May 2011 

Newsletter for Scouts, Supporters & Valued Volunteers   


eScouter 

General News

2011 Distinguished Family...The Tellepsen Legacy

Over $1 million was raised for Scouting in honor of the Tellepsen Family legacy on April 14th at the Hilton Americas. photos, more

 

 Scout Fair 2011....We Treasured the Journey

 

On April 16th, the treasures of Scouting could be seen, heard and felt at Reliant Arena. see video Over $1.3 million was raised in Coupon Pack sales, exceeding the previous year by 45%. 

Congratulations to the Council Top Sellers for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place:

Brandon Gibson (Tall Timbers Pack 336) sold 1150 packs,  Wyatt Jeffreys (Tall Timbers Troop 413) sold 1055; and Foster Tomer (Orion Pack 469) with 650.  See complete list  of Top Sellers

 

While the food outdoors usually entices a big crowd, the interest inside was just as great due to over 70 partner booths on the midway and the all-new treasure hunt of 11 mystery booths. The Treasure Hunt Winner took home the REI Half Dome tent valued at $175.  Chefs from four Landry's-owned restaurants gave the heads up to Troops 224, 18, 533 and 557.  Check out the complete list  of unit booth winners.

  

Will & Bequest Seminar, May 3

Whether you are married, single, widowed, or divorced, you need a will.  Without a will, your estate will not be distributed to those family members and organizations that you care about. Join us for a FREE WILLS AND BEQUEST SEMINARon Tuesday, May 3 from 6pm - 8pm at the Cockrell Scout Center for information on the importance of a will and what it can mean to you. The speaker will be Michael Riddle, well known and board certified estate planning attorney. Light hors d'oeuvres will be provided.RSVP by May 1.  FAQs  

 

Houston Dynamo vs Chicago Fire, May 28

 

At 7:30... Robertson Stadium, Univ. of Houston     Game Ticket: $13 per person (Reg.$20) Special Offer: Receive a FREE Houston Dynamo soccer ball with your ticket  More info

 

 

Cockrell Matching Gifts Continue...

Help expand the scope of the Scouting programs in our community with a gift to the Sam Houston Area Council Endowment.  Your gift for 2011 will be matched starting at $500 through $25,000 thanks to The Cockrell Foundation. For more information, please contact Devin Koehler, Senior Development Director of Endowment and Capital.  Donation form 

 

Play Dodge ball, June 18

Whether you need to let off some steam, build teamwork, promote wellness or just have some fun - join the Sam Houston Area Council's Corporate Dodgeball Challenge. A single day of competition is scheduled for June 18 in The Woodlands at the Legends Sports Complex. Form a team and challenge others to do the same. 6 players with up to 4 alternates make up a team (must be 18 or over to play). 5 minute sets.  inquiries Dodgeball@shac.org

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Quick Links
Help place flags for Memorial Day at the Houston National Cemetary.  Volunteers will meet Sunday, May 29 at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive. ph 281 447 8686 x200  more
 
Astros Scout Night August 21, Sept 25..special price tickets $9-$24.  more

Save the date...Monday, Sept. 18 for the 35th annual John B. Turner Memorial Golf Tournament at The Kingwood Country Club in support of the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. More info
  

Meet requirements for the Scuba Merit Badge while you earn your SSI Open Water Certification.  Discounted rate for Scouts. www.wwdive.com

   

Landry's Restaurants Inc. can assist with advancement and fundraising. Cub Scouts can earn the Science Academic Pin & Belt with the Aquarium Scout Program. Gift Cards that can be redeemed at over 250 locations across the nation and can provide cash back to units who sell them. For more information, 713-386-8051.

 

Tour Plan- The new Tour Planning Worksheet replaces all tour permits. . more information


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Leader Updates

Friends of Scouting

Districts throughout the council are continuing to solicit donations from area businesses, foundations, scout families, alumni and first time individual supporters. Congratulations to the following districts that have reported 100% achievement of their district goals: Big Cypress, Lone Star, Exploring North, Orion. District Chairpersons, Finance Chairpersons, Key Finance Volunteers and professional staff... save the date on Thursday, June 23rd from 6 to 8 for the Friends of Scouting Victory Celebration.

 

Cub Scout Themes, May 7

Attention Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioners / Staff...we have a fun day of program planning to assist you in preparing for the 2011-12 program year. Highlights will be theme displays by each district and a model roundtable to put these program ideas into action. It all happens 8:30 am - 3:00 pm at Cockrell Scout Center (EARLY SETUP 4:00 PM Friday, May 6 2011)

Registration is FREE. RSVP to your Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner. For information

  

 

2011 Guide to Safe Scouting  

All volunteers participating in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting. Unit leaders should be aware of state and local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America policies and guidelines. Click here

 

 

 

 

Plan ahead for Fall recruiting

 Ensure a successful recruiting year with the following steps now: Plan your recruiting goal. Find the contacts for the schools you will be recruiting and get the logistics for flyers, Boy Talks, and Rally Nights. .  By laying the foundation today we insure a successful recruiting season.   

