Alamo Area BSA

 
Boy Scouts of America

Live Scouting

Linda Dieguez

Alamo Area Council Response to Coronavirus COVID-19 As of April 30th, 2021

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The Medical Advisory Committee and the leadership of the Alamo Area BSA carefully considered the guidelines from Center for Disease Control, and state, county, and city officials. Ultimately, the health & safety of our Scouting members and staff is our biggest concern. The MAC continues to monitor the situation for any changes necessary in the future. For the most updated statement, please continue to check this page for  Alamo Area BSA’s Response to COVID-19.

Updated Resident & Day Camp COVID Protocols
As of April 30, 2021

Resident Camp COVID Protocols – Including Scout BSA Summer Camp, Akela Adventure Camp, and NYLT

Day Camp COVID Protocols – UPDATED 5/6/2021

Unit Transportation and Tenting Update: Parents may approve their youth carpooling and tenting with another scout for a unit campout/summer camp. This discussion needs to be had prior to the event so that the parent is involved in the process and is in agreement. Anyone carpooling or sharing tents agrees that if symptoms appear and someone needs to be quarantined and sent home from the event, all who carpooled and/or tent shared will be sent home due to exposure.

Unit Level Meetings & Gatherings

Scouting Adventure is a balance of Scouting at Home, Family Camp, and safe in-person meetings and activities. All units can have in-person meetings and any Scouting activity, provided they follow all guidelines as set forth using both the AAC Unit Restart Guide Book and the Restart Scouting Checklist, in combination with guidance provided by your local authorities. 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.

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. 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.

Unit Level Camping

Camping at the unit level is open, with no maximum attendance count. Units must follow the guidelines outlined above, including:

  • 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.

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. 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.

Service Center Information

THE COUNCIL OFFICE IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 9 AM – 5 PM. Council staff is available for support by phone, email, or website chat during that time.

The Musselman Scout Shop is open 9 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am – 2 pm on Saturdays.

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. 

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.

BEAR CREEK NEEDS YOUR HELP in May 2021

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Did you have damage from the Winter Storm?  Well, Bear Creek Scout Reservation did, as well.  We need some help cleaning up camp and getting it ready for Summer Camp.

WHAT: Bear Creek is temporarily closed to unit rentals until we can get some repairs done at the camp to be able to operate it safely.  We are scheduling a work day on May 22 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm to complete some service projects to clean up campsites, trails, and damaged areas while helping to get camp set up for summer camp.

WHO: we are looking for individuals and units to volunteer to help us.  Volunteers need to be 11 years of age or older.  If anyone has special skills that can be of help please let us know inside the registration so we can plan our teams accordingly (plumbing, electricians, landscaping, painting, etc).

May 21-23, service from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday. Current plans are to continue to clean and stack fallen brush, paint and stain, put up summer camp tents, etc. So, what about camping you ask? Units are invited to camp this whole weekend for FREE – that’s right, if you participate in the work day, you camp all weekend at NO charge! Come up to camp Friday evening (May 21) and depart Sunday morning (May 23)! REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND MAY 21-23

Participants must provide your own meals, but on Saturday evening the Bear Creek Campmasters will provide a cracker barrel snack/dessert. Questions? Email Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org 

Update in Registration Requirements for Alamo Area BSA

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On March 4th the Alamo Area Council Executive Board adopted a resolution requiring completion of specific position training for all Adult Positions. This is effective immediately.

How does this update affect you?

  • To register for all leader positions, you must complete the position specific training.
  • To continue in your current position, you must complete the position specific training if you have not already done so.
  • If you have multiple positions, you will need to complete the position specific training for each position.
  • If you are in a position that you have not completed the position specific training, you must complete the training or that position registration will be removed.

 

The Council Training Committee will begin to send out notifications emails to those who appear in the training reports as not trained.

The Council previously mandated training for Unit positions and Merit Badge Counselors.  All leader positions are critical to enabling the Council to provide a safe environment for the youth, as well as providing the highest quality programs.

Check my.scouting.org to determine if you have training that is incomplete.  Sign in to my.scouting.org.  Select Menu, then My Training.  Now select Requirements to show the position(s) you are registered for and your training status for each.

