Mustang District Roundtable

No June or July Roundtable - enjoy your summer program 

August 10, 2017

Stay Informed, Attend Roundtable graphicRoundtable is a district monthly meeting typically held the second Thursday of the month (except for June and July) at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church (12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, 77079) 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.     

Mustang District Pinewood Derby

May 21, 2017

Cub Scout watching a pinewood derby raceThe pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden models that Cub Scouts make with help from their families. Then they race the cars in competition. The cars are powered by gravity and run down a track. Every boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race. Win or lose, Scouts will take pride in having done their best. Scouts learn craft skills, the rules of fair play, and good sportsmanship—things they will remember for life. Scouts must make a new car each year. Registered Scouts and boys considering joining Scouts may register for this event. The event is being held at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in the Scout Building from 12:30 - 3:00 pm. Registration is $11.50 per Scout and includes a patch. Onsite registration is $16.50; patches are not guaranteed. 

Learn More and Register

District Calendar

calendar Download the Mustang District calendar for June 2017 to July 2018. The council calendar and council toolkit provide additional information on upcoming council events.

District Calendar June 2017 to July 2018

Day Camp

June 12-16, 2017  |  9:00 am – 2:00 pm

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Day/Twilight camp is an opportunity for Scouts entering 1st – 5th grade during the next school year. Scouts will have a wild time on the safari adventure making new friends, earning rank advancements and participating in BB guns, archery, sports, skills, and crafts. The registration fee is $76.50 for the first Scout and $75 for each additional Scout. The registration fee includes a t-shirt, patch and program supplies. Camp is being held at Houston Farm and Ranch (1 Abercrombie Street, Houston, TX 77084).

Learn More and Register

Many volunteers are needed to make camp a success, so please consider volunteering.  Adult volunteers can also register their non-Scouting children ages 3-5 (potty trained) or girls ages 6-13. Boy Scouts and youth ages 14-17 can also volunteer. Tot lots and sibling girls in 1st through 5th grade are $35. Youth and adult volunteers are free.

  • Registration closes May 29, 2017

Annual Planning

A common element of strong units is they all have a good annual program planned a year in advance. The plan is then shared with all families in the form of an annual program calendar. Two other key elements of successful units are trained leaders and having the right leaders.

West Division Program Guide         Leader Resources

Cub Scout Planning       Boy Scout Planning       Venturing Planning

Update your unit information on the web

Calling all unit leaders! Now is the perfect time to make it easy for Scouting families to find your unit.

Step 1: BeAScout.org has a Google pin for every unit! Update your unit information by signing into MyScouting, under Unit Tools select BeAScout, the click on Unit Pin Management. If you are the current unit leader and are unable to update your unit pin, please contact your district executive and ensure that you are currently registered as the unit leader or committee chair.

Step 2: The district website lists all units. Click on the Units tab on the green toolbar above. Send corrections to the webmaster using the link at the top of the page.

Help us promote Scouting

SHAC FacebookThe 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

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.

National Scout Jamboree

July 19-28, 2017 

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. Once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America comes together. The result is the national Scout jamboree. The jamboree will be held July 19-28, 2017. To keep up with the latest information, visit the Summit website.

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 to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories. The cost to attend the 2017 National Scout Jamboree has been lowered for youth and adult council contingent members due to the fact that the contingent will no longer be traveling to Washington, D.C. before the Jamboree. The price is now more affordable and Scouts enjoy 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.

   Register for Council Contingent      Register for Jamboree Staff      Register for Operation Arrow (Order of the Arrow)

Employment Opportunities

The Sam Houston Area Council is continually search 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 you will have an opportunity to combine those skills and experiences in a career that values and respects others. Scouting is a profession with a purpose! 

Openings are available for staff members to assist the council in a new initiative for new unit development. The part-time onboarding specialists will guide new Scouting units (Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing) through the steps of new unit organization. Through this process, they will assist new chartering organizations in the identification of adult volunteers for new Scouting, assist the new adult volunteers with program planning, budgeting and scheduling, guide the new adult volunteers through district and BSA resources to be trained, and guide the new adult leaders through the start-up of the new unit's programming to ensure the program is launched and the new unit is chartered. Check out the current openings at www.shac.org/employment.

Annual Planning

A common element of strong units is they all have a good annual program planned a year in advance, that is then shared with all families in the form of a calendar, trained leaders and the right leaders. Units should conduct an annual program planning conference to get ready for the coming year. Using national planning resources, as well as various calendars (e.g., council, district, school, chartered partner), units can develop a program filled with safe and fun activities and adventures.  Planning ahead allows the unit to generate new ideas, find resources, and allow more Scouts to have a quality program that is exciting and will create memories! www.shac.org/leader-resources

Leaders who want a meaningful, exciting, and comprehensive youth program that achieves the objectives of the Scouting program will find this format ideal. The result is a well-managed, well-financed unit. Recognizing this, the BSA recommends the following plan:

1. Plan your complete annual program.

2.  Develop a budget that includes enough income to achieve the program.
3.  Identify the amount of product (e.g., popcorn, Scout Fair Coupon Books) that will need to be sold per youth member to reach the income goal.
4.  Get commitments from parents and youth.

El Rancho Cima Decommissioning Celebration

July 15, 2017

El Rancho Cima is being sold, and a decommissioning celebration is being held. Scouts and Scouts are invited to attend a special fun-filled day of hiking to Sentinel Peak, swimming, shooting sports, bus tour of the property, BBQ dinner, and a final closing campfire to see El Rancho Cima one last time.

Register             Learn More about Camp Development

Philmont Advisor Skills School (PASS)

December 9 or 10, 2017

Philmont Advisor Skills School (PASS) is designed to help prepare Philmont advisors to lead a successful trek. PASS is an 8-hour course taught by experiences Philmont staffers that covers backcountry and logistical fundamentals of Philmont. Participants will enjoy a trail lunch and sample a trail dinner in between training sessions. At the conclusion of the course, advisors will receive PASS materials to share with crew members. The December 9th course will be held at Camp Brosig and the December 10th course will be held at the Cockrell Scout Center. The cost is $40.

Learn More and Register