District Coordinated and Roundtable

October 10, 2019

Stay Informed, Attend Roundtable graphicLike Us on FacebookDistrict Coordinated is a district monthly of unit and district committee members. Roundtable is a district monthly meeting to help unit leaders plan and carry out their own program. The meetings are supplemental training for volunteers and are typically held the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (20155 Cypresswood Dr, Cypress, TX 77433). Volunteers and parents can attend one or both of the sessions. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BigCypress.

District Coordinated   |   6:00 - 7:00 pm

The objective of district coordinated for the unit leadership to receive updates from the district leadership including district and council events, training opportunities and national updates.
Audience: unit committee members including the unit key 3 (chartered organization representative, committee chair, unit leader), fundraising coordinator (popcorn, Scout Fair coupon book), outdoor/activities coordinator, public relations chair, membership coordinator, Friends of Scouting (FOS) coordinator, advancement coordinator, training coordinator 
Agenda: program announcements, planning and training. District committee members, as well as the council professional, will also be available to meet one on one.

Roundtable  |  7:00 - 8:30 pm

The objective of roundtable is to give leaders program ideas, information on events and training opportunities, and an opportunity to share experiences and enjoy fun and fellowship with other Scouting leaders. As a result of the roundtable experience, unit leaders will be inspired, motivated, informed, and able to provide a stronger program for their Scouts.
Audience: unit leaders (Cubmasters, Scoutmasters), den leaders, assistant Scoutmasters, merit badge counselors, camping chairs, volunteers that work directly with Scouts or are involved with planning activities and events for their unit.
Agenda: district and council announcements, program planning (pack and den meetings, troop and patrol meetings), training (e.g., Guide to Safe Scouting, youth protection), networking and collaboration.

Lion / Tiger Day and Rocket Launch

October 19, 2019  |  10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Youth who join Cub Scouts this year will receive a rocket that they can design, build, and launch at Rocket Day. Youth in kindergarten through fifth grade who are interested in joining Scouting may also attend. We will help you find a pack near you and get signed up for Scouting. The event is being held at the Community of Faith (16124 Becker Rd. Hockley, TX 77447).

Option 1: Rocket launch only: There is no charge to launch your rocket. Rocket engines are not guaranteed for Scouts who do not RSVP.

Option 2: Lion / Tiger Day and rocket launch: Lion / Tiger Day is an opportunity for Scouts to participate in a variety of activities (e.g., hike, games, and crafts) and work on some advancements.  The Lions (kindergarten) will work on the Rumble in the Jungle Adventure. The Tigers (1st graders) will work on the Tigers: Safe and Smart Adventure. The registration fee $12.00. Onsite registration is $20 (check payable to SHAC). Pre-register and pay online to save money.

Learn More and Register       Flier (half-page to attach to rocket)       Promotional Placemat

Webelos to Scout Expo

October 25-27, 2019

Webelos patch fades into Scout patchThe Webelos to Scout Expo is a campout designed to introduce 4th and 5thgrade Webelos Scouts and their parent/guardian to the many outdoor adventures of Scouting. This awesome weekend event includes patrol-method camping and Scout activities. On Saturday morning, Webelos Scouts will participate in five activity stations by run by troops: first aid, cooking, BB guns, archery and pioneering. Parents will attend Scouting 101. During the afternoon, Webelos Scouts will visit the Troop Fair. Troops will set up displays and activities in their campsites for Webelos Scouts and their parents to visit. The evening will culminate in a rousing campfire and special presentation by the Order of the Arrow (OA). The event is being held at Camp Brosig (1893 Trenchman Road, Sealy, TX 77474).

The registration fee includes a patch, activity supplies and entry for one Webelos Scout and a parent/guardian. Additional adults can be added for $10. Webelos Scouts will receive a t-shirt if registered by 10/4/19. Parents can order t-shirts until 10/4/19. Registration is typically completed by individuals; check with your Webelos den leader before registering to make sure registration isn't being done by the den leader. After 10/1/19, there is a $10 late fee. The last day to register is 10/11/19 and there is no onsite registration.

