May 2012 

Newsletter for Scouts, Supporters & Valued Volunteers   


eScouter 

SPOTLIGHT:  Scout Fair 2012

 

Council top sellers 2012
(right) Tall Timbers' Brandon Gibson, Council Top Seller, $11,760; Soaring Eagles' Nick Lane, Council 2nd Place, $8,360

Scout Fair 2012 "Discover Your World" Event was held on Saturday, April 14th and proved to be another record breaking year.

 

Over 550 units were in participation and Coupon Pack sales generated $1.4 Million dollars directly contributing to local Scouting Programs and units in 16 surrounding counties.

 

Scout Fair offers something for everyone...Scouts, siblings, adult leaders, families, friends & our community. Thank you for your involvement and commitment to Scouting.  Join us next year at Scout Fair 2013 on Saturday, April 13th.
Grotto's Chef, Ricky Cruz with Troop 878 in Iron Horse District
Grotto Chef Ricky Cruz with Troop 878, Iron Horse District

 

View leaders page for results: Elite Members (Cliff Hanger Winners), Mega Derby Results, REI Weekly Drawing Winners, Midway Nature Hike Drawing Winner, Coupon Pack Top Sellers and Booth Judging Award Winners. Please direct Scout Fair inquiries to scoutfair@shac.org

General News

Scout Story of the Month

We want to hear your stories and share how Scouting makes a difference. Let us know how you helped in service to others or to the environment. Tell us how Scouting has impacted your life. Eagle Scout projects, Hornaday and unit service project would be great stories to submit. Enter to win a drawing each month for $20 at the Scout Shop. We will call for your stories on Council's facebook this month. We will feature each winning story in the Escouter and on facebook. 

 

Planned Giving Seminar

 

 

Join us for a Complimentary PLANNED GIVING SEMINAR on Thursday, May 10 from 6pm - 8pm at the Bay Area Service Center of the United Way of Greater Houston (near Clear Lake) for information on building your estate plan and what it can mean to you. The speaker will be Andrew Lewis, well known and board certified estate planning attorney. Sandwiches will be provided. REGISTER ONLINE by May 8. Research a Planned Gift option that fits your needs with our new Gift Planning Website.

 

Scout Shop hosts Camp Day, May 19

Get Ready for Camp! The Houston Scout Shop will be holding a special event on Saturday, May 19 from 10 - 6. Check out the new brands and camping equipment options we now stock. Attend one of many workshops http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/welcome/scout_shop  Events to be held will include, but are not limited to: Backpack Fitting -How to select the perfect pack?, Getting ready for Summer camp (What to Bring to Camp), Hiking (What do I need to be prepared), Dutch Oven Cooking (sample some cobbler), Knot Tying (what's that knot used for?).  Enter the in-store drawing that will include 3 prizes: 1st Place-$100 Gift Card; 2nd Place-$75 Gift Card; and 3rd Place $50 Gift Card.

  

 

 

Scout Night with Houston Dynamo

Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas

 

Saturday, June 16 / 4:00 pm in the new BBVA Compass Stadium, 2200 Texas St.....Tickets $18 

 

 

All Scouts receive a Commemorative Patch with purchase. The first 150 scouts to purchase a ticket will have the option to hold the American Flag for the pre-game ceremony televised by ESPN. The following 200 scouts will have the option to be part of the Rally Tunnel, a human made tunnel to welcome the teams onto the field. contact Reyna Gonzalez with the Houston Dynamo Soccer Club at 713-276-7521 or regonzalez@houstondynamo.com 

 

 

 

Scout Day with Houston Astros

Sunday, July 29 vs Pittsburgh Pirates-1:05

 Tickets $9 - $24.

 

 

 

 

It's SCOUT DAY with the Astros. Games start at 1:05 p.m. RECEIVE A FREE 2012 SCOUT DAY PATCH with your group of 20 or more ticket purchase. Also save on service charges and handling fees when you order for a group of 20 or more, contact Brent Broussard at 713.259.8316

 

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Quick Links

The Children's Museum of Houston's Scout Overnights give Scouts the opportunity to explore the museum after hours, earn badges/belt loops/pins and sleep in our galleries. Activities related to badges/belt loops/pins will be offered while exploring the Galleries. Cub Scouts can meet requirements for the Math and Science loops and pins. Meet further requirements for Language & Culture, Art, Citizenship and Physical Fitness. www.cmhouston.org

 

