Scout Fair 2019 - Score a Goal with Scouting
Scout Fair 2019 will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at NRG Arena. This year's theme is "Score a Goal with Scouting." The Sam Houston Area Council is excited to announce our partnership with the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash. Houston Dynamo/Dash will be providing our weekly drawing bonus as well as the 219 Bonus Level prize. Scout Fair is an event where scouts from all over the Council unite in one place to display Scouting fun!
Scout Fair Coupon Books help your Scouts earn their own way!
The 2019 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: Dick's Sporting Goods, Luby's, Fuddruckers, Kroger, the Houston Dynamo/Dashs and more.
Click
here
to register your unit to sell Coupon Books.
Every pack, troop, crew, ship and post is encouraged to
host a booth
at Scout Fair, and doing so earns your Unit an immediate 10% commission bonus on coupon book sales.
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University of Scouting
Saturday, March 23, 2019
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (check-in begins at 7:00 a.m.)
Mickey Leland College Prep
1700 Gregg St. Houston, TX 77020
Join hundreds of your fellow Scouters for a day of training and fellowship.
Learn about cooking for Scouts with food allergies, or Annual Planning and Budgets for Cub Scout Packs, or Scoutbook for Troops or STEM NOVA for Troops and Crews. Our Spring event focuses upon preparation for Summer camp and activities. The course catalog will be available in late January, come join us at University of Scouting.
For more information click
here
.
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STAY CONNECTED, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
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Scouts BSA
Scouts BSA has launched and with-it girls will be able to join in on the adventure! Scouts BSA Troops for girls are now able to register with the Sam Houston Area Council Let our Council Onboarding Team help guide you through this exciting process to start your very own Scouts BSA Troop for girls.
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3 Places to get answers to your questions about Family Scouting
After the historic 2017 decision to offer our iconic programs to both to boys and girls in 2018, many people have had questions about what that means and how to introduce those expanded program offerings in their communities.
The
three key places
where you can find answers to your questions about Family Scouting, including Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA, are as follows:
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Friends of Scouting
As we begin 2019, 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 program that they believe so much in. Your gifts to Scouting are crucial to our success as one of the largest and most successful Councils in America. The Sam Houston Area Council will spend $250 per youth member in 2019 to guarantee our youth are getting the best program possible. Please consider helping us offset that cost by making a contribution at this level, or more. Any gift of any amount is greatly appreciated and will ensure that the Sam Houston Area Council can continue to offer the world class programming that you have come to know. As always, your contributions are 100% tax deductible and may be matched by your employer. For more information and to donate, please click
here
. If they haven’t already, a district volunteer will be contacting your unit to schedule our annual Friends of Scouting presentation for 2019. We appreciate your help in making sure that we are able to tell the Scouting story and the vast impact of our program to your unit’s families and in offering them a chance to support our annual Friends of Scouting campaign.
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Save the Date
New Eagle Scout Reception
Honoring the 2018 Eagle Scout Class - named for Nelson Block
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Crowne Plaza
8686 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77054
Program Begins at 2:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend this free event to celebrate this group of remarkable young men who achieved the highest rank in Scouting.
Please confirmed your attendance by visiting
here
. Light refreshment will be provided following the program. More information about the event will be coming out shortly.
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Membership Cards and Charter Certificates
There are some exciting new changes in the world of membership in 2019. Beginning January 1, 2019 units will no longer need to wait for the charter certificates and membership cards as each unit will now print them within the unit. As soon as a unit’s recharter has been processed without errors, the unit Key 3 can access their unit through
my.Scouting.org
to print the needed documents. For instructions on how to complete their process please refer to the FAQ in my.Scouting.org
here
.
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Congratulations to the 41st 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.
