Friends of Scouting |
Friends of Scouting is the name of our annual campaign which provides an opportunity for all Scouting families to invest in the character, education, and leadership programs of Scouting by making a 100% tax-deductible gift. |
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We are adding a new Friends of Scouting component, and all units will have an FOS goal to meet by March 31, 2024. When the unit meets its goal, all the Scouts in the unit will be entitled to 50% off day camp fees (packs) or 50% off Full Throttle weekends (troops, crews, ships). Contact your district’s Family FOS chair to get more details about the campaign. Unit leadership should provide the unit's Blue and Gold or Court of Honor date where the Family FOS presentation will occur, so that proper planning and presenter arrangements can be made. We appreciate your continued support and thank you for allowing us to tell the Scouting story to your unit’s families and for supporting our annual Friends of Scouting campaign.
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Camping Safety |
Camping is a long-honored tradition for many families, including the BSA family. Timing, supplies, and location should be determined ahead of time so you can make the most of your camping experience. |
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There might be some instances where you overthink or underestimate a camping trip, but there are also many ways to enjoy the adventure, fun, discovery, and teamwork involved. A campout safety checklist that includes documentation needed, training, planning, equipment, emergency planning and program will help to ensure these aspects of camping are accomplished while keeping you safe. For more information, please visit here.
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BSA Honor Medal
Michael Gatlin, while in a canoe on very rough water along with two others, threw a rescue throw bag and rope to victims of a capsized canoe and towed them to shore. The incident – which in total lasted around 45 minutes - at Northern Tier, MN. |
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On this trek were three canoes with three people in each. One canoe capsized in rough weather. The canoe Michael was in went to assist by towing the boat and victims to shore. Two of the three passengers in the capsized canoe were Michael’s father and brother. The rope was caught by one of the passengers in the water as the victims, due to the lake conditions, were unable to upright the canoe, but able to hold on to it as it was towed.
Due to the extreme cold temperature, speed was imperative, as hypothermia’s effect was increasing. Once ashore, others joined to remove the victims’ wet clothing, put them into warm clothes and shelter, and eventually fed them warm food. Congratulations to Michael on receiving this award. |
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Tag the Sam Houston Area Council on Facebook and your story might be featured.
| Eagle Scout receives 100 year old family pin |
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Check out the KPRC 2 News Story about Eagle Scout Alden being pinned with the same Eagle Award pin of his great grandfather, Claude James Davenport Jr. awarded in 1925.
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Eagle Scout project to help victims |
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The Courier of Montgomery County featured an article about Scouts of Troop 776. A waiting room on the second floor of the Lee G. Alworth Building in Conroe looks less like an attorney’s office and more like a cozy family room, thanks to the efforts of these Scouts.
Tucker and his fellow Scouts dedicated 260 hours to remodel the victim’s assistance waiting room at the Montgomery County District’s Attorney’s office. The waiting room is for those who are victims of violent crimes, including children, as their cases work through the justice system. |
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Camperships |
The council is dedicated to ensuring all Scouts can attend camp.
The purpose of campership aid is to make attending camping programs possible for deserving Scouts who otherwise would not be able to meet the fee requirements. Scouters may also need camperships to attend training and/or be able to provide leadership so more Scouts can attend camp. |
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The campership fund is possible through donations, Friends of Scouting (FOS), and popcorn sales. Camperships for council camp programs can be requested for trainings such as NYLT and Wood Badge and events such as day camp, Adventure Camp, summer camp, winter camp, and more. Camperships need to be requested before registering for an event.
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Membership Fee Update |
One-Time Joining Fee Eliminated Effective April 1, 2024, the BSA will eliminate 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. |
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Membership Fee Increase
Also, effective April 1, 2024, the annual membership fee for all adult volunteers and youth in the Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts programs will increase by $5 annually. All other fees remain the same. (See infographic for details.)
The timing of this membership fee increase earlier in the calendar year allows unit leaders to better plan their budgets, fundraising, and recruiting calendars. |
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Day Camp |
Get ready for Cub Scout Day Camp 2024: Outdoor Adventure! Cub Scouts will explore a variety of Outdoor Adventures, learn new skills, and make new friends! Day Camp is open to Scouts entering 1st grade - 5th grade next school year. Day camp is a week of fun with awesome programs and activities such as BB guns, archery, sports, STEM, games and crafts, rank advancements, Scout skills, and more.
