Dear Cubmasters and Pack Committee Chairs:

 

 

********** ROUNDTABLE, DISTRICT, AND COUNCIL MESSAGES **********

 

1) MARCH ROUNDTABLE:  This monthly meeting will be Thursday March 5 at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Roundtable is the "continuing education" vehicle for Scout leaders, and a place to learn new materials, receive mentoring, and get event information for the benefit of your Den and Pack. This month we will preview the March Pack theme in plenty of time for you to prepare and deliver an excellent program – handouts will be provided.

 

The Golden Arrow District Roundtable is held in the basement level of the St. John the Divine Parish Life Center, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. at Westheimer.  There is a meeting every month EXCEPT JULY.  All leaders are warmly invited.  Your Pack mailbox is available in the foyer and contains hard copies of important information.  Every Pack should be represented.  What is Roundtable, and why should you attend?  Click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/roundtable-cub.html 

 

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 Pack’s Ticket Chair can turn in Pack ticket proceeds and get prize stamps this Thursday March 5 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) SCOUT FAIR BOOTH CHAIR: Please turn in the name and contact information for your Unit’s Scout Fair Booth Chair to Jeff or Eric  jeff.Hutchinson@shac.org or eric.Bolton@shac.org  Scout Fair is April 18.  Reserve your booth online: https://www.shac.org/HOME/FORMS/SCOUTFAIR2009ONLINEUNI/

4) FRIENDS OF SCOUTING 2009: This annual pledge drive, which works towards 100% participation by every family, is well underway.  Your Unit Coordinator can turn in pledges collected so far at Roundtable (or you can bring them on his/her behalf).  Click here to see where your Pack stands as of Feb 27: http://goldenarrow.org/news/fos-2009-packs.pdf

Click here to see where your Pack stood at the end of the 2008 campaign: http://goldenarrow.org/news/fos-2008-packs.pdf

 

5) SCOUTPARENTS UNIT COORDINATOR: Beginning immediately, each Unit should have a position on their Committee called the “ScoutParents Unit Coordinator”.  There will be a line on the recharter form to indicate the name of the person filling this position.  The ScoutParents Unit Coordinator’s job is to assign parents to help with at least one specific task, assignment, or project annually; provide an orientation for all parents about how the Unit works and the benefits to the family; keep parents updated on the program and their son’s involvement.  Fast Start training is available for this position at www.myscouting.org.  Pack/Troop Committee and/or Cubmaster specific training along with NLE (New Leader Essentials) and YPT (Youth Protection Training) should be taken.  There is a position patch for this new role.  The new youth application encourages all parents to check the block to be an active ScoutParent.  For more information, visit www.ScoutParents.org.

 

6) NEW MEDICAL FORM: A new Annual Health and Medical Record form will replace the former Class 1, 2, and 3 forms by end 2009. The new form, No. 34605, will be required effective January 1, 2010, and for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.  http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/12/19/annual-health-and-medical-record/

Therefore, you should start using this new form henceforth so that you don’t have to re-do 2009 doctor exams mid-season (e.g. next January)

-       Annual Health and Medical Record (Prints on four 8.5 x 11 sheets)
- Annual Health and Medical Record spread (Prints on two 8.5 x 11 sheets)

 

7) NEW MEMBERSIP APPLICATION COMING: Membership Application Changes (view link)    
and  Disclosure Authorization Form (English) (view link)
or  Disclosure Authorization Form (Spanish) (view link)

8)  POCKET PRIDE: Many Adult Training knot patches on your pocket make you a real object of envy amongst your peers. Perhaps this year you completed many of the requirements already, and didn't even know it!   Click here to start covering yourself in glory: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/knots-overview.html and then here to read more:    http://usscouts.org/usscouts/awards/knots2.html 

9) DISTRICT AWARD OF MERIT 2009: Congratulations to this year's winners of this year's highest District-level recognition: Beverly Folts, KyleShannon, Dale Fitz, Bob Livitz, Tom Mathews.  Well done!    Click here to read about this award: http://www.goldenarrow.org/news/district-merit-2009.html 

 

10) HONOR UNIT 2008 WINNERS: Congratulations to Packs 197, 688, and 1020; and Troops 549, 740, and 1020!   They each received enough special-design Council Strips (uniform shoulder patches) to outfit their entire Units – the design was sewn from a radar picture of Hurricane Ike.  And – Pack 688 has earned this award every year since its inception!

