Alamo Area Council

 
Boy Scouts of America

Unified Focus On Youth

Angel Zuniga Martinez

Register for Scouts BSA Summer Camp 2020 at Bear Creek

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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, and now young women, 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.

  • Bear Creek is divided into two sections. Troops who want to make use of the dining hall for their meal, camp on the Friedrich side. Three meals are provided daily except Wednesday night when troops will be provided food to prepare and eat at their campsites.

Troops who wish to experience patrol cooking, camp on the Rickenbacker side. Units bring their own food and prepare it at the campsites. Refrigeration and freezer space is provided. Ice is sold at the Trading Post.

Upcoming Scouts BSA Summer Camp Events:

Council FAQs – November 2019

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Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions the Alamo Area Council has received in November 2019 (we will update over the next couple of days of the month):

How does a business get to be on the Alamo Area Council Campcards, is there a cost associated, and who is the contact person or a form they need to fill out in order to be considered for the cards?

To be considered, a business can reach out to the Alamo Area Council’s Development team by emailing Campcards@AlamoAreaBSA.org or calling 210-341-8611 and asking for the Campcard team headed up by Development Director, Aaron Elizondo. There is no cost to be on the card but an expectation to provide the best possible deal for consideration. The Campcard resource page (when updated) will also have good information and can be found at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Campcards.

How do I recharter my unit online? I heard there was a recharter code passed out somewhere?

Rechartering online resource packages, including each unit’s recharter code, were passed out to unit leaders at the Scouting Expo (aka Councilwide Roundtable) in August and also delivered through Unit Commissioners and Scout Service Executives for each District. You can find Annual Unit Rechartering resources at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Recharter

Where do I go to enter ‘Good Turn for America’ service hours for my Scouts and unit to get credit for Journey to Excellence recognition, including the Baden Powell Award?

The direct link is below:
https://servicehours.Scouting.org/UI/Security/Login.aspx

It can also be found within your My.Scouting login OR
The Good turn page on our Council website also has a button linked to the correct page:

www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Goodturn 

You can find your username for your unit within your recharter package, or by reaching out to your Scout Service Executive in your district OR by contacting our registrar team by email Registration@AlamoAreaBSA.org or by calling 210-341-8611 or by CHAT on our website.

Background Check Authorization- Alamo Area Council

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Rechecks of Criminal Backgrounds Explained.

Providing a safe and secure environment for our youth members is the greatest priority of the Alamo Area Council. We work every day to protect our children through our Youth Protection policies including mandatory youth protection training for all registered leaders, leadership selection policies and mandatory criminal background checks for new leaders.

As Scouting and the Alamo Area Council look to strengthen our youth protection policies, we have instituted a periodic criminal background recheck of existing leaders. In order to do this, a new signed Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization form must be collected for every registered adult leader this year prior to your unit’s charter renewal. Detailed instructions are below.

Thank you for all you do in Scouting and for your commitment to ensure that we provide the safest environment for the 18,000 Scouts and families we serve.

THE STEPS BELOW MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE YOUR 2020 ANNUAL REGISTRATION CAN BE PROCESSED.

Please complete the process at your earliest availability to help us continue to provide the safest environment possible for our Scouts and leaders. Please note that these steps must be completed prior to your units annual registration can be processed.

Step 1: Review the document linked below titled “Background Check Disclosure and Authorization”

Step 2: Once you have reviewed the document, print the document, Fill in, and sign the Authorization form. Note: A hand written signature is required for this document. Electronic signatures will not be accepted at this time.

Step 3: Turn in the signed “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form promptly to your unit leader by November 15.

If you choose to decline the background check, or if you do not complete the Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization form and return it to your unit leader, your 2020 annual registration will not be processed.

Background-Check-Disclosure-and-AuthorizationDownload

To get some additional clarity on the topic, we talked to Steve McGowan, General Counsel for the Boy Scouts of America.

