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eScouter Newsletter April 2016
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Scout Fair 2016 "Take Flight with Scouting"
On Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10 am - 3 pm. Scouts from 16 counties will unite at NRG Arena to showcase their Scouting skills and participate in fun-filled activities, sample great tasting food, and learn some new things from our partners at the Merit Badge Midway. "Take Flight with Scouting" by creating a unit booth to showcase your unit's skills, activities, and what makes your unit unique. Units can also register to serve at Scout Fair to receive the 10% bonus commission.
Find your District Turn-in locations here.
Sell Coupon Books in front of Kroger stores- Unlimited Appointments are now open.
Congratulations!
Our Weekly Drawing Winners have won a chance to fly at iFLY Indoor Skydiving by selling at least 15 Coupon Books in a week.
Week 3 - Cole Ahmed - Pack 552 - Mustang District
Week 4 - Brennan Collier - Troop 179 - Big Cypress District
Week 5 - Noah Wolpert - Pack 895 - Tall Timbers District
Week 6 - Joshua Bole - Troop 1514 - San Jacinto District
Week 7 - Daniel Nance - Pack 1659 - Iron Horse District
Scouts, do not forget to submit the weekly drawing form for every 15 Scout Fair Coupon Books sold. Scouts will earn the Super Salesman Patch and will be eligible for the weekly drawing. The drawings occur every Friday through April 8th. The iFLYvoucher will be distributed on April 16th at Scout Fair.
Lion Cubs Update
The Sam Houston Area Council is focused on providing the highest quality programs for youth in the Scouting program.
From time to time, National BSA offers councils the opportunity to participate in a Beta Test. In BSA Beta Test programs, there are a limited number of councils selected to test and help Scouting to learn from their mistakes and victories. The Sam Houston Area Council has participated in Beta Testing several pilot programs, including our current participation in the STEM Scouts pilot program. These programs require a large amount of resources for review and implementation; therefore, we have historically chosen to participate in those that present clear value and offer a strategic fit.
At this time, National BSA is offering an opportunity for councils to apply to be considered for Beta Test participation for a program under development called "Lion Cubs." This intended market for this program is kindergarten age youth.
The Sam Houston Area Council's volunteer and staff leadership reviewed the materials and determined that the council will not be making application for a Beta Test at this time. This decision was approved by the Executive Committee of the council. Because the council will not be serving in this Beta Test, Cub Scout Packs in the Sam Houston Area Council cannot implement the "Lion Cubs" program at the unit level and should continue to conduct the Cub Scout program as designed and published.
Our council will monitor the progress of the test councils piloting this Beta Test and watch their experiences. In the meantime, the Sam Houston Area Council will fully support our full-family of Scouting programs: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Sea Scouts, Exploring, and Learning for Life, as well as our current pilot program, STEM Scouts.
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Leader's News
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El Rancho Cima Summer Camp
Summer Camp 2016 is a whole new adventure! In addition to all of the same activities we enjoy year to year, we are happy to return to the river for aquatics, and we are proud to introduce a completely new dining experience. You won't want to miss Summer Camp at El Rancho Cima this year... Register now!  - Horseshoe Bend Summer Camp is held in the shadows of Sentinel Peak and Fortress Mountain. During summer camp, Horseshoe Bend is the hub of the western program. Activities include horseback riding, backpacking, climbing, swimming, shooting sports, boating, and much more.
- Rough Riders program has been designed for older Scouts (13+), coed Venture crew members and adult leaders for premier High Adventure Bases such as Philmont, Boundary Waters, and Florida Sea Base. The program is located at Walter Horseshoe Bend Summer Camp. The program is dedicated to challenging our participants while offering them a fun and safe environment to grow as Scouts and people by allowing them to work on their leadership and teamwork skills, all the while learning and exercising Outdoor Ethics and Leave No Trace. Activities include, but are not limited to: backpacking the Devil's backbone trails while pursuing the 50 Miler Award, C.O.P.E., zip lining, climbing tower, blacksmithing, tomahawk throwing, black powder shooting, canoeing, river swimming, Dutch oven cooking, geocaching, leather tooling, horseback riding, paint ball target shooting.
- Super Troop is an opportunity for Boy Scouts to attend an extra week of Boy Scout summer camp, or to attend camp individually if a Boy Scout can't attend camp with his unit. Limited spots are available.
