Phoenix Newsletter

The Phoenix roundtable newsletter is a monthly newsletter that contains information about upcoming district and council events and activities and is sent the first Thursday of the month. The electronic newsletter is sent on a weekly basis and is in addition to the roundtable newsletter. Follow the district Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhoenixDistrictSHAC.  

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Phoenix District Roundtable

February 6, 2020   |   7:00 pm

Stay Informed, Attend Roundtable graphicRoundtable is a district monthly meeting typically held the first Thursday of the month at Cypress Creek Christian Church (6823 Cypresswood, Spring, TX 77379) at 7:00 pm to help unit leaders plan and carry out their own program. Roundtable is a form of supplemental training for volunteers.

The objective of roundtable is to give leaders program ideas, information on upcoming events and trainings, and an opportunity to share experiences and enjoy fun and fellowship with other Scouting leaders. As a result of the roundtable experience, unit leaders will be inspired, motivated, informed, and able to provide a stronger program for their Scouts. 

Roundtable breakouts are a great place for leaders and parents to come together to share what you know so we can all learn more about Scouting. Interactive and interesting… it’s designed for you. Units will be all the better for your time spent… promise! 

Cub Scout breakouts are focused on the needs of leaders and volunteers in packs. You're not on your own out there and you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Come to a meeting to find out how much work has already been done for you. There are tons of resources available to help you put together a top-notch program. 

Scouts BSA breakouts are focused on leaders and volunteers in troops, crew, ships to share quality resources, knowledge, and skills that enable and motivate leaders to deliver an outstanding program. Parents and leaders of Webelos Scouts crossing over into troops are also invited to explore Scouting.  

District Award Nominations

Due January 16, 2020

Nominate Scouters who have served Phoenix District youth above and beyond the call of duty. The deadline for submitting nominations is January roundtable.

  • Community Leadership Award is presented annually to a community leader who has provided outstanding support to the Scouting program in our district. 
  • Chartered Partner Award is for chartering organizations that demonstrate outstanding or distinctive relationships beyond the normal expectation. The chartering organization should provide noteworthy service to youth, contributing to increased youth participation, cooperates with the district and/or council, involve the instructional head in the selection of quality unit leadership, and causes a greater comprehension in the use of Scouting within the community organization. 
  • District Award of Merit is a council award presented by districts. The award is available to Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level.
  • Family of the Year Award is presented annually to a family who has, as a group, provided outstanding support to the Scouting program in our district.
  • Jack of All Trades Award is for that unit Scouter whose unit always seems to turn to when there is a need within the unit.
  • Rising Phoenix Award is for that Scouter whose unit always seems to turn to when there is a need within the district.
  • Unit Service Award recognizes exceptional BSA leaders who work with youth at the unit level. Each unit is strongly encouraged to consider leaders in their unit for nomination.

District Dinner

February 1, 2020  |  5:00 pm

District Dinner is an opportunity for a night of fellowship and great food as we acknowledge and thank our adult volunteers for the hard work and dedication that made this year incredibly successful. Phoenix District’s outstanding leaders at the unit and district levels will also be recognized.  ll volunteers in Phoenix District are invited. Bring items to decorate your dinner table. The event is being held at LDS Klein Stake Center (16535 Kleinwood Dr., Spring, TX 77379). The registration fee is $20.00 payable online. After 1/28/20, a late fee of $5.00 will apply and dinner is not guaranteed. 

Learn More and Register

Pushmobile

March 28, 2020

Pushmobile is a relay race using simple, homemade, Cub Scout-powered cars. Cub Scout dens make their own pushmobile. Four to eight youth work together as a team to push their pushmobile through the course to the finish line. The purpose of this event is to have fun, promote participation in a team effort, and to provide an activity where doing your best is most important. Trophies are presented to the top three teams per rank and to the top three packs. Teams are formed by Scout rank (kindergarten - 5th grade). Every Scout will receive a patch. The pack trackside location is awarded in order of payment. The event is being held at Lone Star College (30555 Tomball Pkwy., Tomball, TX 77375).

Learn More and Register

Training

Training is an important part of learning to become an effective leader. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be! Every Scout deserves a trained leader. See the council training schedule for a list of additional trainings offered around the council. For more information about training, contact Rhonda Bill

What to Bring to Training            Council Training Schedule

Date Course
(click on title for course description)		 Location Time Cost Register
March 6-7, 2020 Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Troop 87 Scout Hut
6410 Spring Cypress
Spring, Texas 77379		 Fr at 6:00 pm -
Sat at 8:30 pm		 $36.50 Register
March 6-7, 2020 Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Troop 87 Scout Hut
6410 Spring Cypress
​Spring, Texas 77379		 Fr at 6:00 pm -
Sat at 8:30 pm		 $36.50 Register

The Scouting Trail

The Scouting Trail is a monthly handout provided to units at roundtable describing upcoming council events for the next quarter. This is a great resource for Scouters and parents.