2019 First Aid Meet Results:
Highest Mega Scenario Score of 43 Tied
Troop 577 Titans Patrol - David Crockett District
Troop 686 Cougar Patrol - WL Davis District
1st Place – Troop 30 Beavers Patrol - Skyline District
Wyatt Marucci, Joaquin Martinez, Thomas Dupuy, Benjamin Brown, Collin Tautfest
2nd Place – Troop 1517 The Cardiac Arrestors Patrol - George Strake District
3rd Place – Troop 548 Black Dragons Patrol - David Crockett District
To review photos, click
here.
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Wood Badge
This spring, experience the BSA Adult Leadership training that goes beyond Scouting! Wood Badge is BSA's ultimate leadership training for adults. Designed for leaders of all BSA programs - Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts - Wood Badge is a fun, challenging, and an inspirational Scouting experience.
You can expect to develop skills in many areas, including leadership theory, team building, problem solving, communication, conflict resolution, project planning, and more that can be taken directly back to packs, troops, ships, and crews to help leaders guide youth in dynamic Scouting programs. For more information click
here
.
SHAC 19-1
– March 8-10 and March 29-31 (both weekends begin Friday at 7:30 a.m., ends Sunday at 5:00 p.m.)
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Powder Horn
SEEK THE ADVENTURE! Powder Horn is an action-packed, hands-on, six-day course which helps Scouts and Scouters learn how to implement high adventure activities into their troop, crew or ship.
Do you have young adults in Venturing who are looking to breathe underwater because they have already learned how to filter it? What about Scouts BSA who are ready to maximize their shooting skills? Or Sea Scouts wanting to sail in a different country? Would you like to expose your troop, crew or ship to rock climbing, Dutch oven cooking, geocaching, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, firefighting, search and rescue, trekking in a different countries, mountain biking, fly fishing, canoeing, wilderness first aid, astronomy, shooting sport (e.g., rifle, shotgun, handgun, archery), equestrian, wilderness survival, NYLT, Sea Scouts, the Kodiak Challenge, the Hornaday award, Messenger of Peace, living history, Leave No Trace, vendors, Jamboree, event planning, tying flies, scuba diving, and more?
The course spans two, three-day weekends:
Weekend #1 is April 12-14, 2019
Weekend #2 is April 26-28, 2019
For more information and to register, click
here
.
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Cub Scouts Range Master Training
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.
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.
Training Dates: March 9, April 27, 2018, May 4, 2018, and May 11, 2018
For more information, please click
here
.
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Lemonade Day
May 4 and May 5
Lemonade Day is a free, fun, experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business – a lemonade stand. It began right here in Houston, Texas in 2007. Since then it has grown from 2,700 kids to over 55,000 kids in Houston.
The foremost objective of Lemonade Day is to empower youth to take ownership of their lives and become productive members of society – the business leaders, social advocates, volunteers, and forward thinking citizens of tomorrow.
Each child that registers receives free materials that teach them the lessons of Lemonade Day like creating budgets, setting profit-making goals, serving customers, repaying investors, and giving back to the community. Along the way, they acquire skills in goal-setting, problem solving, and gain self-esteem critical for future success. They keep all the money they make and are encouraged to spend some, save some and share some. For more information, please click
here
.
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Summer NYLT
National Youth Leadership Training
(NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed six-day council-level program designed to provide Scouts (14 and older) in troops, crews and ships with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. June 2 - 7 or June 9-14, 2019 at Bovay Scout Ranch. For more information, please click
here
.
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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.
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Houston Philmont Crew
Trek Date: July 10-22, 2019
Experience the ultimate high-adventure trek at Philmont Scout Ranch. Long considered the ultimate in high-adventure for Scouting, now available to Scouts who are nominated, qualify and make the commitment.
Houston Philmont Crews is a program established for Scouts in the Sam Houston Area Council that would like the unique opportunity to experience the most celebrated of high-adventure and backpacking in a Scouts BSA environment. The Philmont experience can be a life changing event and this program is being offered to Scouts that meet certain requirements and would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend because of financial challenges. For eligible Scout youth all fees, use of ultra-light equipment, backpacking clothes, food and transportation will be provided. A Philmont trek is nothing to be taken lightly and a strict discipline focused on proper training and boy leadership balanced with teaching and mentorship from adult advisors with exceptional backpacking and Philmont experience is the foundation of the program. A personal commitment to participate in all meetings and training activities from Scouts chosen is mandatory. A financial commitment of $100 is required to participate.
