May 2018 eScouter

Top Stories

Day Camp 2018 - Passport to Adventure Registration is now open for 2018 Cub Scout Day Camps! Excitement is waiting as Cub 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 Scouts entering 1 st  through 5 th  grade for the 2018-2019 school year. No matter what camp you choose, you can be sure it will be loaded with an awesome program such as BB guns, archery, sports, games, and crafts, rank advancements, Scout skills, fun and more. Most camps welcome siblings (ages 3+) and Boy Scouts, so you can make this a great summer for your entire family. Participants receive a t-shirt and patch. Advancements offered at day camp supplements the exciting program offered at  resident camp . With 25 different camps to choose from, registered Scouts and their families can find a camp to fit their busy schedules.

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@scouting.org - Online Registration is NOW OPEN!

Update on Summer Camp 2019 The Sam Houston Area Council strives to become a leader in camping by having first-class facilities to provide safe, fun and educational outdoor programs for our Scouts. In 2012, the Council approved a new Camping Vision Statement: " Exemplary, Sustainable Outdoor Experiences and Creative Learning for 21st Century Youth and Their Leaders ." Please click here to view the updates for Camp Strake including the updated future plans and construction timeline.

Click here to find information on Scouting in your area

STAY CONNECTED, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ‌

Leader's News

Grow Scouting! 3…2…1… BLAST OFF! The countdown to Fall Recruiting is here and with it the Sam Houston Area Council is excited to extend it’s Rocket into Scouting program. Every new Cub Scout who joins through the fall will get a rocket that he or she can launch at their local District Rocket Day! So what can you do now to make sure your Pack is “Go For Launch?” Recruit your New Member Coordinator – This member of your team will help welcome new Cub Scouts and their families to your Pack Put Rocket Days on Your Calendar! Connect with your District Membership Chair now Start advertising around your neighborhood now Make sure your attend your District Fall Recruiting Training in August to get your supplies and valuable training resources! Help your Pack, your District, your Council and the BSA make this an Out Of This World Membership year by making sure your Pack is “Go For Launch!”

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 the Scouting program for older girls, are as follows: www.scouting.org/familyscouting The Marketing and Membership Hub or email  family.scouting@scouting.org

Family Friends of Scouting In 2018, we are asking for your continued support of the Family Friends of Scouting campaign. Family 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. The Sam Houston Area Council will invest $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. Your gift to Scouting may be increased through company matching. Click here for more information about company matching gifts.  If you missed the Family Friends of Scouting presentation for your unit, you can still make a gift to support Scouts. Click here to make an online gift or contact your district’s Family Friends of Scouting Chair and they will ensure your gift is submitted on your behalf.

Popcorn The 2018 Popcorn Sale is just a few months away! Scouts have the opportunity pay their own way through the 2018-2019 Scouting year and earn great prizes by selling delicious gourmet popcorn. We are very excited to partner with Trail’s End Popcorn. Trail’s End provides three great ways to sell popcorn; traditional take-order, store front, and through an online sales platform that looks and feels like a GoFundMe page. Show and Sell ordering will go live on July 1, 2018. Orders will be due on August 1, 2018. Show and Sell popcorn will be picked up on August 18, 2018 On August 14th the Council will be hosting zone-kickoffs and unit kernel trainings. At these events, unit kernels and leaders will have the opportunity to learn about the ins-and-outs of the sale as well as the best tactics for achieving sales goals quickly. Unit kernels and leaders will also be able to pick up all sales materials, and sample popcorn at the kickoffs.  Register for popcorn sales here . Register for online sales here .

New 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 .

Hazardous Weather Training Effective April 30, 2018, NEW Direct Contact Leaders must complete Hazardous Weather training as part of the requirements to be considered trained for their position. Direct Contact Leaders currently trained in their positions will not be required to complete this training although it is highly recommended. This training is available online at any time from My.Scouting.org . Further information can be found here as well as frequently asked questions 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 .

Cub Scouts Range Master Training 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 , or Contact Tony Franco tvfranco@sbcglobal.net

New Eagle Scout Reception Sunday, May 6, 2018  2:00 p.m. Crowne Plaza 8686 Kirby Dr. Houston, TX 77054  The New Eagle Scout Reception recognizes the previous year's Eagle Scout class. The council continues its tradition of providing this reception free of charge for new Eagle Scouts and their guests. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout alumni, Scouters, Scoutmasters and Cubmasters are all encouraged to attend this special program to recognize the 2017 Eagle Scout class, the Adams Project of the Year Award, and NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award recipients. Eagle Scouts and their families will not want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to be recognized by accomplished Eagle Scouts. The event is underwritten with generous sponsorships by many Eagle Scout alumni, charter members and patrons. for more information, please click here .

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.

Eagle Wall at Cockrell Scout Center To help honor the accomplishments of the young men who earn the Eagle Scout rank annually, the Sam Houston Area Council maintains a wall with the names of all Eagle Scouts in front of the Cockrell Service Center. During the 3rd quarter of 2018 the Sam Houston Area Council plans to add the names of the young men who earned their Eagle Scout in 2017. In order to ensure that the names on the wall appear correctly it is important that every Eagle Scout and his family read the procedures below. Please note that a postcard with similar instructions are being mailed to each Eagle Scout as well. Procedures to Verify Name Spelling on Eagle Wall: Go to the Sam Houston Area Council's Eagle Wall website, click here Click on the 2017 Eagle Scouts button Check the spelling of the Eagle Scouts name (note the column NAME ON WALL is how the Eagle Scout's name will appear on the wall) If the scout's name is spelled/displayed correctly then no additional action is needed If the scout's name is NOT spelled/displayed correctly then click on the Submit Corrections to the Eagle Scout Wall button on the Sam Houston Area Council's Eagle Wall website Follow the procedure to submit a name change Please go all the way through the procedures and hit Checkout There is no fee to submit a change When you have gone through the entire procedure you should receive an email from DoubleKnot, the council online event registration system, with your order (make sure to check spam and/or junk folders) The deadline to submit corrections is May 31, 2018. Corrections received after this date may not appear on the Eagle Wall when the 2017 names are added in the 3rd quarter of 2018. Should you have any questions about this process please contact either Donna Burke or Nathan Doherty .

