t to volunteer to let us know your areas of interest and knowledge. Scoutreach will develop a calendar of events where volunteers are most needed and we will be happy to match you with an opportunity to serve.
Opportunities will include:
-Spring and Fall Overnight Camping - Teach Tenderfoot through 1st Class Skills
-Spring and Fall Merit Badge Event - Conduct a One Day Merit Badge program
-Pinewood Build and Race Derby - Assist Scouts in building a Pinewood Derby Car, assist in conducting a ScoutReach Wide Pinewood Derby
-Training and Roundtable Events for Program Specialists - Help teach our Program Specialists the skills they need to implement a high quality program.
Join the Eagle Scout Hunt! 
The SHAC Eagle Scout Association is looking for all Eagle Scouts in our area - active or not. Please encourage any Eagle you know, particularly those not currently active in Scouting, to register at
www.iamaneagle.org
to receive more information as plans progress.
Summer can present some different challenges for Scouts with disabilities. With changes in schedules and routines it is important for both parents and leaders to be prepared for camping experience. To help ensure that both parents and leaders are as prepared as possible the Sam Houston Area Council has a portion of its website dedicated to helping Scouts with Special Needs. Please visit
here for FAQs, resources, other information to ensure that Scouting is accessible and enjoyable to all Scouts.
For specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
Janet Kelly with the Disabilities Awareness Committee.
Youth Protection Training
Youth Protection Training every two years is a requirement for all leaders to be registered with the BSA. The classroom version (per Texas law) is required within the past 2 years for all adults participating in a long-term camping experience in the State of Texas. (This includes day camp scheduled over consecutive days, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camp, summer camp, and winter camp.) Adults must complete the test with a score of 70% or higher to be considered trained and will receive a training card. A copy of each test will be on file for two years.
Classroom Facilitated Youth Protection Training will be available in districts leading up to summer camp and day camp. You may also check websites of neighboring districts and click
here for more information.
Effective September 1, 2017, Youth Protection Training will be required for all adult leaders at the time of registration. Paper applications from new leaders must be accompanied by a Youth Protection Training completion certificate, which must be filed with the application.
Enterprise Risk Management Committee
The purpose of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) committee is to prepare adult leaders to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Committee has scheduled training for 2018:
Adult & Youth First Aid/CPR/AED:
2018 Dates: Feb. 3rd, Mar 17th and May 19th
Wilderness First Aid:
2018 Dates: April 21st & 28th
All classes will be held at the Cockrell Scout Center. Please register
here space is limited. Lunch is provided.
For information regarding Emergency Preparedness, click
here.
For more information about Enterprise Risk Management, including First Aid/CPR/AED trainings, please click
here. For Emergency Preparedness Resources, click
here.
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| Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Exploring |
Enjoy all the wonder and beauty of the central Texas rolling hills and lakes at Bovay Scout Ranch. Bovay Scout Ranch has a variety of camping opportunities for Cub Scouts, Boy Scout Troops and Venturers. Bovay Scout Ranch has year round camping program opportunities for all levels of Cub Scouts including Weekend Adventure Camps.
Weekend Unit Camping
Troops, Teams, Crews, Packs, or Webelos Dens can enjoy the amazing beauty of Bovay Scout Ranch rolling hills, trails and vast open spaces. Clean campsites, restrooms and showers are available; units may design their own program activities and provide their own meals during this type of weekends. For more information, please click
here.
McNair Cub Adventure Camp
McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Camp is a weekend campout for Cub Scouts and their families. Admission covers three meals in the air conditioned dining hall, the Scout's activity supplies and a camp patch for the Scouts. Activities typically include BB guns, archery, BMX bikes, dino dig, lost mine, nature center, and more. McNair Cub Adventure Camp certified trained staff members provide the program supplies and lead the activities. Packs, Dens and individual families may register. For more information, please click
here.
Summer Camp 2018 - Lost Pines Scout Reservation
We cordial invite all Sam Houston Area Council Troops to come spend their summer with us at the beautiful Lost Pines Scout Reservation on Lake Bastrop! We have an exciting summer planned with fun for all. Here are just a few of our camp highlights:
Set on 500 beautiful acres of loblolly pines on the north shore of Lake Bastrop
Friendly, experienced staff.
Scuba Open Water Dive Certification Program
Our Silver Pines program combines both on and off camp adventures for older scouts
Unique extra programs such as Action Archery, Bikathlon and the LPSR Triathlon
Living History Program night with branding, tomahawk throwing and many more fun opportunities
Adult leader trainings offered daily
NEW - Aquatics focus week July 8-12 with special programs and opportunities for Sea Scouts too!
We are offering seven weeks of camp this year from June 10 through July 28. For more information, click
here. or you can register today by contacting
Keri.Smeaton@scouting.org.
2018 Philmont Trek
Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America's largest national High Adventure Base. Its 34 staffed camps and 55 trail camps provide an unforgettable adventure.