Cub Scout Day/Twilight Camp 
Cub Scout Day/Twilight Camp is a council camp hosted by districts for Cub Scouts entering 1st-5th grade for the 2016-2017 school year. Scouts earn rank advancements, learn new skills, play sports and games, make crafts, but most of all have fun! Scouts can attend any district's camp that best suits their schedule. Saddle up for a wild, wild ride where friends are made, fun happens and a big "Howdy!" is the greeting of the day. For more information and to register, please click here.
McNair Cub Summer Camp
McNair Cub Summer Camp is a three-night campout at Bovay Scout Ranch for Cub Scouts entering the first through fifth grade the following school year. From Cub Scout skills to rank advancements, these camps are full of fun and learning. Online Registration is NOW OPEN! All newly chartered Cub Scout Pack in the Sam Houston Area Council who sign up will receive 25% off registration. For more information click here or contact Geno Aguilar (713-756-3304) geno.aguilar@shac.org
Friends of Scouting
The 2016 Friends of Scouting Campaign is underway! Annually we ask our current members and their families to help support Scouting through our Friends of Scouting campaign. Every family in the Sam Houston Area Council should have the opportunity to hear the message of Scouting. If your unit hasn't had its FOS presentation yet get in touch with your District Friends of Scouting Chair or District Executive to set up the short presentation. Don't forget to check with your employer to see if they match your gift. Together we are changing our communities for the better.
2017 National Jamboree 
Price has now been reduced to $1975 per participant.
JULY 16, 2017- JULY 28, 2017
The Summit in West Virginia...Live Scouting's Adventure.
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!!!
This will be the trip of a life time. Available to all Venturers and Boy Scout who will be First Class rank by 2017. All food, Jamboree gear, and travel are included. Activities include whitewater, climbing, zip lines, mountain biking, and patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, and Technology Quest.
For more information, please click here.
Recruitment
Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. That means campfires, tents, fishing and hiking are on the minds of all the Scouts in our units! As we prepare for a great summer program, let's not forget that there are lots of families that still have not had the benefit of joining Scouting. Spring is a great time to recruit those families and for your Cub Scout Packs to have a fun "Joining Event." For some great idea on what this event could look like, click here. And for all the Boy Scouts out there, don't forget to check out the great Troop Open House Planning Guides as well as the How to Video. Finally, now that recharter season is over and all charters have been checked by the Council and National Service Center, please make sure that everyone who is supposed to be on your Charter IS ACTUALLY on your Charter. Sometimes Scouts get dropped accidentally. Your District Executive or District Membership Chair can get you a list of Scouts that you dropped. Spring is a great time to see if those people would like to get their families involved with Scouting just in time for all of the summer fun!
National Youth Leader Training
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed program designed to provide youth members with leadership skills and experiences they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Registration for the summer course at Bovay Scout Ranch is now open. 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. For more information about NYLT click here.
Summer 2016 course dates:
16-1 & 16-2: June 5-10. 2016
16-3 & 16-4: June 12-17, 2016
Nominations for Silver Beaver Award - LAST CALL
The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a Council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are 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. For more information and to nominate a person for the Silver Beaver Award, click here. The deadline for submission is May 1, 2016.
Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude seeks to lift spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Military and First Responder communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for Americans to express their appreciation to all who serve our nation. Every year, Operation Gratitude sends over 200,000 individually addressed care packages to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed overseas, to their children left behind, and to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors and their Care Givers. Each package contains food, hygiene products, entertainment and handmade items, as well as personal letters of support. Through Collection Drives, Letter Writing Campaigns, Craft Projects and Care Package Assembly Events, Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to say "Thank You" through active, hands-on Volunteerism.
How to Help:
Between now and April 10 bring in any of the following items to any First Choice Emergency Room. Find your nearest location online at fcer.com. Items will be put into gift bags for the troops. Hand-written letters expressing gratitude for service and well wishes are also much appreciated.
Reporting Service Hours
It is important that each unit record their service hours on the myscouting.org service hours website.
Logging your service hours on the Journey to Excellence (JTE) website is one of the requirements of the JTE Award. It's also important for the Council to be able to accurately tell the larger community how many hours of Community Service our Scouts are giving back to help serve others!
