March 2021 eScouter
Top Stories
New Scout Executive/CEO Selected
The Sam Houston Area Council is excited to announce the selection of Marvin D. Smith as our new Scout Executive/CEO. Marvin was selected after an extensive, nationwide search, completed by a Selection Committee of Sam Houston Area Council Board Members. Marvin will replace Tom Varnell who will be retiring on March 31st after a 36 year career with the Boy Scouts of America. 

Marvin is a warm, committed Scouter with a proven track record of success, who will be an excellent leader for the Council as we navigate our many challenges in 2021. Marvin currently serves as Area Director for the Central Region, where he supports eight council scout executives across Illinois and Wisconsin. 
 
Marvin began his scouting career as a District Executive in Denver in 1998. He moved to Memphis to serve as Field Director in 2003, and later moved to Cleveland, OH, where he served as Director of Field Services and Chief Operating Officer from 2008 to 2014. Marvin was promoted to Scout Executive and CEO of the Tukabatchee Area Council in Montgomery, AL in 2014, and through the next four years, Marvin increased camping revenues, raised capital funds to renovate assets, and launched new fundraising events. 

In 2018, Marvin was promoted to his present position of Area Director of Area 7. In his current capacity, he has supported the delivery of Scouting’s mission to more than 80,000 youth members through councils with a combined budget of over $30 million. Like the Sam Houston Area Council, these councils span a wide range of demographics and highly diverse communities. Marvin’s role as area director lent him a unique vantage point to witness different council initiatives and practices to address membership and fundraising challenges. His experience will benefit our own council for years to come.

Marvin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Marvin and his wife, Danielle, have three children- their adult son, Kendrick; Javari, a college student; and Zoie, a high school student.
Pictured L to R: Daniel G. Bellow, Executive Vice Chair; Lionel R. Jellins, Vice Chair - ScoutReach & Diversity; Marvin D. Smith; Clay C. Williams, Chair of the Board; Deborah A. Rollinson, Vice Chair - Membership; Ron Timmons, Area Director
Summer Camp
It’s time to start planning for this summer! Summer camp is held at Tsuru Scout Camp at Camp Strake, a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Program areas include shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, archery, sporting arrows), zip lines, climbing, rappelling, swimming, biking, merit badge classes and more. Registration has open. Merit Badge selection is now open. Come be part of this historic first summer. To learn more about Camp Strake and registration information, please click  here.
Lifesaving and Meritorious Action
The Lifesaving & Meritorious Action Committee recently conferred a Medal of Merit upon Ryan Smallwood, a parent, Den Leader and volunteer within the Soaring Eagle district, for his actions rescuing and then treating a fellow adult on a backpacking/rafting trip in Alaska. Ryan was commended for awareness of the appropriate actions required and for using those skills learned in Scouting. Click here for more information about Lifesaving and Meritorious Action recognitions.
Friends of Scouting
As we continue Scouting in 2021, your help is very much needed now more than ever to bring support to the Sam Houston Area Council to keep our programs vibrant and operating at their very best. Every unit in Sam Houston Area Council now has a personal page in the OneCause system. To visit your unit’s page click here. There are several ways to share your unit’s page with your network. By clicking invite button you can instantly share this via social media, email, or texts. Please share this throughout your pack, troop, crew, or ship. This new tool is great way for us to reach individuals and companies we otherwise may never reach through our traditional methods.
If your unit intends on having a blue and gold or court of honor, we would love the opportunity to share the story of Scouting through a Friends of Scouting presentation. A district volunteer or your District Executive will be reaching out to confirm dates.
Your continued support is greatly needed and appreciated to ensure that we can offer the same, or more, resources to our local communities that we have in the past. Your gifts to Scouting are crucial to our success as one of the largest and most successful councils in America. If you would like to make your Family Friends of Scouting contribution now, please click here.
Youth Safety - Our ongoing commitment to keeping kids safe
The safety of children in our programs is the most important priority of the Boy Scouts of America. The BSA’s safeguards are key parts of our multilayered approach to help keep kids safe. These measures were informed by respected experts in the fields of child safety, law enforcement, and child psychology, and are among the strongest safeguards found in any youth-serving organization. To learn more, please click here.
