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January 2012 
Newsletter for Scouts, Supporters & Valued Volunteers | |
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SPOTLIGHT: Scout Fair 2012 |
 Discover Your World On Saturday, April 14th, 2012, Scouts from 16 counties will unite at Reliant Arena to showcase their Scouting skills and participate in fun-filled activities. Register for your booth and be a part this amazing event.
 Demonstrate the discoveries you've made in Scouting, sample great tasting food and learn some new things from our partners on the merit badge midway. View leaders page.
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General News |
Play Dodgeball!
 Sign up a team from your company to DODGE, DIP, DUCK, DIVE and DODGE your way to win braggin rights in this zaney and spirited team building competition slated for June 9. contact dodgeball@shac.org
Rockets Scout Night Jan. 14
Rockets vs Portland Trailblazers...7PM. Scout tickets from $16-$33 and include gift from the Rockets. cathyv@rocketball.com flier
Scouts...Harlem Globetrotters, Jan. 29
 Join us for Scout Day with the Harlem Globetrotters, January 29, 2012 @ 2 p.m. The first 200 Scouts to purchase tickets may attend a pregame Harlem Globetrotters Skills Camp, "Hoops and Health." Fulfill some requirements for Sports Advancement and learn Around the World, Magic Cirlce and Alley 'Oop tricks. Contact courtneya@rocketball.com or at 713-758-7577. Tickets $15 and up.
Monster Jam Scout Night, Feb. 4
 Come celebrate the 30th anniversary of Grave Digger as the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam returns to Reliant Stadium, February 4th at 7 p.m. Scout Night includes $10 tickets, a Monster Jam Scout Patch and a free pit pass per ticket. Contact Christina Benavides 281-367-9717
 Donate Your Car for Scouting Learn more here |
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Save the date...17th Annual Ten Commandments Hike, Sat. Feb. 18th. Three regular hikes (Southwest, North, Museum District) plus a new Downtown Hike. Tour various churches, learn about their teachings and earn advancement requirements.
The Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society will be holding its annual Gem Show February 25-26 at the Pasadena Convention Center. A Scout booth will be on site to learn about geology and work towards advancement. Other activities include a hands-on children's section, fossil identification, demonstrations, display cases and merchandise for sale. Admission is $5 for adults, free for Scouts in uniform. Show hours are Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Free parking!
The ExxonMobil Foundation offers a volunteer incentive program to help the Sam Houston Area Council for hours served individually or as part of an approved team project. Recent changes in this program allow districts to benefit - but each district needs to apply in order to participate. Read more or contact match@shac.org or (713) 756-3318
The official Sam Houston Area Council Facebook www.facebook.com/SHAC.BSA
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As we begin our second century of Scouting, we want to ensure that every Scout receives the very best program possible. Journey to Excellence (JTE) can help achieve this vision through benchmarks on advancement, retention, training and service.
Highlight: "The Camp Experience"
This is the January JtE Highlight. Each month, you should be reviewing progress toward your JtE goals for the end of your charter year. Now is the time to start thinking about your camping highlight of the year. For Cubs, this is Day Camp and Resident Camp. For Scouts, this is long term camp. For Varsity and Venturing, this is a superactivity. All of these require planning that should be started about now to have a successful camping season.
See goals associated with this element of JTE. Each month you can review your progress with reports We recommend you update your scoresheet monthly. We are showing the 2012 requirements, some packs rechartering in January and February will use the 2011 requirement to earn their awards
Long term activities such as Day Camp, Resident Camp, Long-term Camp and Superactivity tend to build strong team spirit. Other important outcomes are advancement, recognition, and growth toward independence. Challenging, age-appropriate activities are an important way we help young people grow. Long term camps, whether they are day camps or a long-cruise over the horizon help our young people mature.
None of these programs happen by magic. If you have not already made plans, you need to start your process now. Make your reservations. Start your fund-raising projects. Teach and practice the skills that are needed. Prepare the youth and the adults for the commitment that it requires (and it is a commitment!) Long-term camp experiences are usually the highlightsof a youth's experience in Scouting. Make sure your youth have that opportunity!