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 .

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.net  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.

Scouts with Disabilities 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 date: May 19th  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 .  Click here to view recent Safety Alerts For Emergency Preparedness Resources, click here .  For suggestions or comments please contact  yeldellse@yahoo.com  or Mike Narvaez  coachmike19@gmail.com

Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, and Exploring

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, 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 . Questions? Contact Teresa Northcutt at Teresa.northcutt@scouting.org or 512-617-8650.

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 .

Exciting Exploring opportunities! The Sam Houston Area Council is excited to announce several Exploring opportunities kicking off this month! Exploring 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. Please share with your units. See descriptions & contact information below:

New Law Enforcement Programs 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. Spring Branch ISD Police Department, 9009 Ruland, Houston, TX. For more information contact Officer Garcia at Cindy.Garcia@springbranchisd.com or 713-984-9805.  Texas Medical Center Police Department, 2151 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX. For more information contact Lt. Meier at SMeier@tmc.edu or at 281-414-6023

The Health Museum- Health Care 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.  The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX. For more information contact: Allena Grant at agrant@thehealthmuseum.org or 713-521-1515, ext. 159

Katy Christian Ministries- Social Services Exploring Are you interested in a career in Social Services? Social Services Career Exploring is a wonderful enriching program where you will participate in a wide variety of hands-on projects to give you a real feel for whether this career is the right one for you. You will be able to participate in many community engagement activities that are vital in this field. You will also network with professionals who work in these careers every day. Furthermore, you will learn about the educational requirements for a career in Social Services and will receive tangible advice on steps you could take now to prepare and position yourself for a successful career in the field of Social Services. Katy Christian Ministries, 5504 1st St., Katy, TX. For more information contact: Tammi Biel at tammi.biel@ktcm.org or 281-391-5261

The Estes Law Office- Law & Government Exploring Does the field of Law & Government peak your interest? The Estes Law Office in Fort Bend County will strive to support and guide students interested in the field of law. The most popular careers in this field include: attorney, judge, paralegal, court reporter, and city manager. Explorers will get to experience firsthand what it’s like to serve as an attorney, conduct legal research vital to the success of a case, meet with attorneys, participate in a mock trial competition, and so much more! The Estes Law Office 716 S. Union Street, Richmond, TX. For more information contact Tammy Galvan at 281-238-5400. Please contact Michelle Phillips at michelle.phillips@scouting.org if you have any questions or need additional information.

Venturing Click here to find all the Venturing news including, Venturing Forums, upcoming events calendars, and Crew Committee Challenge Training.  Venturing Leadership Award deadline is June 1, 2018 Venturing Banquet is August 18, 2018, 7:00 p.m. 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: May 16, 2018 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Cockrell Scout Center  Contact: Royal B. Freas, rbfreas@UTMB.EDU 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.

Scout Days, Scout Nights

Sugarland Skeeters Scout Sleepover June 1, 2018 Come enjoy another fun and exciting opportunity with your fellow Scouts for a sleepover at Constellation Field! Package includes: Special pre-game parade, Postgame Fireworks, Midnight Snack, Movie on the Texas sized video board, complementary breakfast. To purchase tickets, please contact Sunny Okpon at (281) 207-9120 or sokpon@sugarlandskeeters.com .

Houston Astros Scout Day and Parade Sunday, June 24th 1:10 p.m. Parade time: TBD Watch the Houston Astros take on the Kansas City Royals and participate in a pre-game parade. For ticket and parade information, please contact Brent Broussard at (713) 259-8316 or broussard@Astors.com

Typhoon Texas Scout Days Typhoon Texas is excited to announce it's 2018 Scout Days and packages for June 16th and July 21st. Scout Day Prices Scout Supreme- $29.99 Includes: Admission, Hamburger Meal, Typhoon Texas Fun Patch, unlimited drink pass Season Pass Holder - $15.00 Includes: Hamburger Meal, unlimited drinks & Typhoon Texas Fun Patch For more information, please contact Andrew Boettcher at  andrew.boettcher@typhoontexas.com . To purchase tickets, please click here .

Scout Days at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Visit the HMNS booth at Scout Fair to get a coupon for $25 on our weeklong Summer Scout classes at our Hermann Park and Sugar Land locations. Boy Scouts, Webelos, Bears, and Wolves can earn requirements for Merit Badges or Adventures while exploring the exhibits of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Saturday Scout classes for Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos help Scouts work towards Adventures in two-hour classes. Up to two classes can be taken in one day, and admission to the general exhibits is included for the Scout and one parent/chaperone. There are 5 Saturdays left to earn requirements for Merit Badges this spring for Boy Scouts at HMNS, including five Eagle Scout required badges: Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Family Life, and Personal Management. Like us on our Scouts@HMNS Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ScoutsHMNS

Support Scouting

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 .

Order of the Arrow

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 .

Find out more at samhoustonbsa.org