NEWS RELEVANT TO ALL -
New Local Tour Permit
Please note that a new Local Tour Permit has been posted to the SHAC web site (under Forms):
https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Forms/LocalTourPermit/Local%20Tour%20Permit.PDF
Expiration dates for training are asked for, as appropriate for that activity:
* Safe Swim Defense - 2 years
* Safety Afloat - 2 years
* Youth Protection - 2 years -- time is new for tour permit -- effective 1/1/09
* CPR
* Hazardous Weather Training - 2 years - new - see note below - effective 1/1/09
Beginning January 1, 2009, Planning & Preparing for Hazardous Weather Training must be completed by at least one adult prior to any activity requiring a tour permit. As noted in a previous email, this training is available online at MyScouting ( http://www.scouting.org/Applications/MyScoutingFull.aspx) and takes 30-45 minutes to complete.
Effective for tours beginning January 1, 2009, Youth Protection Training will be valid for two years from the date completed.
NOTE: The form is PDF-fillable and can be saved to your computer!
Criminal Background Checks for Leaders
The Boy Scouts of America has conducted criminal background checks on all new adult leaders since April 2003. Some leaders have not changed leadership positions since that time, and have not been checked. Leaders who have not been checked will receive a letter from the national Chief Scout Executive in early June. The letter will give recipients instructions to visit a website, to "opt in" to a criminal background check. Recipients who decline to authorize a background check will lose their BSA membership.
Roundtable
May 8
7:30 Boy Scout Roundtable
7:30 Cub Scout Roundtable
Take the time to be a better, more informed leader for your unit by attending Roundtable at West Rd. LDS Church. You'll be in the best of company. We have lots of information for all leaders, Committee Members, Cubmasters & Scoutmasters.
Webmasters
FYI – The National site (http://www.scouting.org) has been revamped and all prior links except the site itself have been changed.
Spring Training
Our goal is 100% trained leaders. This consists of a "Fast Start" online training, then online Youth Protection Training followed by live training "New Leader Essentials" and "Leader Specific" training available in May or in the fall. Finally, outdoor skills are taught for Cub Leaders at BALOO & OWL in the fall, and for Boy Scout leaders at IOLS in May or in the fall. See below for the specific opportunities.
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May 10 |
Cub Trng. (NLE, CSLT) |
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May 17 |
BALOO Training |
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CSLST (Cub Scout Leader Specific Training): Cub Training for Wolf or Bear Leaders, Webelos Leaders, Cubmasters, Pack Committee (Committee Member/Chair) will be held May 10 at Cypress United Methodist Church. New leaders and those who will be changing positions in your pack next year should plan to attend.
Silver Beaver Nominations
due May 31
The prestigious Silver Beaver Award nomination deadline is May 31st. It is presented for outstanding service to youth within the Council or for outstanding longtime service to youth by a registered Scouter residing within that Council. A typical tenure for Silver Beaver candidates is ~ ten years or longer.
TX Youth Camp Safety Act
Please note that if you (an adult over age 18) are attending a Youth Camp in the State of Texas (including providing leadership or visiting Twilight Camp or any Boy Scout camp in the state), you must follow specific procedures to be in compliance with State Law. www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/YouthCampCompliancePro/
Online Learning
"MyScouting" is now available from the main toolbar of the National web site as a portal for members to access E-Learning, Internet Recharter, and Internet Advancement. Coming soon.... ability to apply for tour permits online. You must set up a new account, even if you already have one for the Online Learning Center.
Scout Shop Sale
20%-40%-60% -on various items through out the store. New markdowns every third Wednesday of each month.
Scout Shop Help Wanted
The Clear Lake Scout Shop has an opening for a part time position. It would vary between 8 to 12 hours a week. You need to be able to work during the week, Fridays and at least 2 Sat. a month. Job responsibilities would be stocking, lifting boxes, waiting on customers, cleaning, etc. If interested please contact Debbie Buford at 281-282-6067.
CUB SCOUT SPECIFIC NEWS
Twilight Camp
June 9 - 12
June 16-17
Put on your sailor outfit mate and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime for Cubs Scouts at DayCamp at the Cy-Fair Exhibit Center. Scouts entering 1st – 5th grade for the ’08-’09 school year may attend: June 9 - 12 or June 16-17 8:00am-2:00pm or 3:00pm-8:00pm. This year’s camps will be full of fun and excitement. Your son will make new friends, and share all kinds of new experiences. This year’s camp will be offering BB, archery, sports, nature and crafts. Each camper will receive a T‑shirt, patch, picture, and belt water bottle holder. Tigers, Wolves, and Bears will be working on their achievements and electives. Webelos will be working towards completing several badges.
Remember that all volunteers need to be registered Scouters and must take Youth Protection Training online at www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/YouthProtectionTrainin/.
Twilight Camp YPT clarification
There was a mistake is the very early Twilight Camp draft registration form stating that YPT had to be taken after Jan 1st 2008 when it should have been 2007. It was corrected with the current on line form.
There might be some additional confusing from the statement on the pack registration instructions that doesn't have a date at all simply says it needs to be done and must be done on-line. (Texas will not accept the classroom version...only the on-line version)
To clarify, a volunteer’s card is valid for three years for most scout activities such as Pack outings, local tour permits (until 1/1/09 when it will also be 2 years), fund raising activities, etc. It is only valid for TWO Years when it comes to day camp which must comply with the Texas Youth Camp Safety Act.
Summer Camp at Bovay
Parent-child 3-day camps at Camp Bovay are a very fun get-away for adventure and closeness. Sessions run between July 24-August 9.
