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eScouter Newsletter March 2018
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Scout Fair 2018 - Cleared for Launch
Scout Fair will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at NRG Arena. This year's theme is "Cleared for Launch." The Sam Houston Area Council is excited to announce our partnership with Space Center Houston. They who will be providing our weekly drawing bonus as well as the 218 Bonus Level prize. Scout Fair is an event where scouts from all over the Council unite in one place to display Scouting fun for all ages!
Scout Fair Coupon Books Prepare Scouts to earn their own way!
The 2018 Scout Fair Coupon Book offers great savings to the buyer while Scouts earn commissions for every $10 Coupon Book purchased. Buyers receive $100's in valuable savings from partners such as: Kroger, Buffalo Wild Wings, Luby's, Fuddruckers, the Houston Astros and more.
Scouts receive one Space Buck for every Coupon Book sold. Scouts can redeem Space Bucks for great prizes at Scout Fair and at Houston Area Scout Shops.
University of Scouting
Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men
1700 Gregg St, Houston, TX 77020
University of Scouting is designed for ALL adult leaders in the Boy Scouts of America regardless of function or program area. Learn from these sessions and add quality to your program - guaranteed! Discover the opportunities available for meetings and outings. Learn about Council activities to support your program. Visit the Scout Shop for your supplies. Learn more about Scouting's origins and the legacy of learning by clicking here for more information.
If you would like to register to attend please click
here.
Day Camp 2018 - Passport to Adventure
Excitement is waiting as Scouts travel the world on a passport to adventure as they learn new skills, and make new friends. Day Camp is a council camp hosted by districts for Scout entering 1st through 5th grade for the 2018-2019 school year. No matter which camp you choose, you can be sure it will be loaded with and an awesome program. Scouts can look forward to archery, BB guns, sports, arts and crafts, as well as Scout skills and rank advancement activities. For more information please visit here.
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Leader's News
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Family Friends of Scouting
As we begin 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.
Youth Protection Training
Over the decades, the Boy Scouts of America has been a leader in developing training and policies designed to keep young people safe, but when it comes to the safety of children, our goal is to continually improve. Recently the BSA has released an updated youth protection training (YPT) which draws on research from experts in the field of child abuse and child maltreatment, as well as survivors, to identify the contributing factors and threats across the spectrum of child abuse including bullying, neglect, exposure to violence, physical and emotional abuse, as well as child sexual abuse.
This updated training is now available on
my.Scouting.
ScoutsFirst for Help with Questions, Concerns and Reporting: The ScoutsFirst Helpline also makes it easier for volunteers and families to address dangerous situations. If a leader or parent has a question about a situation, or something they've seen or if they want to report a possible incident, they can contact the Helpline for assistance. In cases of abuse, they should also notify the local authorities. ScoutsFirst Helpline (844)-Scouts1 or (844)726-8871.
ScoutsFirst for Counseling and Support: The Boy Scouts of America is committed to providing ongoing support to victims and their families, including counseling. We want to help victims heal, on their own terms, with a professional counselor of their choice. Through the ScoutsFirst Helpline, the Boy Scouts of America offers assistance with counseling to any youth member, former youth member, or the family of any youth member who suffered abuse during their time in Scouting. To reach the ScoutsFirst Helpline, call (844)-Scouts1 or (844)726-8871, or email
scouts1st@scouting.org. Support is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Additional resources can be found on
Sam Houston Area Council's website or at
BSA's website.
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. Now 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.
Powder Horn 
April 6-8, 2018 at Tellepsen Scout Camp and April 20-22, 2018 at Galveston Island.
Powder Horn is an action-packed, hands-on, six day course to help Scouts (14 and older) and Scouters learn how to implement high adventure activities into their troop, crew, or ship. Powder Horn Training brings in many experts, or "consultants," to teach sessions. Participants will be exposed to high adventure activities, resources, new ideas and excitement! Ultimately this will support them to operate a successful high adventure program in their home units. THERE ARE STILL A COUPLE OF SPOTS OPEN - don't wait, they will be gone soon! Click
here for more information or click
here to register.
 Honor a Volunteer, Nominate them for the Silver Beaver Award!
The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. The award is made for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, District level, and Council level adult leaders within the Sam Houston Area Council. Now is the time to honor these outstanding leaders and recognize them for their dedication and service to the Scouting movement.
