Here are courses in the next ~60 days that cover the basics of your volunteer leadership position or specific outdoor skills. The links below will either take you to an online course registration or send an email to the course director:

December 3 - Trainer's EDGE
December 3-4 - Wilderness First Aid
December 10 - Training the Chartered Organization Representative
December 10 - Range Safety Officer Training
January 20-21 - Muzzleloading Rifle Instructor Course
January 27-28 - Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills (North Shore District hosts)
January 27-28 - Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training (North Shore District hosts)

Our council's "Good Turn in November" program is well underway. Has your unit selected a project? If not, it's not too late to do some good and help your Scouts learn the satisfaction of helping others! 

Our partnership with JustServe.org makes it easy for units to find Good Turn in November service projects. Units are encouraged to post pictures on our council's Facebook account or Tweet at our account showing their Scouts working on Good Turn in November service projects.

CLICK HERE for more information about JustServe
CLICK HERE for more information about Good Turn in November

Register for Boy Scout Winter Camp! Session 1 (December 19-23) is already full! Spots are filling fast for Session 2 (December 26-30). Enjoy the best time of year at Lost Pines and choose from more than 30 merit badges - many Eagle required.

CLICK HERE to registration information
CLICK HERE for the Leader Guide

STAFF OPENINGS: we still have a few openings left to fill on our already outstanding Winter Camp staff. CLICK HERE to get the application. Fill it out and return immediately to teresa.northcutt@scouting.org.

Did you know that there are scholarship opportunities specifically for Eagle Scouts in our council, looking to further their education? Applications for the Byron Lockhart Eagle Scout Scholarships are due to our council officer by December 1.

CLICK HERE to get the Lockhart Eagle Scholarship application
CLICK HERE to learn more about additional Eagle Scholarships available

Help us recognize the folks who go "above and beyond" to deliver the promise of Scouting all across our council. You may nominate these individuals for several different awards using applications you'll find on this page. All nominations are due to our council office by December 1.

CLICK HERE to learn more

Help continue the rebirth of the native Loblolly Pine forest at Griffith League Scout Ranch by taking part in one of our January tree plantings! This is part of an ongoing series of plantings, repairing the damage done by the 2011 Bastrop County wildfires. CLICK on one of the dates below to register:

January 7 2017
January 14 2017
January 28 2017

Make plans to attend the University of Scouting on Saturday, January 21! This supplemental Scouting training offers classes for Scouting volunteers of all levels, led by the most creative and experienced Scouters from all over Austin. Registration will open soon!

There are currently openings for the 2017 Contingent for both intact crews and individual Scouts/Adults. Philmont has extended the application deadline until January 31, 2017.

CLICK HERE to see crew openings
CLICK HERE to get the application package
 
Additionally, there are openings on the Philmont Opportunity Crew for financially challenged Scouts. Generous scholarships are available.

CLICK HERE for information about the POC  
CLICK HERE for the POC application package

Mark your calendars for the 2017 Report to State Parade on Saturday, February 4! Our theme is "Deep in the Heart of Texas". Parade registration information will be available soon.

Plans include:

• TWO Scout Spirit Rallies on the Capitol steps
• A Scout Band leading the parade
• Eagle Scout rededication ceremony

We're also conducting a contest for Scouts to design our 2017 Report to State Patch! The winning Scout will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card and recognition during the official Report to State activities and online. We also will send a press release to your local newspaper bragging on your Scout's accomplishment! CLICK HERE to learn more.

Tonkawa Lodge's banquet will take place Saturday, January 14. Mark your calendar now and look for more information soon on the Lodge website, www.tonkawa99.org.

The Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center and Matthews Scout Shop will have the following changes in hours during the upcoming holidays:

November 18: Fickett/Shop opens at 1pm due to staff meeting/teambuilding
November 24-27: Fickett/Shop closed for Thanksgiving
December 23-26: Fickett/Shop closed for Christmas
December 31-January 2: Fickett/Shop closed for New Years

The following individuals have made generous contributions to Scouting in memory or in honor of the following individuals:

In memory of Robert N Watson:
Mr. and Mrs. William Watson

In honor of Derek Fortin
Janice and Patrick Druez

All Capitol Area Eagle Scouts who earned their Eagle rank in 2016 are invited to attend a reception in their honor on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center. More information will be available in mid-January, and this information will be mailed to the Eagle Scouts at that time. This event is for the Eagle Scouts, their families, their friends and their unit leaders and Scouts.

For more information please contact Teresa.Northcutt@Scouting.org.

The Steve Matthews Scout Shop can help you with your Scout's holiday wish list! Come see our great selection of stocking stuffers and more. Are you trying to outfit a Scout for Winter Camp... or looking for just the right gift to acknowledge rank advancement, thank a leader or mentor, or congratulate an Eagle Scout? We have phenomenal gift ideas in stock - see you soon!

Scout Shop business hours: M-F, 9am-5:30pm and Sat, 10am-2:30pm.! Contact us at CACshop@scouting.org.

December 3, 2016 - Scout Night with the Austin Spurs

• HEB Center at Cedar Park
• Tip off at 7pm
• Pre-game basketball clinic for first 100 Scouts who register from 4pm-5pm
• STEM Fair from 5pm-Halftime with:
  -Building with Biology
  -NOVA Committee (Implementing math in sports)
  -UT Engineering (multiple booths)
  -iFly (Wind tunnel activity)
• Optional sleepover inside the arena after the game (open to first 100 Scouts who register; sleepover will be canceled if fewer than 40 register)
• Tickets include hot dog/soda voucher at any arena concessions stand
• Scouts receive an Austin Spurs patch
• CLICK HERE for more info and to purchase tickets