Iron Horse District

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: October 2018

The BSA has announced bold, wide-ranging updates to its Youth Protection program as part of an ongoing effort to protect young people from child abuse. An enhanced Youth Protection Training course debuted in February; all Scouters who took Youth Protection Training prior to February 2018 need to complete the updated course by Oct. 1, 2018.

The updated course will take about an hour to complete. It includes cutting-edge research from the top experts in the field of child abuse prevention. It covers topics like bullying, neglect, exposure to violence, physical and emotional abuse, and child sexual abuse.

Finally, beginning June 1, 2018, all adults who will be present at a Scouting activity for 72 hours or more must register as volunteers and complete a background check and Youth Protection Training. This includes parents, merit badge counselors and any other adult who will be there for an extended time.

The BSA is serious about fighting child abuse, and you’re an important part of that fight. Thanks for your vigilance and dedication. To take the new online Youth Protection Training, please visit www.my.scouting.org.

YPT Updates     Take YPT     Learn More about Youth Protection

December 1, 2018  |  8:00 am - 4:00 pm

The College of Commissioner Science is a day of training for commissioners from Commissioner Basic Training through advanced learning experiences in unit service. The objectives are to help commissioners expand their skills and unit service philosophy. The goal of this experience is to promote the increased effectiveness of the individual commissioner. This ongoing training opportunity will benefit new commissioners and experienced unit commissioners. Participants do not have to be a commissioner. Any adult leader that is interested in the numerous resources available in the Scouting movement is also invited to attend. During third period, all participants will attend the feature presentation by Ellie Morrison, National Commissioner on national program updates on family Scouting and Scouts BSA. The registration fee is $25 and includes lunch. The deadline to register to have a print copy of your session schedule is November 28, 2018.

Learn More and Register

 December 26-31, 2018

Winter camp is a wonderful opportunity for troops to camp and Scouts to earn merit badges. Merit badge classes are taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. The 33^rd annual winter camp will be held at Bovay Scout Ranch (3450 County 317, Navasota, TX 77868), just three miles outside of Navasota, TX. Over 50 merit badge classes are offered, including many merit badges that are not normally offered at summer camp.

Learn More and Register

December 26-31, 2018

Kodiak Challenge is an adventure that pushes the boundaries of every participant— one that will encourage Venturers and Sea Scouts to try new things that may be out of their comfort zone. It is an experience—but one that has its underpinnings in the application of the leadership skills they learned in the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) or Crews (ILSC), National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), and/or National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE). It is, as is all of Scouting, an adventure with a purpose. The event is being held at Bovay Scout Ranch (3450 County 317, Navasota, TX 77868).

The Kodiak Challenge is taught by older/more experience unit youth leaders to give participants experience in values and vision, effective teams, communication, decision making, and planning. The Kodiak Challenge is open to registered Scouts ages 14-20 in a crew or ship who are looking for an opportunity to grow personally and are ready for a leadership challenge. Venturers are expected to strive to achieve the above aims while living the principles of the Scout Oath and Law. The cost for each Scout to attend camp is $295. Registration can be completed individually by parents or the crew and ship can register together. Adult leadership from the unit is not required for participation. Staff applications are being accepted; please e-mail the camp registrar for more information.

 Learn More and Register

Scout Days are awesome opportunities to get your Scouts, friends and family together for some exciting experiences around the area with other Scouting families. All Scout Days are offered at a discounted price of admission. Also, many of our partners offer merit badge classes and advancement workshops for Cub Scouts and Webelos.

Learn more about Scout Days

Help ensure the success of Scouting in the Sam Houston Area Council with meaningful gifts including donating cars, trucks, RVs, trailers, boats, motors, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, securities, uniforms, camping equipment, memorials and tributes, planned giving and yes, even services.

Many corporations match employee contributions made to the Boy Scouts. Some companies even make financial contributions for volunteering time to Scouting. Numerous local companies recognize volunteer time through the donation of cash grants to non-profits in which their employees volunteer. This means that for each hour of volunteer time, employers donate funds to support the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Volunteer time is money with volunteer grants.

The Sam Houston Area Council is continually searching for potential career employees who would like to work in a profession that has a meaningful, rewarding purpose. Bring to the BSA your varied life experiences, education, and perspective, and in return, have an opportunity to combine those skills and experiences in a career that values and respects others. Scouting is a profession with a purpose!  

Job Openings

The Sam Houston Area Council is focusing on leveraging the power of social media through Facebook.  The more Scouters share and repost, the more powerful our marketing can be.

We are compiling a list of unit social media sites so we can work together to spread the word about Scouting by tagging, liking commenting and sharing each other posts. 

Learn More          Take our Social Media Survey