The recipients will be selected by a committee comprised of previously selected Silver Beaver recipients who are registered Scouters in our Council. The awards will be presented at the Council Recognition Reception in late November. Candidates for this prestigious award must be nominated by their peers. Nominations are due to the council by May 1st.
For the 2018 Silver Beaver Nomination Form, please click
here. For questions, please contact
nathan.doherty@scouting.org or 713-756-3308.
For list of previous Silver Beaver award recipients check
here.
National Youth Leadership Training
Registration is NOW OPEN!
June 3-8, 2017 or June 10-15, 2017
Bovay Scout Ranch
Leadership is a key factor in the development of a Scout. One of the most valuable things Scouting offers youth members is the opportunity to be a leader and to develop his\her leadership skills. The National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) course provides an exceptional opportunity to do just that.
NYLT is an intensive six-day training experience for Senior Patrol Leaders, Assistant Senior Patrol leaders, Patrol leaders, Crew leaders and other youth leaders as well as prospective Troop/Crew leaders. For the Scout who desires to be a better and more effective leader NYLT is an unparalleled opportunity! Through activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and audio-visual support, NYLT participants will be engaged in a unified approach to leadership that will give skills and confidence. This course fills up very quickly so make plans now.
For more information click
here or you can register by clicking
here.
Congratulations to the Sam Houston Area Council First Aid Meet Winners
This year we had another great First Aid Meet with 17 teams competing at the Houston Fire Department Training Academy Center. We had new Patrols competing. This was a great location to conduct the competition. We had a few Firemen to participate as judges and also gave a tour of their training facility. To review photos click
here.
Winners:
First Place: Skyline Troop 30, Beaver Patrol,
Second Place: W. L. Davis Troop 426, Cobra Patrol,
Third Place: San Jacinto Troop 713, Dragon Patrol.
Highest Mega Scenario Score - Cobra Patrol, Troop 426, W. L. Davis
Cub Scouts Range Master Training
April 7, 2018, May 5, 2018, and May 12, 2018
The BSA requires all Cub Scout shooting sports to be supervised by a BSA certified Rangemaster. Training includes range safety, setting up a range, handling the equipment, how to use a bow stringer, BSA policies on Cub Scout Shooting Sports, how to properly maintain and store equipment and how to properly instruct Scouts on shooting. This training is designed for anyone planning to supervise a range at Cub Scout Day Camp: Archery, BB Guns, Wrist Rockets, Slingshots, Catapults, or Rockets.
BB Gun Rangemaster Training is by NRA certified/NCS SHAC Cub Scout Shooting Sports Instructor. Archery Rangemaster Training is by USAA Archery certified/NCS SHAC Cub Scout Shooting Sports Instructors. For more information, please click
here.
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.
A new year 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
Janet Kelly with the Disabilities Awareness Committee.
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 d
ates: March 17th and May 19th
Wilderness First Aid d
ates: April 21st & 28th, click here to register
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 |
New Exploring Opportunities!
We have several new Exploring opportunities beginning this spring! Exploring is career education for young men and women, ages 14-20. These students receive hands-on experience and find out if a particular career field is right for them. They will also get to fellowship with others sharing their same interests. Exploring can be the first step in identifying career possibilities while having fun in an exciting and informal environment.
Please see dates & information on our upcoming new programs:
Spring Branch ISD Police Department
- Law Enforcement Exploring 
Are you interested in law enforcement? Law Enforcement Career Exploring offers young adults a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition and other activities. Additionally, the program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship and patriotism.
Orientation & Open House:
Wednesday, March 21, 2018, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Spring Branch ISD Police Department, 9009 Ruland, Houston, TX
For more information contact Officer Garcia at Cindy.Garcia@springbranchisd.com or 713-984-9805.
Sugar Land Art Center & Gallery
- Arts & Humanities Exploring 
Are you interested in the field of the arts? Arts & Humanities Career Exploring is open to students with an interest in learning valuable skills and information about the arts. You will have an opportunity to network with professionals who work in this area using the latest technology and find out the latest information about emerging trends. You will learn about the educational requirements and will receive tangible advice on steps you could take now to prepare and position yourself for a successful Arts career.
Orientation & Open House:
Thursday, March 22, 2018, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sugar Land Art Center & Gallery, 104 Industrial Blvd., Ste. Q, Sugar Land, TX
For more information contact Erika Harper at Erika@sugarlandartcenter.org or 281-565-0957.
