September 2022 eScouter

Top Stories

Membership

Fall recruitment season is in full swing! During this exciting time of year, packs across the Council, state and nation welcome new families into the Scouting program to Launch Their Adventure in Scouting. With all the new tools and materials distributed at your district’s Fall Recruitment Training, your unit should be set to reach new scouts and their families and get them on board with Scouting! This year should be the best year to join Scouting since before the pandemic, so let’s make sure that we give every family the opportunity to join! Check out all the new 2022 materials here. Here you can download the 2022 recruiting materials and find even more resources for your pack, troop, team, crew or ship. Also, don’t forget to get your unit’s Sign Up Night information and Flyer order to your district executive as quickly as possible. Flyers can be ordered through the link here (click on the button and submit your order). If you need help, please don’t hesitate to contact your district’s Membership Team or District Executive. Good Luck & Happy Recruiting!!!

Trail's End Popcorn

Popcorn is off to a great start, and you can join in at any time! Some Scouts in your unit may need a fundraising opportunity that Popcorn offers them. Work with all of your Scouts to let them know they can sell popcorn either in person or online to help raise funds for their unit and earn Amazon e-gift cards! The Trail’s End app powered by Square allows Scouts to accept credit cards without your unit having to pay the Square fee. Scouts can sell door to door with traditional take order or forms Online Direct orders in the app to have Trail's End products shipped to your customers. Scouts don't have to collect money or deliver products. No hassle fundraising! Perfect your Sales Pitch with Alex

Safety Moment

As we begin a new year in scouting, this is a great time to make sure your Annual Health and Medical Records (AHMR) are up to date and current. Returning to a unit or joining a unit for the first time, all participants need to have a current AHMR on file. The Scouting adventure, camping trips, high-adventure excursions, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in making sure you have a great Scouting experience.

For more information on the AHMR please visit:

Click here to find information on Scouting in your area

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Leaders News

Annual Registration Fees

The Boy Scouts of America has worked to keep the membership fee as low as possible. As you know, costs continue to rise, and the annual fee must be increased to address the fiscal realities we face to deliver a safe and quality Scouting program. 

To ensure we have the resources to fulfill the promise of Scouting, the following national membership fee structure will take effect August 1, 2022: 

  • $75 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts participants
  • $45 for Exploring participants
  • $45 for all adult volunteers (includes cost of background check)
  • $100 for a unit charter/affiliation fee
  • $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts (not pro-rated)
  • $15 for Scout Life magazine; this is the first price increase since 2005 

The national membership fee helps cover the cost of essential services, including program resources, liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, criminal background checks, youth protection, and the development of intellectual property for national, council, and unit programs. As we move forward, we will continue to look at the membership fee structure and how we deliver the Scouting program for future generations. 

Register for Scouts BSA 2023 Summer Camp

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, boating (canoeing, kayaking, rowing, paddle boarding), swimming, ATV riding, ziplining, cycling, merit badge classes and more. Register by October 1, 2022, for an early bird discount here.

Colton M. received the BSA National Certificate of Merit

Colton M. recognized a potentially dangerous situation, a friend overdosing, and intervened to help save his life. The incident happened while the two were playing online games at separate residences. 

The friend looked and acted impaired on a video call and disconnected. After attempts to reconnect failed, Colton quickly involved his mother to have her contact the boy's father. The boy's father found his son in his bedroom breathing but otherwise unresponsive and quickly called 911. EMS took the boy to the hospital where his stomach was pumped.

The boy's father stated his son is lucky to have a friend like Colton. Colton's mother credits the BSA for its positive influence that guided her son's action. 

While we don't know the magnitude of the outcome if Colton had not acted, it is clear the situation necessitated urgent intervention. 

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is the Boy Scouts of America's ultimate leadership training designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of Scouters in all programs of the BSA. Over the course of two weekends, participants can expect to develop skills in many areas, including leadership theory, team building, problem-solving, communication, and project planning.  

Register for the Fall 2022 course (October 7 - October 9 and October 21 - October 23) by clicking here

Leave No Trace Trainer Course

September 16-18, 2022

The Leave No Trace Trainer Course is a 16-hour, overnight course for individuals, ages 14 and up who wish to guide units in developing a culture that effectively demonstrates responsible outdoor choices that reduce impacts of Scouting activities. Leave No Trace Trainersoutdoor ethics guides, and outdoor ethics advisors are the backbone of Scouting’s outdoor ethics program, providing instruction to individuals and units wishing to adopt cutting-edge outdoor ethics into their unit programs. For more information, please click here.

Outdoor Training Weekend

Through our council’s strategic planning process, our council program team is reviewing University of Scouting and determining how to best serve the needs of the modern Scouter. This fall, we will not be conducting a full University of Scouting program as previously known. We will, however, provide four national training courses – Trainer’s EDGE, Short Term Camp Administrator Training, BALOO, and IOLS – the weekend of November 12th, 2022 at Camp Strake. That weekend at Camp Strake will also host the College of Commissioner Science.

