Alamo Area Council

 
Boy Scouts of America

Unified Focus On Youth

Advancement

Calling all Webelos and Troops! How do you plan to meet each other Fall 2020?

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The Webelos Trail to Eagle is for Webelos to learn what Scouts BSA is all about, while meeting and interacting with Troops in preparation to cross over into Scouts BSA.  The overall goal of this event is introducing Webelos to activities using the Patrol Method while placing emphasis on the parent’s role in a Scouts BSA Troop environment.  We include a wide variety of presentations encompassing many points of the Webelos Requirements counting toward Webelos and Arrow of Light rank advancement.

This is a formal Scout Activity that is being planned virtually for Fall of 2020.  Registration is open online and only the Webelos need to register (there is an opportunity inside the registration to enter the name of the parent that will be present with the Scout online). CLICK HERE TO REGISTER A WEBELOS

 

As stated, this event is hosted by Troops and gives those Troops the opportunity to offer program and demonstrate how their unit works.  It is a great way for WEBELOS to find local Troops that they may be interested in visiting and crossing into.  If your Troop is interested in running a demonstration or class in the Webelos Trail to Eagle 2020 Virtual event CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP YOUR TROOP TO VOLUNTEER.

Cub Scout Shooting Sports Days – August and December, 2020

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Looking for an opportunity for your Scouts to earn their Cub Scout Shooting Badges?

Outside of Summer Camps, this is the event you need to register for to do just that.

Due to COVID these events are limited as we have to keep the groups smaller.  We will work in sessions of 16 Scouts; breaking those 16 Scouts up into 2 separate groups 8 Scouts each. That means that while 8 Scouts are learning the history, parts of the bow (for example), and the other educational part of the training, the other 8 Scouts will be getting the safety brief and practice time on the range.  Then we will rotate.  Each session lasts 90 minutes and that is plenty of time to rotate 2 groups of 8 through all that is required to earn the badges.

Everyone present will have to sign a waiver and wear a mask while on property. Our equipment will be cleaned in between each group rotating through the ranges and hand sanitizer will be used upon entry and leaving the range.

Parents are required to be present at the event, though they may be asked to stay outside the range for social distancing if their Scouts are able to participate without direct assistance from a parent.  Lions and Tigers must have a parent partner present on each range. Lions may only participate in archery and sling shots.

At the end of each session you will be given a card, signed by your instructor to take back to your Cub Scout Pack leadership to show proof that you completed the requirements.

For this event you must sign up for each individual activity session separately. BB, ARCHERY and SLINGSHOT are offered.   Each one takes 90 minutes to complete, so if you sign up to attend BB and SLINGSHOT you are committing to being at camp for 3 hours.

You must register to attend this event, space is limited and walk-ins will not be accepted due to COVID Precautions.

Click on the date you choose to attend, once you add your activities the cost will be added to your cart.  Each activity is $15 so your total will depend upon how many activities you register for.

August 22 – Cub Scout Shooting Sports Day

December 5 – Cub Scout Shooting Sports Day

If you have any questions about these events, please email Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org 

 

Swim Test Offered at McGimsey Scout Park to Support Scout Advancement – Fall 2020

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It was brought to our attention that many of our Scouts were unable to complete their annual Swim Test this summer.  Scouts take the swim test in preparation for attending summer camp or they complete it at summer camp each year and this test counts when they are moving towards advancing to the next rank. This year, with many of our Scouts not attending camp due to cancellations or COVID restrictions many have realized that they need a swim test in order to advance or complete a Cub Scout Elective.

For this reason, we are adding three opportunities for swim tests to be completed at McGimsey Scout Park Pool.

These are open to the first 50 Scouts that sign up to attend and are not open to walk ins due to the precautions we must take during COVID. You will arrive at 4:30 pm for your session, park outside the pool, and check in.  All attending are required to wear a mask (except while swimming) and practice social distancing.  You will come dressed to swim as changing rooms are not open at this time.  You will then be asked to wait in your vehicles until you are called up to take your test as we are only allowed to let so many into the pool area at one time.  We will move everyone through as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience.