2.For first time users, you must have your UNIT ID to record your service hours. Your UNIT ID can be found here, then enter your unit type, and your unit number (this must be a four digit number, for example Pack 131 would be entered 0131). Enter the additional information of your name, address, and email. After that, the program will ask you to create a personal User ID and password. From that point forward, you will be able to log-on without the UNIT ID; your User ID and password associated with that UNIT ID will log you on in the future to enter additional projects for your unit. If you have logged on to the JTE website before, enter your User ID and password as prompted. 3.After you have logged-on, a screen will appear with three options under which you will select to enter Community Service Projects. Click food collection option for your Scouting for Food project.
4.Fill in the information it asks for, including the date of the project, how many youth participated, how many adults participated, and total number of hours. You can include all participants in your calculations, Scouts, Scouters and non-Scouters!
5.Click "Submit Report" to log your hours! Print the certificate and present it at the March roundtable to receive your recognition patches for your participation!
New Eagle Scout Reception Sunday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. 
The Sam Houston Area Council will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Council's First Eagle Scout, Herman Palmer Melton, at the 2016 New Eagle Scout Reception on May 15 at the Crown Plaza Hotel. NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Frank Tsuru will be keynote speaker. All Eagles earning their award in 2015 and 2016 to date will be recognized during this special centennial event. There is no charge to attend but you do need to register online to prepare for you and your guests. Register now by clicking here.
2016 Eagle Alumni Gatherings
The Eagle Scout Association of the Sam Houston Area Council invites Eagle Scout Alumni of all ages, to an Eagle Meet-Up this month. Enjoy alumni camaraderie, network with other Eagle Scouts and learn what's going on with Scouting in your area.
Katy/Texas Skies Eagle Fellowship Wednesday, April 6 at 7:00 pm Alumni Meet-Up for Eagles in the Katy Area at Rudy's Bar-B-Q, I-10 and Mason Road. The only requirement to attend is that you are an Eagle Scout and interested in helping Scouting in your community. Katy Eagle Fellowship meets the first Wednesday, every other month. Next dates in June, August, October and December. Contact Ryan Missman here.
Near Town Eagle Meet-Up at Jax on Shepherd Thursday, April 28 at 5:30 pm
While it happens to be in Twin Bayou District, this central location Eagle Meet-Up attracts alumni citywide. Jax meet-ups are the fourth Thursday, every third month. Next dates are July and October. Stay in touch on Facebook or contact info@thegatheringofeagles-houston.org.
ESA-SHAC Outreach
Do you have a couple of hours to give? Join ESA-SHAC enrolling Eagles at our information table at either Scout Fair on April 16 or the New Eagle Scout Reception held on May 15
Shooting Sport Merit Badge Fulfillment Day
Do you have a partial Merit Badge in Archery, Rifle or Shotgun because you didn't qualify or did not clean a Firearm?
The SHAC Shooting Sports Committee will offer a Merit Badge Fulfillment Session to be held
Saturday - April 23, 2016 (8:00am - 12:00pm) at Tellepsen Scout Camp located at Bovay Scout Ranch in Navasota Texas.
This is Not a Merit Badge Class: But an opportunity to clear up your partial!
Adult Supervision is Required. Scouts MAY NOT be dropped off and left unsupervised.
For questions, contact SHAC Shooting Sports Committee Chairman
Trainer's EDGE
Saturday, May 14, 2016, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cost - $5.00
Trinity Lutheran Church
5201 Spring Cypress Rd.
Klein, TX 77379 This one-day course is designed to help Scout leaders be better trainers. Come learn the EDGE training model and gain self-confidence through hands-on training experiences. This course will give you the tools to present an effective and exciting training. Learn ideas and methods to improve your presentations. This course is open to any Scouter who delivers training to youth or adults: District and council trainers, Roundtable staff, Commissioner trainers, Pack trainers, Merit badge counselors - including summer and winter camp, Wood Badge and NYLT staff - youth & adults. For more information and to register, please click here.
