Cub e-bulletin for Nov 2008

This is your monthly e-bulletin to 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) NOVEMBER ROUNDTABLE: This monthly meeting will be Thursday November 6 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 December 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) NEW ADULT LEADER FORM: When 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. Below is the link to the most current and correct adult application form.

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/28-501F.pdf

Remember that applications need to be completely filled out: SSN, DOB, crime questions, references, and applicant signature; the Committee Chair signature; and the Charter Organization Representative signature.

3) POPCORN IS STILL RUNNING: Final popcorn ordering deadline has been extended a month to December 2. Questions: Dale Fitz, email fitzkuah@aol.com SHAC popcorn link: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events/PopcornSales/

4) MOVES OR PHONE NUMBER CHANGES: If you, your leaders, or your families move, remember to phone in any address and telephone updates to the Scout Office. The direct phone of the Council registration desk is 713 756-3328.

5) RELIGION AND SCOUTING: The Boy Scouts of America is non-sectarian. P.R.A.Y. is an independent non-profit organization that encourages and supports all youth to learn about their personal religion and strengthen their faith. Their learning incentive programs lead to a medal plus the familiar "knot patch" for the boy's Scout uniform. The P.R.A.Y. e-newsletter will inform you about ways to promote religious emblems and how to use religious emblems as a membership tool to increase BSA membership in faith communities. To sign up click here:

http://www.praypub.org/working/emailrequest.asp?Flag=1

6) 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, Safety Afloat, Youth Protection Training, CPR, Hazardous Weather Training - 2 years

7) DISTRICT COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS: The Golden Arrow District only runs because a core group of volunteers helps the paid staff to plan and execute the program. Service at this level is very rewarding because your investment of time and energy has a very broad impact across hundreds to thousands of youth. Can you volunteer, or do you know a good person? Nominations are due by November 6 for the next year of service. Send the name and contact information to Victor Trevino, victortrevin@hctx.net You can see the current District Committee jobs and roster here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/committee.html The elections are November 20.

8) RECHARTER WORKSHOP: On November 13, every Unit should send the person responsible for your annual Rechartering paperwork, because an hour invested now could save you several hours of frustration and re-do. The location is St. Paul Presbyterian, 7200 Bellaire Blvd just inside US 59 and time is 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. For more information contact BJ Yother, bj_yother@hctx.net

9) FRIENDS OF SCOUTING 2008 CLOSE-OUT: Warmest congratulations to these Packs, which achieved 80% or greater participation in the 2008 pledge drive last winter-spring: Packs 55, 188, 197, 505, 688. Many hands make light work! Also congratulations to these Packs which increased their total donations over 2007: Packs 55, 99, 130, 197, 202, 266, 354, 450, 455, 505, 688, 730, 806, 1226, 1354, 1567. FYI, the Golden Arrow District led the entire Council in generosity, sincerest thanks. http://www.goldenarrow.org/news/fos-2008-packs.pdf

10) FRIENDS OF SCOUTING FAMILY CAMPAIGN 2009: If you haven't already, please send the name and contact information for your 2009 FOS Unit Coordinator, plus your FOS presentation date between Jan. 12 and your feeder school’s Spring Break, by November 6 to Jeff Hutchinson jeff.hutchinson@shac.org

Your 2009 FOS Unit Coordinator should be email savvy, detail-oriented, able to keep good records, and able to keep up sustained interest over a 8-week period to get the job done in a rapid and efficient way. Their introductory training will be 8 p.m. Dec. 2 or (repeat) Dec. 4 at St. John the Divine, and materials will be passed out approximately January 11, 2009

11) MEMBERSHIP: We are ~200 Scouts shy of achieving Quality District for 2009. If you are holding registration forms, or if you can sign up a few more “on the fence” boys, we will make it to goal.

12) CENTENNIAL QUALITY UNIT: Your 2008 actuals and 2009 plans must be turned in this month to keep you on the path to achieving this prestigious honor annually. For questions Jeff.Hutchinson@shac.org

13) FREE PUBLICITY: www.InstantNewsWestU.com andwww.InstantNewsBellaire.com are open community calendars where Units can directly post special events, bridging ceremonies, Eagle Scout projects, fundraiser events, etc. As any news service, Scout Units are invited to send news reports of their activities with pictures for the community to enjoy on the site.

14) CUB SCOUT ADVANCEMENT PLAN: The 2008-2009 Cub Scout Program Helps contains a 2008-09 Tiger Cub and Cub Scout Advancement Plan which has a suggested schedule for Tigers, Wolfs, and Bears for achievements to be done in den meetings and at home so that the boys will have their rank badges earned by February. If you don't have a copy of it handy, you can view the Advancement Plan at this link: http://kismif.org/2008/10/12/2008-advancement-plan

15) CUB SCOUT RETENTION TIPS http://kismif.org/cub-scout-retention-tips/

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

17) NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS and CUB LEADER SPECIFIC : The next date for this efficient combo training in our District will be Saturday December 13 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

18) 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

19) 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

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-xxx March 5-7 & March 26-28, 2009 (begins Thursday at 7:30 a.m., ends Saturday at 5:00 p.m.)

