Scouting: It All Starts Here

We are excited to unveil the theme for the 2025 fall recruitment campaign: “Scouting: It All Starts Here.”

From adventure and creativity to community and teamwork—it all starts here! This fall, we are inviting families to discover how Scouting lays the foundation for a lifetime of fun, values, and unforgettable experiences.

SHAC Talk

We want you to #BePrepared for recruiting new members to your packs and troops, and want to give you all the tools you'll need for success!

Introducing SHAC Talk, a membership recruitment focused podcast. SHAC Talk aims to guide listeners on the best methods to success this recruitment season. SHAC Talk is now available on YouTube and Spotify!

Be The Spark

Have you ever considered the power of a single spark? How it can ignite a flame, bringing warmth, energy, and a sense of purpose? That's the core of our new campaign, "Be the Spark: Ignite a Future Leader," and we invite you to be that spark for the next generation. We believe that every individual has the potential to inspire and empower young people. Just as a spark can ignite a roaring flame, one dedicated leader can transform the lives of countless youth. 

Volunteers are needed throughout our area. Please sign up today!

Energy Drink Safety

The consumption of energy drinks by children may lead to serious medical consequences. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that “stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents.” According to the National Institutes of Health, a 24-ounce energy drink may contain as much caffeine as four or five cups of coffee.

Energy drinks contain stimulants such as caffeine and unregulated additives that may increase caffeine’s potency. Their use is discouraged by Scouting America.

For additional information on energy drinks, please follow the link below here.

Medal of Merit Awarded

Congratulations to Scout Rockford "Rocky" S. for being awarded the Medal of Merit!

Rocky's quick thinking and exceptional training as a lifeguard came into play when he rescued a fellow scout struggling in a kelp forest off the coast of Catalina Island, California. Rocky and an on-duty lifeguard heard calls for help and, without hesitation, jumped into action. The lifeguard, recognizing Rocky's superior strength and skill, handed him a rescue tube.

Rocky immediately swam roughly 30 feet to the distressed scout. His calm demeanor and reassuring words helped settle the scout before he pushed the rescue tube to him. Rocky then expertly towed the scout back to shore, where they were both assessed and confirmed to be safe and sound.

Rocky’s heroic actions and selfless character are a true testament to the Scout values. We are incredibly proud to celebrate his well-deserved honor. Congratulations, Rocky!

SHAC Scouts visit with Second Lady Usha Vance

Scouts from the Sam Houston Area Council had a special day at Johnson Space Center, where they were joined by Second Lady Usha Vance and NASA astronaut Suni Williams. The event, hosted by the Second Lady, was part of the Summer Reading Challenge!

During the event, the Scouts took part in various space-related activities and were treated to a reading of a space-themed book by Second Lady Vance.

Wood Badge - a few seats remain for the October 2025 course

Join us for the ultimate leadership training course, designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of all types of Scouters in all aspects of Scouting America. This fun and energetic course will help create better leaders, and draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles, and successful organizations throughout the country.

Wood Badge consists of five full days of group training held over two weekends, and time for participants to apply the skills they learned by completing a five-part plan.

For more information and to register, please click here.

October 10-12 and 25-26, 2025

Camp Strake

Angler Classic

Pack your fishing rods, grab your tackle boxes, and join us at Camp Strake for the Angler Classic! Compete and showcase your angling skills during our morning fishing competition! You’ll also have an opportunity to earn a merit badge in the afternoon. Campership opportunities are still available. Sign up here NOW! September 27, 2025

International Scouting Day

One day. One location. A world of Scouting experiences. 

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to connect with the global Scouting movement—right here in Houston!

JOTA-JOTI (Jamboree-on-the-Air and Internet) is the world’s largest digital Scout event, uniting millions of young people across the globe for a weekend of online fun, learning, and international friendship. And this year, you can be part of it—in person! For more information, please click here.

October 18, 2025

Scouting For Food-register your unit here!

Food banks need help from YOUR unit to fight hunger.

January 24, 2026-door hanger distribution

January 31, 2026-food collection

Let The Adventure Begin

Prepare for an Exciting Adventure at Let the Adventure Begin! Join us at Bovay Scout Ranch for an overnight camping experience designed specifically for brand-new Cub Scouts and their families! Epic activities include archery and wrist rockets, crafting your own fossil, unleashing your inner geologist, and casting a line to try your luck at fishing. To register, please click here.

October 4-5, 2025

Adventure Camp

Join us at Bovay Scout Ranch this fall for unforgettable outdoor fun at our Adventure Camps! Designed for Cub Scouts and their families, these weekend getaways are packed with exciting activities like archery, BB guns, crafts, nature hikes, and campfire programs. Whether you're a first-time camper or a returning Cub, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Come make memories, build skills, and experience the magic of Scouting in the great outdoors! Events are filling up fast. Register here.