Houston Museum of Natural Science...Any day this summer, June 2 through August 31: Bring your Pack or Troop in a group of 12 people or more to HMNS and get Permanent Exhibit Hall tickets for $7 per person. Visit the Box Office in your uniforms or troop shirts to receive your discount tickets. The first Saturday and Sunday of each month this summer is Scouts BIG Deal Family Weekend! Scouts and their family will get $7 tickets to the Main Exhibit Halls! Just come to the Box Office with a Scout in uniform or troop shirt on June 2-3, July 7-8, or August 4-5 www.hmns.org/bigyear 

 

 

The Sugarland Skeeters will be hosting the first annual Scout Night on Friday, August 24 at 7:05 pm against the Bridgeport Bluefish. The game will also feature a sleep-over which will take place immediatley following. The Scout Night Sleepover events are fun for the whole family (Cub Scouts ok). Game tickets $12; Sleepover is $20 per person (adult or scout) which includes a game day ticket, post-game movie and breakfast in the morning. All ticket holders receive a commemorative patch.

Contact: Taylor McFarland at 281.240.4487 or tmcfarland@sugarlandskeeters.com

 

 

 

RAM Home Safety Prep Show presented by Popular Mechanics is offering a discounted tickets to adult Scouters. Saturday, June 2, 2012. 10 to 5, Reliant Center. Adults $8/Kids Free. (Save $2 with "scouts" promo code; online only). Meet Mykel Hawke of Man, Woman, Wild and Colby Donaldson of Top Shot. Check out displays by survival gurus, first responders, weather pros, check out cool supplies and gear. Kids will enjoy the Popular Mechanics Kids Zone. Be one of the first 1,000 to attend and get a PopMech t-shirts ($11 value), the latest issue of Popular Mechanics ($4 value). Plus, free Duck Tape ($5 value), and $10 Home Depot gift cards courtesy of RAM Trucks. For tickets and more info: www.popularmechanicshomesafety.com

 

 

 

 Leader Updates

Silver Beaver Award Nominations DUE TODAY

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a Council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Help us recognize registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the Council. This is the highest recognition a Council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader. To nominate a person 

  

Powder Horn High Adventure Training

Powder Horn is a fun six day course designed to expose adult and older youth leaders of Venturing, Sea Scout, Boy Scout and Varsity units to resources and experts available to southeast Texas Scouting units and to provide hands-on experience with exciting activities for older youths. Powder Horn exposes participants to high adventure activities for older youth; provides an introduction to the resources available to successfully lead Crews, Ships, Teams and Troops through a program of high adventure; and helps leaders feel comfortable offering challenging outdoor activities, while balancing fun with safety, health and responsibility. May 4-6 and May 18-20, 2012 Registration and more

 

POPCORN - Coming soon to a Scout near you!

Increase your unit and council income - 70% stays local.

-Pay for your entire Scouting program.

-Scouts learn life lessons by "earning their own way."

-The Trail's End Award Program motivates Scouts.

-Incentives - The $600 Club, $1500 Sellers & College Scholarships.

-Sell Online - Online sales combined for prize incentives

-Sales materials provided at Council Popcorn Kick-offs scheduled for September.

For more on Popcorn and Important Dates  Please direct popcorn inquiries to popcorn@shac.org

 

 

Updates on Youth Protection Policy

Remember that the classroom version of YPT is required for everyone 18 years of age or older participating in a long-term camping experience in the state of Texas this year. The updated schedule of YPT trainings to be held throughout our council is on our website. Click here for training dates, times, and locations:
More  Please note: Local Tour Permits also require that one adult leader on any outing have completed Youth Protection Training within the past two years.

  

 

Council Coordinated, May 31 

Join us at the Cockrell Scout Center on May 31 at 7:00 for Council Coordinated meeting. District leaders are encouraged to attend classes covering the upcoming changes for 2012 as well as updates on events and opportunities happening within the Sam Houston Area Council. register here. Please also note there is webpage with info devoted to District Committee members. http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/leader_resources/district_operations

 

 

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. 

 

 

Trainer's EDGE Extreme, July 7-11

Our Second Annual Trainer's EDGE Extreme is a 5-day training camp for youth who aspire to be or are currently trainers, through total immersion in practice and evaluation, this course enables youth to build confidence as effective presenters and leaders to improve their units as well as give them skills for future endeavors. more information

 

 

 

 

 

 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Explorers

Raingutter Regatta, May 26

How do Sam Houston Area Sea Scouts plan to top the April Sail Daze event that saw ships and troops from three councils enjoying perfect weather in over 40 small and large vessels? The answer is they are hosting the world's largest raingutter regatta at the Cockrell Scout Center on May 26. There will be fabulous prizes, tasty concessions, and a photographer from the national office to capture all the fun. The event will be submitted to Guinness Book of World Records, so plan to make history and help celebrate the Sea Scout Centennial. Register today

 

 

 

