Grow Scouting! - SCOUT ME IN!!!
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 now! Put up signs around your neighborhood, post joining messages on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor) and put posters at the community center!
- Make sure to get your supplies and valuable training resources!
- Start identifying and recruiting Leaders through the summer who can help with all the new Dens this fall.
For recruitment resources, please click
here
.
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Popcorn
Popcorn is underway! If you are selling by Show-n-Sell, Take Order, or Online now is the time to be getting out and selling!! This year it is easier than ever for Scouts to sell. The NEW Trail’s End App is available for every Scout to download. The app works as a digital cash register keeping track of all purchase made both for Show-n-Sell and Take Order. Scouts are able to accept credit cards (FREE OF TRANSACTION FEES). Items are able to be marked as “undelivered” and be flagged to deliver to customers after the November popcorn pick up. Scouts are able to earn Amazon e-gift cards through their Trail’s End Popcorn sales. The e-gift card code will go straight to the Scouts Trail’s End account, and can be accessed through their app. For more information please click
here
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What do you call a bad popcorn joke?
Corny.
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STAY CONNECTED, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
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Camp Strake
Scouts BSA Summer Camp 2020 registration opens September 2nd – Hurry before all weeks are full!
Sam Houston Area Council units were given the first opportunity to register for the inaugural summer camp at the new Camp Strake. Due to the overwhelming response, the first five weeks filled-up and we have added two additional weeks of camp:
Week 6: July 12-18
Week 7: July 19-25
On September 2, 2019 at 8:00 a.m., registration will open for both in-council and out-of-council units.
A $30 per youth deposit is due at registration.
Register
here
before the last two weeks fill up.
Summer camp is a week-long overnight camp for Scouts BSA. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Summer camp will be held at Camp Strake located in Coldspring, TX, a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Activities will include shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, archery, sporting arrows), Wild Hex (aerial adventure tower), zip lines, climbing, rappelling, COPE, swimming, biking, merit badge classes and more.
To follow the progress of construction, visit
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. For more information, please visit our Camp Staff page by clicking
here.
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Fun with Family
October 12-13, 2019
The Super Heroes are back!
Fun with Family on is an overnight campout for newly registered Lions, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts and their adult partner and families at Bovay Scout Ranch (3450 County Rd 317, Navasota, TX 77868). Scouts can participate in BB guns, archery, sling shots, crafts, rockets, sports, campfire and more.
Registration is now open
and includes
an event patch, activity supplies, snacks and two meals.
To register for the Friday- Saturday session, please click
here
.
To register for the Saturday – Sunday session, please click
here
.
Fun with Family is run by volunteers. Volunteers help with check-in, run program areas (e.g., BB guns, archery, crafts, rockets), serve in the dining hall, assist with parking and staff the first aid area. Volunteer registration can be done by individuals or unit leaders. To register as a volunteer, please click
here
. For More Information Contact: Vincent B. Manning – 713-756-3380 or
vincent.manning@scouting.org
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University of Scouting
November 2, 2019 - Mickey Leland College Prep Academy
Join hundreds of your fellow Scouters for a day of training and fellowship. Course options include Scoutbook for Troops, basic leader training to unit budget planning to how to implement STEM NOVA programs for Packs, Troops and Crews. Registration opens soon. For more information, please click
here
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Council Recognition Reception
November 19, 2019
Held annually to honor the recipients of the Silver Beaver Award and Heroism Awards. Join your fellow Scouters in recognizing the recipients of the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a council can bestow on a volunteer Scouter. For more information and to see the list of Silver Beaver recipients, please click
here
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Winter Camp
December 26 - 31, 2019
Bovay Scout Ranch
Winter Camp 34 is coming to Bovay Scout Ranch the week of December 26-31st. This years theme will be Wild West!! Please make plans to attend and enjoy this fun week of Scouting. For more information please click
here
.
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National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
December 26 - 31, 2019
Bovay Scout Ranch
NYLT is an exciting, action-packed six-day council-level program designed to provide Scouts 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. For more information, please click
here
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Dan Ownby presented with Bronze Wolf Award
The Bronze Wolf Award is the highest honor the World Scouting movement can present to a Scouter. This year Dan Ownby was presented with this prestigious honor. You are invited to attend a special reception to honor Dan at the Sam Houston Area Council, Cockrell Scout Center on Wednesday, September 25 from 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. To learn more about the Bronze Wolf Award please click
here
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Recharter
Renewing Your Scouting Membership - Unit Recharters Due December 15th
Every December, all units (packs, troops, crews, posts) are required to renew their affiliation with Scouting. The Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America issues charters to community organizations to enable them to use the Scouting program under their own leadership as a service to their youth and families. “Rechartering” is the process of renewing the charter agreement between the BSA and the organization, and renewing the registration of youth and adult members.
