Alamo Area BSA

 
Boy Scouts of America

Live Scouting

Angel Zuniga Martinez

Swim Checks and Lessons 2021

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The swim classification of individuals participating in water activities is a key element of the BSA’s Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat. Swim classification tests (swim checks) should be renewed annually at the beginning of the outdoor season and are required for any Scout attending Scouts BSA Summer Camp, Webelos Akela Adventure Camp and any swim activity at Day Camp. In addition this may be an advancement requirement for your scout, please check your scout’s rank requirements to know if he will require a swim test prior to summer 2022 to advance. The Alamo Area Council offers swim lessons to Scouts (ages 6+) as well as swim checks.

Swim Lessons:

Cost: $75/week; each 45-minute session is limited to 20 swimmers

Swim Checks:

Sign up online for a 1 hour time slot and take your swim check.

Cost: $7.50/swimmer

Click on the event links to Register for one of the Events below:

May 5, 2021 – Swim Checks

May 22, 2021 – Swim Checks 

Jun 12, 2021 – Swim Checks 

Jun 26, 2021 – Swim Checks

Jul 12-16, 2021 – Summer Swim Lessons 

Scout Youth Honored at Virtual Brunch

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Angel Martinez, PR Director
(210) 394-9915
Angel.Martinez@Scouting.org

SCOUT YOUTH HONORED AT VIRTUAL BRUNCH

Alamo Area Council’s Annual Fundraiser Recognize Youth

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 16, 2021) Community leaders and Scout supporters will gather virtually on Thursday, March 18, 2021, to hear youth and adult members of the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council share their stories, including a keynote from Eagle Scout Jim Syring, President of Property and Casualty at USAA. Young men and women will be honored for their outstanding achievements, lifesaving efforts and resilient through the hurdles of 2020.

The Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council will host the event on Zoom, YouTube and Facebook streaming services @AlamoAreaBSA. Media is invited to attend the event beginning at 10:15 a.m. and concluding at 10:45 a.m., pre-show begins at 10:00 a.m.

“The goal of the Scouting Movement is to teach our youth to have good judgement and a good head on their shoulders by experiencing positive outdoor adventures. So please ‘Give’ to help fund the tradition of adventure and character development for all boys and girls,” said Michael de los Santos, Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council.

Tyler Syring with Scouts BSA Troop 18 will emcee the brunch; announcing many special honorees. Eagle Scout Harry “Quint” Bowers of Troop 119 will be honored with the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award for his ‘Mighty Mitts’ in support of children diagnosed with cancer.

Lane Mokry of Pack 22, Christopher Bowling of Troop 381, and Therren Beetner of Troop 119 will be honored for their significant acts of service that demonstrate unusual heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save another’s life.

Scouts BSA youth Michelle Bourland of Troop 496, Angel Gonzales of Troop 2222G, Medwyn Guajardo of Troop 361, and Gayle Hende of Troop 346G will be highlighted as the nation’s first female Eagle Scouts – a prestigious achievement attained by some of the country’s most noteworthy figures.

The annual event helps support Scouting programs and camps council wide. The counties served by the Alamo Area BSA include Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, La Salle, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson.

To learn more or attend the Virtual Brunch visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/VirtualBrunch. To support local Scouting, donate online at www.GiveTheAdventure.org or text GIVEADVENTURE to 41444.

To join Scouting visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Join or contact membership team by phone at 210-341-8611.

About the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council

The Alamo Area Council, BSA headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, serves a 13-county area imparting the Scouting program to over 14,000 youth and 3,500 volunteer adults in South Texas. The Boy Scouts of America continue to prepare young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, utilizing outdoor activity, citizenship, and fitness. The Council manages over 1,280 acres of outdoor adventure for boys and girls from 5-20 years of age at three premier camps – Bear Creek Scout Reservation, Mays Family Scout Ranch, and McGimsey Scout Park. Learn more at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org.

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Alamo Area Council Response to Coronavirus COVID-19

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Governor Abbott New Executive Order, Effective Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Governor Abbott’s new executive order is effective, Wednesday, March 10, 2021, lifting previous restrictions requiring individuals to wear face coverings in public and certain businesses to operate at a reduced capacity.

The Medical Advisory Committee and the leadership of the Alamo Area BSA has taken time to carefully consider the new executive orders and guidelines from state, county, and city officials. Ultimately, the health & safety of our Scouting members and staff is our biggest concern. This includes the immunocompromised and older adults, who are at greatest risk. In addition, not everyone has had the opportunity and/or access to a vaccination.

Please be aware that we will continue utilizing the current safety measures until further notice. This includes the use of a face mask upon entering our offices and the Musselman Scout Shop by both staff and our Scouting community. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Below is the last Response to COVID:

The Medical Advisory Committee and the leadership of the Alamo Area BSA are currently reviewing the new executive orders and guidelines from state, county, and city officials. We will provide an update to our volunteers and member families as soon as possible.

