Winter Camp
Winter camp is a wonderful opportunity for troops to camp and Scouts to earn merit badges. Merit badge classes are taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. Winter camp is held at Camp Strake, a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Over 60 merit badge classes are offered, including many merit badges that are not normally offered at summer camp. Registration is open and filling up fast. For more information and to register for winter camp click here.
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Spring of Service
Join units across our council for our first ever Spring of Service. Your unit already performs service; why not be recognized for it? Service is encouraged to chartered organizations, schools, parks and more. For more information please click here.
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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 created 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.
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Summer Camp 2022
Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Summer camp is held 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), climbing, rappelling, swimming, merit badge classes and more. Registration is open and space is filling up. For more information and to register for summer camp, click here.
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No Scout Fair or Coupon Book Sale in 2022
There will be no Scout Fair for 2022. Also, due to a lack of vendor participation surrounding the complications of Covid-19, the Coupon Book Sale for 2022 has been cancelled. We highly encourage units to participate in the 2022 popcorn sale as a way to offset the cost of Scouting. Our council leadership team is working diligently to make plans regarding Scout Fair and additional fundraising opportunities for 2023 and beyond.
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The NEW Internet Recharter System is Here!!!
As many of you have recently seen, the BSA National Organization has created a streamlined, more user friendly recharter interface which is integrated in the www.myscouting.org platform. This new system, called Internet Recharter 2.0 launched nation wide on October 15, 2021. The National Organization has created an FAQ, along with an Internet Recharter User Guide, to give you the opportunity to review the new platform, as well as to provide the necessary tools for your team to be prepared for this year’s recharter cycle. This year you DO NOT need an access code, so every unit should start rechartering now!!! If you have questions or comments, please reach out to your District Commissioner or District Executive for assistance!
To view a sample of the new system and how it works, check out this video.
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Citizenship in Society
On November 1, the Boy Scouts of America launched the Citizenship in Society merit badge, its newest merit badge for youth in the Scouts BSA program (ages 11-17). The Boy Scouts of America has a commitment – both to developing a culture where every youth, volunteer, and employee feels a sense of belonging, and to building communities where every person feels respected and valued. The Citizenship in Society merit badge is an important initiative within that larger commitment. All key facts and information about this merit badge can be found at www.scouting.org/dei.
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Council Recognition Reception
Please join us on January 8, 2022 as we recognize the 13 Silver Beaver recipients of the class of 2021.
Brian Boling
Jose Chapela
Doug Dailey
Alyssa Hightower
Jim Jolly
Troy Meinen
Junior Raimond
Melissa Spears
Gidget Swift
Merrie Thomas
Bruce Tough
Clay Williams
Ronny Zapata
For more information, please click here.
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Friends of Scouting
As we prepare for Scouting in 2022 your help will be needed, now more than ever, to bring financial support to the Sam Houston Area Council. 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 of Scouting. Your gifts are crucial to our success. Family Friends of Scouting dollars that are contributed to the Sam Houston Area Council are always used locally to continue offering our great program. For more information and to donate, please click here. A district volunteer will be contacting your unit to schedule our annual Friends of Scouting presentation for 2022. 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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Scouting has Relaunched!!!
Scouting has relaunched in Southeast Texas and thousands of new families are now enjoying this amazing program! Its not too late to join! Please make sure that every family in your community has the chance to join Scouting!
For recruitment resources, please click here.
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Eagle Scout Scholarship Opportunities
The National Eagle Scout Association is proud to offer scholarships that can help continue an Eagle Scout's educational adventure.
Applicants must be an active member of NESA in order to receive a scholarship. For more information and to join NESA, please click here.
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Peace Light Ceremony
Wednesday, December 15 - 7:00p.m.
Cockrell Scout Center
Please join the SHAC International Scouting Committee for this year’s Peace Light ceremony. The Peace Light is an eternal flame originating at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Similar to the Olympic flame, it is spread around the world with a message of peace and brotherhood. Join us to receive the flame as it reaches out Scouting family after completing its journey across the world and across the North American Continent. For more information about the International Peace Light click here.
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Wood Badge
Registration is now open for the March 2022 course.
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 and is comprised of two weekends of in-person training at camp and completion of a 5-part plan (aka ticket) over the following 18 months. For more information and to register, please click here.
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Scoutbook and other digital accounts
To prevent creating duplicates in Scoutbook, my.scouting or internet advancements and the hassle of removing duplicates:
- Make sure a person is registered correctly (or transferred correctly). None of the digital recordkeeping methods will work correctly if this step is skipped.
