Cub e-bulletin for Oct 2008

1) OCTOBER ROUNDTABLE: This monthly meeting will be Thursday October 2 at 7:30 p.m. sharp, PROBABLY UPSTAIRS IN SUMTER HALL BECAUSE THE BASEMENT FLOODED. 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 November 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) FALL RECRUITING: Please turn in any new Youth or Adult applications at Roundtable – that person is not covered by BSA insurance until you do this! Check that they are properly signed to avoid rejection/ recycling. Email jeff.hutchinson@shac.org if you need any help whatsoever, and see the SHAC website for fall recruiting resources and information. http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events1/SchoolNighttoJoinScout/

3) NEW ADULT LEADER FORM: Last year BSA worked hard to ensure that all potential new leaders undergo a Criminal Background Check (CBC). Adult leaders already on seat have been notified if they lack a CBC and were requested to follow up ASAP. Below is the link to the most current and correct adult application form. Should you have any paper adult applications that do not look just like this version (28-501F), please destroy them as the local councils are prohibited from accepting them.

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

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

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.

4) POPCORN IS OFF AND RUNNING: The 2008 Trail's End popcorn sale again features a simplified product-pricing plan, with a straight percentage of the gross sales going back to your unit. SHAC will continue to provide new and exciting prizes and performance incentives, giving your unit the opportunity to increase your percentage of profit. Final popcorn ordering deadline has been extended a month to December 2. Questions: Dale Fitz, email fitzkuah@aol.com

New this year: Each scout who fills out the order form with 25 unique customers gets a marshmallow blaster; and customers can send Boy Scout popcorn to military troops.

5) 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. If you phone in these changes as you learn about them, you save yourself a chore at rechartering time, and the families continue to get Boy’s Life without interruption. The direct phone of the Council registration desk is 713 756-3328.

6) TAX-FREE PURCHASES: The Scout Shops are required to check that each purchaser who claims tax-exempt status has a letter showing this on file. You are exempt from sales tax on your purchases only if you are chartered by an organization that is exempt from sales tax. (Think of it this way: your Pack, Troop, or Crew is "owned" by your Chartering organization. Their tax status = your tax status.)

To download a convenient letter you can give vendors, click here: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/01-3392.pdf

To read the rules on what constitutes a tax-exempt Chartering Organization in the State of Texas, click here: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/faq_exempt.html#exempt

P.S. There is no such thing as a "Tax Exempt number" so don't drive yourself crazy trying to find one!

7) 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

8) 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

9) WELCOME OUR NEW DISTRICT EXECUTIVE: Eric Bolton joined BSA in September and will be working with Jeff Hutchinson, taking training, and coming up to speed.

10) SILVER BEAVER RECEPTION: This year’s crop of top volunteers will be honored on Monday evening October 13 – see http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events/AnnualRecognitionDinne/CouncilRecognitionRece/ for the location details. Our Golden Arrow distinguished recipients are: Scott Coleman, David Grizzle, Kent Johnston, and Ben Royce - congratulations!

11) RECHARTER WORKSHOP: On October 29 and (repeat) November 13, we are offering training in how to properly fill out your Unit's annual paperwork. It is not hard if you know what to do! Every Unit should send the responsible person, because an hour invested now could save you several hours of frustration and re-do. The location is St. Pauls Presbyterian, 7200 Bellaire Blvd just inside US 59. For more information contact BJ Yother, bj_yother@hctx.net

12) 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. Nominations are due by November 3 for the next year of service. Can you volunteer, or do you know a good person? 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.

13) FRIENDS OF SCOUTING FAMILY CAMPAIGN 2009: Boy Scouts has three fund-raising campaigns each year: Popcorn sales in the fall, a Friends of Scouting pledge drive in the winter, and Scout Fair ticket sale in the spring. If you haven't already, please send the name and contact information for your 2009 FOS Coordinator, plus your FOS presentation date between Jan. 12 and end of March 2009, by November 1 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 six-week period to get the job done in a rapid and efficient way. Their training will be Dec. 2 or (repeat) Dec. 4 and materials will be passed out approximately January 11, 2009. In 2008, the Golden Arrow District led the entire Council in generosity (in fact, we left ‘em in the dust). Well done!

