Dear Advisors and Crew Committee Chairs:
********** ROUNDTABLE, DISTRICT, AND COUNCIL MESSAGES **********
1) ROUNDTABLE: The next Venturing Roundtable will be May 2. The topic,
clear winner of the survey, will be "Favorite Texas Trails." Be thinking
of ideas to share. If you can't make it but have some ideas, please e-mail
me beforehand.
2) SCOUT FAIR TICKETS: Your Unit earns 40% of the sales price if you have a
booth at the Scout Fair April 18 (30% with no booth). Remember, the quicker
you distribute your tickets and collect back sales proceeds, the more prize
stamps and raffle chances your boys earn! Your Troop’s Ticket Chair can
turn in ticket proceeds and get prize stamps this Thursday April 2 at
Roundtable (see above). Remember, the quicker you distribute your tickets
and collect back sales proceeds, the more prize stamps and raffle chances
your boys earn!
3) PHOTOS FROM DISTRICT DINNER: If you were there, you are immortalized!
If you weren’t there, click to see what you missed:
http://instantnewsbellaire.com/2009/03/04/1930/
4) FREE PUBLICITY: If you have an upcoming event to publicize, or a past
event to immortalize, send news and photos to www.InstantNewsWest.com or
www.InstantNewsBellaire.com
Don’t forget that 10 publicity items each year will get you a flag ribbon.
Keep copies and submit to Jeff Hutchinson or Eric Bolton.
5) EAGLE ALUMNI REUNION: The second annual “Gathering of Eagles” will be
held at Minute maid Park on Tuesday May 12, 6:30 p.m. Please go to The
Gathering of Eagles Web Site to read about last year's spectacular event
hosted by Continental Airlines. Click on the links to view videos of
presenters such as Texas Gov. Rick Perry, sportscaster Giff Nielsen, and
event hosts Larry Kellner, CEO of Continental Airlines, and Frank Tsuru,
CEO of Momentum Energy. Register online.
********** ADULT TRAINING ********
6) TRAINING OVERVIEW: Our goal is 100% trained leaders. This consists of a
"Fast Start" online training, then online Youth Protection Training
followed by “This is Scouting” and "VENTURE LEADER SPECIFIC TRAINING”.
Other Districts also offer these trainings; a list of training
opportunities around the Council is available on the SHAC website.
7) NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS CHANGING: The long-awaited replacement course for
New Leader Essentials -- This is Scouting -- is now available online at
www.scouting.org. Access via the MyScouting button at the top of the
screen.
Remember that to automatically receive credit in the council database, one
must register for MyScouting using your Personal ID.
In order to print out a completion card, you must use a computer
with printer.
8) ONLINE WATER SAFETY TRAINING: Click here to take Safe Swim Defense and
Safety Afloat: http://olc.scouting.org/
9) ONLINE HAZARDOUS WEATHER TRAINING: Planning & Preparing for Hazardous
Weather Training must be completed by at least one adult prior to any
activity requiring a tour permit.
http://www.scouting.org/Applications/MyScoutingFull.aspx
10) HOW DO I GET MY PERSONAL ID NUMBER? When registering for online
training classes, if you put in your leader ID#, the system should
automatically record your achievement. This number is found on the annual
ID cards you are issued at recharter time. (Hint: The Committee Chair
should photocopy the sheet of cards before tearing them apart and
distributing them, then you have a back-up paper record.) However your
Advancement Chair can look up your Unit's list of personal ID numbers
anytime, if your Unit is registered for Internet Advancement.
11) THIS IS SCOUTING: This first module, which is for all volunteers in any
role, will be offered in our District at the Merit Badge Fair from 9-11 AM
on April 4 (see http://goldenarrow.org/events/meritfair-09-04.html) and
during the first two hours of Cub leader training starting at 8 a.m. on May
2 at St. Paul Presbyterian, 7200 Bellaire Blvd. (see
http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-pack.html)
12) EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING AWARD: In our drive towards 100% trained
leaders, SHAC will award a ribbon streamer each year to units achieving the
goal of 75% direct contact leaders trained in their registered position. At
the 100% level, you will further be awarded a plaque. Read about it and
download an application:
http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/ExcellenceinTrainingAw/
13) VENTURE LEADER SPECIFIC TRAINING: If interested in a future class,
contact Kelia Ballou at kelia@Ballou.cx or 713-661-1309 (H).
14) POWDER HORN: This six-day activity training for Scout and Venturing
leaders allows you to sample a bit of many exciting physical sports and
challenges so that you can offer them to your Troop/ Crew. It is based on
the eight core and eighteen electives found in the Venturing Ranger
program. Participants will not learn how to rock climb or shoot a skeet
course per se, but will learn where to go to find those who can teach these
skills to your group. The dates for the next course are <TBA>
http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/PowderHorn/
15) WOOD BADGE: Wood Badge is a mentally-intense 6-day leadership course
designed for all adult Scouters. It is hoped that every Cub Scout, Boy
Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leader, as well as Council and District
leaders and professionals, will take it to help you focus on your
responsibilities, identify a goal, help you work toward that goal -- and
give you the personal tools to reach it. For more information and
applications go to: http://www.shac.org/Home/Training/WoodBadge/
SR-1007 April 3-5 & April 24-26 (begins Friday at 7:30 AM, ends Sunday at
5:00 PM)
16) CANOE TRAINING: Prepare for adventure safely by training all your
adult volunteers with these classes:
http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/Activities/CanoeProgram/ Actual
testimonial: “I have been canoeing all of my life and thought I knew all
about it--WRONG!! I learned a great deal about handling a canoe and had a
lot of fun taking the classes--especially with the other adults from <my
unit>. It is almost all on-the-water activity and surprisingly challenging
to do some of the required activities.”