- Then, look for the Scout or leader in Scoutbook, Internet Advancement of My.Scouting.
- Make sure the same spelling and format is used each time a person registers. The system will create a duplicate if a middle name is used in place A but not in place B.
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Follow correct method to invite a parent (who is not registered) to join Scoutbook and connect with their child.
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Now hiring!
Part-time Onboarding Specialists
The Sam Houston Area Council is looking for staff members to assist the council in our initiative for new unit development. The part-time onboarding specialists will guide new Scouting units (Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing) through the steps of new unit organization. Through this process, they will assist new chartering organizations in the identification of new adult volunteers, assist these new adult volunteers with program planning, budgeting and scheduling. The specialist will also guide the new adult volunteers through district and BSA resources for training, and guide the new adult leaders through the start-up of the new unit's programming to ensure the program is launched and the new unit is chartered.
Candidates must have knowledge of the Scouting programs with an understanding of unit organization. Interested applicants should send their resumé to juan.hernandez@scouting.org.
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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.
SHAC Communication for COVID-19 Response- For more information, please click here.
For 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
2022 First Aid Trainings will open soon.
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.
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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. 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.
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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 during hurricane season.
Additionally, other resources such as the United Way's THRIVE workforce development offerings, financial coaching and education opportunities, financial products, and services can be accessed through 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE.
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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 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 Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch
Let’s Go Camping! The last campout December is 3-5, 2021. Sign up for the 2022 Spring Camping Season...Please reserve your attendance now for McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch by clicking here.
Weekend Unit Camping
Units that plan to schedule a Shooting Sports activity need to read the new Shooting Sport Manual. Crews can enjoy the amazing beauty of the Bovay Scout Ranch rolling hills, trails and vast open spaces. For more information click here.
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Winter Camp
Winter camp is a wonderful opportunity for troops to camp and Scouts to earn merit badges. Merit badge classes are taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. Winter camp is held at Camp Strake, a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Over 60 merit badge classes are offered, including many merit badges that are not normally offered at summer camp. Registration is open and filling up fast. For more information and to register for winter camp click here.
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Summer Camp 2022
Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Summer camp is held 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), climbing, rappelling, swimming, merit badge classes and more. Registration is open and space is filling up. For more information and to register for summer camp, click here.
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SHAC Venturing
Venturing is a youth development program for young men and women 14 years of age through 20 years old. Find a crew near you here.
The Venturing Officers' Association, or VOA, consists of a team of youth officers who are supported by advisors. It provides leadership opportunities that prepare young people for their respective futures and gives them a voice to help strengthen the Venturing program. Congratulations to the newly elected 2021-2022 VOA administration: Carrie Schoech, Emma Mills, Joshua Hightower, and Adrianna Walsh!
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Sea Scouts Fleet
Sea Scouting builds character through high adventure. Join for the water, stay for the fun
Resources, Events and Activities. Learn more by clicking here.
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Winter Camp
Winter camp is a wonderful opportunity for troops to camp and Scouts to earn merit badges. Merit badge classes are taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. Winter camp is held at Camp Strake, a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Over 60 merit badge classes are offered, including many merit badges that are not normally offered at summer camp. Registration is open and filling up fast. For more information and to register for winter camp click here.
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Summer Camp 2022
Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Summer camp is held 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), climbing, rappelling, swimming, merit badge classes and more. Registration is open and space is filling up. For more information and to register for summer camp, click here.
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Weather-Ready Nation Scout Virtual Event
January 9th, 2020
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) is offering a FREE online/virtual event to Scouts BSA in which scouts can earn their Weather Merit Badge, part of Emergency Preparedness, and a special "Weather-Ready Nation" patch. This online event will take place on January 9th between 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm Central Time. The program will teach participants about meteorology and give them an understanding of the weather phenomena that affects their local area and the knowledge to prepare for weather-related emergencies.
For more information about the event, to download the event workbook and for instructions on how to sign up, click here.
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Houston Museum of Natural Science Scout Programs
School year scout classes at HMNS. For more information on our in-person or virtual classes with trained experts and museum specimens, click here!
Making plans for the summer? Register for a Summer Scout class! Priority registration for museum members (Family level and above) begins on December 7, and registration is open to all on March 1. For more information click here!
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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.
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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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Remember to check out oa.shac.org for more information on how your unit can hold an OA election.
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