Learn More and Register

Troops are needed to run the activity stations (first aid, cooking, BB guns, archery, and pioneering) in the morning. To volunteer your troop to lead one of these stations please contact Gregory Stafford. There will be a Troop Fair from 3:00 to 5:30 pm, where all troops will set up displays and activities in their campsites for Scouts and their parents to visit. Troops can recruit new Webelos Scouts by showcasing their talents at cooking, activities, and teaching new skills! Parents will be looking for information regarding troops, so please remember to have informational sheets to share!

Learn More and Register

Training

Training is an important part of learning to become an effective leader. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be! Every Scout deserves a trained leader. See the council training schedule for a list of additional trainings offered around the council. For more information, contact Alicia Rodenberger. The classes are being held at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (11507 Huffmeister Rd., Houston, TX 77065). There is no fee for the training.

What to Bring to Training            Council Training Schedule

Date Course
(click on title for course description)		 Time Register
10/12/19 Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster Position-Specific Training 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Register
10/12/19 Den Leader Position-Specific Training 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Register
10/12/19 Pack Committee Challenge - Pack Committee Position-Specific Training 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Register
10/12/19 Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Register
10/12/19 Training the Chartered Organization Representative 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Register
10/12/19 Troop Committee Challenge 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Register

The Scouting Trail

The Scouting Trail is a monthly handout provided to units at roundtable describing upcoming council events for the next quarter. This is a great resource for Scouters and parents.

The Scouting Trail: September 2019

Popcorn

Hundreds of thousands of dollars go back to the Scouting program in the Sam Houston Area Council as a result of the annual popcorn sale. 73% of all dollars collected during the sale support local Scouting. The popcorn sale is a way for a Scout to support his or her way through the various activities during the year. There are three options to sell popcorn: traditional take order sales, sell online to friends and family out of town and show-n-sell. For more information, contact your district popcorn kernel or district executive.

Learn More        Sign-up for Traditional and Online Sales       Sign-up for Show-n-Sale 

Why Sell?

• Increase your unit and council income – 73% stays in the local area.
• Scouts pay for their way for various Scouting programs and activities.
• Scouts learn life lessons by earning their own way. To 
• There are loads of incentives to motivate Scouts: cool prizes, $600 club, $1800 club.
• Ordering has never been easier than with the Trail's End app.
• Videos and resources help Scouts learn how to be successful.

Webelos Coyote Xtreme

November 8-10, 2019

Webelos Coyote Trail Xtreme (WCTX) is an annual event for 4th and 5th grade Webelos Scouts at Bovay Scout Ranch. During this fast-paced, fun-filled weekend Webelos Scouts will work on advancements and be introduced to the patrol method. Webelos Scouts will learn the importance of teamwork and other skills they will need for their first camp out with a troop, such as fire lays, basic knots, lashings, and more. 

The event is being held at Bovay Scout Ranch (3450 County 317, Navasota, TX 77868). Webelos Scouts and their parent(s)/guardian(s) can register. The fee for Webelos Coyote Xtreme is $115 per Webelos Scout and includes four meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday), a patch, t-shirt, water bottle and program supplies. The adult fee is $40 per adult and includes four meals. 

Learn More and Register

Fun with Family

October 11-13, 2019

Fun with Family is an overnight campout for newly registered Cub Scouts and their adult partner and families at Bovay Scout Ranch (3450 County Rd 317, Navasota, TX 77868). Scouts can participate in archery, sling shots, crafts, rockets, sports, campfire and more. The registration fee is $24 per participant and includes an event patch, activity supplies, snacks and two meals. 

Learn More and Register 

Leave No Trace Trainer Course

October 18-20, 2019

The Leave No Trace Trainer Course is an overnight course for individuals, ages 14 and up who wish to guide units in developing a culture that effectively demonstrates responsible outdoor choices that reduce impacts of Scouting activities. Leave No Trace Trainers, outdoor ethics guides, and advisors are the backbone of Scouting’s outdoor ethics program, providing instruction to individuals and units wishing to adopt cutting-edge outdoor ethics into their unit programs. The event is being held at Camp Brosig in Sealy, TX from Friday at 6:00 pm to Sunday at 11:00 am.