The Scouting Trail: January 2020

Scouting for Food

January 25, 2020 (hanger drop off)
February 1, 2020 (food collection)

Scouting for Food is a council-wide service project to care for people in our local communities who are hungry and those in need. In partnership with the Souper Bowl of Caring, the project begins Saturday, January 25, 2020, as Scouts distribute door hangers in their neighborhoods to announce the upcoming food drive. Scouts return the following Saturday, February 1, 2020, to pick up and deliver donations to their local food banks and pantries.

A Scout promises to help other people at all times. There is no better way to show our Scouting spirit than by participating in the annual Scouting for Food drive! Now is the time to show our community the Scouting values of being loyal, helpful, kind, and cheerful.

Scouts will help make a difference to fight hunger. Scouting for Food is the leading service program for Boy Scouts of America and is a part of the national BSA program - Good Turn for America.

Learn More and Sign Up

Scouts BSA Super Troop

July 12-18 or July 19-25, 2020

Super troop is a temporary troop made up of Scouts from troops around the council. Super Troop is a fantastic opportunity for Scouts to attend an extra week of summer camp, for a Scout to attend camp individually if they can't attend camp with their unit, or for those Scouts who just like to camp. Super Troop is staffed each week by experienced volunteer Scouters.

Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail.

Learn More and Register           About Camp Strake           About Summer Camp

National Scout Jamboree

July 21-30, 2021 (plus travel days)

Scouting’s flagship event is one-of-a-kind. It’s a gathering of approximately 40,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff that showcases everything that is great about the BSA and its members. Over the course of 10 summer days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America comes together. The result is the national Scout jamboree. Scouts and Scouters will explore all kinds of adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, Garden Ground hikes, adventure sports, patch trading, and more—in the heart of one of nature’s greatest playgrounds. With 10,000 acres at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories. The jamboree is the best of Scouting rolled into 10 days of fun, friends, and adventure. You won’t want to miss out on this incredible Scouting experience. Qualified adult leaders are needed to serve as jamboree troop Scoutmasters, assistant Scoutmasters and crew Advisors. Qualified youth can attend the jamboree with the council contingent. 

Learn More and Register

Cub Scout Camping

Adventure Camp is weekend campout for Cub Scouts and their families at Bovay Scout Ranch. Cub Scouts and their families will enjoy an exciting variety of activities at several program areas. Meals are eaten in the air-conditioned dining hall. A staff member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities.

Adventure Camp

During family camping weekends, the pack leadership plans the camping program and food. Enjoy all the wonder and beauty of the central Texas rolling hills and lakes at Bovay Scout Ranch. Campsites, restrooms and showers are available; however, the program areas and dining hall are not available during family camping.

Family Camping

New Scouts BSA Brand Guidance Training

As the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) welcomes girls into Cub Scouts and older girls into the Scouts BSA program starting on February 1, it is important that families understand the program or organization they are joining.

There have been some instances where our volunteers may have inadvertently used the name or trademarks of the Girl Scout of the USA (GSUSA) brand in spreading the word that girls are or will soon be part of all BSA programs. GSUSA recently have filed a lawsuit asserting that these instances have caused confusion. While we don’t believe there has been any such confusion, we respect and support the GSUSA and their rights to their brand.

To ensure that we promote our programs in a clear and Scout-like manner, we have developed resources to make sure our leaders are aware of the do’s and don’ts in promoting BSA programs.

The Scouts BSA Brand Guidance Training is one of the efforts underway to be sure Scouters have a clear understanding of what they can do. This builds on the infographic, and the guidance provided to councils in April.

Scouts BSA Brand Guidance Training     Infographic 

This training should be shared with all volunteers to bring this understanding to all parts of our community. While our goal is to encourage youth to join our program, we must always be clear in our communications about the program they are joining.

  • We are The Boy Scouts of America.
  • The Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA are different organizations.
  • We support all other youth organizations and do not disparage them.
  • We encourage parents to enroll all youth in a character development program that meets their needs – and the BSA is certainly ready to welcome them.

To aid you in this effort, councils and volunteers are encouraged to use these intro talking points as you host info sessions and launch efforts for Scouts BSA. Additionally, please use this resource to help address any questions you might get in the community about this matter.

Learn More