Iron Horse District

Update: March 26, 2020

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

Yesterday Harris County announced a Work Home, Stay Home Order through April 3^rd. This is in conjunction with the current White House and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance already in effect. As a result, the following will now be in effect:

• The Cockrell Scout Center and all Scout Shop locations will remain closed until Monday, April 6^th. This is subject to change as the situation evolves. Please monitor our communications for any updates. As a result:
  • Field-based staff (district executives) will be working remotely during this time and are available by phone and email.
  • The processing of most Eagle applications will be suspended during the office closure. All pending Eagle applicants should consult the updated Advancement information for COVID-19 from National BSA. Please send any further advancement questions or concerns to Brendan Cronin (brendan.cronin@scouting.org).
  • Refunds for any cancelled or postponed activities and events will be processed when the Cockrell Scout Center reopens.
• All district and council meetings, activities, and events through May 4^th are canceled or postponed. Meetings that can be rescheduled over teleconference or online are approved.
  • Council Coordinated Meeting, scheduled for April 23^rd, has been canceled.
  • As previously announced, Scout Fair, scheduled for April 4^th at NRG Arena, has been canceled.
• All council camping facilities will be closed through May 4^th. This closure will include all activities, trainings, and reservations for Camp Brosig, Bovay Scout Ranch, and Camp Strake.
  • The Cub Scout Adventure Camps scheduled for April 17-19 and May 1-3 are canceled. After the Cockrell Scout Center reopens, we will work to reschedule or refund units for their participation in these event.
  • The OA Arrowman Bash scheduled for April 24-26 has been rescheduled for May 15-17 at Camp Strake. Any questions or concerns should be directed sent to program@colonneh.org. 
  • Powder Horn, scheduled for April 17-19 and May 1-3 have been postponed. We will communicate updated dates once scheduled.
  • Wood Badge Course 20-1, scheduled to have its second weekend on April 25-26, will be rescheduled. We will communicate directly with participants regarding rescheduling this training.
• The Scout Fair Coupon Book Sale for 2020 is now closed. This decision has been made to comply with social distancing guidelines placed into effect by the CDC. After the Cockrell Scout Center reopens, we will begin collecting final turn-ins and processing commission checks so that units will have funds available for summer programming. More information will be sent to those units participating in the sale in the next week.
• The online popcorn sale is open. The online popcorn sale is a great opportunity to raise funds for your unit’s Scouting program virtually – all while keeping social distancing intact. For more information on how to participate, please contact Mary Welch (mary.welch@scouting.org).
• The council’s Eagle Scout Reception scheduled for May 3^rd has been postponed. We are working to reschedule this event for the fall.
• Units should continue to consult with their chartered organizations to determine the best path forward for their Scouting programs. We strongly encourage units to comply with all current recommendations of the CDC, the White House, and local jurisdictions. There are a number of great resources available regarding Scouting program during this period of social distancing:
  • Hosting Scouting Meetings Online
  • Program Opportunities for Scouting at Home
  • Updated Advancement Information from National BSA for COVID-19

Learn More

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: April 2020

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.

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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.

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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 training.

Learn More

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

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

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

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

July 2020

Resident camp is a three-night campout at Bovay Scout Ranch for Cub Scouts entering the first through fifth grade the following school year. From Cub Scout skills to rank advancements, these camps are full of fun and learning. Cub Scouts attending resident camp are also encouraged to register for day camp, as the advancements offered at resident camp add to those offered at day camp. Resident camp includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool. Registration can be completed by the pack leadership or by families if attending on their own. 

Learn More and Register