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Trail to Eagle Camp |
Instead of gaming, spend part of your spring break at our new Trail to Eagle Camp working on Eagle Scout-required merit badges and participating in exciting program areas such as climbing, shooting sports, and boating. Troops and individual Scouts can attend.
March 9-11, 2024 |
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Strake Odyssey |
Embark on an extraordinary journey with Strake Odyssey, Camp Strake’s new space-focused camp. Dive into the wonders of astronomy, rocketry, and cosmic exploration, igniting young minds with hands-on activities and captivating simulations that bring the universe to life. Troops and individual Scouts can attend.
July 14-20, 2024
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Summer Camp |
Summer Camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. There are unique programs for first-year Scouts and experienced Scouts to take part in our new ACE (Advanced Camper Experience) program. |
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Full Throttle |
Full Throttle is a weekend event for troops, crews, ships, and individual Scouts. Scouts spend a half-day participating in programs areas such as shooting sports, climbing, swimming, ziplining, and boating, as well as a half-day working on a merit badge. Individual Scouts can attend. Learn essential skills that could be
useful in a survival scenario. April 26-28, 2024 |
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Camp Staff |
The council has a great challenge each year to provide Scouts and Scouters who attend our camps with a great camping experience. We are looking for dedicated individuals to apply to be on camp staff for seasonal weekend events and/or summer camp at Bovay Scout Ranch and/or Camp Strake. The requirements are stiff, the jobs are demanding, and the experience is exhilarating. |
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Muslim Jamboree |
Asslamualaykum! The Muslim International Scout Jamboree is a week-long camp for Muslim Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. June 30-July 6, 2024 |
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Powder Horn |
Powder Horn is an action-packed, hands-on course that helps Scouts and Scouters learn how to implement high adventure activities into their troop, crew, or ships. Classes are taught by career professionals and Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. April 5-7 & May 3-5, 2024 |
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University of Scouting |
University of Scouting is a semi-annual supplemental training program. The spring event will focus on outdoor trainings to help leaders enhance their ability to deliver a fun and exciting program to the Scouts. Classes range from a half-day to the entire weekend.
April 12-14, 2024 - Camp Strake Courses:
• New Cub Scout Program Updates
• Cub Scout Basic Training
• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
• Climbing & COPE
• BSA Lifeguard
• Angler Education
• Leave No Trace
• Shooting Sports (Rifle, Shotgun & Range Master)
•Trainer's EDGE |
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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.
June 9-14, 2024 or June 16-21, 2024 - Bovay Scout Ranch |
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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.
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OA Trail Crew |
A Trail Crew is an opportunity for Arrowmen (ages 14 and older) to provide service to the trails at Camp Strake and establish a bond of brotherhood with fellow Arrowmen. March 14-17, 2024 |
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Section Conclave |
The Lone Star Fellowship (Section Conclave) is an annual event where nine lodges from Gateway Region Section (G2) get together for fellowship, competitions, and lots of fun while celebrating the traditions of the Order of the Arrow. April 5-7, 2024 |
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Sea Scouts is a specialized program for young men and women ages 14 to 20 that focuses on water high adventure and personal development.
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Sea Scout Long Cruise |
The Spring Long Cruise is a week-long camp for Sea Scouts to earn advancements and learn new skills. March 10-16, 2024 |
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Swim tests ahead of Summer Camp |
Swim classification tests should be renewed annually, preferably at the beginning of the season. The Sea Scouts are helping troops and Scouts prepare for summer camps by conducting swim tests at various locations around the council in April and May. Units can schedule swim tests. |
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Donate Your Vehicle or Boat
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Help ensure the success of Scouting in the Sam Houston Area Council with meaningful gifts including company matching gifts, company volunteer grants, or by donating stocks, bonds, mutual funds, securities, uniforms, camping equipment, and yes, even services. To donate a car, truck, RV, trailer, boat, or motor to the council, visit One Car One Difference.
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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.
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April 18, 2024
| Council CoordinatedCouncil Coordinated is a triannual meeting for district leadership. |
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