“We recognize this requires some extra steps for all of us who are volunteers, but it’s one more way we are committed to putting youth safety first,” said Steve McGowan, General Counsel, Boy Scouts of America.

He also mentioned that the organization had received some questions about this initiative, so he has helped put together this FAQ so volunteers could get answers to their questions.

FAQs on Background Checks

1. Is the BSA doing credit checks on volunteers? 

No. The BSA will only use these signed authorization forms for approval to obtain a criminal background check. State and federal laws regulating background checks also regulate consumer credit checks. Both items are mentioned on the form in order to be compliant with these laws that regulate both types of checks. Again, the BSA is only using this form for authorization to obtain a criminal background check.

2. Why is this being done now? 

Starting in 2020, rechecks will be performed every five years, but it will take several years to recheck all leaders. Unfortunately, technical limitations and changes in the law over the last five years prevent us from using existing authorizations from older applications. As such, new disclosure had to be sent and new signed authorization forms obtained. Rechartering provides the best window to collect and verify they have been received before the council processes the recharter application.

3. What about volunteers that are not registered with units? 

All currently registered adults and employees who have not had a criminal background check in the last five years will be rechecked after their next registration renewal. Council registrars will individually track district and council registered employees and leaders to be sure an authorization is in hand before renewing any council or district registration in 2020. (That should also include merit badge counselors).  Those registered only at the National Council level will receive instructions on where to submit their authorization forms.

4. What about those who did not get the forms by e-mail?

Scout executives were provided with advance instructions on how to ensure every volunteer receives this information. They have the forms, which should be printed and passed out at roundtables or other meetings. It is important that each volunteer receives both the disclosure form as well as the authorization form. However, only the authorization must be turned in with the charter renewal form for units. District and council volunteers should submit the authorization to the council service center unless the council issues other instructions.

5. What about those with multiple registrations? 

Only one authorization form per person needs to be collected and retained by the council.

6. What happens if a unit leader does not provide an authorization? 

Leaders who do not provide new authorization will not be able to renew their registration. Council registrars should be instructed not to renew any adult without first confirming that a new signed authorization form is on file at the council service center.

7. Why can’t the volunteer just reply to the original e-mail and attach their signed authorization form? 

The best way for us to ensure compliance is to require that the council registrar verify that a signed authorization form is physically in hand before processing a unit’s recharter. This removes much of the potential error and associated penalties that could result from other methods. We recommend that the registrar retains background check authorizations forms in a separate straight alphabetical file separate from your current background authorization file. This will facilitate the process of ensuring that a current form is on file at the council service center before posting their registration.

8. Are there different forms for different states? 

Federal and state laws prescribe what must be in the disclosures and how they are to be provided. A form compliant with federal and various state laws was sent to all volunteer leaders except those in California. Leaders with a California home address or whose council territory includes California received California-specific forms due to the specific requirements of California law.

9. Can the council accept a faxed copy or scanned copy sent via email of the signed authorization? 

Yes, so long as it is legible and is sent by the individual who signed it. It must be printed and saved the same as an original.

10. Can the council accept an electronic signature? 

Digital signatures from third-party providers are acceptable. They must be printed and stored the same as the original. E-mail confirmations, permissions or typed names on the form are not acceptable substitutes for wet signatures.

11. What about unit renewals that have already been processed or will not recharter until after January 1? 

For unit renewals that have already been posted because the unit renewal date was prior to the email notification or the unit renewal date is after January 1, authorization forms still need to be collected as soon as possible. Recognizing the potential logistical issues with units who will not recharter until sometime in 2020, the authorizations from leaders in those units can be turned in at rechartering and background rechecks will not be performed until after the unit recharters.

12. Can the council require the forms be collected at the unit level? 

Yes. The council can require the forms be collected at the unit level or by a designated unit representative.