Register

New Scouts BSA Brand Guidance Training

As the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) welcomes girls into Cub Scouts and older girls into the Scouts BSA program starting on February 1, it is important that families understand the program or organization they are joining.

There have been some instances where our volunteers may have inadvertently used the name or trademarks of the Girl Scout of the USA (GSUSA) brand in spreading the word that girls are or will soon be part of all BSA programs. GSUSA recently have filed a lawsuit asserting that these instances have caused confusion. While we don’t believe there has been any such confusion, we respect and support the GSUSA and their rights to their brand.

To ensure that we promote our programs in a clear and Scout-like manner, we have developed resources to make sure our leaders are aware of the do’s and don’ts in promoting BSA programs.

The Scouts BSA Brand Guidance Training is one of the efforts underway to be sure Scouters have a clear understanding of what they can do. This builds on the infographic, and the guidance provided to councils in April.

Scouts BSA Brand Guidance Training     Infographic 

This training should be shared with all volunteers to bring this understanding to all parts of our community. While our goal is to encourage youth to join our program, we must always be clear in our communications about the program they are joining.

  • We are The Boy Scouts of America.
  • The Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA are different organizations.
  • We support all other youth organizations and do not disparage them.
  • We encourage parents to enroll all youth in a character development program that meets their needs – and the BSA is certainly ready to welcome them.

To aid you in this effort, councils and volunteers are encouraged to use these intro talking points as you host info sessions and launch efforts for Scouts BSA. Additionally, please use this resource to help address any questions you might get in the community about this matter.

Learn More

Scouts BSA Summer Camp 2020 Registration

We are excited to announce that new Camp Strake will open for summer camp 2020. Weeks one through five are full; weeks six and seven are open for registration. Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Camp Strake is located on more than 2,800 acres between New Waverly and Coldspring, Texas near the community of Evergreen, Texas. Lake Livingston is 10 miles east of the property. The camp is a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Houston.  The camp is surrounded on three sides by the Sam Houston National Forest and has the Lone Star Hiking Trail close to one corner of the Camp property. Camp Strake will be a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders and will have 20 campsites with pavilions and an air-conditioned dining hall, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) center, 28-acre lake, aquatics center with a swimming pool and pool house, extensive trail system, basketball court, sports fields and several chapels.

Activities will include shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, archery, sporting arrows), Wild Hex (aerial adventure tower), zip lines, climbing, rappelling, COPE, biking and more. The Camp Strake facilities have been designed and built to meet both ADA and ScoutsBSA requirements for both girl and boy units concurrently. The program will include an extensive merit badge program as well as some more challenging activities like zip-lining and climbing. The full program will be published in the online leader’s guide that will be available in November. To follow the progress of construction, visit www.shac.org/strake.

Learn More and Register           About Camp Strake

LDS: Continue the Legacy

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that starting on January 1, 2020, it will shift the focus of its youth programs toward serving an increasingly global membership. That means the LDS church will no longer charter Scout units beginning in 2020 and beyond.

“All youth, families and leaders are encouraged to continue their active participation and financial support of Scouting … ,” the LDS church expressed in its joint statement with the BSA that it will continue to support Scouting even after its official partnership has ended.

Check out our blog post with some information for the thousands of LDS families who love being a part of the Scouting adventure and want to continue their journey and for the other BSA Scouters who want to help them do that. The post includes information:

  • LDS church members looking for a new Scouting home
  • Community packs and troops welcoming LDS church members
  • Recruiting Scouts currently enrolled in LDS units
  • Three Reasons our Family will Still be in Scouting in 2020 

LDS: Continue the Legacy

Life to Eagle Scout

Life patch and Eagle Scout pinEagle Scout Board of review: After a Scout in a troop has completed the requirements for any rank, they appear before a board of review. Its purpose is to determine the quality of their experience and decide whether they have fulfilled the requirements for the rank. For an Eagle Scout board of review, at least one district or council representative must serve as a member of an Eagle Scout board of review. On the advancement page (under the resources tab), there is a new form to request a district representative to serve on the Eagle Scout board of review.   

Eagle Scout Service Project: While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. The project must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America. A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. On the advancement page (under the resources tab), there is a new form to request a district Eagle Scout project approval review meeting.

Learn More