Dear Cubmasters and Pack Committee Chairs:
This is your monthly e-bulletin to all top Cub leaders in the Golden Arrow District. Please delete or edit items not relevant to your Pack, then forward to all your volunteers.*** To add a new recipient, please send me full contact information, volunteer position, and Pack #. ***
*** Please check that we have your Pack leadership info correctly listed at http://www.goldenarrow.org/packs.html ***
*** Please pick up the items in your Pack Mailbox each month at Roundtable ***
********** ROUNDTABLE, DISTRICT, AND COUNCIL MESSAGES **********1) APRIL ROUNDTABLE: This monthly meeting will be Thursday April 3 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 will be a preview of the May Pack theme in plenty of time for you to prepare and deliver an excellent program yourself: "Leaf It to Cubs", a nature theme. We will also do breakout sessions for Tigers/Cubs, Webelos and Pack Leadership after the general meeting.
Click here to download handouts: http://www.scoutingthenet.com/Training/Roundtable/Handouts/
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) CUB SCOUT SENATE: The CSS is a new approach to help us coordinate District Cub Scouting program events that affect your Unit directly. This team meets at 6:30 p.m. before Roundtable at Crescent City Beignets, across River Oaks Blvd from Roundtable, for dinner and conversation to plan and coordinate the District Cub Scout events that benefit your Pack such as District Pinewood Derby Race, Twilight Camp, Tiger Day, Webelos Woods, and this year the new Arrow of Light Transition Crossover.
3) FRIENDS OF SCOUTING FAMILY CAMPAIGN: NEW Click here to see your own Pack's statistics: http://www.goldenarrow.org/news/fos-2008-packs.pdf If your FOS Chair is holding pledges, please turn them in at Roundtable to get them logged in and credited. If you would like to pledge electronically right now, click here: www.shac.org/familyfos
Congratulations to the Packs that have ALREADY exceeded last year's totals: Packs 99, 197, 202, 354, 455, 505, 730, 806, 1226. (Packs 55, 80, 130, 1020 are really close, and 266 and 705 are not far behind that!) As always, our goal is a response from every family. For more information email claudia.hackbarth@shell.com
4) SCOUT FAIR TICKET TURN-INS: Remember that the quicker your boys sell and turn in their Scout Fair ticket proceeds, the more prize stamps they receive! The next upcoming turn-in opportunities for your Unit Scout Fair Ticket Chair (not individual families) are at Roundtable April 3, then 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. on April 9 and April 16 at St. Francis de Sales Scout House, near corner of Waldo and Rowan streets (near 8100 Roos). It would be appreciated if you can bring a single check for the total proceeds made out to BSA SHAC, rather than a collection of cash and small checks....
The $10 family ticket includes over $250 of very usable coupons plus a raffle ticket for a new Chevy Malibu. For questions contact SF Ticket Chairman to phyllismr@aol.com or 281-501-9945
5) SCOUT FAIR BOOTH SIGN UP: It's getting mighty late but there is still a little space available - Hosting a booth with a game, craft, skill, or demonstration is a good experience for your boys, plus it significantly increases your commission on Scout Fair ticket sales proceeds. Click here to register online: https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Forms/ScoutFair2008OnlineUni/
6) ROSTER CLEAN-UP: Has every boy participating turned in a proper membership application, which you have had signed and turned in to the Council? Also, as we see the light at the end of the tunnel for summer vacation, why not use the time to clean up and organize your Unit's internal roster. Do you have an up-to-date spreadsheet with every member's home address, parent home, work, and cel phone numbers, and email addresses? When your members make a change, you can phone in address and phone updates to the Council at 713 756-3328.
7) 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
8) TOP LEADERSHIP CHANGES: If you become the Committee Chair or Cubmaster, you MUST turn in a properly filled out and signed NEW adult leader application to the Scout Office. Until this happens, the old volunteer remains as the leader of record. No form = no official change.
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.
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, not adults. http://www.usscouts.org/baloo/bb9806/bb9806tt.html10) TEXAS YOUTH CAMP SAFETY ACT: Please note that if you (an adult over age 18) are attending a Youth Camp in the State of Texas, you must follow specific procedures to be in compliance with State Law. http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/YouthCampCompliancePro/
11) SILVER BEAVER NOMINATIONS: The prestigious Silver Beaver Award nomination deadline is May 31st. The Silver Beaver Award 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. Download a nomination form here: http://samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events/AnnualRecognitionDinne/
********** ADULT TRAINING ********
12) EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING AWARD: In our drive towards 100% trained leaders, 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/
13) BRAND NEW LEADERS: Our goal is 100% trained leaders. This consists of a "Fast Start" online training, then online Youth Protection Training. Access both by clicking http://olc.scouting.org/
Then take live training "New Leader Essentials" and "Cub Leader Specific" lectures (see items below). 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) 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.