Wood Badge Adult Leadership Course
Wood Badge is a premier adult leadership-training course for the Boy Scouts of America. Wood Badge was originally presented by the founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell, in 1919 as a means of strengthening the Scouting movement throughout the world. The Wood Badge of today teaches contemporary leadership and team development skills in the outdoor setting of Scouting. Aside from teaching new skills, the experience also strengthens Scouting in our units, our districts, and our council. This training course is for Scout Leaders involved in all program levels- Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Participants will learn techniques to become better leaders. Click here for more information. The next scheduled Wood Badge courses are:
S3-576-16-2 September 8-10 and October 13-15, 2016 (begins Thursday at 7:30 am, ends Saturday at 5:00 pm)
S3-576-16-3 September 16-18 and October 21-23, 2016 (begins Friday at 7:30 am, ends Sunday at 5:00 pm)
 Philmont Training Center
The Sam Houston Area Council would like to invite you to participate in one of the conferences offered at the Philmont Training Center in Cimarron, New Mexico, during the summer of 2016!
Each conference features the latest tools and techniques, audiovisuals, discussions, idea sharing, and activities led by a faculty of experienced Scouters. All registered Scouters are invited to attend training center courses; Council approval is no longer required. While Scouters are involved in a conference, their spouses and family members are able to enjoy a range of activities led by the Philmont Training Center staff. Philmont's unique blend of Scouting, history, family activities, and the magic of the northern New Mexico Mountains will make the conferences a memorable family experience. For more information, click here
Don't mess with Texas Trash-Off 2016
Saturday, April 9, 2016 To commemorate Don't mess with Texas� (DMWT) upcoming 30th anniversary, DMWT is emphasizing the importance of a clean-litter-free environment by hosting "Trash-off 2016" Any packs, troops or crews units interesting in participating are invited to visit here for more information.
Youth Protection Training
Youth Protection Training every two years is a requirement for all leaders to be registered with the BSA. The classroom version (per Texas law) is required within the past 2 years for all adults participating in a long-term camping experience in the State of Texas. (This includes day camp scheduled over consecutive days, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camp, summer camp, and winter camp.) Adults must complete the test with a score of 70% or higher to be considered trained and will receive a training card. A copy of each test will be on file for two years. Classroom Facilitated Youth Protection Training will be available in districts leading up to summer camp and day camp. You may also check websites of neighboring districts and click here for more information.
 Tour and Activity PlansDon't forget to turn in your tour plans for your unit's events. Sam Houston Area Council recommends a Tour and Activity Plan be submitted for all activities. Tour and Activity Plans are submitted online at MyScouting.org. For more information, click here.
Certification Required
If your unit is planning to host an event that requires certification (Shooting, Boating, Swimming, Climbing, etc.) you must provide certification information on your TOUR PLAN and present a copy of the certification to the Ranger / Campmaster before beginning the activity. For more information please click here.
Campmaster Program
Do you consider the "OUT" in ScOUTing to be an important part of the BSA program? Have you enjoyed weekend camping at any of the Sam Houston Area Council camps? Would you be willing to help others get the same enjoyable experience? Can you commit just two weekends per year to helping others? If so, then the new SHAC Campmaster Corps is the place for you!
Teams are now being formed for Camp Brosig, McNair Cub Adventure Camp and Tellepsen Scout Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. For more information click here.
Cub Scout Rangemaster Training
The BSA requires all Cub Scout shooting sports to be supervised by a BSA certified Rangemaster. This includes anyone planning to supervise a range at Cub Scout Day Camp: Archery, BB Guns, Wrist Rockets, Slingshots, Catapults, or Rockets. Training includes range safety, setting up a range, handling the equipment, how to use a bow stringer, BSA policies on Cub Scout Shooting Sports, how to properly maintain and store equipment and how to properly instruct Scouts on shooting.
BB Gun Rangemaster Training is by NRA certified/NCS SHAC Cub Scout Shooting Sports Instructor. Archery Rangemaster Training is by USAA Archery certified/NCS SHAC Cub Scout Shooting Sports Instructors. For more information and to register, click here.
Enterprise Risk Management
The purpose of the Enterprise Risk Management committee is to prepare adult leaders to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner.
For more information about Enterprise Risk Management, including Wilderness First Aid training, please click here. To read about new changes and updates, including campout & event checklist, click herePlease click here for information regarding new BSA medical forms.
For information regarding general health & safety questions, please click hereFor more information about Enterprise Risk Management, including First Aid/CPR/AED trainings, please click here.