To apply, or nominate a Scout:Contact Sam Houston Area Council Michael Moore at Michael.Moore@scouting.org or (713) 865-9154
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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
ScoutReach is the Sam Houston Area Council's program to build Scouting in traditionally under served communities. 9,500 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. For more information, please contact Lionel Jellins at
lionel@jellins.net.
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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 Sunday,
March 17th and Sunday, May 19th.
Wilderness First Aid –
2019 Dates: Saturday, April 27th and Saturday, May 4th.
Please register by clicking
here
.
All classes will be held at the Cockrell Scout Center, 2225 North Loop West, Houston, Texas 77008. Please register on Double Knot. Space is limited. Lunch is provided
Click
here
to view recent Safety Alerts.
Click
here
for Incident reporting information.
Click
here
for Safety moment topics.
Click
here f
or Emergency Preparedness Resources.
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Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Exploring
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Exploring - Discover Your Future
The Sam Houston Area Council is excited to announce a new Exploring opportunity starting this month. The Exploring program is career education for young men and women, ages 14-20. These students receive hands-on experience and determine if a 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. See description & contact information below:
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Health Care Exploring
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 from healthcare leaders who will share their experiences and expertise to help support you as you learn about the healthcare field.
- Pima Medical Institute, 10201 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024. Explorers will learn about various health care positions that are vital to the medical field including Respiratory & Physical Therapy, Dental, Radiography and Veterinarian Assistant. For more information and details, please attend our Open House\Kick-off on Thursday, March 7th at 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Pima Medical Institute. Contact Michelle Phillips at michelle.phillips@scouting.org for additional information.
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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 Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA Troops and Venturers. Bovay Scout Ranch has year round camping program opportunities for all levels of Cub Scouts including Weekend Adventure Camps.
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McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch
Please reserve your attendance now for the 2019 Spring dates at McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch.
You are invited to explore and enjoy all the wonder and beauty of the east Texas rolling hills and lakes at McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. McNair Cub Adventure Camp has a variety of camping opportunities for everyone from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA Troops and Venture Crews. With year round camping program opportunities for all levels of Cub Scouts including Weekend Adventure Camps and the new Webelos Coyote Trail Xtreme Adventure Camp. McNair Cub Adventure Camp has a great swimming pool and an air conditioned dining hall (closed on Weekend Camping dates). The Trading Post will be open on Adventure Camp dates.
McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch is an overnight, full program camp for all family members. Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos and their families will enjoy an exciting variety of activities at several program areas that is subject to change and food service in the camp's air-conditioned dining hall (The kitchen offers a Vegetarian patty
substitute
as requested during your registration). All the program activities are open every session during Cub Resident Camp. A staff member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities. Pack, Dens, and individual families may register. For more information click
here
.
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Weekend Unit Camping
Units that plan to schedule Shooting Sports Activities need to read the new Shooting Sport Manual. 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.
The Trading Post will be open on some Weekend Camping dates.
For more information click
here
.
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2019 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. For more information click
here
or contact Geno Aguilar at 713-756-3304 or
geno.aguilar@shac.org
– 2019 Online Registration will open soon!
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Summer Camp 2019 - 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.
- Expanded shooting sports program, including a "Action Archery" range & bikeathon
- SCUBA Merit Badge program (with SCUBA certification)
- Excellent first year Eagle Quest program
- Brand new High Adventure program, which includes ATV, SCUBA, and snorkeling the San Marcos River
- Scoutmaster Merit Badge (adults)
- Week-long challenge featuring all activities at camp, known as the Tonkawa Challenge patch (youth)
- All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) program
We are offering six weeks of camp this year from June 9 through July 20 For more information, click
here
. or you can register today by contacting
Keri.Smeaton@scouting.org
.