Leader's News
Spring Coupon Sale 
Scouts can earn funds for their unit by participating in the Spring Coupon Sale. This Council supported sale is minimal work for unit leaders. The 2021 sale is 100% online, Scouts sign up for an account with Raisy to sell the digital SaversGuide to friends and family. Units will receive 35% commission for every $20, 365-day subscription a Scout sells. The Coupons are available on the computer or through the SaversGuide app, and can save customers hundreds of dollars with the thousands of national and local coupons available. The sale will run until March 31st. Commission is paid out quarterly, checks will be sent to the unit in care of the registered Committee Chair.
Scouts can sign up HERE. When they are signing up to sell, they will click the “Join the Fundraising Team” to create an account. After they create an account, they will be able to click “Log In” to monitor their sales. Every Scout participating will need to register for the sale, when they do, they will receive a unique URL which they can share with friends and family nationwide! The coupons are valid at thousands of locations across the nation. Coupons are redeemable online or through the SaversGuide app. Coupons like Sonic, Jersey Mike’s, Jiffy Lube, Harbor Freight, Chuck E Cheese, and Pump it Up. The URL is unique to each Scout and your unit will be credited with each of your Scout’s sales.
Sign up your Scout to Sell Here! For help registering your Scout contact Mary Welch, mary.welch@scouting.org or check out our fundraising page on the Council website for more information. 
Membership
March means spring is just around the corner and some of the best camping in SE Texas has arrived. It is a great time to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of our area. It is also a great time to introduce new families to the opportunities and excitement Scouting has to offer. Though COVID has added an extra element of difficulty to our recruiting efforts, digital marketing and grassroots marketing have proven to be effective and easy steps for each Scouting unit to employ to engage new families. Check out the Membership and Marketing Hub & BSA Brand Centers here for great resources for your Pack, Troop or Crew. Also, attend the March 3rd “Spring Into Scouting” Marketing and Membership Webinar for some great ideas (details on the site linked above). Have a great March Scouters, & Happy Recruiting! 
Summer Camp Staff
Summer camp staff is an experience that is truly unforgettable. It is a chance to spend summer working at a beautiful camp, the amazing state of the art Camp Strake. Every day is fully rewarding to staff members and to the campers in whose lives they have made a difference. Camp work is often demanding as we keep a packed schedule; but the opportunities, rewards and experiences available to camp staff are endless. If you or a youth that you know is interested in working on summer camp staff, please contact the Camping Director, Erick Simmons, at erick.simmons@scouting.org. 
Campmasters
We are looking for volunteers to be part of the Camp Strake campmaster corps. Campmasters serve at council weekend camps whenever Scouting units/families are using any part of the camp property. Campmasters select their own time and frequency of service, but they usually serve two to four times a year. Anyone interested in serving as a Campmaster should contact Erick Simmons at erick.simmons@scouting.org.
University of Scouting
Virtual and In person
University of Scouting is a semi-annual training event for leaders of all program levels, district and council leaders and parents.  Virtual classes April 5-8 in evenings, in-person classes at Camp Strake on April 10. Click here for more information.
Weekend Camping
Outdoor adventure is the promise made to Scouts when they join Scouting. Youth yearn for outdoor programs that stir their imagination and interest. At a time when units are struggling to find locations to camp, let us make it easy for you! Troops, crews, and ships can camp at Camp Brosig, Camp Strake and Tellepsen Scout Camp. Take advantage of the shooting sports ranges, the climbing tower, and aquatics facilities. For more information, please click here.
Cub Scout Day / Twilight Camp
Grab your astronaut helmet and space suit and prepare to explore the universe. Day/twilight camp is a council camp hosted by districts for Scouts entering 1st through 5th grade next 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. Please click here for more information.