15) ONLINE WATER SAFETY TRAINING: Click here to take Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat: http://olc.scouting.org/
16) NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS and CUB LEADER SPECIFIC : The next date for this efficient combo training in our District will be Saturday May 3 on the campus of Houston Baptist University at 7502 Fondren immediately south of US 59, in Atwood II room 214. 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 12:30 p.m. to complete Youth Protection Training. The registration cost includes a copy of the Cub Scout Leader Book. For questions, contact Mary Farley 281-649-3349 or mfarley@hbu.edu Also: pre-register using the form at this link to save $5 off the fee: www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-pack.html17) BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) and OWL (Outdoor Webelos Leader training): 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.) The next opportunity in our District will likely be in fall 2008. Read more about it and download a pre-registration form: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/baloo.html . For questions, email Ed Biegert, biegert@alumni.rice.edu
18) 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 2, 2008 at location St. Paul Presbyterian, 7200 Bellaire Blvd, with the weekend campout on April 12-13.19) 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-920 April 4-6 & April 25-27, 2008 (begins Friday at 7:30 AM, ends Sunday at 5:00 PM)
SR-921 September 26-28 & October 10-12, 2008 (begins Friday at 7:30 AM, ends Sunday at 5:00 PM)
SR-922 October 9-11 & November 13-15, 2008 (begins Thursday at 7:30 AM, ends Saturday at 5:00 PM)
************ EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES **********
20) TWILIGHT CAMP 2008: All den leaders should strongly promote this very low-cost, high-fun, one-week evening camp offered June 2-6 and (repeat) June 9-13. The theme this year is "Scouting for Treasure" at a new location: Westbury United Methodist, West Belfort at Willowbend. 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: Showman and Scientist. You definitely should take advantage of this and lighten your own load! Click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/daycamp2008.html Register early, the spaces fill up fast.
21) SCOUT FAIR: This family fun fest is Saturday April 19 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 at Reliant Arena. See: https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events/ScoutFair/
22) MEGA-DERBY: For the fifth year now, boys and family can bring their Pinewood cars to the Scout Fair on April 19 and race them again on three tracks, in events including absolute speed (against the clock), classic (against other cars in your heat), and robustness (a demolition derby- last car standing is the winner, grief counseling available). No extra charge, and all participants get a patch. You can also upload a photo for an interactive "beauty contest". First 350 racers accepted; pre-register to avoid disappointment at www.megaderby.com
23) GEORGE OBSERVATORY AT BRAZOS BEND: Take your scouts to the Challenger Learning Center to experience the thrill of spaceflight while learning about teamwork and problem-solving aboard the Space Station Observer. Scouts become astronauts and mission controllers as they use real astronaut training to simulate a space flight to the Moon. Combine a mission with your camping trip to Brazos Bend State Park, or just come out for the day. Missions are scheduled on Saturday afternoons. You are welcome to stay and work on your astronomy belt loops or badges when the telescopes open at dusk. For reservations call: 281-242-3055 or 979-553-3400, Peggy Halford
24) 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. Send your browser here for a map: http://www.hermannpark.org/fishing_and_pedal_boats.htm
25) SUMMER CAMP AT BOVAY: Parent-child 3-day camps at Camp Bovay are a very fun and economical get-away for adventure and closeness. These sessions run between July 24 - August 9, see: https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/AboutBSA/CubScouting/OutdoorCamping/
26) CAMP STRAKE CUB WORLD: Major renovations have added covered pavilions with picnic tables, flush toilets and showers, and huge parking lots. To make Pack camping arrangements, see http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/Camps4/Strake/CubWorld/
27) WEATHER MUSEUM: The "John C. Freeman Weather Museum" in the Museum District emphasizes the importance of science and math in the real world, and would be an air-conditioned respite for a summer activity. www.wxresearch.org
28) 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!
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
********** TECH CORNER *********
29) ANIMATED KNOT TYING: www.animatedknots.com/indexscouting.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Websi
********** IN CLOSING **********
30) POSITIVE PRESS: More often than not, when the BSA is in the press, it's negative. The only way to combat that is with positive stories that showcase what Scouting is really about ... making a difference in the lives of kids. You can help. Take lots of pictures at your events. Your members will get a thrill seeing their name or picture in the newspaper and your unit can earn the "Scouting in the News" award by submitting one article per month or twelve per year to a newspaper, church bulletin, or community newsletter. The more we let others know about Scouting, the greater the community support! Bring your articles to Roundtable or turn them in Jeff Hutchinson or Shannon Harlan at the Council office. Also see www.shac.org/home/districtsites/PRinNewsAward
31) You can contact your Golden Arrow District staff by email:
Jeff Hutchinson, District Director jeff.hutchinson@shac.org or 713-756-3337
Shannon Harlan, District Executive shannon.harlan@shac.org or 713-756-3338The mailing address for the Scout Office is P.O. Box 924528, zip 77292
32) Thanks to the Webmaster James Cauble, our Golden Arrow District website has a wealth of information: www.goldenarrow.org
April showers bring May mosquitoes,
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."