Exploring Youth Prepare for Competition for Law Enforcement Careers

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

Exploring Youth Prepare for Competition for Law Enforcement Careers

Alamo Area Council Offers Workforce Development Program with Focus on First Responders

SAN ANTONIO, Texas  (October 4, 2019) –The Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council hosts the Exploring Law Enforcement Competition on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Southwest High School. Media is invited to see over 100 registered  Exploring youth in action on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 8 – 5 pm at Southwest High School, 11914 Dragon Ln, San Antonio, Texas 78252.

“Exploring is relevant and one of a few proactive youth character development programs in our community! We proudly invite all new families with boys or girls to check us out and consider joining this great workforce development program,” said Angel Zuniga Martinez, PR Director, Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council.

Exploring is a workforce development program designed to foster and sustain partnerships between businesses and youth (14-20 years old). Exploring also provides hands-on workforce development education which allows both boys and girls to explore different career fields. It uses a proven model that includes leadership, character development, life skills, volunteer service, and citizenship.

For more information on Exploring, visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Exploring orwww.Exploring.orgor contact our Exploring team by email at Exploring@AlamoAreaBSA.org or 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 18,000 youth and 5,000 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 sports fitness. The Alamo Area 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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Boy Scout Golf Classic CRAM Full of Fun

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Support Scouting Youth Adventure One Drive at a Time!

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

Boy Scout Golf Classic CRAM Full of Fun

 CRAM Roofing and other sponsors find their own Outdoor Adventure while benefitting Future Leaders

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (October 4, 2019) – The Boy Scout Golf Classic, sponsored by Cram Roofing, takes place on Monday, October 7, 2019, starting at 12:15 pm with the Cram Roofing Ball Drop held at the Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club. Scout supporters and sponsors compete during this 34th annual adventure filled golf tournament that includes four-player scramble, longest drive, closest to the pin, two hole-in-one WIN A CAR contests, and a $10,000 putting contest while benefiting the Scouting programs of the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council. Media is invited to see hundreds of sponsorship golf balls dropped from a crane 40 feet in the air during the Cram Roofing Ball Drop on Monday, October 7nd at exactly 12:15 p.m. at Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club located at 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr., San Antonio, TX 78251.

“The Boy Scout Golf Classic raises much needed funds that positively benefits our future leaders, allowing them to build a solid foundation of character, values, and education that stays with them for a lifetime,” says Michael de los Santos, Scout Executive for the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council.

The special event is a four-player scramble golf tournament with a $10,000 putting tournament. The Cram Roofing ball drop awards four lucky winners up to $4,000 in prizes. Contestants buy golf balls costing $10 each, which are then placed in a crane then dropped forty feet high to the Hyatt Hill Country green. The four closest balls to the pin are the winners.

“We’re proud to have Cram Roofing continue as our title sponsor for our Boy Scout Golf Classic for the seventh year. Our supporters come out and enjoy their own adventure while supporting life-changing adventures for local Scouting youth,” said Ryan Malitz, Tournament Chairperson, Council Executive Board Member and Group Executive Vice President at Malitz Construction.

Immediately following the tournament, there will be a reception and an awards banquet in the Luckenbach Pavilion. To purchase your golf ball for the Cram Roofing Ball Drop, or for more information about the event, go to the site: www.BoyScoutGolfClassic.org

For more information on the event contact Courtney Bukowski and team at 210-296-7623 or via email golfclassic@alamoareabsa.org.

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 18,000 youth and 5,000 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 sports fitness. The Alamo Area 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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Membership Fee Increase for 2020

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UPDATED October 23, 2019

Dear Alamo Area Council Scouters,

I first reported in mid September 2019 that the National Council, Boy Scouts of America, was considering a fee increase for 2020. The fee increase would be effective beginning this recharter process for 2020. As we promised, we wanted to let you know ASAP.

We recognize the timing on this fee increase creates challenges as units have already begun communicating and collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process. The National BSA Letter with our Council messaging and FAQ is below.