Trail or Treat: October 10-12, 17-19, and 24-26, 2025

Space Explorer: November 14-16 and December 5-7, 2025

Arrow of Light Advancement Day

Hello to all new 5^th graders! We are excited to offer a camp specific to you at Arrow of Light Advancement Day! Come and participate in exciting advancement activities while discovering what Camp Strake has to offer! Exciting activities include Race Time with building your own Lego Pinewood Derby Car, Paddle Craft on the lake, and honing your First Aid skills. To register, please click here. 

November 7-9, 2025 at Camp Strake

Full Throttle

Relive the excitement of Camp Strake and join us for one of the fall Full Throttle weekends! Scouts spend a half-day participating in program areas such as shooting sports, climbing, and ziplining, and a half-day working on a merit badge. Individual Scouts can attend on Saturday; troops can camp for the weekend. Campership opportunities are still available. Sign up here NOW!

Beach Party! - September 12-14, 2025.

Zombie Preparedness Training! -October 3-5, 2025.

Tricks of the Trade! - December 5-7, 2025

9-1-1, What’s Your Emergency?  Career Merit Badge Day Classes

Merit badges will focus on safety, law, fire, first responder, and health care professions. Career Merit Badge Day classes are led by industry professionals, with many classes held at related facilities around town. Class sizes are kept small to enhance the Scout’s experience through hands-on participation so don’t miss your chance to register!

Visit this page for more information and to register.

October 4, 2025

December 13, 2025 (registration opens in November)

Mission Lone Star

Join us at Camp Strake and sign up for our transformational, action-packed High Adventure Program: Mission Lone Star

Take advantage of all the unique things Camp Strake has to offer and our council’s partnership with NASA.

• Soar through the air on a zipline.
• Conquer your fears on the high ropes course.
• Ride an ATV (ages 14+).
• Test your aim with cowboy action shooting, knife throwing, and tomahawk chucking.
• Scuba dive where astronauts train.
• Experience an exciting astronaut training simulation.

Must be 13 years or older to enroll. 

Camperships and Super Troop opportunities are available. 

For more information, please click here.

Mission Lone Star is available during the following camps:

Campsgiving November 22 - 25, 2025

Winter Camp December 26 -31, 2025

Summer Camp 2026

Campsgiving

Sign up now to be a part of the 1st ever Campsgiving at Camp Strake!!! Earn merit badges, explore a STEM trek and go on a trip to NASA, or enroll in our action packed High Adventure program. Campership and Super Troop opportunities are available. Click here to join the waitlist 

November 22-25, 2025

Winter Camp

It’s never too early to start thinking about Winter Camp. Join us at Camp Strake for another amazing opportunity to have some fun. Earn merit badges, enjoy our high adventure experience and NASA partnership, and participate in some fun themed evening programs! This year’s theme will be revealed SOON… Campership and Super Troop opportunities are available. Click here to register! 

December 26-31, 2025

NYLT

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an action-packed six-day council-level program that provides Scouts in troops, crews, and ships with leadership skills and experience they can use in their units and at other times. Held at Bovay Scout Ranch, courses are offered in June and December. For registration details visit here. 

Winter 2026 Course December 26-31, 2025

Summer Camp 2026

Join us at Camp Strake in 2026 for a week of high-energy fun, skill-building, and unforgettable memories! From swimming and shooting sports to climbing, merit badges, and evening campfires, Camp Strake offers Scouts an action-packed experience in the heart of the Texas pines. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the adventure. Click here to register and get those early bird specials for Summer Camp 2026! June 7-13, June 14-20, June 21-27, and July 5 -11, 2026

Minto Rendezvous Skills Competition

Minto Rendezvous is an annual event that brings together Sea Scout Shops from SHAC and the surrounding region. In this competition, a Ship’s teamwork, knowledge and skills are tested in events from navigation to blindfolded canoe races to first aid challenges (and more). The highlight of the weekend is the annual Flotsam Flotilla race of homemade vessels made from a variety of materials.  Registration opens in July 2025.  For more information please visit here.

September 19 - 21, 2025

Camp Strake

Scout Days

Scout Days are awesome opportunities to get your Scouts, friends, and family together for exciting experiences around the area with other Scouting families at discounted rates.

Vehicle Donations 

Scouting America partners with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) for turnkey vehicle donations. This third-party service will work directly with councils and donors to facilitate title transfers, vehicle pick-up and delivery in all 50 states.  

Now Hiring

We are continually searching for potential employees who would like to work in a profession that has a meaningful, rewarding purpose. Learn more about our job opportunities.

National Jamboree 2026-Contingent registration is Open!

The National Jamboree is Scouting’s flagship event. There’s no shortage of opportunities at the Bechtel Summit in West Virginia to build Scouting memories. Over 10 days, join 40,000 Scouts, leaders and staff, showcasing everything great about Scouting, stadium shows, pioneer villages, Garden Ground hikes, adventure sports, patch trading, and more. Registration is OPEN for our council contingent, visit this page.

July 20 - August 2, 2026

Join our local contingent leadership for a ZOOM information session in September. 

Choose either September 16, 17 or 18.