You can find the training required for positions at:

https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Position-Trained-Requirements-as-of-August-3-2020.pdf

Scroll through the pages to find your program.  The programs areas provide what online modules are required and if there are in-person versions.  If your position is listed on the last page, contact the Council Training Committee if you need assistance.

Contact your District Training Committee for availability of in-person training.

Contact the Council Training Committee at  Training@AlamoAreaBSA.org if you have questions or need assistance.

 

Thank you all for your support of Alamo Area Council.

2021 Cub Scout Day Camp Staff/Counselors and Counselors in Training Needed – Apply Now

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Each year as we recruit more Cub Scouts into our units we give what is called a “cub talk”, which is designed around sharing with the youth all the fun and exciting things they can do if they join us.  We promise them that they are going to get to shoot BB Guns, Archery, and Slingshots.  That they will fish, learn new games, and be able to focus on STEM activities that are hands on.  All year long they work to complete rank requirements and learn new things, but it is at CAMP that they truly get to experience everything we promised them in that Cub Talk.

We are looking for the right people to join our Day Camp team and help us to KEEP THE PROMISE.

Our Camps are led by two Directors that are National Camp School Trained. Working with those Directors, we have many other staff positions that are open for application.

Our most important team members are our Camp Counselors.  They are the heart and soul of what happens at camp. They are the number one reason why a camper falls in love with camp.  You can be a Counselor and be given the opportunity to impact somebody’s forever! This year, you will be mentoring and working with groups of 8-10 Cub Scouts all week, and will get to know them, help them grow, and keep them safe at camp with us.  We are looking for high energy team members that are willing to sing, dance, and do everything they can to bring our theme alive.

We offer a Counselor in Training (CIT) program, as well.  A CIT works closely with the staff members and Camp Counselors to ensure a quality and safe program while learning what it means to be a Camp Counselor.  This is a great way to get that on the job training for when you reach the age to be on Camp Staff, while introducing you to the different roles and areas so you can decide where your heart leads you in your Camp Career. CITs are not paid staff, but receive credit for their volunteer hours.

Area Directors and Program Staff are another part of our Camp Staff.  We are always looking for qualified team members to help us run our Shooting Sports Activities, Aquatics, Games, Crafts, and other areas.  Some of these areas have age requirements but all who apply should be 16 years or older. To apply to be on Aquatics, Shooting Sports, or General Camp Staff.

TO APPLY TO BE ON STAFF – PLEASE CLICK HERE AND THEN FOLLOW THE LINKS TO THE CIT APPLICATION OR THE DAY CAMP STAFF APPLICATION. 

PARENTS who are interested in attending camp the week their scout is attending camp, and would like to VOLUNTEER at camp the same week may receive one free scout admission to that camp.  In order to be considered for this, you must apply to be on camp staff by January 30th, go through the interview process, and be selected to fill a position.  At all the camps outside of McGimsey units are required to maintain a 1 adult to every 2 scout ratio for supervision (Den Walkers).  The volunteers receiving one free scout to camp are not Den Walkers in these camps, they must fill a program area position.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to me directly at Linda.Dieguez@scouting.org or you may text me at 210-740-9370

 

Invitation to Powder Horn 2021

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Invitation to Powder Horn 2021!

We would like to invite you to be part of Alamo Area Council’s High-Adventure Resources Management Course called Powder Horn on September 24-26 and October 8-10, 2021, at Bear Creek Scout Reservation! Now is the perfect time to sign-up…before all the slots are filled! Simply go to https://mycouncil.alamoareabsa.org/Event/9830 to register!

Powder Horn is a hands-on, intense training opportunity designed to expose Leaders to activities and resources to operate a fun, successful, and challenging High Adventure Program. YOU MUST ATTEND BOTH WEEKENDS TO COMPLETE THIS TRAINING!

