Boy Scouts of America, Sam Houston Area Council
eScouter Newsletter                                                                   July 2017
In This Issue
Leader's News
Program News
Community Scout Events
Support Scouting
Order of the Arrow
Districts of the Sam Houston Area Council

Aldine Pathfinder

Antares

Aquila

Arrowmoon

Big Cypress

Brahman

Brazos

Copperhead

David Crockett

Flaming Arrow

George Strake

Iron Horse

Mustang

North Star

Orion

Phoenix

Raven

San Jacinto

Skyline

Soaring Eagle

Tall Timbers

Tatanka

Texas Skies

Thunder Wolf

Twin Bayou

W.L. Davis

 

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Popcorn season is just a few months away. The Sam Houston Area Council is proud to be partnering with Trail's End Popcorn. When units sell popcorn, 73 cents of every dollar returns to Scouting in the Sam Houston Area Council. By selling popcorn, Scouts learn how to earn their own way and how to be effective communicators.

Register to sell popcorn here.

McNair Cub Summer Camp
McNair Cub Summer Camp is a three-night campout at Bovay Scout Ranch for Cub Scouts entering the first through fifth grade the following school year. From Cub Scout skills to rank advancements, these camps are full of fun and learning.Online Registration is NOW OPEN!!! All newly chartered Cub Scout Packs in the Sam Houston Area Council will receive 25% off your registration to attend the 2017 McNair Cub Summer Camp. For more information click  here or contact Geno Aguilar (713-756-3304)  [email protected] 

 Leader's News

Fall Recruitment
As we look forward to an exciting summer, we ask that you look within your unit for someone who is cheerful and exemplifies the face of Scouting who can be your Fall Recruiting Champion for your unit. Someone who can help "Launch the Adventure of Scouting" in the lives of future Scouts. We want to invite as many future Scouts as possible to join in the amazing fun of Cub Scouting. Look for your District's Fall Recruiting Training, where a representative from your unit will learn the 2017 recruitment plan and receive all of the exciting recruitment materials. Every new Cub Scout will receive a special 2017 "Launch Your Scouting Adventure" patch along with an Estes Rocket!

Every district will have a district wide Rocket Event, where Scouts from all over come to launch their rockets and have a BLAST!!!

We look forward to seeing someone from your unit at the training!

El Rancho Cima Decommissioning Ceremony
July 15th, 2017
For anyone who wants to see El Rancho Cima before it closes, there will be a camp staff alumni activity and decommissioning ceremony for El Rancho Cima on July 15, 2017.   Please click  here for more information and to register for the El Rancho Cima Decommissioning Celebration activity.

Camp Strake - Patsy & Stan Stanley Arena
Stan Stanley was a loving father and husband, businessman, community leader and a dedicated Scout volunteer.  His service to the Boy Scouts includes Scoutmaster of Troop 209, District Commissioner for the Mustang District, numerous council committee positions, Council Commissioner for the Sam Houston Area Council from 2007-2012, Co-Chair of the 2014 "A Century of Service Celebration", and Co-Chair of the site selection committee for the new Camp Strake.

Stan would have not been able to do what he did for Scouting and his community without the involvement and support of the love of his life, and his head cheerleader, Patsy Stanley. Patsy is a retired Texas school educator. She continues to be involved and supportive of Scouting. She is a very active volunteer with Stanley Elementary and St. Peters United Methodist Church. 

When Patsy and Stan met, Patsy was involved in outdoor education. On their first date Stan was asking Patsy about her job. She said "If you are familiar with the Boy Scouts of America, I use the Boy Scout manual as my curriculum guide". Stan replied that he indeed was familiar with Scouting and that he was an Eagle Scout and a Scoutmaster. The rest is history. Patsy believes that she and Stan were made for each other. 

In honor of the example of service that Patsy and Stan Stanley have provided, the Sam Houston Area Council has plans to raise $500,000 for the naming rights of the Council Arena at the new Camp Strake. The arena will be named the Patsy & Stan Stanley Arena.