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| Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Exploring | |
McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch
You are invited to explore and enjoy all the wonder and beauty of the east Texas rolling hills and lakes at McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. McNair Cub Adventure Camp has a variety of camping opportunities for everyone from Cub Scouts to Boy Scout Troops and Venture Crews. McNair Cub Adventure Camp has year round camping program opportunities for all levels of Cub Scouts including Weekend Adventure Camps and the new Webelos Coyote Trail Xtreme Adventure Camp. McNair Cub Adventure Camp has a great swimming pool and an air conditioned dining hall (closed on Weekend Camping dates). The Trading Post will be open on some Weekend Camping dates. Click here to see the BOVAY Video
Please reserve your attendance now for spring 2016 dates at McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch because many dates are now closed.
McNair Cub Adventure Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch is an overnight, full program camp for all family members. Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos and their families will enjoy an exciting variety of activities at several program areas that is subject to change and food service in the camp's air conditioned dining hall (The kitchen offers a Vegetarian and Turkey patty supplement as requested). All the program activities are open every session during Cub Resident Camp. A staff member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities. Pack, Dens, and individual families may register. Please join us for the only 2 dates still available to choose from May 13-15, 2016 or May 20-22, 2016! For more information click here.
Summer Camp Staff needed at McNair Cub Summer Camp
McNair Cub Summer Camp has a great working environment. Summer Camp Staff consists of working closely with youth and parents at different program areas we call outpost. The camp will furnish summer uniform, food, and lodging. Positions available include Aquatic Director, Shooting Sports Director, Camp Staff, and Kitchen Support/Cooks. The Aquatic Director and Shooting Sports Director will need to attend National Camp School (NCS) training. We will send you to NCS for certification. For more information contact Vincent B. Manning at 713-756-3380 vincent.manning@scouting.org or Geno Aguilar at 713-756-3304 or geno.aguilar@shac.orgWeekend Camp Staff needed at McNair Cub Adventure Camp
Weekend Camp Staff Jobs consist of working closely with youth and parents at different program areas we call outpost. The Camp will furnish T-Shirt, Uniform, food, and lodging. Positions available include Aquatic Director, Camp Staff (Male and Female), and Kitchen Support/Cooks. The Aquatic Director are National Camp School (NCS) training. We will send you to NCS to get certified. For more information contact Vincent B. Manning at 713-756-3380 vincent.manning@scouting.org or Geno Aguilar at 713-756-3304 or geno.aguilar@shac.org
Weekend Unit Camping
Troops, teams, crews, packs, or webelos dens can enjoy the amazing beauty of Bovay Scout Ranch rolling hills, trails and vast open spaces. Clean campsites, restrooms and showers are available; units may design their own program activities and provide their own meals. Units that plan to schedule Shooting Sports Activities need to read the new Shooting Sport Manual and complete a Tour Activity Plan. For more information, please click here.
 Tellepsen Scout CampGet ready for fall camping at our newest Scout camp! Tellepsen Scout Camp is located at Bovay Scout Ranch. Tellepsen Scout Camp has eight campsites that accommodate 48 individuals per site. Each campsite has a 30'x40' pavilion. One shower and restroom facility is available for every two campsites. It is the home of the council's largest rifle range and a 41-foot climbing tower. The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five stand shotgun range, 8 shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range. The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11 feet, 22 feet, 32 feet and 41 feet. Weekend Camping is available to troops, teams, ships and crews. For more information and registration, please click here.
Camp Brosig Weekend Camping
Camp Brosig is a 92 acre property located 6 miles north of Sealy, TX and is available to all registered units for weekend camping year round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room available for your use, it is the ideal place to hold your next event. Kitchen facilities are available for an additional fee. The camp was made possible through a bequest from Alva Brosig in 1981 and was dedicated on April 17, 1982. For more information and registration click here.
El Rancho Cima Weekend Programs
You can camp at El Ranchop Cima on the weekends. Take advantage of the cooler weather and visit a "different" El Rancho Cima. Take advantage of Hiking, the Shooting Ranges, Camping and on certain weekends, the Zip Line. For more information contact Tami Kinn at 713-756-3309 or click here.
Sea Scout Base - Galveston 
Looking for an on-the-water "High Adventure" experience at one of the nation's premier state-of-the-art facilities? Then look no further, than Sea Scout Base - Galveston (SSBG), located on the nation's third coast in Galveston, Texas!!!