 

P.S. We know the new fee structure is a significant change to your Unit’s yearly budget and can greatly impact a Scout’s ability to participate. We do not want to lose a single Scout or leader because of these fee increases. Therefore, the Alamo Area Council is offering an optional Post-Season Popcorn Sale. Final details have not been determined but will be released soon. Final restrictions, bonus commission percentage, and requirements will be included in the details published.

Here is what we can share now:

  • The regular season, including Take Orders, still ends at 10:59 PM on November 3rd.
  • The Post-Season sale will run November 6th – December 15th, based on product availability.
  • In order to check out popcorn starting November 6th your account balance due Council must be paid in full.
  • Units who did not sell during the regular sales are eligible for the Post-Season Sale.

Thank you again for your commitment to delivering the life-changing programs of Scouting to the youth and families we serve and those who will soon join our ranks!

Yours in Scouting,

Angel Martinez

Director of Scouting Relations and Communications
Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council

 

National BSA Letter

For more than 100 years, Scouting has helped build future leaders by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun and adventure in the outdoors. At Boy Scouts of America, we are dedicated to developing leaders of character by preparing young men and women for life by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The timeless ideals of the Scout Law, such as being trustworthy, helpful, kind and brave, make up the foundation young people need to address and overcome challenges in their lives and the issues facing their generation.

Here in the Alamo Area Council, Scouting serves more than 18,000 youth in 13 counties. Now as we continue the Scouting mission, it is important that we keep pace with an ever-changing world. While costs to the organization have increased every year, the Boy Scouts of America has worked to keep the annual membership fee as low as possible by subsidizing core costs, including liability insurance we must carry to cover all official Scouting activities. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to subsidize at the level we have in the past, especially as the cost of insurance has increased dramatically. We kept the cost low to make Scouting available to as many young people as possible but keeping the cost artificially low for many years now magnifies the impact of changes.

 

To ensure we have the resources to fulfill the promise of Scouting despite increasing operating costs, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America has made the difficult but necessary decision to increase the annual membership fee effective January 1, 2020 to:

  • $60 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts,
  • $36 for youth members in Exploring, and
  • $36 for adult members

 

Every dollar of the national membership fee will go toward the cost of essential services, including liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, program resources, safety standards, youth protection and personal safety training, and services to councils nationwide to sustain Scouting. The National organization will also continue to develop and improve resources that support our volunteers and youth members such as online registration, Member Care and Scoutbook, which now includes the Den Leader experience to ensure the safe and consistent delivery of Cub Scouting; as well as improvements aimed at simplifying the annual renewal process. In the Alamo Area Council, we will also continue to bring Scouting to our communities and family that may not be able to afford it through support initiatives like Scout Reach, Project Aguila, and the Council’s campership fund.

 

Across the country and in our own community, we know that Scouting remains one of the most valuable investments we can make to support young men and women today so they can become the leaders we will turn to tomorrow. From once-in-a-lifetime adventures to merit badges that spark interests and future careers; from campouts under the stars to service projects that leave a lasting impact on our communities; Scouting’s year-round program expands horizons and provides young people with a safe and welcoming place to learn, grow, and thrive.

 

That is why we are committed to ensuring that all youth can experience the character-building benefits of Scouting regardless of their financial situation. In addition to our existing council and unit membership assistance, we have established a national Growing Future Leaders Fund, which is funded entirely through donations, to provide additional financial support to those who need it.

Thank you for your continued role in empowering a generation of future leaders of character through Scouting programs.

 

FAQ

 

Q:        Why are the fees increasing now?

A:         While costs increase every year, the Boy Scouts of America has worked to keep the annual membership fee as low as possible to make Scouting available to as many young people as possible by subsidizing core costs, including liability insurance we must carry to cover all official Scouting activities. As the organization’s financial situation has shifted over the past several months, it is no longer possible to subsidize at the level we have in the past, especially as the cost of insurance has increased dramatically.

 

Q:        Does this apply to youth members and volunteers?

