|
Leader's News
|
 Souper Bowl of Caring - Scouting For Food
One of Scouting's foundational 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 28), place hangers on the doors of their neighbors, and come back the next week (Saturday, February 4) to pick up the food and take it to a local food bank. Door hangers will be available 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.
Scout Fair 2017 - Scouts Today. Legends Tomorrow.
Scout Fair 2017 will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Minute Maid Park. This year's theme is "Scouts Today. Legends Tomorrow." The Sam Houston Area Council is excited to announce our partnership with the Houston Astros who will be providing our weekly drawing bonus as well as the 217 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 2017 Scout Fair Coupon Book offers great savings to the buyer while Scouts earn commissons 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 Book Batted In for every Coupon Book sold. Scouts can redeem Books Batted In for great prizes at Scout Fair and at Houston Area Scout Shops.
Click
here to register your unit to sell Coupon Books.
Key Leaders Conference - District Leadership Training
January 14, 2017, 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 programming and unit service. Click here to register.
Price has now been reduced to $1975 per participant.
July 16, 2017- July 28, 2017
The Summit in West Virginia...Live Scouting's Adventure.
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!!!
This will be the trip of a life time. Available to all Venturers and Boy Scout who will be First Class rank by 2017. All food, Jamboree gear, and travel are included. Activities include whitewater, climbing, zip lines, mountain biking, patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, and Technology Quest.
Summer Camp 2017 - REPUBLIC OF CIMA 
You will not want to miss what we have planned for summer camp 2017. We are busy updating our program and merit badges list. We will continue to make improvements to our program and facilities. To register, click
here
Do not miss out on our 2017 Boy Scout Summer Camp Incentive Program:
1. Any Troop that registers and pays deposit by December 31, 2016, Camp leader will receive a special camp chair.
2. Any Troop that is paid in full by the May 1st, 2017 deadline, each participants will receive a special council shoulder strip that will only be made available to participants attending El Rancho Cima.
3. Troop Flag Streamer for each unit attending El Rancho Cima
4. Special Gift for each Senior Patrol Leader attending El Rancho Cima
5. For Troops that attend El Rancho Cima with a 5% increase over 2016 Scout participation* will be provided with an Ice Cream Party in their campsite.
6. For Troops that attend El Rancho Cima with a 10% increase over 2016 Scout participation* will be provided with 2 tumbler mugs with Special Council Shoulder Patch design.
7. For Troops that attend El Rancho Cima with a 25% increase over 2016 Scout participation* will be provided with 2 steel vacuum sealed mugs.
*If your Troop did not attend El Rancho Cima in 2016, percentage is based on 25% of your December 31, 2016 recharter.
For more information, please contact Brett Lee at
Brett.Lee@Scouting.org
Friends of Scouting
2016 was an exciting year for the Scouting movement in the Sam Houston Area Council. As we kick-off 2017, we need your help. As many of you know, the foundation of any great organization lies in its people and we have the best people you could ask for in you and those around you. We also know that in order to continue to help the Sam Houston Area Council grow and impact more lives with the Scouting program, we need to grow our resources. Resources come in many forms and in Scouting your gifts of time and talents are foremost to our efforts. However, we cannot continue to grow, reach more youth, and provide world class programs without the financial backing of donors and supporters like you.
In the coming weeks and months, a volunteer or staff member will likely come visit your unit and ask for your financial support of Scouting for 2017. Your contribution will make it possible for the Sam Houston Area Council to keep our camps at the highest quality this summer, it will allow for us to keep camping and activity prices low, so every kid can afford to participate, and it will make Scouting possible for a child in need who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to be part of this program we love so much. If your unit hasn't yet signed up for a presentation, please reach out to your District Executive today, so we can arrange to have a volunteer presenter at your next Blue and Gold banquet or Troop Court of Honor.
We ask that you please consider making a contribution to the 2017 Friends of Scouting campaign to ensure that the Sam Houston Area Council remains the very best in the country for you, your family, and your neighbors. Thank you for all you do for Scouting and we can't wait to have another outstanding and life-changing year in 2017!!
Wood Badge Adult Leadership Course
Wood Badge is a six-day advanced leadership course offered at Bovay Scout Ranch three times in 2017. This training course is for Scout Leaders involved in all program levels- Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Participants will learn techniques to become better leaders. Click here for more information.