This fall we will still be offering additional BALOO and IOLS courses across the Council. Check the Council Training Schedule for one near you.

If there are any trainings that are uniquely needed, please do not hesitate to contact Joe Stewart (jstewart444@gmail.com) or Alicia Rodenberger (azr@entouchonline.net).

College of Commissioner Science

The College of Commissioner Science is an annual training event that provides a continuing education experience for commissioners in a college-based format. It helps commissioners stay current on unit service tools and techniques and best practices in serving assigned units and districts, to expand their skills, as well as refresh their commitment and energy for commissioner service. This year’s College of Commissioner Science will be held on Saturday, November 12th at Camp Strake with an optional overnight retreat on Friday, November 11th.

This ongoing training opportunity will benefit both new and experienced commissioners. Participants do not have to be a registered commissioner to attend. Any BSA adult leader that is interested in the numerous resources available in the Scouting movement is also invited to attend. Registration will open in September on the event’s website.

NYLT

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 and experience they can use in their home units and other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Courses are held in December and June. Learn more here.

Winter Camp 2022

Grab your top hats, oil your gears, and get on board for Winter Camp at Camp Strake! Registration is NOW open, so click here to claim your ticket to adventure!

Prevent Duplicate accounts (and prevent hassle for members in your unit)

Welcoming new families this fall-At-a-glance document for leaders.

To prevent the hassle of having to remove duplicates in Scoutbook, My.Scouting or Internet Advancement:

  1. Register or transfer all Scouts and adults correctly (do not create them from scratch within Scoutbook).
  2. Then, look for the Scout or leader in Scoutbook, Internet Advancement or My.Scouting.
  3. Make sure the same spelling and format is used in each listing of a person. Duplicates will be created, for example, if a middle name is used in place A but not in place B.
  4. Follow correct method to invite a parent (who is not registered) to join Scoutbook and connect with their child. 

For most answers to Scoutbook challenges look here. If you have a duplicate entry that needs to be removed from Scoutbook, contact 576volunteersupport@scouting.org 

Now hiring!
Part-time Onboarding Specialists, District Executives, and other positions
Candidates must have knowledge of the Scouting programs with an understanding of unit organization. For a complete list of openings, interested applicants please click here.

ToolBank

If you are in need of resources for an upcoming service project or event, reach out to the Houston ToolBank. The ToolBank is a nonprofit organization that shares more than 10,000 tools with community based organizations across Southeast Texas. Available tools range from wheelbarrows, shovels and ladders to PA systems, projectors, tables and chairs. And, all troops in the Sam Houston Area Council are eligible to borrow tools from the ToolBank. Check out www.houstontoolbank.org or email Nancy.clippard@toolbank.org to learn more.

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. 

Safety Moment: Annual Health and Medical Records

Plan and Prepare for Disasters

For 2022 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

Click here for safety moment topics

Click here for incident reporting information

For suggestions or comments, please contact Mike Narvaez coachmike19@gmail.com

National Scout Jamboree

July 19-28, 2023 | Bechtel Summit, West Virginia

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 contingent will head to the Summit for 10 days of activities ranging from shooting sports, mountain biking, zip-lining, rock climbing, white water rafting and more! The jamboree is open to youth who meet the participant qualifications, are physically fit, and agree to the jamboree code of conduct on a first come first served basis. All Scouts BSA youth must be currently registered in a troop and be a minimum of age 12. All Venturers must be currently registered in a Venturing crew and meet Venturing age requirements. Learn more and register here.

Cub Scouts
McNair Cub Adventure Camp - Bovay Scout Ranch
Adventure Camp is a weekend camp out for Cub Scouts and their families at Bovay Scout Ranch.
Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos Scouts and their families will enjoy an exciting variety of activities at several program areas. A camp staff team member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities.
Admission covers three meals in the air-conditioned dining hall. Activities include BB guns, archery, guided nature hike, fishing, nature studies, sports, and more.
Packs, dens and individual families may register here.
Scouts BSA
Scouts BSA logo.jpg

Merit Badge Days

October 8 and December 3, 2022

Cockrell Scout Center

Earn, Learn and Explore

The Sam Houston Area Council Advancement Committee is offering merit badge classes taught by career professionals. The classes are for any registered Scout in a troop, crew, or ship.

The merit badges are not give away merit badges, but are selected for Scouts to not only earn a merit badge but learn from career professionals so they can explore potential career opportunities. Scouts can sign up for the Health Care ProfessionsLaw or Surveying Merit Badge classes on October 8 & December 3, 2022. Learn more and register here.

Register for Scouts BSA 2023 Summer Camp

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, boating (canoeing, kayaking, rowing, paddle boarding), swimming, ATV riding, ziplining, cycling, merit badge classes and more. Register by October 1, 2022, for an early bird discount here.