Patsy and Stan Stanley Arena at Camp Strake
To help the Sam Houston Area Council with the goal of naming the Camp Strake Arena in honor of Patsy & Stan and to support the Leaders of Tomorrow Campaign please complete a Leaders of Tomorrow Pledge form and identify Patsy & Stan Stanley Arena on the Other / Additional Instructions line. This will also qualify your gift to be matched at 50% by the Mabee Foundation. For more information call Jim Rees at 713-756-3315 or visit here
 

University of Scouting - Save the Date
September 23, 2017
MacArthur High School in Aldine ISD
4400 Aldine Mail Rte Rd, Houston, TX 77039
Registration opens in August
University of Scouting has something for everyone, from Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing, Sea Scouts, Order of the Arrow, district and council leaders, and parents! University of Scouting is now a semi-annual training event that 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, regardless of whether you are new to the program or a veteran of many years! Click here for more information.
IMPORTANT!!! Cub leader training previously found at Cub Scout Pow Wow can now be found in the new and expanded, semi-annual University of Scouting which encompasses all unit programs.

Unit Finance
Do you want to know about how to open a checking account for unit? How state sales taxes work? While the topic of finance is not the most interesting topic to most people it is very vital to the operations of your Scouting unit. The Sam Houston Area Council has a great portion of its website dedicated to helping units work through unit finance topics. Please, click here to review page. Even if you are an "expert," to ensure that you are current on BSA policies as it relates to unit finance.

Wood Badge Adult Leadership Course
Wood Badge is a six-day advanced leadership course offered at Bovay Scout Ranch three times in 2017. This training course is for Scout Leaders involved in all program levels- Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Participants will learn techniques to become better leaders. Click here for more information.
S3-576-17-2 September 8-10 and October 6-8, 2017 (begins Friday at 7:30 am, ends Sunday at 5:00 pm)
S3-576-17-3 September 14-16 and October 12-14, 2017 (begins Thursday at 7:30 am, ends Saturday at 5:00 pm)

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 .  

Be A Scoutreach Volunteer
-Use your experience to help Scouting's neediest youth
-Help expand Scouting into new parts of Southeast Texas
-Volunteer according to your schedule and availability

Scoutreach is the Sam Houston Area Council's program to build scouting in traditionally under served communities. 7,000 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.
SHAC's new Scoutreach Volunteer program will fill this gap and ensure a high quality program is delivered to these Scouts. Volunteers are needed to help in ScoutReach Boy Scout Camping and Merit Badge Classes, and Cub Scout Day Experiences. Campout assistance is generally needed for day only classes, although leaders that can stay over night are needed from time to time.
Volunteers must be registered Scouters and have completed youth protection training. Please contact Lionel Jellins at  [email protected] t to volunteer to let us know your areas of interest and knowledge. Scoutreach will develop a calendar of events where volunteers are most needed and we will be happy to match you with an opportunity to serve.  Opportunities will include:
-Scoutreach Summer Camp - Teach Tenderfoot through 1st Class Skills. Conduct Boards of Review (over 200 Scouts) - July 19 through July 22.
-Spring and Fall Overnight Camping - Teach Tenderfoot through 1st Class Skills
-Spring and Fall Merit Badge Event - Conduct a One Day Merit Badge program
-Pinewood Build and Race Derby - Assist Scouts in building a Pinewood Derby Car, assist in conducting a ScoutReach Wide Pinewood Derby
-Training and Roundtable Events for Program Specialists - Help teach our Program Specialists the skills they need to implement a high quality program

Join the Eagle Scout Hunt!
The SHAC Eagle Scout Association is looking for all Eagle Scouts in our area - active or not. Please encourage any Eagle you know, particularly those not currently active in Scouting, to register at  www.iamaneagle.org  to receive more information as plans progress.

Scouts with Disabilities
Summer can present some different challenges for Scouts with disabilities. With changes in schedules and routines it is important for both parents and leaders to be prepared for camping experience. To help ensure that both parents and leaders are as prepared as possible the Sam Houston Area Council has a portion of its website dedicated to helping Scouts with Special Needs. Please visit here for FAQs, resources, other information to ensure that Scouting is accessible and enjoyable to all Scouts.
For specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Janet Kelly with the Disabilities Awareness Committee.