Please note....Next Year, for all units who recharter in December through February and on, there is a new Journey to Excellence scoresheet for the coming year.
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Leader Updates | |
Key Leader's Conference
Join us at the Cockrell Scout Center on January 21st at 8:30 for the 2012 Key Leaders' Conference (breakfast will be served from 7:00 to 8:30). There will be classes reviewing the upcoming changes for Leaders in 2012 as well as updates on events planned for Sam Houston Area Council. And last but not least, the 2011 Journey to Excellence recognitions will be awarded.
Scouting for Food
 Our Council's annual good turn begins Jan. 28 for doorhangers and Feb. 4 for food pick-up. Make plans now to be a part of Scouting for Food. Scouting for Food is your opportunity to help fight hunger in the Sam Houston Area Council. Join us along with the Souper Bowl of Caring, Houston Food Bank, and Papa Johns to help our local community. Look for more information at your District Roundtables. Click here for more information and to sign up your unit
University of Scouting, "A World of Adventure!"
Saturday, February 11th is the largest Scout training day of the year! A great opportunity to enhance your Scouting experience- Location is Aldine Senior High School, Online registation coming soon! Click here for more info
Popcorn Update
Please visit the popcorn page to find details regarding Aeros Experience Registration, Frequently Asked Questions and other pending items regarding the Poptober 2011 Popcorn Campaign.
Important Dates:
Aeros Redemption Extended Jan. 20, 2012; Houston Aeros Scout Night Feb. 4, 2012
Schedule Your 2012 FOS Presentation
 The Friends of Scouting (FOS) program is the annual fundraising campaign that supports Council-wide programs, camps, training and helps close gaps so that EVERY boy can join Scouting and none are left behind. Please choose your date for a FOS Family Presentation Our goal is 100% participation from all of our Scouting families. Pledges can be broken down into annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly installments. Contact your local District Executive for questions and arrangements.
District Operations
The Council has a new webpage devoted strictly to District Committee members. If you are a District level volunteer and need resources, this is the place to go
 Internet Advancement
Having trouble finding your online unit ID for advancement. We publish and regularly update the list of all pack, troop, crews, ships and team ID numbers here
Your Journey to Excellence
Journey to Excellence helps Districts to measure program quality on a month to month basis towards year-end GOLD qualification. More on JTE. If you are a District Level volunteer and have questions about the Journey to Excellence District form ONLY, please e-mail questions to Annette Matthews jtedistrict@gmail.com.
Rechartering
 If you recharter in January, be sure to call the Cub Scouts who may be considering dropping the program. Scouting should fit in with other commitments... you may be able to suggest another den or pack would be a better fit. For 5th grade Webelos, suggest a choose a troop that will meet their needs.
New Leader Training
There are several training opportunities available in the Sam Houston Area Council. Please consult the council training calendar for a session that best fits your schedule.
Wood Badge
 Wood Badge is BSA's ultimate leadership training for adults, where participants are immersed in a six-day course covering the theory, practice, and experience of appropriate skills for leading others within Scouting and beyond the BSA. If you haven't had the wonderful opportunity to take Wood Badge training, take a look at our newly added Spring schedule. You must complete basic training for your position and then get your applications in to the council office , Program Services Department. For more information
National Youth Leadership Training
 NYLT is an exciting, action-packed program designed to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. The NYLT course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what he/she must KNOW, and what he/she must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership. Online registration begins mid January. more information Summer 2012 course dates: 12-1 (A/B): June 3- June 9, 2012 at Camp Strake, Grand Lake Area 12-2 June 11 - June 17, 2012 at Camp Strake, Grand Lake Area.