 

11) PHILMONT ADULT CLASS: There is a new class that goes even a step

beyond Wood Badge:  Philmont Leadership Challenge. The course is all hands-on, no classroom. There is still space left in the August course (until the article in March's Scouting magazine) http://www.philmontleadershipchallenge.org/Scouting_mag_mar1.html.
Our District Executive Jeff Hutchison needs to contact Philmont ASAP to get you an invitation if you want to go. To learn more about the course, click here: http://www.philmontleadershipchallenge.org/

12) POPCORN RECALL: Trail’s End is having a voluntary recall of the 9.5 oz Caramel Corn, and  9.5 oz. Caramel Corn with Peanuts, with code date markings of “102861 109 JAN 19 08” through “102861 297 JUL 23 09”.  No salmonella has been detected and a Trail’s End representative states “We have also had a nationally recognized expert in Salmonella do a thorough inspection and review of our manufacturing process and he has advised that he is "completely confident that no Salmonella organisms would survive the manufacturing heat process." “ If concerned, contact: Cathy Yingling, (317) 264-5860

 

**********    ADULT TRAINING   ********

13) BRAND NEW LEADERS: Our goal is 100% trained leaders.  This consists of a "Fast Start" online training http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/faststart/ , then online Youth Protection Training http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events1/YouthProtectionTrainin/  followed by live training "New Leader Essentials" and "Cub Leader Specific" lectures.  Finally, outdoor skills are taught at BALOO / OWL, and IOLS.  See below for the specific opportunities.   To read the Grand Unified Explanation of Scout Training, click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/training-overview.html

Other Districts also offer these trainings; a list around the Council is available on the SHAC website at http://shac.org/Home/Training/TrainingSchedule/ 

14) NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS CHANGING:  According to www.scouting.org, the new online training course “This is Scouting” will soon replace New Leader Essentials. It should be on the Online Learning Center around April 1.  http://olc.scouting.org/

15) NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS and CUB LEADER SPECIFIC :  The next date for this efficient combo training in our District will be Saturday May 2 at St. Paul Presbyterian, 7200 Bellaire Blvd. Brand new leaders should come at 8 a.m. for "New Leader Essentials".  At about 10:00 a.m., the course will continue on to Cub-specific and position-specific training.  So, if you are a returning trained leader but NEW to your position (for example, new Cubmaster, new Webelos leader, etc.) you should plan to attend from 10:00-noon.  If you are a brand new leader, you should plan to attend from 8 a.m. through noon, and then noon to 1 p.m. to complete Youth Protection Training.  The cost is $16 at the door and includes a copy of the Cub Scout Leader Book (an $8 value).  www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-pack.html Contact Mary Farley,

maryfarley.home@gmail.com or 713 779-1138

You can also pick this up at our District Boy Scout Merit Badge Fair, 9-11 AM on April 4.  For info click here: http://goldenarrow.org/events/meritfair-09-04.html

16) BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) and OWL (Outdoor Webelos Leader training): The next date for this training in our District will be <TBA>.Designed for leaders who are in charge of Pack and Webelos overnight activities, this combined course covers the rules, guidelines, skills, and safety considerations for "Pack family camping" and Webelos campouts. Trained adults, who will receive both BALOO and OWL credit, can deliver the outdoor portion of the Cub scouting and Webelos programs. (Local Tour Permits require that a BALOO-certified registered adult leader attend Cub Scout Campouts and overnight activities.) You can read more about it at http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/baloo.html . Questions: Cliff Rhodes, 713 669-9973

17) IOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills): Second-year Webelos leaders are invited to take IOLS, one of the modules leading to full training in the Boy Scout Leader sequence. Learn what you need to successfully transition your boys into Scouting!  This class consists of an evening orientation followed by a weekend campout. See District website for details - no advance registration is required and cost is usually about $35 including shared food costs.  www.goldenarrow.org/training/outdoorskills.html   The next upcoming dates are an orientation on April 15, 2009 at location St. Paul’s Presbyterian, 7200 Bellaire Blvd @ US59, with the weekend campout on April 25-26.   http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/outdoorskills.html

