Silver Bulletin
Volume 5, Issue 6
January 2015
Texas Brigades -  Silver Bulletin

Info You Need to Know

 

Continue doing programs, recruit your friends,
& check out the 2015 schedule!

 

 Apply as a Cadet, Assistant Leader, or Special Agent  

(and recruit Cadets and Adult Leaders) 

 

Student Worker positions are available. 

In This Issue
Online monthly reporting
2015 Applications
Looking for Student Workers
Support Materials
Promo Materials
FOLLOW US!!!
 
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#texasbrigades

Camp Pictures
Click here to view pictures from past years.

2014 Campers

 

All Cadets - By Camp 

All Cadets - By County 

 

These two documents contain basic contact information for all 2014

Texas Brigades Cadets.

 

We hope you will not only contact your fellow

camp Cadets, but others from your area, and invite them along when doing programs!


IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!
 
      I have some important news to share with you. Effective January 1,2015 Kassi Scheffer went to work full-time for the Texas Wildlife Association and is no longer working for Texas Brigades as the  Program Coordinator. We are so appreciative of everything Kassi has done for the program since she came on board in 2008. She has been vital to the advancement of the Brigades' mission. On behalf of all the Brigade volunteers, and graduates, we say "Thank You!" We will miss having Kassi work side by side with us, but there is good news. Kassi will be joining the Bass Brigade Committee as a volunteer so she will still be involved with the Texas Brigades.



     I am very pleased to announce that Zelina Alvardo has been hired as the Texas Brigades Program Coordinator. Zelina has been a student worker for Brigades since 2011 and recently graduated from Texas A&M-San Antonio. She will be responsible for marketing Texas Brigades across the state, working with the W.I.L.D. class, managing the website and applications. mentoring cadets and assisting with camp preparation. Please join me in welcoming Zelina in her new position!


- Helen Holdsworth  

Get ready for 2015! 

2015 a
pplications are available NOW - Click here to apply!
 
2015 Applications and Book of Accomplishments deadline:
March 16, 2015
 
Look out for the Special Edition Silver Bulletin focused on your
Book of Accomplishments.

2015 Camp Dates 
June 13-17 - Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade
June 14-18 - South Texas Buckskin Brigade
June 26-30 - South Texas Bobwhite Brigade
July 7-11 - Bass Brigade
July 19-23 - North Texas Buckskin Brigade
July 14-18 - Ranch Brigade
July 19-20 - Waterfowl Brigade
Cadet Applications
Cadet Applications are due March 16, 2015.
  
There are two methods to apply: online (preferred) and by snail mail.
Clicking here will take you to the Applications page on our website.
  
REMINDER: Former Cadets (that have not graduated from high school) can apply as a Cadet to any "species" of camp they have not already attended. For example, if you attended North Texas Buckskin, you cannot attend South Texas Buckskin, but you are eligible to apply to Bobwhite, Bass, Waterfowl, or Ranch camps. Attendance at multiple camps in one summer is allowed as long as your positions at camp (Cadet, Asst Leader, Special Agent) are different.
  
Assistant Leaders & Special Agents
Books of Accomplishments are due March 16, 2015.
All Books must include a Submittal Form (found online).
  
Mail books to:
Texas Brigades
3660 Thousand Oaks Dr., Ste. 126
San Antonio, TX 78247
  
REMINDER:   The only way for a former Cadet to return to a previously attended camp is by submitting a Book of Accomplishments to return as an Assistant Leader (then Special Agent the following year).
Student Worker Positions Available 
Office/Camp Student Worker Job Description
  • Position duration: Immediately after school ends through August 7, 2015
  • Must be able to work in the San Antonio office
  • Assist with camp preparation
  • Attend camp and assist with camp operation
  • Assist with camp follow-up
  • 40 hrs/week when not at camp
  • Experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Publisher) preferred

Logistics and Coordination Specialist (LCS) and LCS Shadow Job Description

  • Position Duration: June 1 through July 25
  • Must be capable of driving truck with a trailer
  • Assist with camp preparation
  • Attend camp and assist with camp operation
  • Assit with camp follow-up

If interested, please submit your resume and cover letter to Helen, [email protected] by February 15, 2015.

website

Support Materials 

We try our hardest to equip you with everything you need to become conservation ambassadors.  Please utilize the materials and technology we have worked so hard on:
  • DVD - sent to you in the mail within 2 weeks after camp, includes all the pictures from camp, the PowerPoint, and additional resource materials your instructors thought would be beneficial for you to have.
  • Texas Brigades website - please visit www.texasbrigades.org, you'll find information about earning program points for your Book of Accomplishments, camp PowerPoints, and much more!

 

TIP OF THE MONTH
  Recruiting applicants is worth a lot of points. And it counts when you recruit adults too! Each qualified application that lists you as their source is worth 50 points (up to 300 points). Plus, you will earn an additional 150 points for each application that is accepted. So you could earn up to 1,200 points!!

Promotional Materials


E-mail us if you would like Texas Brigades brochures or posters! 

Educate, Recruit, Research

If you're questioning whether a program will earn you points, ask yourself if it meets one of the criteria listed below.   

 

Educate others about what you learned at camp; wildlife, leadership, conservation, habitat management, land stewardship, etc.

Program examples: manned or unmanned display, presentation, article, wildlife expos, ag fairs.  These are just a few examples of ways to educate!

 

Recruit others to participate in the Texas Brigades, both youth and adults.

Program examples: creating and displaying a new trifold, presentation, article, posting Brigades posters, radio interview. These are just a few examples of ways to recruit! 

 

Research Texas' wildlife, conservation and management methods, and methods to become a conservation ambassador.
Program examples: ranch management plan, food plots, species census surveys, plant collection. These are just a few examples of research programs! 