S3-576-17-1 -
March 17-19 and April 7-9, 2017 (begins Friday at 7:30 am, ends Sunday at 5:00 pm)
S3-576-17-2 -
September 8-10 and October 6-8, 2017 (begins Friday at 7:30 am, ends Sunday at 5:00 pm)
S3-576-17-3 -
September 14-16 and October 12-14, 2017 (begins Thursday at 7:30 am, ends Saturday at 5:00 pm)
 Powder Horn: "ADVENTURE ROYALE!"
April 7-9, 2017 at Tellepsen Scout Camp and April 28-30, 2017 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, team, 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. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! The course is already over half full - don't wait to sign up! Click
here for more information.
Philmont Training Center
The Sam Houston Area Council would like to invite you to participate in one of the conferences offered at the Philmont Training Center in Cimarron, New Mexico, during the summer of 2017!
Each conference features the latest tools and techniques, audiovisuals, discussions, idea sharing, and activities led by a faculty of experienced Scouters. All registered Scouters are invited to attend training center courses; Council approval is no longer required.
While Scouters are involved in a conference, their spouses and family members are able to enjoy a range of activities led by the Philmont Training Center staff. Philmont's unique blend of Scouting, history, family activities, and the magic of the northern New Mexico mountains will make the conferences a memorable family experience. For more information, click
here.
Jewish Scouting Committee
A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion. The religious emblems program was instituted to give recognition to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers who demonstrate religious growth.
The Houston Jewish Scouting Committee invites Scouts in 1st - 9th grades who are Jewish to earn a Jewish Scout award. These awards encourage Scouts to explore connections between Judaism and Scouting, while fostering more community spirit. Groups will be meeting to earn the Maccabee, Aleph and Ner Tamid awards in early 2017. Learn more and find out how to register
here.
Learn more about other religious awards here and here.
Modifications to Cub Scout Advancement Requirements
Just announced... effective immediately, The Boy Scouts of America has announced modifications to the Cub Scout Advancement program that will make the program more flexible for busy parents, den leaders and Cubmasters. The BSA gathered feedback from den leaders who had delivered the new Cub Scouting program for a year. After a thoughtful and deliberate review, the BSA has released several modifications to the current program that will assist us in serving our Cub Scouts.
Please click here to learn more. For the complete list of modifications, 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
Interested applicants should send their resumé to our Director of Membership Development, Dustin Dupuis, at
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.
National Eagle Scout Associations's Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
The Outstanding Eagle Scout Award will be presented by the Eagle Scout Association - Sam Houston Area Council (ESA-SHAC) to adult Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves in their life work and their talents with their communities on a volunteer basis.
Nominations must be submitted by an adult who has either served with the nominee or who is otherwise personally familiar with the nominee's record. Individuals may not nominate themselves.
Online nominations must be received by January 15, 2017. Recipients will be selected by a group of Sam Houston Area Council Distinguished Eagle Scouts and Outstanding Eagle Scouts.
Please click
here for a list of awardees and the online application.
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.
 Tour and Activity Plans
Don't forget to turn in your tour plans for your unit's events. Sam Houston Area Council recommends a Tour and Activity Plan be submitted for all activities. Tour and Activity Plans are submitted online at
My.Scouting.org. For more information, click
here.
Certification Required
If your unit is planning to host an event that requires certification (Shooting, Boating, Swimming, Climbing, etc.) you must provide certification information on your Tour Plan and present a copy of the certification to the Ranger / Campmaster before beginning the activity. For more information please click
here.
Enterprise Risk Management
The purpose of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) committee is to prepare adult leaders to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner.
The Sam Houston Area Council Enterprise Risk Management Committee (ERM) will be holding First Aid Instructor Classes on Saturday, December 17. For more information, click
here.
Safety Moments are exactly what the name implies: opportunities to prepare for an activity, review safety measures, and report incidents correctly. Topics of this new series include incident reporting helps, safe use of medication in Scouting, the tour and activity plan, weather-related safety, winter activity, and winter sports.
Read about Texas Trailer Inspection updates
here
.
To view the ERM Guide for Units, which includes revisions to the Tour and Activity Plan, please click
here.
To learn more about Incident Reviews, click
here
(scroll down to the bottom of the page). There are three documents that walk you through real-life incidents that have happened in Scouting. It provides you with key points (lessons learned) and discussion questions.
For information regarding general health & safety questions, please click
here.
For information about creating an emergency preparedness plan, click
here.