18) ONLINE WATER SAFETY TRAINING: Click here to take Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat: http://olc.scouting.org/

19) ONLINE HAZARDOUS WEATHER TRAINING: This is required for at least one adult on any activity requiring a tour permit. It takes 30-45 minutes to complete online: http://www.scouting.org/Applications/MyScoutingFull.aspx

20) 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 see:   http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/WoodBadge/

SR-1007 April 3-5 & April 24-26, 2009  (Friday at 7:30 AM to Sunday at 5:00 PM)

21) 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.

22) EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING AWARD:  In our drive towards 100% trained leaders, SHAC has established a new award your Unit can earn.   A ribbon streamer will be awarded once during the calendar 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.  Cub Scout leaders are considered trained when they have completed Fast Start Training, New Leader Essentials, and the Cub Scout Leader Specific training for their position. Read about it and download an application: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/ExcellenceinTrainingAw/

 

23) 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 **********

24) CAMPOREE: This fantastic all-District campout is March 6-8, and there is still a little space left.  At the Webb Ranch near Chappell Hill, Scout and Webelos patrols (sorry no Cubs) will circulate around numerous skill and game stations to learn or sharpen their Scouting skills in a fun and entertaining way.  Overall events include a Model Campsite contest, a Dutch Oven Cooking contest, and an evening bonfire with Order of the Arrow tapouts.  Click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/camporee2009.html

 

25) BAYOU TRASH BASH: On March 28, join a regional clean-up of our Texas wildscape.  Click here: http://www.trashbash.org/  and  http://www.trashbash.org/scouting_information.htm

 

26) BRAZOS BEND: Celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Bend State Park on Saturday April 4. Numerous special events (see website). Admission to BBSP is $5 for ages 13 and up, 12 and under free. See http://www.brazosbend.org/home.htm

 

27) 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. 

 Cub Scouts can earn advancements:

Tigers (requirements 2f, 3f/b, 5f; electives 13, 15, 25, 33, 47, 50)

Wolf (requirements 5a-e, 3a, 4d, 8a, 9c, 10b, 12d, 12e; electives 3e, 8b, 12a, 12c, 12f)

Bear (requirements 9a, 10a/c, 12e, 13a/b/c/e/g, 17d/e, 18a/b/d/e, 22b/c, 24d; electives 9a, 21a)

Webelos (Family Member 3, 4, 11; Artist 3, 5, 10; Craftsman 1, 2, 4; Outdoorsman 11; Fitness 1a, 3; Communicator 11) 

Belt Loops, Pins and more

Learn more about Lemonade Day.   Watch the new Lemonade Day video

Questions Answered: Frequently asked questions Contact us: for any questions.

 

28) 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/

 

29) TWILIGHT CAMP 2009: All den leaders should tell their families about this very low-cost, high-fun, evening camp offered the week of June 1 and (repeat) June 8. All boys will enjoy Archery, BB guns, survival skills, silly songs, and earn sports belt-loops. 

Attention current Bear and Webelos I leaders: the camps will help boys earn two Webelos pins: Naturalist and Engineer.  You definitely should take advantage of this and lighten your own load!  Registration fills very quickly – details on the District website at http://goldenarrow.org/events/twilight-camp-2009.html

 

30) SUMMER CAMP AT BOVAY: Cubs and Webelos, accompanied by a parent or leader, can attend 72 hours "adventure camps" at Bovay. Worried about missing work? They have wireless Internet so you can slave away 24/7 !!    Cubs/Webelos:   $110, Adults:  $55

 

Session Alpha Webelos July 19- July 22:  Sunday 2:00 P.M. – Wednesday 11:00 A.M.

Session Beta Webelos July 22-July 25:  Wednesday 2:00 P.M. – Saturday 11:00 A.M.

Session Charlie Cubs July 26-July 29:  Sunday 2:00 P.M. - Wednesday 11:00 A.M.