Day Camp / Twilight Camp

Twenty-three Council Day Camps are offered in Districts across the Council.  Scouts entering the first thru fifth grade in the next school year may attend.  Participate in earning rank advancments, shooting BB-guns, archery, learning new skills, playing sports and games, making crafts...and new friends.  www.shac.org/daycamp

 

 

Destination Bovay...Cub Scout Resident Camp

Cub Scout Resident camp is a three-night "comfort" campout with pre-set campsites, modern showers/restrooms, fully prepared meals in air-conditioned dining hall. View Brochure For Scouts entering 2nd - 5th grade for the '12-'13 school year, they'll learn Scouting skills and rank advancements.  Choose from one of eight sessions in June and July. Sign up another unit and get a free Blue Bell Icecream party at camp.  Registration and more

 

NEW...Webelos Coyote Trail Extreme

At Coyote Trail Extreme (CTX), 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).  WOW has a shooting sports emphasis and WON has an orienteering emphasis. MORE  

 

  

We Want to See U at Cima

Have a blast at Cima last summer?  Senior Patrol Leaders and Scoutmasters who sign up again will receive a special edition belt buckle.  More info on Summer Camp  You can register here:  Cockrell River Camp   Walter Scout Camp at Horseshoe Bend    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 to include rock rappelling, ascending, a canopy zip line, horseback riding, wilderness survival, dug-out (mine shaft) overnighter, blacksmithing and more. Each week is limited to the first 75 participants. Both youth and adults may participate

 

El Rancho Cima Camp Staff

We are looking for your Best Scouts to be Summer Camp Staff Members. learn more 

 

Venturing Summit, Aug. 10-11

The Venturing Summit is the end-of-the-Summer activity for all Venturers, Sea Scouts and friends who are thinking about joining at Bovay Scout Ranch. There will be sailing, rowing, swimming, kickball, volleyball, baseball, tomahawk throwing, blackpowder rifle, geocaching, and more. www.shacventuring.org

 

S.H.A.C. Corps

Scouts Helping at Camp Corps is an opportunity for troops and crews to give back to camp in the form of a day of service. Bring your personal camp gear and we'll provide 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 in several camps more

 

National Jamboree 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF THE FIRST JAMBOREE AT THE NEW SUMMIT? Are you a Venturer or Boy Scout who will be First Class rank by 2013?  Whitewater, climbing, zip lines, mountain biking, and much, much more. (Not to mention all of the things you've grown to love about the jamboree: patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, Technology Quest) The Summit, in beautiful West Virginia...t's going to be big. It's going to be wild. JULY 15, 2013- JULY 24, 2013.   More on Jamboree 

 

 Order of the Arrow

Section Conclave at Texas A&M

Nine Lodges from south Texas get together for fellowship, competitions, shows and lots of fun while celebrating the traditions of the Order of the Arrow and spending the weekend at a local college. This year our host is Texas A&M on July 13-15. www.sr2-3s.org

 

Candidates Choose your Ordeal date

Please visit  http://www.colonneh.org/home

Support Scouting
 

Get in the GAME...Corporate Dodgeball Challenge

Sponsored by Anadarko Petroleum
Saturday, June 9th, 2012
Competitive Edge Sports
Spring, Texas

The 2nd Annual Corporate Dodgeball Challenge is just around the corner so prepare your team for fast-paced competition, team building and fun.Every $1250 team entry fee will help the Boy Scouts of America's Sam Houston Area Council continue in the 100-year tradition of shaping young men into the responsible, respectable leaders of tomorrow. Build your team and

SIGN UP ONLINE today! dodgeball@shac.org or call (713)756-3318

 

For the Graduate

Thinking about graduation gifts...please consider a lifetime membership in the James E. West Fellowship. The James E. West Fellowship is a recognition program for $1000 gifts made to endowment; but right now even a $500 gift can qualify due to The Cockrell Foundation Matching Gift Program which matches dollar for dollar all gifts to endowment of $500-$25,000. These gifts can be pledged and paid over several months as long as they are paid in full by December 15, 2012. Your honoree will receive a certificate, a knot for his uniform, and a lapel pin. More

 

Friends of Scouting

The Annual "Friends of Scouting" campaign may feel like it is almost over, but now it is the time to reach those prospects who we have not been able to reach yet. If all of last year's donors who have not given this year, renewed their gifts, the Council will meet the 2012 goal! The camp chair premiums are arriving soon. Please return the sample chairs distributed for your presentations so they may be used for donor requests.Next report meeting...May 15th at 6:30 pm. District, Community and Family FOS chairs, key leaders and volunteers should attend. please rvsp marisol.gonzalez@shac.org

 

 

Donate Your Car for Scouting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boy Scouts of America, Sam Houston Area Council