National Summertime Pack Award
Your Pack can qualify for the National Summertime Pack Award certificate and streamer by planning and conducting three Pack activities--one each in June, July, and August. Day Camp can count for June. Dens with an average attendance of at least half their members at the three summer events will be eligible for a colorful den participation ribbon. Boys who participate in all three pack events are eligible to receive the National Summertime Pack Award pin, which is worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform. This is an individual recognition for boys.
Free Fun Fishing
McGovern Lake at Hermann Park (next to the zoo) is open for free, catch-and-release fishing for those ages 12 and under, or 65 and older. You can angle for channel catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegill sunfish.
New Webelos Badge Worksheets
Webelos Activity Badge Worksheets are now available online
Optional worksheets can help Scouts organize notes, listen actively, and document their work. Leaders and parents can quickly see if a Scout is understanding. Worksheets allow group instruction with individual attention.
Check out these samples of some of the added resources in the worksheets:
BOY SCOUT SPECIFIC NEWS -
New Eagle Scout Application rules ***important***
As of May 1, 2008 a new form for Eagle Scout Rank Application will be required. You must use Form 58-728A dated 2008 Boy Scouts of America. These forms are available NOW at SHAC, all Scout Shops, or online from www.scouting.org or www.nesa.org. The only change is for Requirement 5 where now the Project Name and Grand Total of Hours must be listed. In order to meet the deadline for National Council BSA, the district will not be accepting any old forms after February 15, 2008 to make sure that the May deadline is met. Scoutmasters and Advancement Chairmen, please contact Bob Keller at 281-660-7122 with any questions.
Sail Daze
May 10
SHAC Sea Scouts & the SSS “Jolly Roger” invite you to:
Who: All SHAC Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and Venture crews.
When: Saturday May 10, 2008. Ground school instruction to begin by 09:30. Set-up boats on beach afterwards.
Where: Shore Acres Beach Park – just north (left) of the Houston Yacht Club fence.
What: Basic small sailboat training and supervised sailing off the beach on Galveston Bay.
The Sea Scouts will provide small boats and youth instructors. We have lifejackets but please bring your own lifejackets if you have them. Meet at the Beach just north of the yacht club entrance at 9:30 A.M. Park outside the HYC main entrance in the open lot on the right.
Cost? $5 per person for lunch (to be collected by unit). Space is limited - Reserve now! Call Skipper Chris Skeen at 281/860-4928.
Boats: Sea Scouts will be bringing several Sunfish sailboats, and a motor chase boat. Similar type personal sailboats are welcome to provide opportunity to get all the youth afloat! Sea Scout units will have PFD’s but if you have your own own (life jackets) please bring them. Be sure to mark them with your unit or personal names.
Personal Safety - Shoes must be worn at all times - on the beach or on the boats –no exceptions! Sunscreen and hats are strongly recommended. Event participants will be exposed to intense sun for several hours. Water reflects sunlight and increases exposure. Long sleeve shirts may be worn over swimsuits to reduce exposure. Each unit is strongly encouraged to bring a 1st aid kit.
Be Prepared - LOCAL WATER is available but it’s a long walk to the water fountain. It’s a better idea to bring your own water bottle. It can be refilled at the water fountain.
Waterfront security will be enforced to keep track of who is afloat. This will require the cooperation of all participants – both youth and adult alike to avoid confusion. All youth participants will be the responsibility of their unit leaders.
Lookouts will be posted with binoculars & we will be in constant communication with the chase boat(s) by vhf radio.
Unit Equipment: Each unit should bring the following for their own use: PFD’s, Tent Awnings, Folding chairs, Folding tables (no picnic tables on site), Coolers & ice
Individual Equipment: Everyone should have the following: Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Long pants & long sleeve shirt (for after sunburn, if not before), Water socks or old tennis shoes – saves on cut feet!, Dry clothes & a large towel
2008 SHAC Summer Camps
Hamman Scout Camp Reservation (Pack & Paddle; Topping Out)
Super Troop (46kb pdf)
Trail to Eagle (35kb pdf)
Boots & Saddles (69kb pdf)
Boy Scout Summer Camp-An Investment in Youth and Leaders
Boy Scout Summer Camp-Benefits Every parent Should Know
2008 SHAC Summer Camp Forms are available
Super Troop
The Council offers a "Super Troop" opportunity at Camp Cima every week during the Summer Camping season. This opportunity is for those boys in your troop that may not for whatever reason get to go to Summer Camp with your unit (e.g., family vacation, sick, no $), OR for those boys that would just like to take a second week of Summer camp to work on more merit badges, or BSA Lifeguard.
Order of the ArrowCorps5 – there are still a few openings
Summer 2008
The Order of the Arrow has had a long-standing interest in coordinating a national service project, utilizing the infrastructure and leadership established over many years of success at the BSA's high adventure bases. Working closely together, the US Forest Service and the OA have chosen five project sites, spread across America that will be the focus of our combined efforts. ArrowCorps5 will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for each participant to set an example of leadership in service to those who treasure our national forests.
Five thousand physically fit and able volunteers, made up of youth and adults, will participate. The national OA committee and key sponsors will fund the projects. Participants will pay a reasonable fee to help pay for accommodations, meals, and a full day of recreational activities during the projects. Colonneh Lodge will be taking two contingents to Mark Twain National Forest (June 7-14, 2008 / Missouri) and Bridger-Teton National Forest (July 26 - August 2, 2008 / Wyoming).
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