WE NEED YOU:

Former Asst Leaders/Future Special Agents

 

Becoming a Special Agent means not only doing programs but

coordinating programs for cadets as well. We could always use your help with upcoming events, but we REALLY need your help with the events below! You'll be representing the Texas Brigades, just as a staff or committee member would. Contact Helen for specific information.

 

                                         ON-GOING ACTIVITIES

 

For events in your area, visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website calendar section at

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/calendar/.

 

Find a Ducks Unlimited banquet in Texas at http://www.ducks.org/texas/events.

 

Find a Delta Waterfowl banquet in Texas at http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/events/.

 

Any cadet is invited to speak to the Big Country Master Naturalists (Abilene) who meet on

the third Thursday of each month - call Rodney Sturdivant (Rolling Plains Bobwhite and  

Waterfowl Brigade) at home, 325-625-2715.

 

Anyone live near Riesel

, Texas? If so, let Helen know. One of our School Leaders from  

 

Bass Brigade teaches at the high school in Riesel and has invited any Brigade cadet to  

speak to his classes.

 

                                                              Get on the radio!

There are several radio stations across the state which host outdoor radio shows.  

Call them (or email) and ask to be on to promote Brigades!

 

  •  Lone Star Outdoors Show (KHYI 95.3) www.lonestaroutdoorshow.com
  •  Rusty Baker Outdoors (KZNE 1150) [email protected]
  •  Texas Fishing & Outdoors Show (KRLD 1080) www.texasfishingandoutdoors.com;
    888-256-1080
  •  Big Billy Kinder (WBAP) [email protected]; 877-820-2256

 

      Thanks to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Ed Instructors for their support!!

 

Rodney Sturdivant (Rolling Plains Bobwhite & Waterfowl Brigade instructor) teaches

Hunter Ed classes several times a year. Contact him at 325-625-2715.

 

Kim Price (Covey Leader and mom of Brigade grad, Faye Price) is also a Hunter Ed

instructor from Iowa Park.

She'd love to have you speak at one of her classes since Faye  

 

has left for college! Contact her at [email protected].

 

TEXAS QUAIL YOUTH PAGE!

Find instructions on this webpage http://wildlife.tamu.edu/quail/northern-bobwhite- 

kids-reverse-quail-decline-initiative/) for conducting experiments with scent stations

and dummy nests. Share you results on Facebook. Contact Kristen Tyson at [email protected] if you have questions.

------------------------------------------

Texas Trophy Hunters Magazine

Publishes a Texas Brigade story in every issue. We are looking for stories about your

Brigade camp experience or about your experience on a Brigade hunt. Articles should be 500-1000 words and submitted to [email protected] by the following

deadlines:

  •  Jan. 29th
  •  Mar 29th
  •  May 29th
  •  July 29th  
  •  Sept. 29th
  •  Nov. 29th
                      

                                    UPCOMING EVENTS                                       

January 15-18

Dallas Safari Club Convention-Dallas. Texas Brigades will have a booth

at this world famous event. If you are willing and able, please send an

email to Helen at [email protected]. The sooner the better. Thanks!

January 24

HAC-GT 7th Annual Summer Camp Expo for the Gifted/Talented-

Klein. From 11:00am-2:00pm at Klein ISD Multipurpose Center, 7500 FM 2920.

Contact Helen at [email protected] for details.

January 25

Kids Gone Wild! at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo-Fort Worth.

We need help staffing a booth and helping other exhibitors with their

activities. Interested? Gate pass provided for cadet. Email Helen at [email protected].

February 7

SAGE: GT (Gifted/Talented) Summer Expo - Plano. Plano Senior  

High School, 2200 Independence Parkway , 10 a.m.-2 p.m . Contact Helen at [email protected]

February 12-

March 1

San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo-San Antonio. Booth space  

will be available during the entire show for you to set up your manned or unmanned tri-fold. So, if you are showing in San Antonio, you have no  

excuse! Contact Helen at [email protected] for details.

February 19-21

Pond Boss Conference, Dallas. We have the opportunity to have a  

booth at this event and a speaking opportunity. If you are interested,

please contact Steven Bardin (Bass Brigade Committee) at [email protected].

February 20-21

Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society-Corpus Christi. This is going to be

big. We are launching the Texas Brigade Network, a place to connect

with Brigade cadets, graduates, instructors, volunteers, families,  

supporters, and donors. You may help by staffing the Brigade booth and  

helping people sign-up to be connected! Exhibits are all day Friday the  

20th and 1/2 day on the 21st. Let Helen know if you are able to help ([email protected]).

 

 

March 16

Deadline to apply as a cadet, Assistant Leader or Adult Leader for

Texas Brigades. Online applications for cadets and Adult Leaders must  

be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Mailed applications and Books of Accomplishments must be postmarked by 3/16/15.

Texas Youth Hunting ProgramTYHP
They sponsor introductory, instructive youth hunts for deer, turkey, hogs, javelina, exotics, dove, small game, waterfowl, varmints and other species. Normally, they provide mentors, lodging and meals.
 
To participate as a Youth Hunter in the Texas Youth Hunting Program, you must. 
  • Be 9 to 17 years old.
  • Complete the Hunter Education Program.

  • Have a valid Texas hunting license and appropriate tags or stamps when required.

  • Be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Visit http://texasyouthhunting.com/ for more information!  

TBGA
Texas Big Game Awards
If you harvest a white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn or javelina this hunting season be sure to enter the Texas Big Game Awards.
 
Visit http://texasbiggameawards.org/ for more information!  
  Contact Info

Helen Holdsworth
Executive Director

855-TXBRIGS
(855-892-7447)
210-884-3712 - cell




Zelina Alvarado
Program Coordinator
[email protected]

830-538-8911 - cell