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World Scout Jamboree
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
.
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Venturing
Click
here
to find all the Venturing news including, Venturing Forums, upcoming events calendars, and Crew Committee Challenge Training.
The next Venturing Meeting is March 27, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cockrell Scout Center.
The next Venturing Forum is April 16, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cockrell Scout Center.
Follow the SHAC VOA on Twitter @shacventuring
Instagram @shacventuring
Or FaceBook @ SHACVenturing
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Sea Scouts Fleet
The next Sea Scout Committee is March 20, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
March 10-16 – Long Cruise during Spring Break hosted by Sea Scout Ship 846 Scouts can earn advancements as well as learn how to sail on multiple sailboats that are at least 30-feet long. The overnight stays will be on the boats, which count toward Order of the Arrow qualification. For more information, contact Richard at
lipham@aol.com
.
April 6 – Scout Fair at NRG Arena. The SHAC Sea Scout fleet will host an area. There also will be fun and games for Cub Scouts through Scouts BSA in the Sea Scout area, including Raingutter Regatta races. At least five sailboats are currently scheduled to be on display.
April 27 – Sail Daze hosted by The SHAC fleet at the Port Arthur Yacht Club near Beaumont. The reason for having the event in the Beaumont area rather than in Houston or Galveston is to try and create up to three more Sea Scout units in the Golden Triangle. For more information, email
todd@thrashweb.net
.
Scoutmasters, please click
here
for a better understanding of Sea Scouts and activities and how you may tap into some expertise for water activities.
Bay Area Park facility is now open. Requests for space or storage can be sent to Bennett, Barton
bbennettclaims@yahoo.com.
Contact Royal B. Freas,
rbfreas@UTMB.EDU
for more information regarding Sea Scouts.
For resources, events, activities and more information please click
here
.
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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 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Avoid traffic in the Museum District and take our Spring Break classes at the HMNS Sugar Land location! Classes are from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on March 11th – 13th and include Family Life, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the World, Personal Management, and Citizenship in the Nation. Environmental Science is a 3 day class
,
from March 11th - 13th. Webelos First Responder is from 9:30 a.m. – 12 pm or 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on March 12
th
.
Need plans for the summer for your Scouts? Check out the week-long Summer Scout Classes at The Houston Museum of Natural Science. Scouts BSA, Webelos, Bears, and Wolves can earn merit badges or adventures while enjoying the exhibits and resources of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Check the website for two new Cub Scout classes added to the Sugar Land location.
In our Saturday scout classes, for Lions, 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 permanent exhibit halls is included for the scout and one parent/chaperone.
There are 19 merit badges available during the school year for Scouts BSA 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.
For the most up-to-date information on scout programming at HMNS, like us on our Scouts@HMNS Facebook page at
here
.
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Scouts BSA Merit Badge Fair
Saturday, March 16th
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Houston Campus
721 Lockhaven Drive, Houston, TX 77073
Register online to earn requirements for the following merit badges: Electronics, Truck Transportation, Farm Mechanics
Sign up by clicking
here.
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Scout Night with the Houston Rockets
Rockets vs. Kings
Saturday, March 30, 2019
5:00 p.m. Toyota Center
Come watch the Rockets take on the Sacramento Kings! Each ticket will include a Rockets patch for all Scouts. Also, scouts, along with their friends and family, will be able to come in the arena before the general public to sit VIP and watch the players warm up!
The first 20 scouts to purchase tickets will be able to participate in the Rockets pregame high five tunnel while players run on to the court!
Order your tickets by calling: Melissa Barousse (71) 758-7231, email:
melissab@rocketball.com
or clicking
here
and entering promo code: SCOUT
Deadline to purchase: Friday, March 8, 2019
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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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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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