Powder Horn
Powder Horn is an action-packed, hands-on course that helps Scouts and Scouters learn how to implement high adventure activities into their troop, crew or ship. April 15-18 at Camp Strake. Click here for more details. 
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
Sessions 1 and 2: June 6-11, 2021
Sessions 3 and 4: June 13-18, 2021
Bovay Scout Ranch 
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed six-day council-level program designed to provide Scouts in troops, crews and ships with leadership skills. For more information about 2021 courses, financial assistance and staff opportunities please visit here
Member Care
Help to avoid duplicate accounts, and avoid frustration for volunteers and staff- nearly all problems can be avoided by registering adults and youth members correctly, and then after 2 days those registrations show up in Scoutbook and other platforms. If you need a my.scouting password reset, please call the council switchboard at 713-659-8111. If you have other problems with these programs, please look here first for the answer, and then if need be send an email to 576volunteersupport@scouting.org. Your concern will be addressed quickly, usually the same day.  
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. 
SHAC Communication for COVID-19 Response- For more information, please click here.
For Spring 2021 First Aid/AED/CPR, Wilderness Remote First Aid, and First Aid/AED/CPR Instructor Classes, please click here.
All Classes will be held at Cockrell Scout Center, 2225 N Loop West, Houston, TX 77008
*Class fees include lunch
Visit the Enterprise Risk Management page by clicking here.
Click here for safety moment topics.
Click here for a listing of recent safety alerts.
Click here for incident reporting information.
For suggestions or comments please contact yeldellse@yahoo.com or Mike Narvaez coachmike19@gmail.com
Youth Protection Training
Youth Protection Training (YPT) is designed to help keep youth safe from abuse. During YPT, participants learn the Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse. This course must be completed by all registered leaders, and is highly recommended for parents and other adults working with youth. For 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. 2-1-1 can also be a needed resource for hurricane season.
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.
Cub Scouts
Cub Scout Day / Twilight Camp
Grab your astronaut helmet and space suit and prepare to explore the universe. Day/twilight camp is a council camp hosted by districts for Scouts entering 1st through 5th grade next 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. Please click here for more information.
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 and has year-round camping program opportunities for all levels of Cub Scouts including Adventure Day. For more information, please click here. 
McNair Cub Adventure Day at Bovay Scout Ranch
Please reserve your attendance now for McNair Cub Adventure Day, Fun With Family Day, and Webelos Coyote Trail Xtreme Day at Bovay Scout Ranch. please click here.
2021 Spring Webelos Coyote Trail Xtreme (WCTX)
May 14-16, 2021 for the Webelos that missed the WCTX in November 2020 due to the state, county, CDC, requirements, and the limited capacity guidelines. For 2021, WTCX will be a one-day event. The latest state, county, and CDC requirements on the day of the event will be followed. Registration will open soon! Please click here for more information.
2021 Cub Summer/Resident Camp
Check out what Summer 2021 weekends (Thursday evening to Sunday morning) will bring to the McNair Cub Adventure Camp. 
There will be different opportunities for your Cub Scouts. Camping by unit if you reserve in time, day sessions, 4-day adventures, star gazing opportunities with sleep under the star’s options. As always there will be BB gun Shooting, Archery and Fishing, but we heard you! It is HOT in July – we are moving some of the activities indoors! Registration will open soon!
Scouts BSA
Summer Camp
It’s time to start planning for this summer! Summer camp is held at Tsuru Scout Camp at Camp Strake, a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Program areas include shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, archery, sporting arrows), zip lines, climbing, rappelling, swimming, biking, merit badge classes and more. Registration has open. Merit Badge selection is now open. Come be part of this historic first summer. To learn more about Camp Strake and registration information, please click  here.
Summer Camp Staff
Summer camp staff is an experience that is truly unforgettable. It is a chance to spend summer working at a beautiful camp, the amazing state of the art Camp Strake. Every day is fully rewarding to staff members and to the campers in whose lives they have made a difference. Camp work is often demanding as we keep a packed schedule; but the opportunities, rewards and experiences available to camp staff are endless. If you or a youth that you know is interested in working on summer camp staff, please contact the Camping Director, Erick Simmons, at erick.simmons@scouting.org. 