The Sam Houston Area Council will have 3 2018 Philmont contingents. The 2018 dates are:
Contingent #1: June 17, 2018 - June 29, 2018
Contingent #2: June 29, 2018 - July 11, 2018
Contingent #3: July 11, 2018 - July 23, 2018
Northern Tier
Winter 2018-19 & Summer 2019 Lottery
Are you looking for something exciting summer 2019? Mark your calendars for our online lottery open beginning at
9:00 a.m.
T
uesday, January 2nd, 2018 until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, January 9th, 2018.
More details about Northern Tier can be found
here.
July 22 - August 9, 2019
The 24th
World Scout Jamboree is an educational event that brings together the world's young people to promote peace and mutual understanding and to develop leadership and life skills. The jamboree will feature the hallmarks of past world jamboree programs, such as the Global Development Village, the World Scout Centre, a special sustainability initiative, and the socialization elements that allow participants to make lifelong friends from around the world. To learn more, please click
here.
Venturing
Click
here to find all the Venturing news including, Venturing Forums, upcoming events calendars, and Crew Committee Challenge Training.
Next Venturing Committee meeting is January 10, 2018 at the Cockrell Scout Center.
Next Venturing Forum January 23, 2018 at the Cockrell Scout Center.
Want to Know More?
Follow the SHAC VOA on Twitter @shacventuring
Instagram @shacventuring
Or FaceBook @ SHACVenturing
Sea Scouts Fleet
Next Sea Scouts Fleet Meeting: December 13, 2017 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Cockrell Scout Center
For resources, events, activities and more information please click
here.
 United Way of Greater Houston's 211 Helpline and THRIVE
2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE
If you need help finding child care, food stamps, care for an aging parent or a haven from domestic violence, 2-1-1 is the number to call when you don't know who to call. The United Way of Greater Houston's trained HELPLINE specialists are good listeners, blending understanding and expertise to provide information and referrals drawn from a comprehensive database of social services. Annually, the 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE answers over 957,600 calls for help. Basic needs, like food, utilities and health care, topped the list of requests last year, followed by rent assistance and help finding shelter.
Additionally, other resources such as United Way THRIVES's workforce development offerings, financial coaching and education opportunities and financial products and services can be accessed through 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE.
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Scout Days, Scout Nights
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Scout Day with Texas A&M Basketball 
Saturday, January 6th
Doors open at noon
Tip-off is at 1:15
All scouts and their families are invited to Reed Arena in College Station on Saturday, January 6th, as the Texas A&M Aggies take on the LSU Tigers. Tickets start at $5.
30 scouts will be randomly selected to participate in the on-court fan experiences before the game.
Order your tickets online by clicking
here. Promo code: scouts
For more information on how to purchase tickets please call Josh Massey at 979-260-7958 or email
jmassey@12thmanfoundation.com.
For More information about Sam Houston Area Council Scout Days, please click
here.
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| Support Scouting |
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Donate your vehicle or boat 
To donate a car, truck, RV, trailer, boat or motor to the Sam Houston Area Council, please visit One Car One Difference, found
here. For more information about One Car One Difference, the Boy Scouts of America's Vehicle donation program, please click
here.
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| Order of the Arrow |
Boy Scouts who were elected into the Order of the Arrow by their troop must complete an
Ordeal within one year in order to become a member of Colonneh Lodge. Candidates who were elected or nominated in 2016, will have an opportunity to be inducted into the Order by attending the last Ordeal for 2017 on December 8th to 9th at
Bovay Scout Ranch in Navasota. A candidate can only complete his Ordeal in our lodge. Please click
here to register. Click "Ordeal 8" if you are a candidate or "Staff and Elangomat Registration" if you are a member and would like to serve as staff. Registration will end on December 4th, 2017.
Arrowman Bash 2018
Mark your calendars! Arrowman Bash is April 6-8, 2018. This is a fun weekend for ALL Boy Scouts with activities like shooting sports, archery, tomahawk throwing, climbing, games, great food, and much more. For the third year, Colonneh Lodge is opening this entire event to all Boy Scout troops in SHAC. On Saturday, scouts will have the opportunity to participate in the Trail to First Class program where they can complete Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class requirements. All troops are encouraged to take advantage of this great opportunity! More information will be available in 2018.
Pay Your Dues Online
Colonneh Lodge dues are renewed annually. An active member in Colonneh Lodge is someone who is a currently registered Scout or Scouter in the Sam Houston Area Council with current dues paid. With active membership, you are entitled to attend all functions of the lodge appropriate for your honor level. It also entitles you to wear your OA flap. Technically, if you don't pay your dues, you are not a member, and the flap should be removed from your uniform. For more information please click here
The Order of the Arrow is the Scouting National Honor Society. For 101 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help to extend Scouting to America's youth. For more information, contact your
OA chapter
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