Roundtable

October 12, 2017

Roundtable is a district monthly meeting typically held the second Thursday of every month at St. John Lutheran Church (520 N. Holland Bellville, TX 77418 ) at 7:30 pm 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 policy, 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.

Cuboree and Rocket Day

October 28, 2017   |   7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Cuboree is an action-packed day for Cub Scouts. Scouts will enjoy outdoor games and activities in an outdoor camp setting, with an emphasis on shooting sports (activities which individual Packs cannot hold on their own). Cub Scouts and their families can camp the entire weekend with their pack.

Boys who join Cub Scouts this year will receive a rocket that they can design, build, and launch at cuboree. The event is being held at Happy Hollow (2016 Happy Hollow Rd, Brenham, TX 77833). 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!

SHAC FacebookTo 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 

The fall membership campaign focuses on recruiting new families to the fun and adventures of Cub Scouting. Involve all your pack leaders in recruiting by inviting everyone to the training! 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 Anita Meeves.

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, Jennifer Michalik.

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.

District Calendar

Download the David Crockett District calendar for July 2017 to June 2018. The council calendar and council toolkit provide additional information on upcoming council events.

District Calendar: July 2017 to June 2018

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.

Frontier 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.

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 training courses offered around the council. The trainings will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church (520 N. Holland, Bellville, Tx 77418). For more information, contact Chyrl Goetzman.

What to Bring to Training            Council Training Schedule

Date Course
(click on title for course description)		 Cost Register
October 6-7, 2017 Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training $21.50* Register
October 7, 2017 Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster Position-Specific Training $0 Register
October 7, 2017 Den Leader Position-Specific Training $0 Register
October 7, 2017 Merit Badge Counselor Orientation $0 Register
October 7, 2017 Pack Committee Challenge - Pack Committee Position-Specific Training $0 Register
October 7-8, 2017 Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders (OLSWL) $21.50* Full
October 7-8, 2017 Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) $21.50* Full

Help us promote Scouting

SHAC FacebookThe 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

Employment Opportunities

The Sam Houston Area Council is continually searching for potential career employees who would like to work in a profession that has a meaningful, rewarding purpose. Bring to the BSA your varied life experiences, education, and perspective, and in return, you will have an opportunity to combine those skills and experiences in a career that values and respects others. Scouting is a profession with a purpose!  Check out the current openings at www.shac.org/employment.

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.

Philmont Advisor Skills School (PASS)

December 9 or 10, 2017

Philmont Advisor Skills School (PASS) is designed to help prepare Philmont advisors to lead a successful trek. PASS is an 8-hour course taught by experiences Philmont staffers that covers backcountry and logistical fundamentals of Philmont. Participants will enjoy a trail lunch and sample a trail dinner in between training sessions. At the conclusion of the course, advisors will receive PASS materials to share with crew members. The December 9th course will be held at Camp Brosig and the December 10th course will be held at the Cockrell Scout Center. The cost is $40.

Learn More and Register

Webelos Coyote Extreme

November 10-12, 2017

Webelos Coyote Trail Extreme is an annual council event for 4th and 5th grade Webelos Scouts. During this fast paced fun filled weekend Scouts work on advancements and are introduced to the patrol method, giving them a unique experience into the importance of teamwork and other skills they will need for their first Boy Scout camp out such as fire lays, basic knots, lashings, and more.  

 Learn More and Register

Fun with Son

October 20-21 or 21-22, 2017

Fun with Son 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 BB guns, 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. Register early as sessions fill up quickly.

Fun with Son is run by volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help with check-in, run program areas (e.g., BB guns, archery, crafts, rockets), serve in the dining hall, assist with parking and staff the first aid area. Volunteer registration can be done by individuals or unit leaders.

Learn More and Register      Volunteer Sign-Up

Scout Days

Scout Days are awesome opportunities to get your Scouts, friends and family together for some exciting experiences around the area with other Scouting families. All Scout Days are offered at a discounted price of admission. Also, many of our partners offer merit badge classes and advancement workshops for Cub Scouts and Webelos.

Learn more about Scout Days