A:         Yes, the new fees apply for youth and adult members. Effective January 1, 2020, the new fees are:

  • $60 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts,
  • $36 for youth members in Exploring, and
  • $36 for adult members (includes cost of background check and Scouting Magazine)
  • $60 for unit charter fees

 

Q:        Is Scouting still a good value?

A:         Absolutely! While most extracurricular activities are seasonal, Scouting is a year-round program that remains one of the most valuable investments we can make to support young men and women today so they can become the leaders we will turn to tomorrow.  For most of our youth members, the new registration fee amounts to $5 a month, which is an enormous value when you consider that many seasonal extracurricular activities often start at $100 for programs that last a few weeks.

 

Q:        Does the fee increase apply to council-paid memberships?

A:         No. The cost for council-paid membership, sometimes known as ScoutReach, will continue to be $24 for each youth member.

 

Q:        What will the money be used for?

A:         Every dollar of membership fees will go to cover the cost of essential services, including liability insurance for members participating in approved Scouting activities, background checks for adult leaders, program development and training resources, continuously updated youth protection and youth safety training, improved IT/digital experiences and services to our councils nationwide.

 

Q:        Is this increase being implemented to cover the cost of the additional background checks?

A:         No, the cost of background checks is not the prompting the fee increase.

 

Q:        Why is this being announced now?

A:         We recognize the timing of this fee increase creates challenges as units have already begun collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process, and we would not make this difficult decision if it were not absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the cost of liability insurance we must carry to cover all Scouting activities has increased dramatically over the past several months, and the organization is no longer able to offset the cost of insurance. We are committed to supporting you through this process and are making necessary adjustments to the online rechartering system to ensure units can carry out the recharter process.

 

Q:        Does this increase cover financial challenges the organization is facing?

A:         The increase was prompted because the cost of liability insurance we must carry to cover all Scouting activities has increased dramatically over the past several months, and the organization is no longer able to offset the cost of insurance. The national membership fee also enables us program development and training resources, continuously updated youth protection and youth safety training, improved IT/digital experiences and services to our councils nationwide.

 

Q:        When will this increase take effect?

A:         The new membership fees will take effect starting January 1, 2020 for the 2020-21 program year.

 

Q:        Is financial assistance available?

A:         We are committed to ensuring that all youth can experience the character-building benefits of Scouting regardless of their financial situation. In addition to the many existing council and unit membership assistance funds, we have established the donor-funded Growing Future Leaders Fund to provide financial support to those who need it.

 

Q:        My council recently announced a new fee to cover insurance. Does this change mean that fee is no longer necessary?

A:         No, the liability insurance that we need to carry for all Scouting activities at the national level is different from local fees that are collected to address local needs, which can include such as local property and accident insurance, as well as unique local programming costs.

 

Q:        In addition to the national membership fee, my council is implementing a program fee. Is that allowed?

A:         Starting August 1, 2020, councils can choose to charge a local program fee, up to but no more than the national membership fee – up to $60 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts; up to $36 for youth members in Exploring and up to $36 for adult members. The local program fee can include local insurance costs (i.e., accident, property, etc.), as well as cost to administer unique local programming efforts.

 

Q:         What happens if my council’s program fee is more than the national membership fee?

A:         Councils that are currently charging a program fee more than the national membership fee have one year to adjust their fees in order to be in compliance with the new rules.

 

Q:        What measures has the national organization taken to offset the financial challenges?

A:         In addition to ongoing efforts to streamline and simplify the organization, the national organization has taken a number of steps in addressing its financial challenges, including the recent elimination of more than 35 positions at the National Service Center and ongoing consolidation of departments for the most effective utilization of resources in support of Scouting.

 

Q:        Will the national membership fee continue to increase?

A:         Although no decision about future increases have been made, the cost of operating our organization and services increases every year. Should it be necessary to increase fees in the future, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America has agreed to evaluate the needs and make such decisions, whenever possible, at the National Annual Meeting in May or early in the summer so that they can be announced with as much lead time as possible to allow for councils and units to be able to plan accordingly.

 

Scouting Adventures