Alamo Area BSA

 
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2021 February Induction Weekend is Open

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The registration for the February induction weekend at Bear Creek is open. This event is capped at 50 candidates so register early to guarantee a spot. The registration link is here. A waiting list will be created.

Click to Register

Individuals on the waiting list will be offered first choice to have their registration moved to the next induction event. All events, for the foreseeable future, will be small, capped events in order to remain COVID compliant and keep everyone safe.

If you are concerned about the time period expiring for individuals elected to the Order of the Arrow in 2019 and 2020, please be aware that the national office for the OA has made concessions extending the timeline to complete the induction process to 24 months until further notice. In addition, Aina Topa Hutsi is committed to working with all scouts elected in 2019 and 2020 to assure they have a fair chance to complete the induction process.

If you have any questions or concerns about eligibility, please contact the Vice-Chief of Inductions: inductions@ainatopahutsi.org

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.

First Year as Scouts BSA Girl Troop 346

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Scoutmaster Ann Specht talks with girls of Scouts BSA Troop 346 attending Bear Creek Summer Camp 2019.

February 1, 2019 was the historic launch of the Scouts BSA program (formerly called the Boy Scouting program) to include young women 11 to 18 years of age. The Alamo Area Council now serves over 1300 girls in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts. Here is a story shared with the Council from the Scoutmaster of Girl Troop 346, Ann Specht:

It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the first year of Troop 346-G. I am amazed at how well the girls have come together as a Team. They have worked hard to earn their ranks and merit badges. We have our first 2 Star Scouts and the rest of the Girls are making sure they completed the First Class Rank so they can earn the Operation First Class.

Highlights of our First Year:

  • Serving on Staff at the Council Wide Campout
  • Attending Bear Creek Adventure
  • Community Service – Medina River Cleanup, Garner State Park River Clean up, helping at Eagle projects, and trimming bushes for elderly neighbor.
  • Attending our first Summer Camp at Bear Creek and participating in the Ranger program.
  • Day Trip to Austin via Amtrak. We visited the State Capitol, Bob Bullock Museum, and the Austin Visitors Center.

Fun things in the future:

Celebrating our first anniversary as a Troop, the girls planned a campout for the first weekend in February. We are camping at Lake Corpus Christi State Park with cooking demonstrations, hiking, a campfire program and US Flag retirement. They invited our linked Boys Troop to join us for the fun.

  • Doing our first bridging in 2 weeks.
  • 4 Girls attending NYLT over Spring Break.
  • Serving on Staff for the CWC – Council Wide Campout
  • Going back to Bear Creek for Summer Camp 2020. We have 3 Girls that plan on serving on Staff. THEY LOVE BCSR!!!
  • High Adventure trip to the Summit for the Summit Experience in June 2020.
  • A few girls are already training for Philmont with hopes of attending in 2021.

Thoughts about our first year:

From Scout Mia –Being part of Girls Troop has inspired me to be more adventurous and to grow close with nature. I have learned so much and have made new friends in the wonderful experience I have had. I truly love being a part of this history making experience with Scouts BSA Troop 346 Girls.

From Committee Member Shelly McGee – I’m glad we were able to find Troop 346-G after Rose earned her Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts, Rose and I have enjoyed the camping and backpacking that we get to do with Troop 346-G. I really enjoyed being able to attend a BSA summer camp with my daughter. Rose was able to join Cub Scouts as a Webelos 1 in January of 2018 and received her Arrow of Light on International Women’s Day on March 8, 2019. I think that the first year of girls in Troop 346 has shown that when girls (and women) are given the same access, they can succeed at the same level.

From Scoutmaster Ann Specht – There are no words to express how blessed I feel to serve as Scoutmaster for Troop 346-G. It’s been just over a year since I was asked to become the Scoutmaster and I wouldn’t change any of it. We started with 5 Scouts and as of today we have 17. We have 9 Girls that have brothers in the Boys Troop and it’s rewarding to see the Girls learning the same skills and values, BSA have been teaching Boys for decades. I’ve been involved in Scouting for 30 years and thought I knew a lot about Scouting. I’ve learned a lot in the last year about being a Scoutmaster and have more to learn. I am amazed at how eager the Girls are to learn Scout skills and they are having fun. We are looking forward to what the future holds for us and where Scouting takes these young ladies.

