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February 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 activities. Register for your booth and be a part this amazing event.
Check out the video from last year's fun. View leaders page for more event info and Scout Fair Coupon Pack sales. Check back on Feb. 3 for online reservations to sell Coupon Packs at Kroger stores. Have you just finished your Pinewood Derby, but still need more racing? The SHAC Scout Fair MEGA-DERBY online registration opens on the Leader's page on March 1, 2012!! |
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General News |
Sea Scout Eva Hogan Reports to Nation
On Feb. 11, a delegation of nine young people from across the country will represent BSA in Washington, D.C., to present the annual Report to the Nation to top U.S. officials as designated in the BSA's charter. Eva from Ship 502 will highlight the organization's achievements in 2011. 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. more
Ten Commandment Hike, Feb. 18
Registration Map and more 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.
Rockets Scout Night March. 15
vs Charlotte
Bobcats...7PM. Scout tickets from $13-$28 and include gift from the Rockets. Pre-game Sports advancement on the court. Contact cathyv@rocketball.com
Wills & Trust Seminar, Mar. 29
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. The State can also decide who takes care of your young children when you are gone. Your bequest gift can also make a real difference for future generations at the Council and the other organizations that are important to you and your family. Join us for a FREE WILLS AND TRUSTS SEMINAR on Thursday, March 29 from 6pm - 8pm at the Cockrell Scout Center with speaker Michael Riddle, well known and board certified estate planning attorney. Sandwiches will be provided. Register FAQS
 Donate Your Car for Scouting Learn more here
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
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| Quick Links |
BayouLand Conservancy is hosting a New Year Tree Planting on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9am - noon at the Little Cypress Creek Preserve more
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!
Children's Museum of Houston is hosting a Cub Scout Overnight on Friday, Feb. 24. Build, create and explore through advancement activities while spending the night at the museum. Call 713 535 7238 or ldungus@cmhouston.org for details
Houston Museum of Natural Science has issued its Spring schedule of advancement classes for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. more
The 16th Annual Sporting Clays wil be held Thursday, April 26 at the Rio Brazos Hunting Preserve in Simonton, Texas, just west of Houston. For more information www.bsaclays.com or contact Erin Fagan at erin.fagan@shac.org
The official Sam Houston Area Council Facebook www.facebook.com/SHAC.BSA
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Leader Updates | |
 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
Aeros Popcorn Experience, Feb. 4
Please visit the popcorn page to find details regarding Aeros Experience Registration, Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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 February, 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 that 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. 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. 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.
First Aid Meet (Boy Scouts), Feb. 18
A First Aid Meet will take place at 9am at St. Lukes United Methodist Church. Register by Feb. 14. more info
Trash Bash, March 31
Each year, beginning in 2012, the Sam Houston Area Council will select a Council-wide service program to educate youth on local environmental issues, serve our community and increase awareness of Scouting's impact. Find a full listing of projects and sign-up info at trashbash.org More on conservation projects
SHAC Corps
SHAC Corps is an opportunity for troops and crews to give back to camp in the form of a day of service. The Order of the Arrow is leading this opportunity, but this service project is open to all Boy Scouts and Venturers. All you have to do is bring your personal camp gear. Camp is providing the food and a special Council Shoulder Patch that will only be available to those who provide service. You can attend more than one weekend to collect all five CSP's. Service projects will include creating new campsites and clearing new programs areas. Upcoming dates: Feb. 17-19, March 23-25, April 25-27, May 18-20, June 1-3 more
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 Riders
Eagle Scout Announcements
On February 29th, the Sam Houston Area Council will present the Outstanding Eagle Award to seven adult Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves in their life work and have shared their talents with their communities on a volunteer basis. The Seven Recipients: Scott Parazynski, Stewart W. Gagnon, Raymond T. Garcia, Lex Frieden, J. Steve Taylor, Eric Mullins and Dabney Kennedy.  Astronaut and Distinguished Eagle Scout, Mike Fossum will headline this Eagle Gathering at the Merrill Center in Katy, TX. A private alumni reception with Mike Fossum begins at 5:30 pm.
The Glen A. & Melinda Adams National Eagle Scout Project of the Year Award will be presented to Tyler Schlid from Troop 1477 in Waller,TX. The incoming Rev. William Lawson Class of Eagle Scouts will gather for a reception with mentoring opportunities at 5:30 pm.
Emcee for the event is Eagle Scout Michael Garfield of talk radio 950AM. Event free to all 2011 Eagles and those who complete their board of review by February 24, plus their Scoutmaster and two family members. A $30 charge for Alumni. Alumni registration New Eagle Scout registration
The Conservation Committee of the Sam Houston Area Council, in conjunction with the Montgomery County Nature Center at Spring Creek, will be conducting Nature training for three weekends starting Feb. 18th. This training is for all Venturers and Sea Scouts and will prepare the youth to complete the Ranger Conservation Requirment, Ranger Elective Requirements and the Venturing World Conservation Award. To register or more info leavitt10@yahoo.com Venturing, Sea Scout Nature Training Feb. 18
Sail Daze, April 8
Sea Scouts are celebrating their 100th birthday in 2012 with the upcoming event, Sail Daze for Sea Scouts, Venturers and Boy Scout youth ages 14 and up. Youth will be sailing a variety of small craft on Galveston Bay from Houston Yacht Club on April 8th. For more info, contact Bryan Talley at 713 419 3920. The first official centennial event in America was held in Sam Houston Area Council over the Martin Luther King weekend. Two hundred and fifty-four Sea Scout youth and adults gathered at Camp Mohawk in Alvin on Saturday to begin three days of intense rank advancement training, fun, and fellowship. Record-breaking attendance included eleven SHAC ships and 16 visiting ships from ten councils from across Texas and six other states.
 Go for the Silver...
The Sam Houston Area Council was one of five Councils to receive the Silver Medal William T Hornaday Award in 2011 thanks to Matthew Miller from Troop 584 at The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch in Katy. Matthew completed four Hornaday conservation projects for this award involving Crew 584 and Ship 24. He led a team to install over 900 educational storm drain markers for the Willow Fork Drainage District. Project 2 protected the Eastern Screech Owl with nesting boxes for the WG Jones State Forest in Conroe, Texas. Project 3 included planting cordgrass for the Galveston Bay Foundation to in Galveston Bay. The cordgrass helps restore lost marshland which helps to filter contaminated water, stabilize the shoreline by preventing soil erosion, and provides a habitat for wildlife. Project 4 removed invasive species plants along Buffalo Bayou in Terry Hershey Park in West Houston for the Bayou Preservation Association.
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Order of the Arrow |
Arrowman BASH, March 30 - Apr 1
Spring Fellowship is a weekend event at Camp Strake that allows Arrowman to recommit themselves to the principles of our order, brotherhood, cheerfulness and service. Saturday morning focuses on service to camp while Saturday afternoon and evening are filled with awesome food, exciting activities, and lots of fellowship opportunities (e.g., games, activities, competitions, PowWow). www.colonneh.org
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 Boy Scouts of America, Sam Houston Area Council
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