Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, in-person district and council meetings, activities, and events have restrictions; council camp events have restrictions. The council office and Scouts Shops are opened with limited staff and social distancing protocols. Learn More.

Digital Safety and Scouting at Home

Many units and families are discovering creative ways to have fun Scouting at home. When using digital and online resources, there are some important guidelines from the National Council about youth protection, safeguarding personal information and recording online meetings.

Across the nation, Scouters are finding ways to help keep their youth members engaged and Scouting. These out-of-the-box, in-home activities are centered around providing advancement-related content to help keep kids safe, engaged and to help them make the best of home time.

Digital Safety       Scouting at Home       COVID-19 Updates       Advancement Update

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.  

 Sign up for our newsletter

Phoenix District Roundtable

August 6, 2020   |   7:00 pm  |  Virtual

Stay Informed, Attend Roundtable graphicRoundtable is a district monthly meeting typically held the first Thursday of the month 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.  

Please register in advance and add your unit type and number after your last name when registering. By doing so, you will help the roundtable team to quickly move you to the correct breakout room after district announcements.

Register Now

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
October 9-10, 2020 Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Kickerello-Mischner Park
20215 Chasewood Park Dr. Houston, Texas 77070		 Fr at 6:00 pm to Sat at 6:00 pm $35.50 Register
October 10-11, 2020 Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Kickerello-Mischner Park
20215 Chasewood Park Dr. Houston, Texas 77070		 Sat at 11:00 am to Sun at 4:00 pm $35.50 Register

Virtual Day Camp Patches

The 2020 day camp was held virtually. Patches for the virtual day camp can be ordered for $3 each. THe deadline to order is August 21, 2020.  Allow four weeks for delivery.

Order a Patch

 

#10 SHAC Communication for COVID-19 Response

(7/27/20) The leadership of the Sam Houston Area Council would like to present this, our tenth update, on our response to the COVID-19 outbreak and protocols for Scouting operations going forward. We appreciate your continued patience as we navigate this situation as best we can. 

  • Any units wishing to conduct small-scale meetings or activities should do so only if able to meet specific preventative guidance from the State of Texas and the Center for Disease Control and upon consultation with and approval from their chartered organization.
  • All in-person district and council meetings through September 30th are cancelled or postponed unless conducted over teleconference or online. This includes district committee meetings, district roundtables, and council committee meetings.
    • Council Coordinated Meeting, scheduled for August 20th, will be conducted virtually. Please visit here to register in advance (required).
  • No overnight district or council activities may be conducted through September 30th.
  • Day-only activities by a district or the council may be conducted, with prior approval of the council’s Enterprise Risk Management committee. Only approved activities will appear on the council and district official websites. All events must meet strict social distancing protocols that have been shared with District Key-3 leadership.
    • Merit Badge Days will continue to be held at Tellepsen Scout Camp on Saturdays in August and in September, they will extend to Camp Strake. More information, including how to register, may be found here and will be updated as more days are added.
  • Weekend camping for Cub Scouts at Bovay Scout Ranch is cancelled through December 31st. This cancellation includes, but is not limited to, Cub Scout Adventure Camp, Fun with Family, and Webelos Coyote Extreme.
    • All packs registered for weekend camping for the Fall at Bovay Scout Ranch will receive a full refund.
    • Additional “Outdoor Sports Days” will be conducted at Bovay Scout Ranch during the fall. Activities will include BB guns, archery, water activities, fishing and a closing ceremony. More information, including registration, will be available in August.
  • The Cockrell Scout Center remains open for drop off only with hours of 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
    • Any interaction needed with staff members must be conducted through phone and email. If you need assistance determining the appropriate person to contact, please refer to our updated “who to call directory,” or contact the receptionist at (713) 659-8111 during our office hours to be directed to the appropriate person.
    • Field-based staff (District Executives) will be working remotely during this time and are available by phone and email.
  • The 5 Scout Shop locations are open to limited retail traffic. Please visit here for more store information, including updated store hours.
  • Our council program team is currently looking at alternative planning for major council events later in the Fall - including University of Scouting, Order of the Arrow Events, and Winter Camp. More information regarding those events will be made available as the situation evolves.

Learn More

Scouts BSA Merit Badge Days

Sept 12, Sept 26, Oct 17, Nov 21

merit badge sash

Scouts in troops can participate in merit badge classes held at the new Camp Strake. Classes will be held from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.  State of Texas and Center for Disease Control requirements will be followed and class sizes will be limited. Classes will stay together for the day and will not mix with other groups. Parents will drop off and pick up their Scout at the merit badge class. Scouts will go through a medical screening up arrival.

Learn More and 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: May 2020

Rank Advancement Update

Cub Scouting / Scouts BSA / Venturing / Sea Scouting Rank Advancement and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Questions regarding advancement have arisen as we deal with closures, cancellations, or other issues caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Although there are difficulties and constraints, advancement can continue. Youth, parents, and leaders should work together to implement creative, common sense ways to facilitate advancement while adhering to the Guide to Safe Scouting and following the rules of youth protection.

Learn More (link update frequently)

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