Bear Creek Climbing — More Than Summer Camp

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Bear Creek is available almost year round for climbing and rappelling. Of course, check the calendar, facilities, and with Ken before driving out there. Troop 361 enjoyed climbing and rappelling the Short Cliffs behind the check-in cottage, and their diligent scribe recorded the experience.

One Troop’s Experience Climbing at Bear Creek Scout Ranch

by: Erin Heilbrun

Troop 361 went rock climbing at Bear Creek SR, and while there, learned how to climb and rappel, as well as climbing merit badge requirements. Scouts got to experience on natural rocks, over hanging cliffs, and free rappelling.

For many of these girls, it was their first time rappelling. “We learned to get over our fear of heights, trust the ropes, and have fun. For most of us, it was our first time climbing a natural rock face which is different from a rock wall. On the natural face we had to find small cracks and holes in the rock to get a grip or handhold. We didn’t have to do that on the rock wall at McGimsey,” wrote Erin.

“At the end of the day, we helped take down the rigging, and learned how to put away equipment. This included checking ropes for wear, wrapping the ropes up, counting harnesses and helmets, and keeping the equipment safe and away from weather and animals. At the end of the campout, about five of us went home with the climbing merit badge completed. We want to come back to rappel the 100 foot OA Cliff!”

Want To Take Your Unit Climbing?

Check Out the Alamo Council Climbing Page

Have you met a Campmaster from Alamo Area Council? Want to join the Corps?

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What is the Campmaster Corps?

The Campmaster Corps is a group of selected, trained, and registered Scouters who serve at council camps whenever Scouting units are using any part of the camp property. As a member of the Campmaster Corps, you have chosen to provide cheerful service to the Boy Scouts of America youth, parents, adult leaders of scouting units, and the various other community organizations that visit our council camps each year. Your primary responsibility will be to assist the Camp Ranger in providing an enjoyable camping or training experience to BSA units or community organizations that visit Mays Family Scout Ranch, McGimsey Scout Park, or Bear Creek Scout Reservation on any given weekend.

Campmasters may be called upon to:

  • Ensure the safety of campers according to The Guide To Safe Scouting and the rules of the Scout Park
  • Perform small maintenance tasks
  • Assist campers in following the procedures and policies of the Scout Park and Council
  • Assist units with program help
  • Check in and check out units that are camping and provide guidance as needed

What can the Campmaster Corps offer you?

If you like the outdoors, find fulfillment in working with youth, and don’t mind getting dirty and a little work. McGimsey Scout Park, Mays Family Scout Ranch, and Bear Creek Scout Reservation may be for you.

Our Campmasters work in teams of two or more allowing for Youth Protection and a more enjoyable experience.  Imagine sitting on the porch at the McGimsey House watching the sunset while waiting for Units to check in on a Friday evening.

Our rangers trust our trained Campmasters with access to the camp to be able to provide an exceptional experience to our customers.  If you are interested in the state of our camps and want to help maintain and support them while providing exceptional experiences to our scouting units this is the way to do just that.

Campmasters enjoy good fellowship and the common desire to work as a team to improve and expand the camping experience.

 

Requirements to be a  Campmaster:

  • Minimum age of 21 years old
  • Current YPT trained
  • Provide service for two weekends every six months (some overnight, some only daytime – depending on needs and your availability)
  • Knowledgeable of BSA and council policies and procedures
  • Has acceptable character traits (follows the scout oath and law)
  • Attend Campmaster Training
  • Have a great attitude

Ready to become a Campmaster?

You can talk with one of our Camp Rangers or any Campmaster, or apply online at: https://form.jotform.com/73325088026152

We offer training twice a year (December and June), but you don’t have to wait until then to get started – join the Campmaster Corps now!

 

 

 

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