Cub e-bulletin for Feb 2009

Dear Cubmasters and Pack Committee Chairs:

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.

*** Please check that we have your Pack leadership info correctly listed at http://www.goldenarrow.org/packs.html ***

********** ROUNDTABLE, DISTRICT, AND COUNCIL MESSAGES **********

1) FEBRUARY ROUNDTABLE: This monthly meeting will be Thursday February 5 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 March 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) SNTJS CHAIR: Please turn in the name and contact information for your Unit’s spring membership Rally Chair (“School Night to Join Scouting”) to Jeff or Eric jeff.Hutchinson@shac.org or eric.Bolton@shac.org Why a Spring Rally?

a. Most parents think that they can only sign up for Cub Scouts in September. They think that because they either didn't get the message early enough or weren't able to attend the signup night, they have to wait a whole year to join. The more opportunities we give boys to sign up, the more boys will in fact join!

b. Boys crave fun outdoor activities! Who has a better outdoor program than the BSA?

c. Joining in the springtime gives Scouts the opportunity to participate in many premier activities: Twilight Camp, Scout Fair, Summertime Pack Activities. Kindergartners can join June 1 and attend Twilight Camp (late registration fees do not apply for new Tigers; however, a parent must attend).

d. Young people who sign up to attend camp are more likely to remain in Scouting. Furthermore, we know that the longer young people remain in Scouting, the greater impact we can have on their lives. Kids who sign up in the spring are in line to get the best part of the Scouting Program, right off the bat.

e. Joining in the springtime give the boys a chance to get acquainted with their den leaders, and familiarize both them and their parents to how the pack operates. The Pack can place young people in dens and get them involved in some of the Pack's summer activities.

f. Joining in the spring gives the Pack a chance to meet the parents and determine whom the Packs' future Den Leaders may be. The spring and summer months are a great time to recruit and train new leaders, before the "fall rush" begins.

LET’S RECRUIT!

3) SCOUT FAIR TICKETS and CHAIR: Pick up your Scout Fair Tickets at Roundtable February 5. Please turn in the name and contact information for your Unit’s Scout Fair Ticket Chair to Jeff or Eric jeff.Hutchinson@shac.org or eric.Bolton@shac.org Your Unit earns 40% of the sales price if you have a booth at the Scout Fair April 18 (30% with no booth).

Remember, the quicker you distribute your tickets and collect back sales proceeds, the more prize stamps and raffle chances your boys earn!

4) SCOUT FAIR BOOTH CHAIR: Please turn in the name and contact information for your Unit’s Scout Fair Booth Chair to Jeff or Eric jeff.Hutchinson@shac.org or eric.Bolton@shac.org Scout Fair is April 18. Reserve your booth online: https://www.shac.org/HOME/FORMS/SCOUTFAIR2009ONLINEUNI/

5) SCOUTPARENTS UNIT COORDINATOR: Beginning immediately, each Unit should have a position on their Committee called the “ScoutParents Unit Coordinator”. There will be a line on the recharter form to indicate the name of the person filling this position. The ScoutParents Unit Coordinator’s job is to assign parents to help with at least one specific task, assignment, or project annually; provide an orientation for all parents about how the Unit works and the benefits to the family; keep parents updated on the program and their son’s involvement. Fast Start training is available for this position at www.myscouting.org. Pack/Troop Committee and/or Cubmaster specific training along with NLE (New Leader Essentials) and YPT (Youth Protection Training) should be taken. There is a position patch for this new role. The new youth application encourages all parents to check the block to be an active ScoutParent. For more information, visit www.ScoutParents.org.

6) SCOUT SUNDAY AND SCOUT SHABBAT: At least once a year, Scout units are urged to participate in the religious service of their chartering organization: attend en masse in uniform, do a flag ceremony, speak about Scouting, pass out your earned religious awards, and/or formally thank them for their support throughout the year. Why not also have a recruiting information table in the foyer or hospitality area afterwards? This year Scout Sunday is February 8; information on Scout Shabbat is forthcoming. Note that Boy Scouts is non-sectarian and awards can be earned for nearly any organized religion - "a Boy Scout is reverent". http://www.scouting.org/awards/religious/awards/index.html

7) ANNUAL DISTRICT DINNER: The various annual Unit and District awards will be presented at the District Dinner on Saturday February 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Council offices. We are really upgrading this year to make it like “date night” – live music and everything! Purchase tickets for yourself, your partner/ spouse, and your top Unit leaders including your honorees, at Roundtable. Also see the District website: http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/dinner-2009.html

8) WOOD BADGE RECOGNITION DINNER: This annual city-wide event for Wood Badge alumni/alumnae is held around Baden-Powell's birthday – this year the party will be on February 23. See http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/WoodBadgeDinner/

9) HURRICANE IKE RELIEF: Congratulations to the following Units that reported their Hurricane Ike good deeds to the Council. In return, there will be a special ribbon for your flag printed with “Hurricane Ike Hero”. Packs 55, 130, 197, 266, 505; and Troops 11, 55, 266, 1020, and 1190. If your Unit held a relief effort but you haven’t reported it yet, please email your story to scoutingrelief@shac.org Don’t forget to include: Number of youth participating; Number of adults participating; Approximate number of Scout hours logged; Type of relief effort; Quantity of food (if a food drive was involved).

