Scout Fair 2020
Scout Fair 2020 will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at NRG Arena. This year we are partnered with Topgolf to “Tee Up with Scouting”! The Sam Houston Area Council is excited to announce that Topgolf will be providing weekly drawing winners along with 220 Top Sellers with a special bonus prize. The 2020 Coupon Book is bigger and better with new partners. The $10 book is a great way for Scouts to fundraiser while learning to earn their own way. Scout Fair is an amazing event where Scouts from all over the council come together to unite in one place and show off their Scouting skills. Come out an enjoy the fair. As always, the event is free, parking costs per vehicle. Sign up to host a booth at the event
here
, or for information about selling coupon books click
here
.
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Family Friends of Scouting
As we begin 2020, 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 Boy Scout Councils in America. The Sam Houston Area Council will spend $250 per youth member in 2020 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. Family Friends of Scouting dollars that are contributed in the Sam Houston Area Council are always used locally within our Council to be able to continue offering our great program. 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 2020. 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
Saturday, May 9
Camp Strake Open House
Please plan to join us for an open house at Camp Strake on Saturday, May 9th. More details will follow. For more information about Camp Strake, please click
here
.
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STAY CONNECTED, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
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Super Troop
Is your troop not going to Camp Strake in 2020 but you want to go? Super Troop may to the answer for you!
Super Troop is a temporary troop made up of Scouts from around the council and is a fantastic opportunity for Scouts to attend an extra week of summer camp, attend camp individually if they can't attend with their unit, or for those Scouts who just like to camp. Super Troop is staffed each week by experienced volunteer Scouters. There will be two Super Troops in 2020; July 12-18, 2020 and July 19-25, 2020. For more information or to register please click
here
.
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Camp Staff
Camp staff is an experience that is truly unforgettable. It is a chance to spend your whole summer working at a beautiful camp while teaching kids and having fun. Every day is fully rewarding to you as a staff member and to the campers in whose lives you have made a difference. Camp work is often demanding as we keep a packed schedule running the campers we serve; but the opportunities, rewards and experiences available to you on camp staff are endless. Serving on camp staff is the best way to spend a summer. The next interview date will be Saturday, January 18 at the Cockrell Scout Center from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more information, please visit our Camp Staff page by clicking
here.
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Sam Houston Area Council First Aid Meet
February 8, 2020
8:00 a.m. - noon
Houston Fire Department Training Center
8030 Braniff St, Houston, TX 77061
The First Aid Meet is an event that challenges Scouts in troops to perform first aid in simulated real-life situations. Patrols compete in practical first aid problems, displaying hands-on skills from the Scout Handbook, First Aid Merit Badge pamphlet and current American Red Cross guidelines. Click
here
for more information.
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Baden Powell Fellowship Dinner
February 21
Scouters who have attended or staffed a Wood Badge course, or staffed National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) are invited to attend the Baden Powell Fellowship Dinner.
During the evening, attendees from the previous year share memories of their leadership training experience through slide shows, stories and regalia presentations. Scouters will be given an opportunity to contribute to the Leadership Training Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to Scouts and Scouters attending council leadership training courses.
Learn more and register, click
here
.
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University of Scouting
March 21, 2020
University of Scouting is a semi-annual training event for leaders of all program levels, district and council leaders and parents. It is an action-packed, fun-filled single day of supplemental training where participants choose from over 100 courses. Sessions are led by experienced volunteers who will help you enhance your ability to deliver a fun and exciting program to the Scouts. This unique day of seminars provides information, techniques, and best practices on how to improve your Scout program. Whether you are new to the program or a veteran of many years, the University of Scouting has something for you. Registration opens in early February. For more information, please click
here
.
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Wood Badge
March 13-15 and 28-29, 2020
Wood Badge is the Boy Scouts of America's ultimate leadership training designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of Scouters in all aspects of the BSA, whether unit, district, or council level – from assistant den leaders to Scoutmasters, from Cubmasters to Venturing Advisors, from committee members to commissioners. It is a fun, energetic and inspiring course guaranteed to infuse your unit with fun and meaning – all designed to fulfill the mission of the BSA, and ensure our youth is getting everything they are promised from the program. Click
here
for more information.
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Powder Horn 2020
Seeking New Adventures!
Powder Horn is an action-packed, hands-on, six-day course that helps Scouts and Scouters learn how to implement high adventure activities into their troop, crew or ship.
The course spans two, three-day weekends:
Learn more by clicking
here
– early-bird discount until March 1
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2020 District Day Camp / Twilight Camp
Put on your Spacesuits and get ready to elevate into the best week of the summer at a Day/Twilight Camp that's “2020 A Scout Odyssey.” Camps will be full of fun and excitement. Scouts entering 1st – 5th grade for the following school year may attend. Scouts will make new friends and share all kinds of new experiences such as earning shooting BB guns and archery, learning new skills, playing sports and games and making crafts. Each Scout will receive a T-shirt and patch. To register, please click
here
. Day Camp advancements supplements the exciting program offered at
Bovay Scout Ranch
Resident Camp.
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Nominations Now Open for Philmont 2020!
LIMITED TIME!
The Sam Houston Area Council is now accepting nominations for its Houston Philmont Crews treks for the summer of 2020. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young men that will be 14 or older by June 23, 2020.