Session Delta Cubs July 29 – August 1:  Wednesday 2:00 P.M. – Saturday 11:00 A.M.

Reservation form

brochure:

Leaders Guide :

Flyer:

Frequently Asked  Questions

 

31) PORT OF HOUSTON BOAT TOURS: Your Pack can ride on the M/V Sam Houston for free (your tax dollars at work).  Call 2-3 months in advance, 713 670-2416 M-Th 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  A great summer activity!

 

**********  TECH CORNER **********

 

32) ANIMATED KNOT TYING: www.animatedknots.com/indexscouting.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Websi

 

33) 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

 

********** RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY *********

 

Activities Around Houston
Cub Activities - Houston	www.shac.org/Home/AboutBSA/CubScouting/Activities1/
American Indian Weekend
American Red Cross	www.shac.org/Home/Camping/Training1/RedCross/	Basic Aid Training (BAT); Webelos Readyman
Armand Bayou	www.abnc.org/education/scouting.php	Cub/Webelos classes, Eagle Projects, badge classes, unit camping, canoeing, fishing
Bechtel Engineering Day	www.bechtelengineeringday.org/	Merit Badge Fair in Feb for sci & engineering badges
Bovay Fishing Day	www.shac.org/Home/Camping/Camps4/Bovay/	Texas Parks & Wildlife Junior Angler Program
Brazos Bend State Park	www.bbspvo.org
ECO-DOINS		Conservation programs held at Camp Strake
Fort Bend Museum	www.fortbendmuseum.org/education/scout/	Texas Badge for Cub Scouts
Gem & Mineral Show	www.hgms.org/client_show/Show_Scout_Badges2.pdf	Belt loop, Webelos badge, Merit Badge
Houston Arboretum	www.houstonarboretum.org/	Free Sunday afternoons nature programs
Houston Zoo	www.houstonzoo.org/Community_Groups/Index.aqf	Webelos Naturalist badge; Cub Scout classes; overnights
McNair Adventure Camp	www.shac.org/Home/Camping/Camps4/Bovay/	Weekend cub camping; summer camps
Museum of Hlth & Medical Sci	www.mhms.org	Webelos Fitness & Readyman activity badge, Merit Badges
Museum of Natural Science	www.hmns.org/education/scouts.asp	Cub Scout, Webelos, Merit Badge classes
Ocean Star Museum	www.oceanstaroec.com/education/bscouts.htm	Belt loops, Webelos badges, Merit Badges
Space Center Houston	www.spacecenter.org/scoutcampin.html	Cub, Webelos, Boy Scout overnighters

 

 

********** IN CLOSING **********

 

34) SHAC STRATEGIC PLAN: Just as a Scout uses a map and compass to find his way, the 2008 – 2012 Strategic Plan of the Sam Houston Area Council will serve as our map and compass.   In 2007, a team consisting of members of the board of directors, district volunteers, and community leaders was assembled into Task Forces to achieve the Vision Statement of the Council, which is Leading Youth to Lifelong Values Service and Achievement. The eight critical areas of the strategic plan are:
1. Camping – chaired by Stewart Gagnon 
2. Development – chaired by Walter Johnson
3. Facilities & Properties – chaired by Travis Traylor
4. Information Technology - chaired by Rick Conley 
5. Marketing – chaired by David Grizzle
6. Membership – chaired by Judge Edith Jones
7. People – David Jones
8. Program – Stan Stanley 
The action items scheduled for each year will be assigned to appropriate volunteer committees and staff. We will have a scorecard for a semi-annual review per groupwhere the volunteer task force chair and the staff member will present results. It will be great for us all - and especially the Scouts and Participants! 

 

35) You can contact your Golden Arrow District staff by email:

Jeff Hutchinson, District Director jeff.hutchinson@shac.org  or 713-756-3337

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 

 

36) Thanks to our Webmaster James Cauble, the Golden Arrow District website has a wealth of information:  www.goldenarrow.org

 

Beware the Ides of March,

Claudia Hackbarth - Golden Arrow District Cub e-bulletin Editor - SR-446

 

"The information presented here is not an official document of the Boy Scouts of America, but is solely my volunteer work and responsibility."