2 great High Adventure experiences are lined up for the summer of 2015 that only require a crew of 6 participants 13 years of age or older, traditionally made up of 4 youth & 2 adults.
-The Galveston Nautical Adventure offers the perfect mix of small boat sailing, kayaking, big boat sailing and crew-to-crew competition.
-The SCUBA Certification Adventure offers the chance for a crew to pick up their PADI Open Water Certification, which serves as a great first step toward other diving experiences in the future for your unit!
Plus if you know any Cub Scouts/Webelos out there hoping to dive into some fun, The Cub Scout Splash Weekend offers a truly unique adventure for them as well!!!
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Scout Days, Scout Nights
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Schlitterbahn Spring Scout Day 
Saturday, April 2, 2016
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Join us for Scout Day at Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark. All Scouts receive an exclusive use of the Wasserfest tower attractions from 9:00am-10:00am before it opens to the public on this special day, with all-day park admission and a FREE 2016 Schlitterbahn Scout Day Patch. You must be a member of a Scout Group to participate.
Event Admission is $18.00 + tax per person, all ages. SAVE $9.99 off the full gate price of $27.99 + tax. for more information please click here.
Public Health Day 2016
Saturday, April 9, 2016
11 locations, click here for listing of locations 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Scouts are invited to join the Houston Health Department for the first annual Public Health Day for the opportunity to earn advancement requirements. Public Health Merit Badge Offered April 9, at 10 am, 11am, noon, and 1 pm at 11 locations in Houston (see link for locations) by the Houston Health Department Scientists. You don't want to miss this opportunity. You will complete all requirements except 5 and 8. Scouts can learn about the everyday services provided by the environmental health division of the Houston Health department. Exhibits will focus on environmental issues that affect public health in our region including air and water pollution. The event will feature opportunities to tour the Mobile Ambient Air Monitoring Lab (MAAML), view live invasive aquatic species, play environmental education games, visit the community garden, and take part in a tree give-a-way.
Sam Houston State University - Scouts@SAM 2016
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Sam Houston State University is hosting Scouts@SAM 2016. Scouts will be able to earn requirements for unique merit badges from university professors. Cost is $35 and includes lunch. For more information please click here.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
Saturday, April 30, 2016 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (all day and half day sessions are available). Check in begins at 7 a.m.
Location: Universal Technical Institute- Houston campus, 721 Lockhaven, Houston, TX 77073
Cost: $10
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) will host an opportunity for Boy Scouts to fulfill some requirements for several merit badges including Electronics, Automotive Maintenance, Welding, Truck Transportation and Farm Mechanics. This program includes hands-on classroom and lab activities under the supervision of merit badge counselors and UTI licensed automotive instructors. Lunch will be provided.
Stomp Out Stroke Festival
Saturday, April 30,2016
The UTHealth Stroke Team will be hosting the 4th Annual Stomp Out Stroke Festival on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Water Works- Buffalo Bayou Park. This is a family event, open to the public with free admission featuring stroke and healthy brain education, up to $1,000 in free health screenings, nutrition & fitness education, Q&A with physicians, nurses, pharmacists and therapists. A Kids Zone showcasing onsite educational activities, exhibits and programs that promote stroke awareness, brain education and health empowerment to children to inspire them to be owners of their own health and become health leaders of tomorrow.
This event would be beneficial and fun for packs, troops and crews The team at UTHealth can work to incorporate educational elements that could be applied for rank advancement.
Bayou Land Conservancy
Bayou Land Conservancy is now offering FREE workshop opportunities for Scouts to help you earn advancement requirements in a unique manner while having a hands-on experience outdoors. We would like to invite Scouts to come out and enjoy the prairie while providing stewardship! Please call or email Savannah Salazar at (281) 841-8582 ssalazar@bayouland.org in order to register.
Summer Scout Program at HMNS
The Summer Scout Program at the Houston Museum of Natural Science features week-long classes for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts! Every class will earn requirements toward advancement! See our complete schedule and register online with this interactive PDF. We look forward to seeing you this summer! For regular updates on what's going on with Scouts@HMNS, sign up for our newsletter by emailing scouts@hmns.org, and be sure to stop by and say hello at Scout Fair on April 16!