Winter Camp 2022

Grab your top hats, oil your gears, and get on board for Winter Camp at Camp Strake! Registration is NOW open, so click here to claim your ticket to adventure!

Venturing & Sea Scouts

SHAC Venturing

Be sure to follow SHAC Venturing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or SHAC Venturing

Sea Scout Fair (Open House)

September 3, 2022 | 3:00 pm

Ahoy. The Scouts in the SHAC Sea Scout Fleet want to meet you at the inaugural Sea Scout Fair being held at the Cockrell Scout Center, Room 100 (2225 N. Loop W., Houston, TX 77008)

There is no cost to attend. Bring yourself and your curiosity, and learn about Sea Scouts -- one of the coed High Adventure wings of the BSA for youth ages 14-20.

Sailboats will be on display and Sea Scout ships from across greater Houston will be available to answer questions to see if you are interested in this group. Sea Scouts learn about how to apply skills such as knots, rowing, sailing, first aid, and cooking. And learn new skills, such as using a boatswain’s pipe, scuba diving, landing ships, repairing boats, and sailing on Galveston Bay. Learn more at sea-scouts.shac.org.

Scouting Opportunities

Scout Night with the Houston Dynamo

Saturday, September 10

Calling all Scouts and families! Houston Dynamo FC Scout Night will be on Saturday, September 10 as the Dynamo FC hosts Sporting Kansas City. Ticket packages start at $28.50 and include 1 ticket, 1 scout patch and 1 meal voucher (hot dog, chips and a soda). For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.

Scouts Day at Texas A&M University

Saturday, September 17

The 12th Man Foundation and Texas A&M Athletics would like to invite all Sam Houston Area Council Scouts, along with their friends and family members, to come and support the Aggies as they take on the Miami Hurricanes on September 17. All Scouts will receive an exclusive Texas A&M 2022 Football patch and all tickets will be discounted through this exclusive offer.


Tickets are $30 each and will be delivered digitally at a later date. Information regarding patch pick-up will be emailed at a later date as well. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click contact Jax at 979-260-7946.

Houston Museum of Natural Science Scout Programs

For more information on our in-person or virtual classes click here!

Save the date for STEM Nova day on October 8. The STEM Nova Overnight for Webelos and Cub Scouts is on October 7.  

2022 Sugar Land Space Cowboys Scout Night

Saturday, September 17

Constellation Field

Please make plans to attend Scout Night with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Come as a pack, troop, or a family - best of all, we'll be lighting up the sky Texas-style with post game movie! Your troop or pack can enjoy a fun-filled Space Cowboy game, a scout parade on the field before the game and a scout patch!

For more information, please click here.

To purchase more than 10 seats, please contact Tyler Tumbleson at 832-365-1425 or by email at ttumbleson@astros.com.

Scout Night at Monster Jam

Saturday, October 22 at 7:00pm

NRG Stadium

Exclusive Scout Offer

SAVE up to $6 on tickets plus FREE Monster Jam Scout Patch and FREE Pit Party PASS!

Order Your Tickets Today: For information or to order groups of ten or more, contact Christina at 281-367-9717 or email at christina@texasgrouptickets.com.  

For orders of 8 or less: please click here.

After purchasing tickets online, call Christina at 281-367-9717 or email at christina@texasgrouptickets.com to request patches and pit passes. Deadline to purchase is October 13.

University of Houston Scout Day

U of H Cougars Vs. South Florida Bulls

Saturday, October 29

UH Athletics is excited to provide a preferred group offer to the Boy Scouts of America Sam Houston Area Council. Join us as your Houston Cougars take on the South Florida Bulls on Saturday, October 29. Bring your family and friends for only $25.00 a seat! To purchase tickets, please click here.

For any questions or issues, please contact Branon Vaughan via email at bdvaugha@central.uh.edu or by phone at 713.743.3541.

Support Scouting

Estate Planning

Are you ready to plan your will or trust? We can help you to successfully plan your estate and avoid an accidental disinheritance. 

Did you know that your estate planning attorney can include provisions in your will that leave a lasting legacy in the form of charitable gifts to your favorite non-profits? It could be a gift of a specific asset, a dollar amount, or a percentage of your estate. You could also designate a charity as beneficiary of your retirement plan, life insurance policy, bank or investment account.

Please contact Travis Briner (travis.briner@scouting.org) if you would like additional information or let us know if you have already included the Boy Scouts of America in your estate plans. 

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

The Scouts are back in town! With NOAC concluded, we can proudly report that Colonneh was the largest lodge present at this national event, a feat which is certainly impressive. Not only did Colonneh manage to bring the most people to NOAC, but we were also the best at volleyball and competed admirably in many other sports. Outside of physical exercise, arrowmen also worked their brains by attending the myriad of classes offered throughout the week. We look forward to the coming months, which will see a service and induction weekend in September and the much-anticipated Fall Pow Wow in November

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