10) NEW MEDICAL FORM: A new Annual Health and Medical Record form will replace the former Class 1, 2, and 3 forms by end 2009. The new form, No. 34605, will be required effective January 1, 2010, and for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/12/19/annual-health-and-medical-record/

Therefore, you should start using this new form henceforth so that you don’t have to re-do 2009 doctor exams mid-season (e.g. next January).

11) UNIT FINANCIAL HELP: Please be aware that any Unit engaging in non-Council money earning efforts with the sale of goods or services must file an application with SHAC in advance. A page of money-earning FAQs and links to helpful forms is posted on the SHAC website. Click here: http://samhoustonbsa.org/Home/DistrictSites/UnitResources/FAQ1/

********** ADULT TRAINING ********

12) UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING: This year's University of Scouting will be held on Saturday February 7. This is similar to the autumn "Akela’s Trail" but with additional Scouting topics that are relevant to leaders of older boys. Choose 5 courses from 100+ offered, to fill your schedule; pre-register to receive a discount and have the highest chance of getting all your first-choice selections. Historically, the classes are really top-quality and people are very happy they took time to attend- http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/UniversityofScouting6/

13) BRAND NEW LEADERS: Our goal is 100% trained leaders. This consists of a "Fast Start" online training http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/faststart/ , then online Youth Protection Training http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events1/YouthProtectionTrainin/

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

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) NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS and CUB LEADER SPECIFIC : The next date for this efficient combo training in our District will be Saturday May 2 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

15) 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

16) 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

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

18) ONLINE HAZARDOUS WEATHER TRAINING: This is required for at least one adult on any activity requiring a tour permit. It takes 30-45 minutes to complete online: http://www.scouting.org/Applications/MyScoutingFull.aspx

19) 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.

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-1006 March 5-7 & March 26-28, 2009 (Thursday at 7:30 AM to Saturday at 5:00 PM)

SR-1007 April 3-5 & April 24-26, 2009 (Friday at 7:30 AM to Sunday at 5:00 PM)

21) 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.

22) 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/

************ EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES **********

23) TEN COMMANDMENTS HIKE: The fourteenth annual five-mile hike to visit ten churches, synagogues, and other places of worship will be held Saturday February 14, 2009. The purpose is to support the Scout Law element "A Scout is Reverent", and promote inter-faith understanding. This walk is appropriate for entire families, Cub, Boy, and Girl Scouts, Sunday School classes, youth groups, etc. etc. However, participants must be physically able to navigate good and not-so-good sidewalks, roadways, gravel paths, grassy stretches, etc. at a moderate pace. Register and pay $8/person by February 6. See https://www.shac.org/Home/Forms/TenCommandmentHike3/Ten%20Commandment%20Hike.PDF

24) CAMPOREE: This fantastic all-District campout is March 6-8, with discounted pre-registration due February 20. At the Webb Ranch near Chappell Hill, Scout and Webelos patrols (sorry no Cubs) will circulate around numerous skill and game stations to learn or sharpen their Scouting skills in a fun and entertaining way. Overall events include a Model Campsite contest, a Dutch Oven Cooking contest, and an evening bonfire with Order of the Arrow tapouts. Click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/camporee2009.html

25) DERBY DAY: A Golden Arrow District Pinewood Derby event will be held on Saturday March 7; details soon.

26) BAYOU TRASH BASH: On March 28, join a regional clean-up of our Texas wildscape. Click here: http://www.trashbash.org/ and http://www.trashbash.org/scouting_information.htm

27) BRAZOS BEND: Celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Bend State Park on Saturday April 4. Numerous special events (see website). Admission to BBSP is $5 for ages 13 and up, 12 and under free. See http://www.brazosbend.org/home.htm

28) SCOUT FAIR: This family fun fest is Saturday April 18 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. See: https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events/ScoutFair/

29) TWILIGHT CAMP 2009: All den leaders should tell their families about this very low-cost, high-fun, evening camp offered the week of June 1 and (repeat) June 8. 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. You definitely should take advantage of this and lighten your own load! Registration fills very quickly – details on the District website shortly.

30) ART CAR MUSEUM: The Art Car Museum, located in the Heights, has free admission and is open 11-6 Wednesdays through Sundays. http://www.artcarmuseum.com/

31) MILITARY MUSEUM: The Military Museum of Texas gives tours of their restored military vehicles and participates in battle re-enactments. Located near the intersection of I-10 and 610 East Loop: http://www.texasmuseum.org/

32) 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 **********

33) CONSERVATION DATABASE: ScoutingTexas.com provides an interactive map view of conservation related activities and projects for the entire state of Texas. ConservationBSA.com has an extensive list of material related to conservation service and program opportunities.

34) SCOUTING SAFELY: Link for finding resources on BSA safety issues

http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=promoi&c=http://www.scouting.org/healthandsafety/index.html

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

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

********** IN CLOSING **********

35) You can contact your Golden Arrow District staff by email:

Jeff Hutchinson, District Director jeff.hutchinson@shac.org or 713-756-3337

Eric Bolton, District Executive eric.bolton@shac.org or 713-756-3338

The mailing address for the Scout Office is P.O. Box 924528, zip 77292

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

Don't forget February 14 because if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy,

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."