Rechartering on time is critical for units to continue registration without interruption. With an expired charter a unit may not receive rank advancement and other awards for their Scouts, and may have a lapse in insurance coverage.
A representative of each unit completes the paperwork for renewing a charter online. Through the process, information on the chartered organization, youth members and adult leaders is updated as well as BSA National registration fees, Scout Life's subscriptions, and accidental insurance premiums are collected/paid. For many years the Sam Houston Area Council has been able to offer accidental insurance for $1 per participant per year despite the rising costs of accidental insurance. During the 2019-2020 rechartering process there will be a fee of $3 per participant per year for accidental insurance that will help mitigate the rising insurance costs.
If this is your first time to be involved with recharter, or if you need to brush up on how recharter is done, please click
here
to learn more. Or contact your District Executive or Unit Commissioner.
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Hornaday Awards
The William T. Hornaday Awards Are Too Rare. Nationally, the rate of Eagle Scouts is running at about 6 of every 100 registered Scouts. The rate of Hornaday Badges is about one per 10,000 registered Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts. While Hornaday Awards are rare BSA awards, the need for conservation projects is great in the Sam Houston Area Council and we are currently running better than the BSA average. Think of the Hornaday Awards as “Olympic medals bestowed by the Earth”. Information on Hornaday Awards can be found
here
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BSA BEST Study
Building Evidence in Scouting Together (BEST) study
The National Office of Boy Scouts of America, the Institute for Research on Youth Thriving and Evaluation at Montclair State University, and the American Institutes for Research are partnering to explore the Scouting experience in a first-of-its-kind national study. The Building Evidence in Scouting Together (BEST) study is being conducted between 2018 and 2020 and is generously funded by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
The research team seeks to understand how adult troop leader practices foster the development of Scouts.
We are asking Scouters at all levels to help encourage and promote study participation among selected troops. Selected Scoutmasters will be asked to help recruit and register Scouts and Assistant Scoutmasters in their troops to participate in the study.
If your troop is selected, you’ve either already heard from the researchers or will soon. Watch your email inbox for a message from YourVoice@BSABESTstudy.org.
For more information about the study, 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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Exploring Onboarding Specialist – Part Time
The council is looking for an energetic, driven, detail-oriented individual who enjoys making a difference, being part of a team, and takes pride in quality work.
Position Description: Reporting to the Exploring Field Director, this position is responsible assisting new Exploring unit development, recruiting Explorers, expanding promotions and participating in career-education promotional events.
For more information about this position, please click
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 2019 and 2020 First Aid Trainings:
- Adult & Child First Aid/CPR/AED Blended Learning: Cost per person: $40
- Wilderness First Aid (WFA): Cost per person: $90*
- First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Course: Cost per person: $85*
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 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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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 the 2019 Fall dates at McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch by clicking
here
.
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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Webelos Coyote Trail Extreme Camp
November 08-10, 2019
Registrations opens Tuesday, September 3rd.
Coyote Trail Extreme Camp is a specialty weekend campout for 4th and 5th grade Webelos. Scouts will work on Webelos skills (e.g., knots, flag etiquette, first aid, Navigation), and be introduced to the patrol method giving them a unique experience into the importance of team work and other skills they will need on their first Scouts BSA campout (e.g., Outdoors, Camping, lashings). Scout fees include four meals• (Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner and Sunday breakfast). Activity supplies, t-shirt, patch, and water bottle. Adult fees include meals only.
Cost: $115 for Webelos and $40 for adults.
For more information, please click
here
.
If you have any questions/inquires please feel free to contact: Geno Aguilar at (713) 756-3304.
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Venturing
Click
here
to find all the Venturing news including, Venturing Forums, upcoming events calendars, and Crew Committee Challenge Training.
Venturing Committee Meeting – September 10 & 25, 2019
Venturing Forum – October 15, 2019
Come meet the New Venturing Youth and Adult Leadership
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 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
2019 Sea Scouts Minto Rendezvous
September 6-8, 2019
Sea Scouts Minto Rendezvous is an annual regional event where Sea Scouts test their knowledge and skills. The competition includes over 20 events that rest a ship’s teamwork, training, and preparation. For more information, please click
here
.