Powder Horn is designed to expose Scouting Adults and Youth to activities and resources necessary to operate a successful outdoor / high-adventure program of a fun and challenging nature. The course will be limited to 48 participants. Powder Horn is open to any youth who is at least 14 years of age (or 13 and has completed eighth grade, if part of a Venturing crew) or any adult registered in the BSA. Participant guidelines include:

  • Must be a registered youth or adult member of the Boy Scouts of America.
  • Youth must be 14 years of age (or have joined a Venturing crew if 13 years of age and completed eighth grade).
  • Youth must have completed the unit’s version of leadership training (Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops, Ships, or Crews). Previous attendance at National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is recommended for youth participants but not required.
  • Adults must be trained for their position.
  • All participants must complete Youth Protection and Hazardous Weather training online through my.scouting.org. Because we offer water activities, climbing and boating activities at our Course, participants must complete Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense and Climb On Safely prior to the course. All these courses may be completed online at my.scouting.org
  • Must meet the physical requirements contained in the Annual Health and Medical Record physical for a back-country environment.
  • May have attended previous Powder Horn Courses as a participant or staff.

Location: Bear Creek Scout Reservation, Hunt, Texas

Participant Fee: $270.00 – this fee includes all meals, training materials, and program materials.

Participants must provide their own personal gear (i.e. camping gear).

You will have a GREAT experience!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact one of us!

Yours in Scouting,

Hugo Chavez                                    Ryan Harris

Course Director                               ACD-Program

(210) 862-7544                              (210) 284-5053

hvcjr@satx.rr.com                          ryan79260@icloud.com

Shooting Sports Trainings (NRA and Archery) and Opportunities to Get Involved

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The Alamo Area Council Shooting Sports Advocates are working hard to bring opportunities for you to get involved with one of the most beloved and exciting parts of the scouting program….Shooting! Who doesn’t love knocking that clay pigeon out of the air with a well placed shotgun shot or creating holes in it with a BB Gun at one of our camps?  These activities are vital to the excitement of our program and one of top reasons scouts initially join the Boy Scouts of America.

Volunteers are a vital part of this program and trained volunteers are extremely hard to find in the shooting arena. For older units (Scouts BSA, Venture, Sea Scouts) if you have trained adults you can run a program in your unit.  How nice would it be to add some range time to one of your weekend rentals at Bear Creek Scout Reservation?  You can do it.  For Cub Scout Packs, scouts can only shoot at a Council level event and we always need volunteers willing to help on the ranges during those events.  The more volunteers we have, the more likely we are to be able to share the load (schedule 1-2 hours volunteer on the range instead of volunteers giving their whole day).

So, how do you get more involved?

  1. NRA (Shotgun, Rifle, Pistol) –  Click on this link to find the dates of the upcoming classes we are offering and how to register.  There is a minimum of 8 participants for a class to make, so register early and bring your friends to ensure your class holds!  NRA_BSAInstructorClassesFall2020
  2. NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO) – Any range that runs is required to have an NRA RSO present and in charge of the safety of that range.  We are currently in need of more RSOs as we need them for every range. If you hold a current NRA Instructor certification you can take the RSO training online through the NRA.  If you don’t, you will need to attend an in person class. We are gauging interest to be able to schedule a class in person at McGimsey or Mays this fall.  Please email Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org  if you are interested in attending an in person NRA RSO certification training, we will add you to a contact list and notify you when we get a class scheduled.
  3. Archery – We have a USA Archery Level 1 training scheduled for August 1 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at McGimsey Scout Park.  Course materials need to be ordered in advance so registration closes on July 15th.  Register here
  4. Cub Scout Rangemasters (BB or Archery) – To volunteer to help at a Cub Scout event you must either be NRA Trained or hold a current Cub Scout Rangemaster Training certification (good for 2 years).  You must be 18 years old to be trained as a Rangemaster.  We are offering shooting activities beginning in July at McGimsey and continuing at all of our Cub Scout Events through December 2020.  If you are interested in receiving Cub Scout Rangemaster Training for either BB or Archery please email Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org and let us know.  We will add you to a contact list and let you know when we get training scheduled.
  5. Shooting Sports Advocates – We have a wonderful committee of volunteers that are considering how to best support our scouts in both what events are offered, how they are run, and considering facility and equipment requirements.  If you are interested in joining this group, please let us know, we are happy to have you join us.  We support all the Cub Scout level events, Powderhorn, Council Wide Campout, and we host the Beast Feast and Shooting Sport University each year.  Email us at Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org and let us know you are interested in joining our Advocates and we will add you to the communications list.
Scouting Adventures