For more information about Enterprise Risk Management, including First Aid/CPR/AED trainings, please click
here.
|
| Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Exploring |
McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch
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 everyone from Cub Scouts to Boy Scout Troops and Venture Crews. Bovay Scout Ranch has year round camping program opportunities for all levels of Cub Scouts including Weekend Adventure Camps. Conveniently located just 75 minutes from downtown Houston.
McNair Cub Adventure 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 online registration, please click here.
McNair Cub Adventure Camp date are: February 24-26, 2017, March 03-05 & 24-26, 2017, April 07-09 & 28-30, 2017, May 19-21, 2017
If you have any questions/inquires please feel free to contact: Geno Aguilar 713-756-3304 or Vincent B. Manning 713-756-3380
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. Please click here for online registration.
 Tellepsen Scout Camp
Get ready for camping at our newest Scout camp! Tellepsen Scout Camp is located at Bovay Scout Ranch. Tellepsen Scout Camp has eight campsites that accommodate 48 individuals per site. Each campsite has a 30'x40' pavilion. One shower and restroom facility is available for every two campsites. It is the home of the council's largest rifle range and a 41-foot climbing tower. The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five stand shotgun range, 8 shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range. The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11 feet, 22 feet, 32 feet and 41 feet. Weekend Camping is available to troops, teams, ships and crews. For more information and registration, please click here.
Camp Brosig Weekend Camping
Camp Brosig is a 92 acre property located 6 miles north of Sealy, TX and is available to all registered units for weekend camping year round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room available for your use, it is the ideal place to hold your next event. Kitchen facilities are available for an additional fee. The camp was made possible through a bequest from Alva Brosig in 1981 and was dedicated on April 17, 1982. For more information and registration click here.
El Rancho Cima Weekend Programs
El Rancho Cima is available on the weekends. Take advantage of the cooler weather and visit a "different" El Rancho Cima. Take advantage of Horseback rides, canoeing, the shooting ranges and on some weekends the zip lines. For more information, contact Geno Aguilar at 713-756-3304 or click
here
.
Venturing
Click
here to find all the Venturing news including n
ew officers elections, v
enturing forums,
Venturing Leadership Award (VLA) recipients, u
pcoming events calendars, and Crew Committee Challenge Training. Crew Committee Challenge is intended to provide Venturing crew committee members with the basic information they need to help manage a crew. The training takes about two and a half hours to complete.
Venturing Camping - is available for crews at Camp Brosig, Tellepsen Scout Camp and El Rancho Cima. The Getaway at El Rancho Cima is a program available for units who are camping at El Rancho Cima. Units can shoot rifle and shotgun, ride the horses, or zip down the longest zip line in Texas.
Want to Know More?
Follow the SHAC VOA on Twitter @shacventuring
Instagram @shacventuring
Or FaceBook @ SHACVenturing
Sea Scouts 
Sam Houston Area Council is blessed with an abundance of water, and water activities are what Sea Scouts are all about. SHAC's fleet of 19 ships can be found sailing large cruising craft on Galveston Bay, racing on Clear Lake, sailing smaller boats on nearby lakes, and paddling with canoes and kayaks on our many bayous.
Sea Scout units, called ships, are coed for youth 14 to 21. Sea Scouting builds character through high adventure. As a Sea Scout, you can learn to sail, to row, and to keep a boat in shape. You can cruise local waters or go sailing on long cruises far from home. You can learn to dive, and you will be active in camping, social events, tours, regattas, excursions, and seamanship contests.
Sea Scouts are starting an inter-ship Sea Scout Keelboat racing team. Scouts (and Scouters) from all ships who want to learn how to race are invited. No cost to any crew member except for food. For more information, contact Freas, Royal B. at rbfreas@UTMB.EDU
-Next Sea Scouts Fleet Meeting:
Wednesday, January 18, 2017, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cockrell Service Center
-Area 3 Sea Scout CPR/First Aid event
Saturday February 25, 2017, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For more information regarding Sam Houston Area Council Sea Scouts, please click here.
For information regarding Texas Sea Scouts, please click here.
For information regarding Southern Region Sea Scouts, 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. The 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE answered a record 957,600 calls for help in 2015. 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.
|
|
Scout Days, Scout Nights
|
Scout Night at Monster Jam
Saturday, February 11 at 7:00pm
NRG Stadium
Exclusive Scout Offer
SAVE up to $10 on tickets plus FREE Monster Jam Scout Patch and FREE Pit Party PASS!