 

 

Nominations due June 1, Silver Beaver Awards

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest form of recognition that a local council can bestow on a volunteer. In 1931, B.S.A. President Mortimer L. Schiff recommended to the National Board that an award be devised for recognition of distinguished service to youth in the area of a local council and the concept of the Silver Beaver recognition was established.  more information

  

 

Commissioner Training

Save the date for Commissioner Basic Training courses to be held on May 21 (inner loop) or May 22 at the Kuester Lodge, Camp Strake. For May 21 training, contact Jean-Marie Le Canu at lecanujm@gmail.com May 22 training, contact Bill Berry at wmberry@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

Online Advancement starts May 1

Record awards, ranks, and merit badges to youth from any online location, including at home or at the office. You will be able to add new ranks and awards to your member records and to update existing ranks and awards.  FAQ's on internet advancement    How to get started

 

 

 

 

 

New Outdoor Ethics Program

The Outdoor Ethics Trainer course will prepare adult and youth leaders to teach the new BSA Outdoor Ethics Program. This course will be based upon the newly created materials from BSA Outdoor Ethics Program. more

 

 

 

Tracking Service Hours 

Enter hours at  www.scouting.org/awards/journeytoexcellence You can find the link to log your hours, find info for first-time uses, ideas/tips for a successful service project and more.

 

 

 

Wood Badge

Wood Badge courses run Thursday-Saturday and Friday-Sunday format this fall.  Still have space for the week-long summer course. Sleeping accomodations for the one-week summer course will be in be in the air-conditioned dorms of Camp Strake Conference Center. Register for 2011 courses  

Cub Scout Updates

Reservations:  Call Tami Kinn at 713 756 3309 or tami.kinn@shac.org

 

Day Camp / Twighlight Camp

Texas Our Texas is the theme for this year. It will help celebrate 175 years of Texas. Remember, after day camp is over, consider resident camp to continue your summer fun. video 

 

Summer Cub Resident Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch

Our new theme, Around the World in 80 Days. Scouts will be part of the Bovay Botanical Garden as they work on things like their World Conservation Award. Advancement at all levels is being planned and each Scout will receive their very own passport to be stamped as they complete each area. There are 2 Cub Sessions and 2 Webelos Sessions. cost is $125 per scout $75 per adult.  More info to reserve  New Brochure  

 

Weekend Family Camping

The new advancement program will greatly benefit scouts that sign up for Weekend Family Camp. Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and family members who come to Cub Adventure Camp will have their day filled with an exciting variety of activities. At least 3 to 4 program areas will be open each scheduled Weekend Family weekend. Cots are available to rent. Tents are also available for a slight fee and must be reserved at the time you make your reservations Hold a place

 

Pack Outing Weekends 

On designated weekends, a pack will allowed to camp at Bovay Scout Ranch with all program planned and meals cooked and carried out by their own pack. Campsites, restrooms and showers will available. This will allow the packs to have use of the facility, but without the cost of food, staff and program. Call 713 756 9123

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Scout / Venturing Updates

Sea Scout News

The National Sea Scout Support Committee announces the selection of Eva Olivia Hogan of Houston, Texas as the 2011-2012 National Sea Scout Boatswain. Her term of office is from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012. She is a member of Ship 502, Invincible of the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. She will serve on the National Youth Cabinet - the equal to the National Venturing President and the OA Chief.  more

 

 

Summer Camp 

El Rancho Cima summer camp is filling up fast, get your reservation in today. Scoutmasters and Senior Patrol Leaders receive a limited "Captured" belt buckle. For more information contact Tami Kinn at 713-756-3309   

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Rough Riders

Rough Riders is the NEW High Adventure experience for older Scouts at El Rancho Cima. Scouts will be surrounded by the beauty of the Texas Hill Country while participating in activities designed for older Scouts. Activities to include a unique real rock rappelling, ascending, a canopy zip line, horseback riding, wilderness survival, dug-out (mine shaft) overnighter, river rafting trip and more. Each week is limited to the first 75 participants. Both youth and adults may participate. For more info

 

Summer Camp Staff Positions

For the best summer ever, find out more about joining our camp staff. more

 

S.H.A.C. Corps 

This is a unique opportunity for your unit to see all of the new improvements at El Rancho Cima, and help support YOUR summer camp. We are working hard on 22 different improvement projects at El Rancho Cima to prepare for summer camp. Some of which include the addition of Zip Lines, a equestrian center, more updates to the kitchen, addition of campsites, updating shower facilities. help support your camp

 

 Trainer's Edge, June 11

Check-in at 8:00 am, Class begins at 8:30 am, LDS Kingwood Building, 4021 Deerbrook Dr., Kingwood, TX 77339 Click here to register:

 

 

Trainer's Edge Extreme, July 10-16

Attention Scouts ages 14-17 who have completed National Youth Leadership Training...add another notch to your training belt. Join the Trainer's Edge Extreme pilot program this summer at El Rancho Cima from July 10-16. This week-long training camp is for youth that aspire to be or are currently trainers. Through total immersion in continuous practice and evaluation, this course enables youth to build confidence as effective presenters and leaders who can take their instruction of NYLT courses, summer camps, units, etc. to the next level. Click here

 

 

 

 

 

Order of the Arrow

Ordeals

candidates to choose their Ordeal date.  Please visit the http://www.colonneh.org/home

 

SummitCorps, July 24-30

SummitCorps: The New River Experience is the newest service adventure offered by the Order of the Arrow. In conjunction with the National Parks Service, 500 Arrowmen from across the country will invade the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia the week of July 24-30, 2011to to build and restore the Garden Grand Hike and Bike Trail,  For more information

 

Indian Summer August 1-6

Indian Summer will be held at the Ridgecrest Conference Center, Asheville, N.C. the week of August 1 - 6, 2011 and will expand your understanding of the American Indian culture. Opportunities will be focused on learning to dance, making outfits and crafts, and singing. For OA ceremonialists, highlights will include acting skills and techniques workshops taught by real-world theater professionals. Plus, individuals as well as lodge teams can receive one-on-one coaching for any OA ceremonies part. The cost will be around $900 depending upon transportation costs. more...


Boy Scouts of America, Sam Houston Area Council