Raven District Roundtable

May 9, 2019  |  7:00 - 8:30 pm

Roundtable is a district monthly meeting typically held the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm at the VFW Post 912 (8204 N Main St., Baytown, Texas 77521) 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. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHACRavenDistrict.

Merit Badge Day

May 18, 2019  |  7:20 am - 4:00 pm

The Merit Badge Fair is an opportunity for Scouts in troops and crews to work towards one or two merit badges. These are not giveaway merit badges, and this is not a merit badge factory. Each Scout is expected to fulfill all the requirements by attending classes and reading the merit badge book and preparing ahead of time. Scouts are expected to participate fully during the class in order to receive full credit for the requirements completed onsite.

Adult participation is required to offer this event. Every unit with Scouts participating is expected to provide volunteers. The event is being held at St. Andrews Catholic Church (827 Sheldon Rd., Channelview, TX 77530). The registration fee is $16.50 and includes a patch, lunch and all materials needed for the merit badge class unless otherwise stated. Registration is typically completed by parents, but can also be completed by the troop leadership. Registration is done only online.

Learn More and Register

Day Camp

June 12-15, 2019  |  Wednesday - Friday: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm; Saturday: 10 am - 4:30 pm

2017-day-camp-patch-no-loop.pngtwilight-camp2.pngGrab your sunglass, sunscreen and beach towel for an island adventure. Cub Scouts and their families will learn new skills and make new friends. Twilight camp is a council camp organized by districts and conducted by volunteers from the local area for Cub Scouts entering 1st through 5th grade for the 2019-2020 school year. Twilight camp is a week of fun with awesome programs and activities such as BB guns, archery, sports, STEM, games and crafts, rank advancements, Scout skills, fun and more.  

Many volunteers are needed to make camp a success, so please consider volunteering. Adult volunteers can also register their non-Scouting children ages 3-5 (potty trained). Scouts in troops, crews and ships can also volunteer. An adult/guardian must register with a Tiger (1st grader). Camp is being held at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1010 Birdsong Dr., Baytown, TX 77521).

The registration fee is $61.50 for the first Scout and $60 for each additional Scout. The registration fee includes a t-shirt, patch and program supplies. Volunteers are $10 and the tot-lot s $30. 

Learn More and Register

Promotional Placemats

Free two-sided placemats are available to use at blue and gold banquets, den meetings or pack meetings to help promote day camp and resident camp. 

Promotional Placemats

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: April 2019

Silver Beaver Award Nominations

Due May 1, 2019

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest form of recognition that a local council can bestow on a volunteer. In 1931, BSA President Mortimer L. Schiff recommended to the national board that an award be devised for recognition of distinguished service to youth in the area of a local council, and the concept of the Silver Beaver Award recognition was established. Submit nominations forms by May 1, 2019, to silverbeaver@shac.org. The Silver Beaver Awards will be presented at the Council Recognition Reception on November 19, 2019. 

Silver Beaver Nomination Form                Complete list of Silver Beaver Recipients

New Eagle Scout Reception

Sunday, May 5, 2019   |  2:00 pm

The New Eagle Scout Reception recognizes the previous year’s Eagle Scout class. The council continues its tradition of providing this reception free of charge for new Eagle Scouts and their guests. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout alumni, Scouters, Scoutmasters and Cubmasters are all encouraged to attend this special program to recognize the 2018 Eagle Scout class, the Adams Project of the Year Award, and NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award recipients. Eagle Scouts and their families will not want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to be recognized by accomplished Eagle Scouts. The evening is underwritten with generous sponsorships by many Eagle Scout alumni, charter members and patrons. The event is being held at Crowne Plaza (8686 Kirby Dr., Houston, TX 77054).

Learn More and RSVP

Resident Camp

Resident 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. Cub Scouts attending resident camp are also encouraged to register for day camp, as the advancements offered at resident camp add to those offered at day camp. Resident camp includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool. In addition, the resident camp program will focus on the program electives:

Learn More and 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

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

Donate to Scouting

SHAC CSP with car keysHelp ensure the success of Scouting in the Sam Houston Area Council with meaningful gifts including donating cars, trucks, RVs, trailers, boats, motors, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, securities, uniforms, camping equipment, memorials and tributes, planned giving and yes, even services.

Many corporations match employee contributions made to the Boy Scouts. Some companies even make financial contributions for volunteering time to Scouting. Numerous local companies recognize volunteer time through the donation of cash grants to non-profits in which their employees volunteer. This means that for each hour of volunteer time, employers donate funds to support the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Volunteer time is money with volunteer grants.

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, have an opportunity to combine those skills and experiences in a career that values and respects others. Scouting is a profession with a purpose!  

Job Openings

 

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