Youth Protection Training
Youth Protection Training every two years is a requirement for all leaders to be registered with the BSA. The classroom version (per Texas law) is required within the past 2 years for all adults participating in a long-term camping experience in the State of Texas. (This includes day camp scheduled over consecutive days, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camp, summer camp, and winter camp.) Adults must complete the test with a score of 70% or higher to be considered trained and will receive a training card. A copy of each test will be on file for two years. Classroom Facilitated Youth Protection Training will be available in districts leading up to summer camp and day camp. You may also check websites of neighboring districts and click here for more information.

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. 
Tour and Activity Plans have been discontinued, to review FAQs, please click here.   
Safety Moments are exactly what the name implies: opportunities to prepare for an activity, review safety measures, and report incidents correctly. Topics of this new series include incident reporting helps, safe use of medication in Scouting, the tour and activity plan, weather-related safety, winter activity, and winter sports. 
To learn more about Incident Reviews, click  here  (scroll down to the bottom of the page).  
For information regarding general health & safety questions, please click here.
For information about creating an emergency preparedness plan, click here.
For more information about Enterprise Risk Management, including First Aid/CPR/AED trainings, please click here. For Emergency Preparedness Resources, click here
For suggestions or comments please contact  [email protected]  or Mike Narvaez [email protected]
   Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Exploring
   

McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch
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 Boy Scout Troops and Venture Crews. McNair Cub Adventure Camp has 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). The Trading Post will be open on some Weekend Camping dates.

Please reserve your attendance now, by contacting Geno Aguilar at [email protected] for 2017 dates at McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch because many dates are getting full or are closed. 

McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch is an overnight, full program camp for all family members. Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos and their families will enjoy an exciting variety of activities at several program areas that is subject to change and food service in the camp's air conditioned dining hall (The kitchen offers a Vegetarian and Turkey patty substitute as requested during your registration). All the program activities are open every session during Cub Resident Camp. A staff member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities. Pack, Dens, and individual families may register. For more information click here.

Venturing
Click here to find all the Venturing news including, Venturing Forums, upcoming events calendars, and Crew Committee Challenge Training. 

Venturing Leadership Award nominations are due NOW. The nomination form is online and can be accessed here.

Venturing Banquet - August 12, 2017

Want to Know More?
Follow the SHAC VOA on Twitter @shacventuring
Instagram @shacventuring
Or FaceBook @ SHACVenturing

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.
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.

Scout Days, Scout Nights

Scout Days with the Houston Astros
Secure Your Spot Today!
Join us at Minute Maid Park on Sunday July 16, 2017 and Sunday August 20, 2017 for Scout Day with the Houston Astros. The event will include pregame parade with postgame run the bases.
Scout Days will be held Sunday, July 16 and Sunday, August 20 (First Pitch for both games will be 1:10 p.m.)
For more information or to purchase a group, contact Brent Broussard at 713-259-8316 or [email protected] 

Overnights at the Houston Zoo!
Are you ready for a WILD! overnight adventure?
At the Houston Zoo you can have a unique after-hours experience and work toward earning your Nova WILD! Award.
Program includes:
Pizza Dinner & Continental Breakfast
Guided Zoo tour after dark
Interactive activities
Behind-the-scenes Meet & Greet with one of our animals
Wild Winks patch
Register online or contact us for more details at [email protected]!

Scout Days at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science offers a variety of classes for Scouts. Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos can work towards Adventures in two-hour classes. Up to two classes can be taken in one day and entrance to the general exhibits is included. Classes are offered throughout the school year on Saturdays.
18 merit badges are available during the school year for Boy Scouts at HMNS, including five Eagle Scout required badges: Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, and Emergency Preparedness. 
All Scouts can spend the night at the museum during the Scout Overnight! Scouts can all have an exclusive adventure through the museum exhibit halls, with activities and a special program in the Burke Baker Planetarium, where Scouts have a clear night adventure under the stars!
For more information, contact [email protected], to register, please click here. For a full list of catalog of classes, please click here.

Summer Scout Program at The Health Museum
Now through August 19, 2017
1515 Hermann Drive - Houston, TX 77004
Have fun during the weeks & gain BRAND NEW merit badges requirements
For more information contact [email protected] or visit here.

