Roundtable
October 12, 2017
Roundtable is a district monthly meeting typically held the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm at Cypress United Methodist Church (13403 Cypress N. Houston Rd., Cypress, 77429). The objective is to help unit leaders plan and carry out their own program. Roundtable is a form of supplemental training for volunteers. 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.
STEM Day
October 7, 2017 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
At STEM Day, Scouts in 2nd through 5th grades can work on the Swing and 1-2-3 Go! STEM/NOVA requirements. In order to complete both awards, the Scouts will need to complete the prerequisites before the event. The event is being held at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (Community Center)( 11507 Huffmeister Rd
Houston, TX 77065). The registration fee is $21.50 and includes program supplies and a patch. Late registration begins 10/5/17.
Learn More and Register
Rocket Day
October 28, 2017 | 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
All new Cub Scouts and their parents are invited to their first district Scouting event. Boys who join Cub Scouts this year will receive a rocket that they can design, build, and launch at Rocket Day. Boys in first 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 Community of Faith (16124 Becker Rd., Hockley, TX 77447). Distribute the promotional placemat/ activity sheet to Scouts to remind them about the event. The half-day flier can be attached to the rockets.
Learn More and Register Promotional Placemat Half-Page Flier
Share your Story
Make an Impact!
To the countless Scouts who have helped restore the community in the face of Harvey's devastation, we thank you for all you have done and all you will continue to do.
If you or a Scout you know has helped make an impact, please share your story, by clicking here or let us know by tagging or messaging our council's Facebook page.
Camping Report
Due September 30, 2017
The council conducts an annual camping survey of troops, crews and ships to determine how many youth participated long-term camping and high-adventure activities. The information is included in the council's annual report and Journey to Excellence. The unit leader should complete the short survey for the period of September 2016 through August 2017 by September 30, 2017.
Camping Report
Fall Recruiting Training
The fall membership campaign focuses on recruiting new families to the fun and adventures of Cub Scouting. The council provides a variety of support materials for your pack. We are excited to announce that the fall recruiting campaign will be Rocket Into Scouting. Boys who join Cub Scouts will receive a rocket patch for joining. Scouts who join in September will also receive a rocket that they will be able to design, build, and launch at a fall district event.. For more information, contact Shannon Eppling.
Learn More Order Fall Recruiting Night Fliers
Popcorn Sales
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. 70% 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. New for this year, units that sell over $12,000 will receive free home popcorn delivery. For more information, contact the district popcorn kernel, Michael Mueller.
Sign your unit up for Traditional and Online Sales Learn More
Why Sell Popcorn?
• 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.
• There are loads of incentives to motivate Scouts: cool prizes, $650 club, $2K club.
Tiger Day
October 14, 2017 | 9:00 - 11:30 am
Tiger Day is an event for Scouts in first grade and their adult partner (families are welcome). Tigers will work on the advancements including the Smart and Safe Adventure. There will be a hike, games, and crafts. Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church Community Center (11507 Huffmeister Rd, Houston, TX 77065.
The cost is $11.50 per Tiger Scout if pre-registered and includes a patch. Onsite registration is $15 and a patch is not guaranteed. There is no charge for adults. The registration fee covers program supplies and a patch.
Learn More and Register
Webelos to Scout Expo
October 20-22, 2017
The Webelos to Scout Expo (WTSE) is a campout designed to introduce 4th and 5th grade Webelos Scouts and their parent/guardian to the many outdoor adventures of Boy Scouting. This awesome weekend event includes patrol-method camping and Scout activities. On Saturday morning, Webelos Scouts will participate in five activity stations by Boy Scouts: first aid, cooking, BB guns, archery and pioneering. Parents will attend Boy Scouts 101. During the afternoon, Webelos will visit the Troop Fair. Troops will set up displays and activities in their campsites for 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 Webelos Scout registration fee is $30 and includes a patch, activity supplies, one adult. Additional adults can be added for $10. Webelos Scouts will receive a t-shirt if registered by 9/23/17.
Learn More and Register
District Calendar
Download the Big Cypress District calendar for June 2017 to July 2018. The council calendar and council toolkit provide additional information on upcoming council events.
District Calendar June 2017 to July 201
Annual Planning
A common element of strong units is they all have a good annual program planned a year in advance. The plan is then shared with all families in the form of an annual program calendar. Two other key elements of successful units are trained leaders and having the right leaders.
West Division Program Guide Leader Resources
Cub Scout Planning Boy Scout Planning Venturing Planning
Update your unit information on the web
Calling all unit leaders! Now is the perfect time to make it easy for Scouting families to find your unit.
Step 1: BeAScout.org has a Google pin for every unit! Update your unit information by signing into MyScouting, under Unit Tools select BeAScout, the click on Unit Pin Management. If you are the current unit leader and are unable to update your unit pin, please contact your district executive and ensure that you are currently registered as the unit leader or committee chair.
Step 2: The district website lists all units. Click on the Units tab on the green toolbar above. Send corrections to the webmaster using the link at the top of the page.
Help us promote Scouting
The Sam Houston Area Council is focusing on leveraging the power of social media through Facebook. The more Scouters share and repost, the more powerful our marketing can be.
We are compiling a list of unit social media sites so we can work together to spread the word about Scouting by tagging, liking commenting and sharing each other posts.
Learn More Take our Social Media Survey
Life to Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout Board of review: After a Boy Scout has completed the requirements for any rank, he appears before a board of review. Its purpose is to determine the quality of his experience and decide whether he has 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 served 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 Boy Scouting.) 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