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Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Explorers | NEW...Webelos Coyote Trail Extreme
Coyote Trail Extreme (CTX) Camp Program is a specialty adventure weekend camp program for Webelos. Webelos will work on Arrow of Light requirements while trekking across the Ranch to exciting Outpost program areas. With an introduction to the patrol method, Webelos gain insight into the importance of team work and an introduction to Boy Scouts. There are two different programs: WOW (Webelos Outdoor Warrior) and WON (Webelos Orienteering and Navigation). While both programs focus on Arrow of Light requirements, WOW has a shooting sports emphasis and WON has an orienteering emphasis.MORE
District Day Camp / Twilight Camp 2012
Save your district date for 2012 "Jungle Adventure" Day / Twilight Camp next summer. Scouts entering first thru fifth grade for the 2012-13 school year may attend. Scouts will make new friends and have fun earning rank advancements, shooting BBs and archery, learning new skills, playing sports, games and making crafts. Each camper will receive a t-shirt and patch.
Head to El Rancho Cima this Summer
Have a blast at Cima this year? Check out the new programs for older scouts including high adventure Rough Riders and Boots & Saddles. Senior Patrol Leaders and Scoutmasters who sign up by Feb. 28th receive a special edition belt buckle. Lasso two units who didn't come last year and you'll get a custom branding iron for your unit. Check to see if your summer request form was processed or sign up, call Tami Kinn at 713 756 3309. More info on Summer Camp You also register here: Cockrell River Camp Walter Scout Camp at Horseshoe Bend Rough RidersĀ
Eagle Scout Announcements
 Astronaut and Distinguished Eagle Scout, Mike Fossum will headline the Eagle Gathering on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at the Merrill Center in Katy, TX. A private alumni reception with Mike Fossum will begin at 5:30 pm. New Eagles will gather for a reception with mentoring opportunities at 5:30 pm. Free to all 2011 Eagles and those who complete their board of review by February 24, plus their Scoutmaster and two family members. Alumni registration New Eagle Scout registration
Deadline for application... Jan. 6 to earn recognition for your Eagle Scout Service Project (and a possible $2,500 cash prize). Submit your project for the Adams Eagle Scout Service Project Award. Apply here
Apply for Eagle Scout Scholarships for 2012 at www.nesa.org
Eagle Scout rank requirement 5 has been reworded. To support that change, a new Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook has been created. Starting Jan. 1, 2012, Eagle Scout candidates--unless they have already submitted a plan for approval by the council or district under the former requirement--will be expected to fulfill the revised service project requirement 5 using the new workbook.
Scouts Helping At Camps
Scouts Helping At Camps will be working at Bovay Scout Ranch on January 27-29, 2012, at Camp Strake on February 17-19, 2012 and at El Rancho Cima on March 23-25, May 18-20 and June 1-3, 2012. Click here to register now. You don't want to miss all the fun. Questions should be addressed to Tami Kinn at 713-756-3309 or by email to tami.kinn@shac.org
2013 National Jamboree: ARE YOU IN?
Jamboree is right around a corner, do not miss this opportunity!!! more here
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Order of the Arrow |
Colonneh Lodge banquet, Jan. 14
Arrowman will gather for a night of celebration at the annual Colonneh Lodge OA Banquet on January 14, 2012 at 6pm. Together we share our appreciation for the outgoing officers and welcome the new incoming lodge officers. The Lodge Banquet will be held at the Cockrell Service Center and is an opportunity to recognize the Chapter of the Year, new Vigil Honor Members, Colonneh Lodge Numbered Certificate recipients, Founders Award recipients and to celebrate the past year's accomplishments. It's also a time to look back at all of fun that was had over the past year and to spend time with your fellow Arrowman. For more information, visit www.colonneh.org
Leadership Development, Jan. 14
All Arrowman are invited to attend the Lodge Leadership Development, David Hinds Memorial Training, a dynamic annual leadership training event on January 14, 2012 from 8:30 am till 4:00 pm. Learn more about the OA and Colonneh Lodge and how to become a better leader. Youth and Adult training classes include leadership development, event planning, goal setting, and other tools needed to improve chapters. This important training is held at the Cockrell Service Center and is open to all Arrowman, but is required for all Lodge and Chapter Officers and Advisers. For more information, visit www.colonneh.org |
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 Boy Scouts of America, Sam Houston Area Council
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