Scout Day at The Harlem Globetrotters
Saturday, July 8 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm
NRG Arena
AND
Sunday, July 9 at 3:00pm
Berry Center

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the most electrifying athletes on the planet, will bring their spectacular show to a city near you during their 2017 World Tour. The famed team will feature a star-studded roster that includes Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm - plus female stars TNT Lister and Ace Jackson - the Globetrotters' one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. Every game will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction.

Special Scout Offer - SAVE up to $13 on tickets!

Includes Official Harlem Globetrotters Scout Patch!
PLUS Exclusive Pre-game Meet and Greet for the First 100 Scout Tickets Purchased!

Order Your Tickets Today:
For information or to order groups of ten or more, contact Christina at 281-367-9717 or email at [email protected].

Or purchase tickets online by clicking here for NRG Arena, or here for Berry Center. U se the password CBSCOUT under "Offer Code". Note that service and handling fees will apply for online purchases.  

Deadline to order tickets is Friday, June 30, 2017.

Scout Day at Typhoon Texas
July 20th
Typhoon Texas excited to announce the 2017 Scout Packages! 
Scout Day Prices (Scout Supreme) - $30.00
Includes: Admission, Hamburger Meal, Typhoon Texas Fun Patch, unlimited drink pass
Leaders can collect the Fun Patches for your Scouts in your group at our Groups & Will Call window. Leaders will need to have the exact number prepared for the amount of scouts who have purchased a ticket for the waterpark and our Front Gate Specialist will give them the allotted amount of patches. Leaders will be responsible for distributing these patches to their Scouts. Please email your groups representative to [email protected] with your Unit number and the number of Scouts getting the Fun Patch prior to your event. We will have a package prepared at Groups & Will Call ready to go! Please pick up patches the day your visit!
To purchase your tickets please, click here. Print off the temporary ticket from your purchase and bring it to the waterpark on your visit to redeem your wrist band and meal ticket for the day. This can all be done at our Groups & Will Call Window.

Bellaire Coin Club - Coin and Collectable Convention
At Arabia Shriners Convention Hall Dealer Application
August 5 & 6, 2017 SATURDAY 9 to 5 SUNDAY 9 to 3:30
Arabia Shriners Convention Hall
10510 Harwin Dr. Houston, Texas 77036
For more information and to register, please contact Richard Hyde at [email protected]

Scout Day with the Houston Dynamo
Saturday, September 30
7:30 p.m.
Join the Houston Dynamo as they take on the Minnesota United FC for Scout Day with the Houston Dynamo. Tickets are $25. The first 100 purchasers will recieve a Houston Dynamo Patch, post match movie at the stadium and participate in the Rally tunnel.
For more information, please contact Patrick Clark [email protected] (713) 276-7521
Support Scouting      
 

Golf Classic Tournament
September 27, 2017
Golf Club of Houston
Play where the pros play!
Join us for the 41st annual Sam Houston Area Council Golf Classic at Golf Club of Houston to support the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Golf Club of Houston, formerly known as Redstone Golf Club, has hosted the PGA TOUR's Shell Houston Open since 2003. Participants will play on the same course where the tournament is held.  For more information, please click here.

Save the Date
Celebrating Cultures
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Buffalo Soldiers Museum
3816 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77004
Plan to join us as we celebrating the contribution of the African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic-American cultures while celebrating the uniqueness of Southeast Texas and the Boy Scouts of America. 

Donate your vehicle
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
 

Ordeals
Boy Scouts who were elected into the Order of the Arrow (OA) by their troop must complete an Ordeal within one year, in order to become a member of Colonneh Lodge. If a candidate does not attend an Ordeal during 2017, then the candidate has to be re-elected by their unit. There are several Ordeal opportunities in 2017. A candidate can only complete his Ordeal in Colonneh Lodge. For more information, click here.

Pay Your Dues Online
Colonneh Lodge dues are renewed annually.  An active member in Colonneh Lodge is someone who is a currently registered Scout or Scouter in the Sam Houston Area Council with current dues paid. With active membership, you are entitled to attend all functions of the lodge appropriate for your honor level. It also entitles you to wear your OA flap. Technically, if you don't pay your dues, you are not a member, and the flap should be removed from your uniform.  For more information please click here

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 .