The Medical Advisory Committee of the Alamo Area BSA has previously determined, in concert with State regulations and local guidelines, that beginning Friday, February 26, 2021, all units are allowed to meet indoors, as necessary.  If the opportunity to hold the unit meeting outdoors is available then we encourage and prefer for the unit to be outdoors.

Camping is also permitted at the unit level.

In both environments (indoor and outdoor), the following guidelines are to be adhered to:

  • Pre-outing screenings, including temperature checks, will be conducted on all participants
  • Frequent hand washing
  • Social distancing of at least 6 feet
  • Masks are to be worn. You may create a safe location that is away from everyone that scouts can use to remove their mask and catch a breath, if needed.
  • Continue to follow the Tenting, Food Preparation and Transportation guidelines laid out in the AAC Unit Restart Guidebook previously distributed.

A reminder that attending any in person event or using any of our council facilities or properties will require the signing of a waiver form.  This form can be downloaded here

The MAC continues to monitor the situation for any changes necessary in the future. For the most updated statement, please visit the Alamo Area BSA’s Response to COVID page at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/COVID19.

Yours in Scouting,

Angel Martinez III, PR Director

Council Covid-19 Response Guidelines as of 9-2-2020Download
AAC Unit Restart Guide BookDownload

UPDATE: Governor Greg Abbott has issued Executive Order 29 requiring all Texans to wear a face-covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces, with few exceptions, in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases. Open Texas checklists are now updated consistent with this order. The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10.

~ Executive Order No. GA-29, July 2, 2020, https://open.texas.gov/

Dear Scouting family,

Under the updated developments regarding COVID-19 through the State of Texas Governor’s Office, Bexar County in coordination with San Antonio Mayor Nirenberg’s Emergency Declaration and Orders, and nationally through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Alamo Area Council strives to safely and strategically support local Scouting activities in our 13-county service area.

Scouting Adventure is a balance of Scouting at Home, Family Camp, and safe in-person meetings and activities. 

With safety protocols that include social distancing and with required face masks, the Alamo Area Council Service Center has the following in person business hours –

THE COUNCIL OFFICE IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 9 AM – 5 PM. The Musselman Scout Shop is open 9 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am – 2 pm on Saturdays.

Council staff is available for support by phone, email, or website chat from Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 6 pm.


All units can have in-person meetings and any Scouting activity, provided they follow all guidelines as set forth using the ReStart Scouting Checklist AND by The Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas and your local authorities. 

If indoors, meetings and activities must be in groups of ten or less, cloth face coverings must be worn and all individuals must maintain social distancing of six feet or more. People over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay home as much as possible. 

Outdoor meetings and activities must follow the Governor’s “Open Texas” Checklists which set minimum standard health protocols for Youth Clubs and Youth Club Participants (revised June 3, 2020):

Please check with your sponsoring organization’s guidance if you plan on utilizing their meeting spaces. Unit meeting facility rental opportunities within Alamo Area Council properties are available.

Patrol meetings over the phone or video conferencing, merit badges delivered online, webinar training for leaders, and virtual Roundtables and District meetings continue to be an effective and encouraged part of Scouting.

Scouting at Home www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/ScoutingatHome will continue successful programming and Scout TV News will grow as a resource – www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/ScoutTV.

A complete listing of event changes will be published on our Council calendar, within our Digital Adventure Guide magazine, and posted to our social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Youtube.

Should you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or activity, please reach out to your local district executive or email the Council Leadership team at Safety@AlamoAreaBSA.org or the Outdoor Adventure department at Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

We will do everything we can to answer your question using the information available to us to evaluate the situation and make decisions in the best interest of our members, volunteers, and employees. With safety in mind, we are happy to encourage you and your Scouting family to SCOUT ON! 

Please check back on our website www.AlamoAreaBSA.org for the latest guidelines as this is an evolving situation and any of these guidelines are subject to change. We will take additional steps as needed.

Our most updated Council response to Coronavirus COVID-19 can be found online at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Covid19. 

Yours in Scouting,

Angel Martinez, PR Director 
Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council

Report to State Helps Kickoff BSA 110th Bday

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On February 6, 2021, the 72nd annual Report to the State of Texas helped kick-off the 110th anniversary celebration of the Scouting movement!

Scouts BSA Youth smiles while holding US Flag and marching down Congress St during the 2020 Report to State in Austin, Texas. (photo courtesy Angel Zuniga Martinez)

A “Report to the State” is presented each year to highlight and share the benefits Scouting provides in the state of Texas.  It provides an opportunity to build the Scouting brand and image as well as increase the awareness and visibility of Scouting’s service. Within our Alamo Area Council, the report to the state provides a source of pride and morale boost. Historically Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Sea Scouts and Explorers from all over Texas march up Congress Avenue to the Capitol.  Scout Delegates from each council in Texas, including the Alamo Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, are seated in the House of Representatives and report to a member of the state government about Scouting accomplishments in their council from the past year.