14) PHILMONT TRAINING NOMINATIONS SOLICITED: The Philmont Training Center is one of Scouting's best secrets. Located on the grounds of Philmont Scout Ranch, in Cimarron, New Mexico, the Training Center offers approximately 60 courses to over 5,000 adult volunteers each summer. Participants can enroll in these 1-week conferences with the approval of their local Council, and families are invited along to enjoy recreational activities while you are in class. Learn about it here: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/PhilmontTrainingCenter/

Your first step is to request a nomination. a) Read all the info on the web link; b) Ask your Committee Chair to add your name to the nomination list; c) Ensure that he/she sends in your Unit's total list of nominations by October 31 to Jeff Hutchinson jeff.hutchinson@shac.org If accepted, you will receive a full registration packet by return mail in ~January 2009, at which time you can make your final decision and send in your forms and deposit.

15) CUB LEADER POW-WOW IS RENAMED AKELA’S TRAIL: This mega-event, for all Cub leaders and as many parents as possible, is Saturday November 1 at Spring Woods High School in Spring Branch. In addition to BSA National training, there is a huge smorgasbord of special-topic classes from which to choose. Click through from the link at www.goldenarrow.org

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 October 18 at Houston Baptist University (rescheduled due to Hurricane Ike). Follow signs from the parking lot to the correct building. 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, mfarley@hbu.edu

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 .

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 October 1 at location St. Paul’s Presbyterian, 7200 Bellaire Blvd @ US59, with the weekend campout on October 10-12.

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-922 October 10-12 & November 14-16, 2008 (begins Friday at 7:30 AM, ends Sunday at 5:00 PM) (NOT AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IKE)

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.

27) HURRICANE IKE RELIEF: If your Unit would like to help with a project coordinated through the Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC), call 713 865-5106. While damaged by the storm, Camps Strake and Bovay have been sufficiently cleared of debris to re-open for scheduled activities. On a sad note, over 20 SHAC staff had their homes destroyed or seriously damaged.

28) WEBELOS WOODS (NOTE LOCATION): This parent-son Webelos-only campout previews Boy Scouts and helps you choose a Troop: October 4-5 at Camp Brosig near Sealy, TX. At this campout, area Troops each put on a 30-minute activity for boys and give handouts to parents on their particulars. You rotate through and get an amazing overview of the variety of Boy Scouting experiences available. YOU MAY STILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER: http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/webelos-woods-08.html

29) CUB SCOUT FUN DAY: Saturday October 11 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 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. A Cub headcount when you arrive will cost $5/boy to be billed later; there will be a discount if you indeed bring a game to lead. The money will go for supplies and cold drinks. For questions, email James Ragan, james.ragan@wamu.net

30) NEW SPACE CENTER WOLF CAMP-IN: Space Center Houston has added a new Wolf Camp-in following a similar format to the other Cub Scout camp-ins. On October 17 for $55 per scout and $25 per adult within the approved ratio, you will receive a wonderful educational experience, Wolf badge activities, a light morning breakfast, Giant Screen films, private tram tour to JSC, and a next day visit to tour Space Center Houston on your own. Family members can join in the morning and can purchase $10 discounted tickets the evening of the camp-in. This has not yet been posted on the website; however, you can get information on how the other similar programs are run: http://www.spacecenter.org/ScoutCampIns.html For more information, contact Hannah Lange (281-244-2131, campins@spacecenter.org ).

31) The Houston Jewish Scouting Committee invites all Jewish Scouts (Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts) and their families to the 14th Jewish Scout Retreat at Camp Strake October 24-26, 2008. More information, including registration materials, is available at
http://www.troop806.org/kinus/

32) DEN CHIEF TRAINING: Do you have Boy Scouts working with your Cub patrols as Den Chiefs? If so, and you would like to have them even better prepared to assist you and keep up enthusiasm and discipline at your events, alert the Scouts to an upcoming training opportunity at Akela’s Trail, November 1 at Spring Woods High School.

33) 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

34) 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 ONLINE Registration coming soon.

35) 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/

36) 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.

********** ADULTS ONLY **********

37) PHILMONT FOR ADULTS: Philmont is open to adults only during the September through November for hikes (Autumn Adventure). Need 7 to 12 adults. For more information talk to John Curry and/or go to website: www.scouting.org/philmont/camping/season/autumn.html

38) BSA FABRIC FOR CRAFTS: Boy Scouts of America in conjunction with Robert Kaufman Fabrics (a good quality fabric manufacturer) is releasing a new line of quilting cottons. As seen by the link below, the motifs are all Scout-themed. www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/designers/boy_scouts_of_america/ Searching the web, there are several online stores that sell the fabric.

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