Dig Deep Marketing- Digital Marketing Career Exploring 
Are you looking for a career in the communications field? Digital Marketing Career Exploring is a hands-on program open to students with an interest in learning more about careers in the fields of communications, including opportunities in marketing, graphic design, advertising, web design and much more! (Participants will need to provide their own laptop for use during the sessions activities.)
Orientation & Open House:
Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Dig Deep Marketing, 12808 W Airport Blvd (2nd floor) Sugar Land, TX
For more information contact: Eric Ainsworth at eric@digdeepmarketing.com or (844) 269-0104.
The Health Museum - Health Care Career Exploring 
Are you interested in a career in the medical field? Health Care Career Exploring is a hands-on program where you will learn from medical professionals who work in the healthcare industry every day. You will learn about various areas of the healthcare field, including Healthcare Administration, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Microbiology, and Dentistry.
Orientation & Open House:
Thursday, March 29, 2018
5:30 PM-7:00 PM
The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
For more information contact: Allena Grant at agrant@thehealthmuseum.org or 713-521-1515, ext. 159.
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.
McNair Cub Summer Camp
McNair Cub Summer/Resident Camp is a three-night campout at Bovay Scout Ranch for Cub Scouts entering the first through fifth grade the following school year. From Cub Scout skills to rank advancements, these camps are full of fun and learning. All newly chartered Cub Scout Pack in the Sam Houston Area Council who sign up will receive 25% off registration.
Please, click
here
for more information or
contact Geno Aguilar (713-756-3304)
geno.aguilar@shac.org
- Online Registration is NOW OPEN!
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
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 March 28, 2018 at the Cockrell Scout Center.
Next Venturing Forum is April 17, 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: March 21, 2018 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Cockrell Scout Center
Sea Scout ships are getting their boats ready to take to Scout Fair at NRG Arena on April 14th. We are "Cleared to Launch" and look forward to showing the boats to Sam Houston Area scouts and telling them about our exciting 2018 sailing program. Click
here for information.
Spring Break Long Cruise! Sea Scouts have 55 youth and 15 adults signed up for week in Galveston at the wonderful Sea Star Base Galveston. Scouts will have the opportunity to obtain their "boating driver's license" from the State of Texas $10, learn to kayak, sail, and motor small boats around Galveston Bay. Estimated cost for the week is $200 for 7 days which includes all meals, boats, and training. Adults attending can take Sea Scout Adult leadership courses. Contact: Art Mowad
artmowad@hotmail.com for more information.
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 Days at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Take a scout class at our HMNS Sugar Land location during Spring Break! Classes are from 9:30 to 2:30 on March 13th - 15th. Classes include First Aid (13th), Family Life (13th), Citizenship in the Community (14th), Personal Management (15th) and Environmental Science (3 day class, March 13th - 15th). A Webelos Movie Making adventure on March 15th.
Need plans for the summer for your scouts? Check out the week-long Summer Scout Classes at The Houston Museum of Natural Science. Boy Scouts, Webelos, Bears, and Wolves can earn merit badges or adventures while enjoying the environment of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Saturday scout classes for Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos can work towards Adventures in two-hour classes. Up to two classes can be taken in one day and entrance to the general exhibits is included for the scout and one parent/chaperone.
There are 19 merit badges available during the school year for Boy Scouts at HMNS, including five Eagle Scout required badges: Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Family Life and Personal Management.
Check out our Scouts@HMNS
Facebook page.
Rice Baseball
Scout Day
Saturday, April 7
2:00 p.m.
Rice Vs. Old Dominion
$13 General Admission
Uniformed Scouts receive a commemorative Rice Scout Day Patch. Plus participate in a poster making station, knot tying station, and other Scout Activities.
For tickets, click
here. PROMO code: Scouts or call Adriana Amaya at 713-348-8254
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| Support Scouting |
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Topgolf Challenge
March 8th
Topgolf - Katy
The Topgolf Challenge is a new fundraiser to support the council. The challenge will be played in a scramble format with prizes awarded to the top three threesomes. Prizes will also be given for the longest drive and hole in one. For more information and to register, please click here.
Sporting Clays Tournament
April 26, 2018
Westside Sporting Grounds
10120 Pattison Rd, Katy, TX
The Sporting Clays Tournament is an annual event to support the Sam Houston Area Council's programs for at-risk youth. Up to one hundred four-person teams can compete in the shotgun shooting game. Prizes are awarded to the top teams in several categories. Participants can bid on live and silent auction items. For more information, please click here.
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 |
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.
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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