Scout ticket prices are $27 or $17 based on seating location.
For information or to order groups of ten or more, contact Christina at 281-367-9717 or email at christina@texasgrouptickets.com. Or purchase tickets online by clicking here, use the password BSCOUT under "Offer Code". After purchasing tickets online, call Christina at 281-367-9717 or email at christina@texasgrouptickets.com to request patches.
Monster Jam® is the perfect sports entertainment brand that mixes racing, showmanship, the ultimate fan connection and accessibility into one incredible show. Featuring the world's most famous 1,500 horse power Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam events are the only place where fans will see legendary behemoth machines, including: Grave Digger, Max D, Man of Steel, El Toro Loco, Batman and many more, compete in jaw-dropping spectacles.
Free Pre-event Pit Party Pass with your ticket: The Pit Party is your opportunity to get an up close look at the amazing trucks of Monster Jam and receive autographs from your favorite Monster Jam drivers. The Monster Jam Pit Party will take place from 2:30 pm-5:30 pm. No Pit Party admission after 5:00 pm.
Deadline to order tickets is Friday, February 3, 2017.
Boy Scout Railroading Merit Badge Workshops
Sunday, February 26, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Rosenberg Railroad Museum
1921 Avenue F, Rosenberg, TX 77471
$25 - Reservation required
Scouts will learn about the history of railroading, its place in modern society, careers in railroading, and hobbies related to railroading. There are no pre-requisites to complete! The class will cover all the requirements necessary to earn the Railroading merit badge.
A Rosenberg Railroad Museum Volunteer who is trained in YPT and is a BSA Merit Badge Counselor, will direct each badge workshop. We will have blue cards for all participants and also be available to sign any blue cards the boys may have already opened and brought with them. Participants do not need to purchase or bring the badge book(s).
Please visit here, or call 281-633-2846 for more information or to reserve your space in one of the workshops.
Scout Skills Clinic and Night with the Houston Rockets
Wednesday, March 15th
Toyota Center
Scout Skills Clinic 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Rockets game 7:00 p.m.
Join The Houston Rockets us for our annual Scout Clinic with the Houston Rockets! For the first 150 tickets purchased, Scouts will have the opportunity to participate in the Basketball Skills Workshop as well as earn your very own Houston Rockets badge.
Bring out your family and friends to watch James Harden and the rest of the Houston Rockets take on the L.A. Lakers.
Purchase your tickets:
By contacting Melissa Barousse at 713-758-7231 or email: melissab@rocketball.com
Or visiting here using promo code: Scout
|
| Support Scouting |
Sporting Clays
The 21st Annual Sporting Clays Tournament will be held at Westside Sporting Grounds in Katy on April 27, 2017. We are excited to announce that Schlumberger is continuing as our Title Sponsor and Aguila Ammunition is continuing as our Ammunition Sponsor. Dave Miller, the Guiness Book of World Records shooter, will be attending as our Guest Shooter and offering his expertise to the highest bidder.
The tournament runs from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with lunch, auction, raffles and reception. We expect over 400 attendees to join us. This is a fun shoot and is designed for any and all interested participants, no matter your shooting ability.
For more information and to register for the tournament, please click here.
It's a Match Gift!
Many corporations match employee contributions made to the Boy Scouts - these gifts are known as "Matching Gifts." Additionally, some companies will make contributions on behalf of volunteer time given to Scouting. Click
here
for more information. Please contact Victoria Ochiche at
Victoria.Ochiche@scouting.org at 713-756-3314
for additional support.
Do You Work With ExxonMobil?
ExxonMobil Foundation allows districts and sub-districts in the Council to establish accounts. If you are employed by Exxon Mobil and would like to apply for VIP grants please contact Victoria Ochiche at
Victoria.Ochiche@scouting.org at 713-756-3314 regarding how to proceed. Volunteer grants help districts achieve their Friends of Scouting goal.
Send a Memorial or Tribute
Are you looking for a unique way to recognize those close to you? Give a Memorial ("in memory of") or Tribute ("in honor of") so that those extraordinary individuals in your life will be acknowledged. Click
here for more information.
|
| Order of the Arrow |
The Order of the Arrow is the Scouting National Honor Society. For 99 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.
The lodge has a variety of tools to communicate with Arrowmen including text messages, electronic newsletters, Facebook and more. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters can sign up for the OA Troop Representative newsletter. Learn more by clicking
here.
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
|
|
 |
|