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. 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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Houston Dynamo Scout Night 2019
Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 7:30 P.M.
BBVA Stadium
2200 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77003
Calling all Scouts! Houston Dynamo Scout Night will be on September 21st as the Dynamo host Orlando City SC. Tickets start at $19 and include a ticket to the match, a limited-edition Scout Night patch, Food AND Drink. Yes, it’s all included!
For more information, please click
here
.
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Six Flags Hurricane Harbor - Spring
Scouts Day
Saturday, September 14
Celebrate your Scout with a trip to the water park! Discount ticket packages are available for Scouts and their families.
All your hard work deserves a day of fun! Come celebrate with your scout a day of fun at the water park!
To purchase tickets, please click
here
.
Tickets are only 26.99 plus tax and includes a patch
For questions, please contact Catherine Sanchez 281-355-3300 ext. 116 or
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Scout Sleepover at the home of the Dallas Cowboys
October 4th, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.
The greatest Scout Sleepover yet is coming up in October! Don’t be the only Scout to miss out on a night to remember at the home The Dallas Cowboys!
Individual Admission - $60 Per person, Group Admission - $55 Per person (groups of 20 or more)
Ticket prices include Free Parking, Sleepover Admission, Giveaways, Field access, Games & Activities Scout Breakfast & Dinner, Popcorn with Movie, Scout Sleepover Patch.
Deadline is September 27th
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Scout Day
University of Houston vs Cincinnati
Saturday, October 12th
Tickets start at $15
Join the Coogs as they take on Cincinnati Saturday, October 12th. All Scouts and their families are invited to take part in some special activities before the game!
Included with each ticket:
- Game Ticket
- Pre-game walk around the field
- Pre-game Picture On the Field
- Group Recognition
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Scout Night at Monster Jam
Saturday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m.
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 $15 to $44 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.
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.
Or purchase tickets online by clicking
here
and use the password BSCOUT under “Offer Code”. Note that service and handling fees will apply for online purchases. After purchasing tickets online, call Christina at 281-367-9717 or email at
christina@texasgrouptickets.com
to request patches. Not available with any other offer. Deadline to order tickets is October 10.
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Texas A&M Scout Day
Saturday, October 26th
The 12th Man Foundation and Texas A&M Athletics would like to invite all Scouts, family, and friends to come and support the Aggies as they take on the Mississippi St. Bulldogs October 26th, 2019. All Scouts will receive an exclusive Texas A&M 2019 Football patch, the opportunity to take a post-game photo on the field, and all tickets will be discounted through this exclusive offer.
Tickets are $30 each and will be delivered digitally at a later date.
Click
here
for more information.
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University of Texas Scout Day
Saturday, November 9th
The University of Texas football program would like to invite all Scouts to watch the longhorns take on Kansas State on Saturday, November 9th.
All ticket purchasers will receive a new 2019 Texas Football Scout patch. Grades 5th and younger can get a pre-game basketball facility tour of the Erwin Center and Cooley Pavilion. After the conclusion of the tour, Scouts will be able to have an open gym at Cooley Pavilion. The first 100 scouts aged 7-12 will participate in Hook Ems Herd (running across the football field prior to kick off). The largest pack/troop in attendance will get an on-field post-game photo Tickets are $30 and $45. The pre-game tours will begin 4 hours prior to kick.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please click
here
.
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Scout Days at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, generously supported by Occidental
STEM Nova Day at HMNS on September 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Bear, Wolf, and Webelos STEM Nova Awards:
Science Everywhere and Tech Talk.
Scouts BSA STEM Nova Awards: Splash
!
and Whoosh!
Discounted prices for permanent exhibit halls and the Burke Baker Planetarium will be available at the STEM Nova check in desk. We’ll also have STEM Professional Booths available, so Scouts can visit with STEM professionals from a variety of industries.
Adventure classes will be offered from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to meet requirement 2 for the Nova.
Scouts BSA classes will be offered from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday Scout classes for Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos work towards Adventures in two-hour classes. Up to two classes can be taken in one day, and entrance to the permanent exhibits is included for the Scout and one parent/chaperone.
There are 17 Merit Badges available during the school year for Scouts BSA at HMNS, including six 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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