 Typhoon Texas Scout DayTyphoon Texasis a new water park opening in Katy in May of 2016 and will be hosting a Scout Day on July 20th. Scout Day specials start at $25 a person and include admission, meal, fun patch and private pick-nick area. For more information about Scout Day at Typhoon Texas, please contacttara.hlavinka@typhoontexas.com
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| Support Scouting |
Sporting Clays Tournament
The 20th annual Sporting Clays Tournament, sponsored by Schlumberger, will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Westside Sporting Grounds, in Katy. In addition to the Clay Shoot, participants have the opportunity to participate in a live and silent auction. We would like to recognize Texas Armament & Technologies/Aguila Ammunition for their generous support as our Ammunition Sponsor. They have donated all the ammunition for the event which represents a major savings for the event. Your participation in the tournament supports traditional Scouting, Learning for Life in-school programs, Exploring and outreach programs for disadvantaged youth. The event is open to the first 100 teams that register. Every member of the team that wins the early bird prize gets a new shotgun! For more information and to register, click here.
Corporate Dodgeball Challenge
The 6th Annual Corporate Dodgeball Challenge, sponsored by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016. At Competitive Edge Sports, as many as 60 ten-player teams will square off against each other, throwing, blocking, catching, running and dodging their way through the games as they vie for the Patches O'Houllihan Championship Cup. Teams consist of 10 players with six on the court with up to four alternates. The tournament is for players who are age 18 or over; there are no special co-ed requirements. Team uniforms are encouraged. The tournament is open to all businesses, clubs and civic groups, and is an exciting day of fun and fast-paced action, fun and team-building.
We would like to recognize our Title Sponsor Anadarko Petroleum Corp; our three Ball Sponsors - Schlumberger, Savage and Grant Thornton; and our other major sponsors. Without their support, this event would not be possible.
For more information and to register, please click here.
It's a Match Gift!
Many corporations match employee contributions made to the Boy Scouts - these gifts are known as "Matching Gifts." Additionally, some companies will make contributions on behalf of volunteer time given to Scouting. Click here for more information. Please contact Victoria Ochiche at Victoria.Ochiche@scouting.org at 713-756-3314 for additional support.
Do You Work With ExxonMobil?
ExxonMobil Foundation allows districts and sub-districts in the Council to establish accounts. If you are employed by Exxon Mobil and would like to apply for VIP grants please contact Victoria Ochiche at Victoria.Ochiche@scouting.org at 713-756-3314 regarding how to proceed. Volunteer grants help districts achieve their Friends of Scouting goal.
Send a Memorial or Tribute
Are you looking for a unique way to recognize those close to you? Give a Memorial ("in memory of") or Tribute ("in honor of") so that those extraordinary individuals in your life will be acknowledged. Click here for more information.
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| Order of the Arrow |
The Order of the Arrow is the Scouting National Honor Society. For 99 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help to extend Scouting to America's youth. For more information, contact your OA chapter.
Lodge Communications
The lodge has a variety of tools to communicate with Arrowmen including text messages, electronic newsletters, Facebook and more. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters can sign up for the OA Troop Representative newsletter. Learn more by clicking here.
SHAC Corps  May 20-22, 2016 - El Rancho Cima
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. Campers only need to bring their personal camp gear. Camp is providing the food and a special council shoulder patch that will only be available to those who provide service. Service projects will include creating new campsites and clearing new programs areas for activities. Letters will be given to youth who need school service hours. Units or individual Arrowmen (OA members) may register for this free event. To register, click here. Ordeals 
April 1-3 @ Arrowman Bash - Bovay Scout Ranch
April 22-24 - Baytown Nature Center
May 6-7 - Camp Brosig
Boy Scouts who were elected into the Order of the Arrow (OA) by their troop must complete an Ordeal within one year, in order to become a member of Colonneh Lodge. If a candidate does not attend an Ordeal within one-year, then the candidate has to be re-elected by their unit. There are several Ordeal opportunities in 2016. A candidate can only complete his Ordeal in Colonneh Lodge. For more information, click here.
Pay Your Dues Online
Colonneh Lodge dues are renewed annually. An active member in Colonneh Lodge is someone who is a currently registered Scout or Scouter in the Sam Houston Area Council with current dues paid. With active membership, you are entitled to attend all functions of the lodge appropriate for your honor level. It also entitles you to wear your OA flap. Technically, if you don't pay your dues, you are not a member, and the flap should be removed from your uniform. For more information please click here
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