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 Scouting 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 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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National Scout Jamboree
July 21-30, 2021
Live Scouting’s Adventure
Scouting’s flagship event is one-of-a-kind. Over the course of 10 summer days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America comes together for a gathering of approximately 40,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff that showcases everything that is great about the BSA and its members. The result is the national Scout jamboree. To keep up with the latest information, visit the
Summit website
.
Scouts and Scouters will explore all kinds of adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, Garden Ground hikes, adventure sports, patch trading, and more—in the heart of one of nature’s greatest playgrounds. With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.
The jamboree is the best of Scouting rolled into 10 days of fun, friends, and adventure. You won’t want to miss out on this incredible Scouting experience. For more information and to register, please click
here
.
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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. After each section of material, participants will answer questions about that section’s topic. This course must be completed by all registered leaders, and is highly recommended for parents and other adults working with youth.
To increase awareness of youth protection and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America has implementing several youth protection policies.
- Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required for all registered volunteers, at the time of registration.
- Youth Protection Training (YPT) must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection Training (YPT) record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
For more information, please click
here
.
For an update on National BSA's Consideration of Bankruptcy, 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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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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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 2020 First Aid Trainings:
- Adult & Child First Aid/CPR/AED Blended Learning: Cost per person: $40 - February 15, March 14, April 18, May 2, 2020
- Wilderness First Aid (WFA): Cost per person: $90* - Saturday / Saturday - May 16 & 30, 2020
Click
here
for registration information for these trainings
All Classes will be held at
Cockrell Scout Center, 2225 N Loop West, Houston, TX 77008
*Class fees include lunch
Click
here
for Safety moment topics.
Click
here
for a listing of resent Safety alerts.
Click
here
for Incident reporting information.
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Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Exploring
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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. For more information, please click
here
.
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McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch
Please reserve your attendance now for McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch by clicking
here
. 2020 Spring Adventure Camp dates are open.
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). 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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Venturing
This month is Venturing Challenge 2020! February, 21-23, 2020 at Bovay Scout Ranch in Navasota, TX. Want to have a blast with your Crew? How about enjoy some delicious food? This year we will have Crew vs. Crew competitions, Knife Throwing, Jousting, An Obstacle Course, and so much more! Join us at this amazing event! To learn more and to register, click
here
.
March 25, 2020 - Committee Meeting
April 14, 2020 - Venturing Form
August 8, 2020 - Venturing Banquet
Follow the SHAC VOA on Twitter @shacventuring
Instagram @shacventuring
Or FaceBook @ SHACVenturing
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Sea Scouts Fleet
The Sea Scout Fleet meeting, Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 7 p.m. at the Cockrell Scout Center.
Sea Scouting builds character through high adventure. Join for the water, stay for the fun
Resources, Events and Activities. Learn more by clicking
here.
For more Sea Scout reference information:
SHAC Facebook page: SHAC Sea Scouts: For up-to-the-minute details.
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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. 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.
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Scout Nights at Monster Jam
Saturday, February 8 at 7:00pm
Sunday, February 9 at 3:00pm
NRG Stadium
Exclusive Scout Offer
SAVE up to $5 on tickets plus FREE Monster Jam Scout Patch and FREE Pit Party PASS!
Scout ticket prices range from $44 to $11 based on seating location.
Monster Jam® is adrenaline-charged family entertainment providing jaw-dropping displays and gravity-defying feats that promise to always leave fans entertained. Monster Jam events feature some of the most recognizable tricks in the world including Grave Digger®, Max-D®, El Toro Loco® and many more. Our world-class drivers push these perfectly engineered Monster Jam trucks to their limits in Freestyle, 2-Wheel Skills and Racing competitions that will put families on the edge of their seats and leave them craving more of this unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable event!
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.
Purchase tickets by clicking
here. U
se the password BSMJ20 under “Offer Code”. Note that service and handling fees will apply for online purchases. For information or to order groups of ten or more, contact Christina at 281-367-9717 or email at
christina@texasgrouptickets.com
. After purchasing tickets online, call Christina to request patches.
Not available with any other offer. Deadline to order tickets is a week prior to each event date.
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Harlem Globetrotters
February 15, 2020 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
February 16, 2020 1:00 p.m.
Fertitta Center
All Scouts receive a Harlem Globetrotters patch!
Tickets start at $21.50 for all Scouts and their families.
To purchase your tickets click
here
.
Enter Promo Code: SCOUT
Deadline to purchase: 2/12/20
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Universal Technical Insititue
Scouts BSA Merit Badge Fair
Saturday, February 29th
Houston Campus
721 Lockhaven Drive Houston, TX 77073
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Register to earn requirement for the following Merit Badges: Electronics, Automotive, Welding, Truck Transportation, and Farm Mechanics
Sign up now, by clicking
here
. For answers to your questions and info, please follow the link.
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Scout Days at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Take a scout class at our HMNS Sugar Land location during Spring Break! Classes are from 9:30 to 2:30 on March 11th – 13th. Citizenship in the Community (11th), Citizenship in the Nation (12th), Communications (12th), Citizenship in the World (13th), Family Life (13th), Personal Management (13th) and First Aid and Environmental Science are two day classes on March 11th – 12th.
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, Wolves, and Tigers can earn merit badges or adventures while enjoying the environment of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Saturday scout classes for Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos can work towards Adventures in two-hour classes. Entrance to the general exhibits 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.
Like us on our Scouts@HMNS Facebook page
here
or visit
here
for more information.
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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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