Venturing
Summer Camp Staff
Summer camp staff is an experience that is truly unforgettable. It is a chance to spend summer working at a beautiful camp, the amazing state of the art Camp Strake. Every day is fully rewarding to staff members and to the campers in whose lives they have made a difference. Camp work is often demanding as we keep a packed schedule; but the opportunities, rewards and experiences available to camp staff are endless. If you or a youth that you know is interested in working on summer camp staff, please contact the Camping Director, Erick Simmons, at erick.simmons@scouting.org. 
SHAC Venturing
Venture Challenge Update: Unfortunately, due to the recent inclement weather, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Venture Challenge. The event will be rescheduled in the coming days, and updates will be posted on SHAC Venturing social media, as well as sent out in the E-Scouter as they come. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Other Important Dates:
March 20th - University of Scouting
April 20th - Spring Venture Forum
August 24th - Venture Banquet
Be sure to follow SHAC Venturing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or SHAC Venturing
Sea Scouts Fleet
Ahoy SHAC Sea Scouters,
Join us Summer 2021 at Philmont Training Center to envision the future of Sea Scouting, and the fellow Older Youth Programs of the BSA. This week-long training will include brainstorming and educational sessions open to anyone interested in the future of Venturing, Sea Scouting, and Exploring. More information on content and scheduling out soon!
Read about all Philmont 2021 Conferences here. To register, please click here.
Sea Scouting builds character through high adventure. Join for the water, stay for the fun
Resources, Events and Activities. Learn more by clicking here.
Scouting Opportunities
Houston Museum of Natural Science Scout Programs
Spring Break classes for Scouts BSA, Webelos and Cub Scouts at our HMNS Sugar Land location. Scouts start making plans for the summer! HMNS Summer programs catalog can be found here. For our Spring 2021 schedule, with both in-person and virtual classes, click here!  To get the latest information on what is going on with Scouts@HMNS, follow our Facebook page by clicking here.
Port of Houston Trees & Riparian Enhancement of Ecosystem Services
—March 2021 conservation project opportunities.
Port of Houston Trees & Riparian Enhancement of Ecosystem Services is a multi-year collaborative project by Houston Wilderness, Port Houston, Houston Health Department, Buffalo Bayou Partnership and RES focused on targeted large-scale tree planting through a comprehensive tree inventory and installation of 1 million native trees along Lower Buffalo Bayou, Lower Brays Bayou and 25 miles of the Houston Ship Channel, using native tree species research, GIS-based data collection and on-site inspections and tree plantings on properties along the ship channel. For more information, please click here.
Support Scouting
Amazon Smile
Activate AmazonSmile on Your Mobile Phone to Support Scouting. With a few simple steps, adding this no-cost feature can help support Scouting with every eligible purchase. To learn more, 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.
Order of the Arrow
Greetings from Colonneh Lodge! For the safety of our members, both future and current, the February Ordeal Weekend has been canceled. The next scheduled Ordeal date is April 9-10; the Lodge will be sending more information about existing registrations and future Ordeal opportunities soon. We encourage all current OA members to attend the Lodge Executive Meeting on March 28th, which is open to all members. Don't forget to check out what cool activities your Chapter is planning for next month!
Our next big lodge event for 2021 is Spring Fellowship on April 23-25 at Camp Strake. Our officers have already started the planning of this awesome event that will highlight, not only how great our lodge is, but, also, our new home, Camp Strake. For those who have had the opportunity to visit and those who have yet to experience Camp Strake, you will not want to miss this exciting event. As part of the nationally-driven Momentum Discovery for Arrowman, our event was chosen to help showcase what is going on within the OA across the country, with National OA officers attending and broadcasting from the event. So, save the date and plan on joining us at Spring Fellowship 2021.
For more news on Colonneh Lodge, see us on Facebook or at oa.shac.org
Please remember to pay your 2021 Colonneh Lodge Dues by visiting here.
Find out more at samhoustonbsa.org