Fall Recruiting

We want to reach out to each potential Scout and their family with a personal invitation to join Scouting, where they will learn positive values, new skills and have fun with friends. 

Fall is a great time to focus on recruiting new families to the fun and adventure of Cub Scouting. Invite a family to join Scouting and learn more about membership recruitment.

This year we are incorporating a #MoveitMonday campaign.  Every Monday, please move your council provided yard sign to a different location and take a picture.  Either post the image to Social Media and tag the Sam Houston Area Council or send the image to shane.burks@scouting.org

People Power

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, and more hands make lighter work. The Sam Houston Area Council is embarking on a campaign of “People Power” – an initiative to focus on more qualified volunteers to support Scouting for our local units, districts, and the council. With hundreds of new volunteers we can bring the Scouting program to thousands more families across Southeast Texas by the end of the year. Take this month to consider – who can I identify and recruit to make this objective a reality?

Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities

As Scouting moves to virtual and online platforms, we offer the following reminders to help keep kids safe. The below guidance applies to all online Scouting activities and meetings:

-All youth protection policies still apply in an online environment.

-Do not record online activities/meetings that include youth participants.

-Recording of online activities that only involve adults is subject to local council legal review and approval. Check with your local council for guidance.

-Safeguard personal information.

-Collecting personal information from youth under 13 is not recommended.

Extended descriptions for the above can be found at Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities | Boy Scouts of America

Medal of Merit Recipient

Scout Aaron Villarreal received the BSA Medal of Merit after successfully rescuing a fellow Scout.  Aaron used lifesaving skills learned in Scouting that included administering back blows followed by abdominal thrusts, all while demonstrating exceptional character and calmness under pressure.  

Both Scouts and their leaders were on their way home from a troop activity when they stopped for snacks. The Scout started gagging and coughing up pieces of food. Expecting him to vomit, Aaron held up a bag to his face, but the Scout continued coughing. The driver pulled into a nearby gas station. Aaron helped the choking Scout out of the vehicle, administered the back blows, and when blockage persisted, performed at abdominal thrusts which dislodged the object. The Scout was able to resume breathing normally.

Congratulations to Aaron on receiving this award.

On July 19, Scouts from Strake Odyssey, Camp Strake’s new space-focused camp, were on hand for a special celebration at Johnson Space Center. The renaming of Building 12 to the Dorothy Vaughn Center in Honor of the Women of Apollo was a wonderful ceremony to honor the women of NASA and their impact on space travel.

Popcorn

It’s POPCORN TIME!!  What a great way to fund your unit for a whole year!  Are you looking for an avenue for your Scouts to earn their own way?  Do you want your Scouts to gain public speaking skills and self-confidence, all while learning about salesmanship?  Do you want your Scouts to stay in Scouting?  We know that well funded units can provide their Scouts with amazing outings and adventures.  Scouts that participate in those outings and adventures STAY IN SCOUTING!  Popcorn is your answer!  Sign up to sell Popcorn now.

DeMontrond Auto Group

We are excited to announce DeMontrond Auto Group has accepted the position of Honorary Popcorn Chair for our 2024 Popcorn sale.  In this role, DeMontrond Auto Group will help by distributing media promotions throughout the sale showing the positive impact of Scouting and the importance of the Scouts selling popcorn.  Thank you DeMontrond Auto Group!

Membership Fee Update

One-Time Joining Fee Eliminated

The BSA has eliminated the $25 one-time joining fee for new Scouts in the Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts programs. This is great news for families joining Scouting and especially timely during spring recruiting.

Class of 2023 Eagle Scouts and parents

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the names of the 2023 class of Eagle Scouts from our Council will be installed on the wall in front of the Cockrell Scout Center.

Please take a moment, if you have not already, and verify that your Scout’s name is formatted and spelled correctly on the 2023 list here.

Any corrections can be made at the same link as above.  Corrections completed before September 1, 2024 will be included on the panel installation that occurs in the fall of 2024.

Wood Badge-October 2024 course is almost full

Wood Badge is the ultimate leadership training designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of Scouters in all programs of the BSA. Over the course of two weekends, participants can expect to develop skills in many areas, including leadership theory, team building, problem solving, communication, and project planning.

To register, please click here.

University of Scouting

University of Scouting is a semi-annual training program, whose sessions are led by experienced volunteers in order to help leaders and parents enhance their ability to deliver a fun and exciting program to the Scouts.  Visit here for more information; registration opens in September.

November 16

National Youth Leadership Training

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed six-day council-level program designed to provide Scouts in troops, crews, and ships with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home units and other situations demanding leadership of self and others.

December 26-31, 2024 -  Bovay Scout Ranch  Visit here for more information.

Adventure Camp

Let the Adventure Begin

Arrow of Light Advancement Day

Trail or Treat

Cub Scout Program Updates

Colonneh Lodge is the Sam Houston Area Council's Order of the Arrow Lodge.
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America and recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.

Sea Scouts is a specialized program for young men and women ages 14 to 20 that focuses on water high adventure and personal development.

Join us for our third annual Sea Scout Fair from 1pm-4pm on Saturday,  August 24 at the Cockrell Scout Center. Youth and adult leaders will be on hand to answer questions about Sea Scouts, and to lead activities including tomahawks, heaving line and rain gutter regatta.  Don’t miss the chance to view and experience being on a 34-foot sailboat.  For more information visit this page.

August 24, Cockrell Scout Center

Minto Rendezvous

Join our annual regional event in which Sea Scouts test knowledge and skills in over 20 events that test a ship’s teamwork, training and preparation in a variety of nautical-related events.  Some events such as navigation, first aid, knot-tying relays, and marlin spike require study and practice.  Other events like the blindfold canoe race and the no-paddle canoe race require luck and laughter to run the course.

Ships from across Texas and Oklahoma look forward to the fun and fellowship. The highlight of the weekend is the annual Flotsam Flotilla race of homemade vessels made from a variety of materials.  Learn More & Register

September 6-8, 2024  Bovay Scout Ranch

Scout Days are awesome opportunities to get your Scouts, friends, and family together for some exciting experiences around the area with other Scouting families at discounted rates.

Merit Badge Classes

Scouts, Sea Scouts and Venturers are invited to join our Merit Badge offerings this fall, from Fire Safety to Journalism to Disabilities Awareness.

Merit badge class sizes are limited so that each Scout can learn about future careers, trades, citizenship, hobbies, and life skills while working on merit badge requirements.  Visit this page for registration and more information about these and other Merit Badge Opportunities.

September 28, October 5, December 7   

We continually search for potential employees who would like to work in a profession that has a meaningful, rewarding purpose. Learn more about our job opportunities.