17) PROJECT WILD WORKSHOP: On Saturday May 18, adult leaders can take an
all-day workshop at the Council Service Center, 2225 North Loop West. Why
attend?
• Fun activities to teach about habitat, wildlife and area natural resource
issues.
• Receive both Project Wild & Aquatic Wild Activity Guides plus
supplemental materials.
• Can be related to Boy Scout and Girl Scout advancement requirements.
Contact: Glenn Buckley @ grbuckley419@comcast.net or 936.273.0098 or by
mail at 2427 Blue Lake Dr. Magnolia, TX 77354
LUNCH: Bring your lunch as we will have a working lunch
COST: No cost, but it is important that those who reserve a space make
every effort to attend or notify Glenn Buckley in a timely manner so the
space may be filled from the waiting list (there are only 30 spaces).
********** EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES **********
18) LEMONADE DAY: On April 4 this year, Lemonade Day is an annual
city-wide event produced by Prepared 4 Life (P4L) and its many community
partners. Businesses, families and communities work together to produce
Lemonade Day, which is a fun, family-oriented activity designed to train
thousands of young people how to be successful entrepreneurs. Scouts learn
how to set goals, find investors, select their site, build a stand,
purchase supplies, make healthy products, advertise, serve their customers,
account for sales, open a bank account and give back to their community.
Learn more about Lemonade Day. Watch the new Lemonade Day video Questions
Answered: Frequently asked questions Contact us: for any questions.
19) SCOUT FAIR: This family fun fest is Saturday April 18 at Reliant Arena,
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Games, puzzles, skills, crafts, and demonstrations, with
one $10 ticket giving entrance to the whole family. Scouts from Tiger Cubs
to Eagle Scouts will have a fabulous, fun-filled day mingling with
thousands of other Scouts and their families, participating in hundreds of
hands-on activities (e.g., climbing walls, craft booths, monkey bridges,
rubber band guns, making Gak, meeting astronauts), tasting gourmet
camp-fare cooked by Scouts (e.g., cobbler, chili, turkey, bread), and
taking home treasured bits of memorabilia See:
https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events/ScoutFair/
20) MAKING CAMP RESERVATIONS: The Sam Houston Area Council has upgraded its
web pages describing all the Council-run camps and current schedules
(updated weekly). Start here:
http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/Camps4/AllCampReservations1/
21) NAT’L ORDER OF THE ARROW CONFERENCE: In August 2009, Order of the Arrow
members from around the country may attend the National Order of the Arrow
Conference (NOAC). Over 7,000 Arrowmen will come together August 1 – 6 at
Indiana University. A typical NOAC day covers all aspects of the OA. In
the morning, you can pick your choice of training sessions ranging from
Leadership, to Indian Crafts, to Ceremonies, to High Adventure Skills, and
more. The afternoon brings sports, competitions, special events, and more.
After dinner, you get to see an outstanding Evening Show followed by open
activities, patch trading, and just hanging out with your friends.
Colonneh Lodge NOAC reservations have begun. Space is limited, and will be
given on a first come first serve basis. Download the NOAC reservation form
and turn it in today. More. If you have any questions about NOAC, please
e-mail Alan El-Lahham at alan@ellahham.com
********** ONLINE STUFF **********
21) POISON IVY BROCHURES: Spring is here! With spring will come exposures
to poison ivy during hikes, camp-outs, and other outdoor activities.
Zanfel Laboratories has free educational brochures available for Boy Scouts
and Scout Leaders which teach about poison ivy, oak, and sumac plant
identification, as well as prevention and treatment of the allergic skin
reaction. Zanfel also has a helpful plant identification poster
available. These educational resources are free of charge and can be
ordered in any quantity. Shipping is also free.
You may click on this link to view the brochure:
www.zanfel.com/admin/AAFP_brochure.pdf
To order, send an email to Daniel Boelman, dboelman@zanfel.com
22) FACEBOOK GROUPS: For those of you who enjoy Facebook, find your
Scouting friends at:
SHAC: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25239022610
BSA: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2203772399
OA Colonneh Lodge: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19588874468
********** IN CLOSING **********
23) PHILMONT ADVISOR”S GUIDE: This 118 page annual guide is a compilation
of input from a network of advisors and staffers. This includes
perspectives from experienced female advisors, rangers and ranger trainers,
serving the growing Venturing population at Philmont - and gives women the
option of contacting peers "off-line" through contact info in the guide for
questions. To order a copy of the guide for $10, click here:
http://www.bacphilmont.org/pag.html As in the past, the proceeds from the
guide continue to benefit youth in scouting.
24) You can contact your Golden Arrow District staff by email:
Jeff Hutchinson, District Director jeff.hutchinson@shac.org or
713-756-3337 -or – Eric Bolton, District Executive eric.bolton@shac.org
or 713 756-3338
The mailing address for the Scout Office is P.O. Box 924528, zip 77292
25) Thanks to our dedicated webmaster James Cauble, the Golden Arrow
District website has a wealth of information: www.goldenarrow.org
David Coughlen