This year’s Report to State happened virtually:

For more details, visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/ReportToState or contact the Report to State coordinator at ReportToState@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

An Updated Script of the Alamo Area BSA’s Report to State:

Greetings from the 13,975 Scouts and the 3,056 adult volunteer Scouters of the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

I am Eagle Scout and Patrol leader, Michelle Bourland, of Scouts BSA Girl Troop 496, chartered by St. Mary’s Hall. I am fortunate to be both a Gold award recipient from the GSUSA and also celebrate being part of the Inaugural class of Female Eagle Scouts with the Boy Scouts of America. The Alamo Area BSA currently serves 192 female Scouts in 17 all-girl Troops. Within all program offerings, over 2902 female Scouts were active in 2020 in the Alamo Area BSA’s 13 county service area.

I am honored to report that the Alamo Area Council continues to accomplish its mission of instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law in our youth by utilizing outdoor adventure, citizenship, and fitness. Most importantly, we continue to serve more youth. In fact, over 1.3 Million youth have been served by the Alamo Area Council since our chartered date of May 16, 1912.       

2020 successes include:

  • Recruiting more kids than any other council in the country.
  • Successfully offering a safe in-person summer camp experience to 439 Scouts. We were 1 of only 3 Councils in Texas to do so.
  • Camping activity reached 2,052 with Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing Scouts attending summer and year-round adventure programs. 
  • Pivoted from in-person to Virtual Cub Scout activities and rank advancements by producing educational videos for over 5,000 at-risk youth within our Scoutreach program.
  • We provided 30 Cub Scout classes online as well as over 140 Facebook Live programs to entertain and educate.
  • Scouting for Food efforts of our youth and adults collected over 12,170 pounds of food. This represents 14,000 meals for food insecure youth and families in our local community.
  • We offered 320 Online Merit Badge Classes with an additional 126 classes through our Virtual Merit Badge Universities. This helped Scouts earn 6,857 merit badges in our Council and across the nation, including Europe and the Middle East.
  • Cub Scout Rank Advancements totaled 5,897.
  • Scouts BSA Rank Advancements totaled 1,611, not including our Eagle Scouts.
  • 200 achieved Eagle Scout out of 3,139 Scouts BSA youth, contributing over 31,525 service hours with a value of over $801,000 invested into our local economy and community. (based on value of 2019 volunteer time $25.43/hr. by independentsector.org). 

Besides seeing the success of four Inaugural Female Eagle Scouts, being Angel Gonzales, of Troop 2222G, Medwyn Guajardo of Crew 360, Gayle Hende of Troop 346G and myself, we’d like to highlight:

  • Harry Quint Bowers, of Troop 119 – Recognized for the 2020 Adam’s Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year for his work creating comforting mittens for youth cancer patients.

In closing, the Alamo Area Council proudly manages 1,500 acres of outdoor adventure for boys and girls from 5-20 years of age at three premier camps – Bear Creek Scout Reservation, Mays Family Scout Ranch, and McGimsey Scout Park. So, please join us! We’d love to include you within our 2021 Scouting adventures!

Remembering Eagle Scout and Young Man of Honor

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It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of Eagle Scout and a member of Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Ryan Boles of Boerne, TX. He was a member of Venturing Crew 18, and the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Staff. He was a freshman at Texas A&M studying Political Science. He was a member of Squadron 8 and was also a member of the Fish Drill Team. He joined the Corps to further his leadership skills and help others through military service as he had done in Scouting. Ryan was looking to use his leadership skills to help him succeed in a career with the Air Force, protecting our nation. His loss will affect all of us for a long time to come. The Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council offers our condolences to Ryan Boles’ family, friends, fellow Scouts, and cadets on his loss.

As we grieve the loss of Ryan, help us to remember his involvement with Scouting. Show us how he lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law. We ask that you comfort us as we will miss his friendship and fellowship.

May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us until we meet again, and may our footsteps lead unto Him.

“He was a young man of Honor,” said Michael de los Santos, Scout Executive of the Alamo Area BSA.

Bear Creek Scouts BSA – Summer Camp 2021

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Did you miss summer camp this year?  Really looking forward to getting back out there in 2021?

Register now to attend Bear Creek Scouts BSA Summer Camp 2021.

Since 1957, Bear Creek Scout Reservation has been a summer home to thousands of Scouts. Providing unforgettable camping memories, Bear Creek has afforded many boys their first opportunity to experience self-reliance in a beautiful natural setting in the Texas Hill Country.

The Ranger Program is designed for first-year campers, teaching basic skills, while allowing the camper to get off and running on the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.

Merit Badges cover aquatics, ecology, field sports, handicrafts, and Scout skills. Some preparation is recommended and best done before camp to ensure the ability to complete certain merit badges.

Older Scout Program: Bear Creek is famous for offering challenging programs for older Scouts. The C.O.P.E. (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) course is a well-rounded, fun program with low and high element activities (confidence building and group dynamic team challenges). Also available are mountain biking, rappelling, rock climbing, black powder rifle and canoeing on the Guadalupe River. An additional fee will be charged for some of these programs.

Scouting Adventures