Register by clicking on the date that works best with your schedule:

August 15, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

September 12, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

September 26, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

These will be the only opportunities to complete a swim test at McGimsey Scout Park this Fall as the pool closes at the end of September.  We will reopen the pool in May 2021.

If you have any questions about the swim test please email Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org

 

The USAA Foundation, Inc. Grants $50,000 – Personal Management Merit Badge

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The USAA Foundation, Inc. is sponsoring the ‘Personal Management’ Merit Badge class, for the third consecutive year. The ‘Personal Management’ Merit Badge, is an Eagle required badge and one of the most difficult to obtain. As the presenting sponsor all ‘Personal Management’ Merit Badge sessions will be taught by USAA employee volunteers. USAA’s team of volunteers will help Scouts explore new areas of interests, while learning valuable financial skills.

The Alamo Area Council is honored to have received this $50,000 award in support of Financial Literacy and You(th)!. Thank you, USAA Foundation, Inc. for your steadfast support of Scouting youth!

For more information, visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/PersonalManagement and watch the video below or email the USAA Foundation Personal Management Merit Badge Counselors team at USAA@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

Mesquite District Honors Two Scouters with the Award of Merit

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Mesquite District is honoring two of its Scouters with the District Award Award of Merit. Brenda Cowey and Dewey Barber are both being recognized with the highest award a District can bestow on a volunteer.

 

Brenda Cowey is very active working with youth in the Stockdale Area and has been a BSA volunteer for over seven years. She serves as the Cubmaster of Pack 137 and the Committee Chairman for Troop 118. Both units are very active and support the Alamo Area Council and Mesquite District by participating in most programs including Bear Creek Summer Camp and Day Camp.

She is also very active in other youth programs in Wilson County serving as a volunteer in 4H and coaching youth soccer.

 

Dewey Barber earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth. And has 11 years of volunteer service between the Calcasieu Council in Louisiana, Far East Council in Okinawa, and the Alamo Area Council.

He has served as the Membership Chairman for Mesquite District and currently is the District Commissioner. He has also been active with the OA in the Alamo Area Council and served as an Order of the Arrow Assistant Lodge Chief of Administration. He is also completed Woodbadge, Powderhorn, and has been honored with the Unit Leaders Award of Merit and the William Boyce Unit Organizer Award.

Dewey has an exceptional past service outside of Scouting having served his country through the US Army for 20 years.

 

The awards were selected from nominations by fellow volunteers finalized by the Mesquite District Advancement Committee consisting of Sami Jensen, and Chris and Richard Morris.

Due to the Covid 19 situation their awards will be presented at an appropriate time when groups start meeting again. If you would like to congratulate them in the meantime contact Brenda at becowey14@yahoo.com and Dewey at dewey.barber@yahoo.com.

 

And, CONGRATUALTIONS from the VOLUNTEERS of MESQUITE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

On My Honor – To Be Prepared: Conor Ferguson

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The Alamo Area Council is proud to announce the selection of a member of Troop 285 to be a recipient of a Meritorious Action Award. Conor Ferguson was honored  for his actions with the presentation of a Medal of Merit.

On January 4, 2019, Conor Ferguson, age 13, was returning to San Antonio with his grandfather, James Wallace, age 67, who was driving the car.As they exited the interstate onto a busy roadway, Mr. Wallace fell unconscious at the steering wheel. Conor immediately grabbed the steering wheel and although unable to reach the brake pedal, he steered the car away from other vehicles, onto the grass and finally against a wall to stop the car.

Two other drivers stopped and helped to move Mr. Wallace out of the car and administered CPR. Conor called his father to tell him what had happened and give his location then he called Emergency Services to give them the information.

Because of his ability to recognize the situation and remain calm, Conor successfully managed to maneuver a moving vehicle to a safe area and call for help.

Troop 285 is sponsored by Coker United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas.

 

 

Scouting Adventures