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

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

23) 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.

24) 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/

25) COMMISSIONER'S CONFERENCE: Save the date: December 6 at the Cockrell Scout Center. You can train to become a Commissioner, or just select from a variety of helpful how-to classes: Council Resources, Time Management, International Scouting, Religious Awards, Recruiting Techniques, Budgeting, and so forth. Attendance of all commissioners is strongly encouraged; any other Scouters who want to learn more about the Commissioner Service or just have an interest in the topics being presented are welcome to attend.

26) WILDERNESS ADVANCED FIRST AID: The Wilderness Medicine Institute will offer a 40-hour training class over two weekends on February 13-15 and 20–22, 2009 at Camp Wisdom near Dallas. This serious class is for adults and Scouts age 16 or older. For more information, contact Robert Squyres, phone 972-699-0339, fax 972-699-0058, or e-mail rtsquyres@sbcglobal.net You can access the course website at http://wmi.nols.edu.

28) CHAMPIONSHIP POW WOW: Several hundred American Indians, representing dozens of tribes, celebrate their heritage with tribal dance contests, arts and crafts, ceremonies, singing, and teepee exhibits on November 8-9. Free admission, $2 parking at the Trader's Village site on North Eldridge at US 290. For information see http://www.tradersvillage.com/en/houston/event&e=19&t=19th-Texas-Championship-Pow-Wow

29) CUB BELT LOOPS: The Children’s Museum of Houston has introduced a new multi-class schedule on a single day, to earn up to four belt loops @ $15/each. This will be run Saturday November 8 and (repeat) December 13 and (repeat) January 24. See cmhouston.org or email bdeyon@cmhouston.org

30) CUB SCOUT FUN DAY: Saturday November 15 at St. Lukes United Methodist Church, Alabama at Edloe, our District will be holding its fabulous annual field day. Pushmobile, paper rockets, and a variety of other exciting outdoor games will be supplied by the District staff and community volunteers. Your Pack should bring all your boys, their siblings of suitable ages if interested, and ONE outdoor game that you can lead. The time is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a come-and-go relaxed schedule. You can bring a sack lunch if you care to picnic; cold drinks are included. A Cub headcount when you arrive will cost $5/boy to be billed later (goes towards patches and drinks), and there will be a raffle drawing for a $50 credit for any Pack that indeed brings a game to lead. For questions, email Jeff Hutchinson, jeff.Hutchinson@shac.org

31) AMERICAN INDIAN WEEKEND: The 7th Annual Colonneh American Indian Weekend will be held December 5-7, 2008 @ Bovay Scout Ranch. It is open to all Boy Scouts and Leaders, Venturers and Leaders, all OA members + Cubs, Webelos, and Leaders. Everyone! The $35 Registration fee includes Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday breakfast, event patch, special patch and event tee-shirt. A full program of activities includes:

If you have any questions contact Pat Collins at: 281.897.8949

33) WIN A BACKPACK: The Osprey Pack Co. is running a monthly contest open to kids ages six to 16. In 250-500 words, contestants are asked to tell about a place they have hiked or backpacked that was especially memorable. Why is it special? Was there a special encounter with an animal? Mother Nature? Was the area threatened? Was it well taken care of? Last but NOT least, contestants should pick one of the Leave No Trace principles and tell how it applied to the adventure. Entrants are also welcome (but not required) to include a photo. For more information and contest rules, please visit the Osprey website at http://www.ospreypacks.com/OspreyLifestyle/KidsEssayContest/

Learn about Leave No Trace: http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles.php

34) TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE BADGE: A Texas Criminal Justice Badge is being offered in cooperation with the Criminal Justice Center of Sam Houston State University. Click here for requirements. This badge may be earned by any Cub Scout or Boy Scout in the state of Texas.

35) MAKING CAMP RESERVATIONS: The Sam Houston Area Council has upgraded its web pages describing all the Council-run camps and current schedules (updated weekly). Start here: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/Camps4/AllCampReservations1/

********** TECH CORNER **********

36) FLAT STANLEY, SCOUTING STYLE Insanescouter.org has developed a virtual flat Scout Stanley find it here. The only thing you need to do to participate is get an Insanescouter FREE account on the site. You will be able to post your adventures and upload up to 4 photos, as well as view other posts. We are trying to see how many times Stanley will go around the Globe as a Scout. This will be an International game so you will be able to see photos, read posts, and interact via the Stanley website with Scouts from all over.

37) PINEWOOD DERBY VIDEO GAME The BSA has authorized a PC-based video game based on the Pinewood Derby. Available at Best Buy or www.pinewoodderbygame.com.

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

38) SCOUT SILVER DOLLAR: In 2010 the U.S. Mint will produce 350,000 silver dollars with a Scouting theme on one side. The $10/coin surcharge will be donated back to BSA. See press release

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

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

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