Texas Skies District, SHAC

Update 4/3/20: The leadership of the Sam Houston Area Council would like to present this, our sixth update, on our response to the COVID-19 outbreak and protocols for Scouting operations going forward. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this situation as best we can.

On Tuesday the President issued updated timeframes for social distancing protocols and the State of Texas announced an extension of the stay at home order through April 30^th. As a result, the following will now be in effect:

• The Cockrell Scout Center and all Scout Shop locations will remain closed until Friday, May 1^st. This is subject to change as the situation evolves. Please monitor our communications for any updates. As a result:
  • Field-based staff (District Executives) will be working remotely during this time and are available by phone and email.
  • The processing of most Eagle applications will be suspended during the office closure. All pending Eagle applicants should consult the updated Advancement information for COVID-19from National BSA. Please send any further advancement questions or concerns to Brendan Cronin (brendan.cronin@scouting.org).
  • Refunds for any canceled or postponed activities and events will be processed when the Cockrell Scout Center reopens.
• All council camping facilities will be closed through May 11^th. This closure will include all activities, trainings, and reservations for Camp Brosig, Bovay Scout Ranch, and Camp Strake.
  • The Camp Strake Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, scheduled for May 8^th and 9^th, will be postponed, and a new date will be published once set. Construction for the camp, however, remains on schedule for completion.
• No decisions on summer programming have been made at this time. This includes Summer Camp at Camp Strake, Cub Scout Summer Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch, National Youth Leadership Training, and Cub Scout Day Camps. If cancellation is necessary, the council will issue refunds for these activities.
• As previously announced, all district and council meetings, activities, and events through May 4^thare canceled or postponed. Meetings that can be rescheduled over teleconference or online are approved.
  • Council Coordinated Meeting, scheduled for April 23^rd, has been canceled.
  • As previously announced, the council’s Eagle Scout Reception scheduled for May 3^rd has been postponed. We are working to reschedule this event for the summer/fall.
• The Scout Fair Coupon Book Sale for 2020 is now closed. For information on closing out your unit, please contact your District Scout Fair Chair or District Executive. Commission checks will be issued after the Cockrell Scout Center re-opens.
• The online popcorn sale is open. The online popcorn sale is a great opportunity to raise funds for your unit’s Scouting program virtually – all while keeping social distancing intact. For more information on how to participate, please contact Mary Welch (mary.welch@scouting.org).
• Units should continue to consult with their chartered organizations to determine the best path forward for their Scouting programs. We strongly encourage units to comply with all current recommendations of the CDC, the White House, and local jurisdictions. There are a number of great resources available regarding Scouting program during this period of social distancing:
  • Hosting Scouting Meetings Online
  • Program Opportunities for Scouting at Home
  • Updated Advancement Information from National BSA for COVID-19
• If your unit is in need of advancement awards during this time that Scout Shops are closed, please use the following steps:
  • Unit Leader will email in their Scoutbook Advancement report toNDCSupply.Orders@scouting.org
  • Please include contact phone number so that the Customer Service team member can contact for payment information.
  • Customer Service Rep will contact Unit Leader for credit card information, ship to and bill to address, and verify the correct Council along with the actual advancement needed.

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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 2020

Cub Scouting / Scouts BSA / Venturing / Sea Scouting Rank Advancement and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Questions regarding advancement have arisen as we deal with closures, cancellations, or other issues caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Although there are difficulties and constraints, advancement can continue. Youth, parents, and leaders should work together to implement creative, common sense ways to facilitate advancement while adhering to the Guide to Safe Scouting and following the rules of youth protection.

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July 12-18 or July 19-25, 2020

Super troop is a temporary troop made up of Scouts from troops around the council. Super Troop is a fantastic opportunity for Scouts to attend an extra week of summer camp, for a Scout to attend camp individually if they can't attend camp with their unit, or for those Scouts who just like to camp. Super Troop is staffed each week by experienced volunteer Scouters.

Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail.

Learn More and Register           About Camp Strake           About Summer Camp

July 21-30, 2021 (plus travel days)

Scouting’s flagship event is one-of-a-kind. It’s a gathering of approximately 40,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff that showcases everything that is great about the BSA and its members. Over the course of 10 summer days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America comes together. The result is the national Scout jamboree. Scouts and Scouters will explore all kinds of adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, Garden Ground hikes, adventure sports, patch trading, and more—in the heart of one of nature’s greatest playgrounds. With 10,000 acres at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories. The jamboree is the best of Scouting rolled into 10 days of fun, friends, and adventure. You won’t want to miss out on this incredible Scouting experience. Qualified adult leaders are needed to serve as jamboree troop Scoutmasters, assistant Scoutmasters and crew Advisors. Qualified youth can attend the jamboree with the council contingent. 

Learn More and Register

July 2020

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. Registration can be completed by the pack leadership or by families if attending on their own. 

Learn More and Register

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.

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