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An Updated Plan for Unit Success – A Must Read for Unit Leaders

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Baden Powell Unit Recognition – 2021

Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council’s performance recognition program for units is named after Scouting’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell’s spirit is alive and well in our local community. The heart of this Baden Powell recognition is to make better units. Ultimately, better units mean better programs for our youth. This recognition will continue to work to serve your unit!

As national continues to serve the local council, we want to make sure that we continue to recognize our units and the hard work they put in each year. The Journey to Excellence (JTE) has been a great resource to encourage excellence and continuous improvement in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA. As a council, we have made the decision to discontinue our use of the JTE program. Your unit can continue using the JTE Scorecard to measure your unit quality, but it will be for unit utilization only and will not be submitted to the council.

Our team has brought the Journey to Excellence scorecard and the Baden Powell Unit Recognition 10 achievements together in one concise and clear scorecard called the Baden Powell Unit Excellence Award. It will focus on the three main areas which are Service, Adventure, and Fundraiser. You will go through each line item to discover which tier you are in to know the points to award. Add the points to see if you reached the 500 points needed to achieve the Baden Powell Award. Once it is completed, turn into the Scout Service Center or Outdoor Department. All submissions need to be turned in by or before January 31st to be eligible.

This is our first year pioneering this NEW Baden Powell Unit Excellence Award. We will continue to update as needed and will keep you informed. Keep on Scouting and having Great Adventures!

Download the Scorecard HERE

2020 Recognition and BP Status Benefits

Baden Powell units will receive the following recognition and benefits:

  • Adventure Guide magazine announcement
  • Council website and newsletter shout out
  • FREE Baden Powell unit recognition streamer
  • Facility Rental Voucher for FREE Unit Weekend Campout in 2022 (SUBJECT TO COVID19 RESTRICTIONS) at an Alamo Area Council Property*
  • 5% Discounted pricing to all Alamo Area Council camping events

Submission for 2021 can be online or in-person, and you can email it to Adventure@alamoareabsa.org
*FREE Rental for unit weekend camping coordinated through the Outdoor Adventures Team based on facility availability at Bear Creek Scout Reservation, McGimsey Scout Park, and Mays Family Scout Ranch. Email Rentals@AlamoAreaBSA.org or visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/BadenPowell for more information. Includes campsite rental only.

Resources to Aid Unit Success

As a 2021 Baden Powell unit, we use these methods of Scouting as shown by:

 

Masks Optional At Camp This Summer

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There have been a ton of recommendations over the last 18-months, and if you’re like me, all the changes can give you a bit of mental whiplash. So here I am, to break down in simple terms, the prevailing question amongst our SATX Scouting community:

Masks are NOT required to be worn at ANY of the Alamo Area Summer Camps as long as you’re outside.

Does that mean campers shouldn’t bring masks with them? Well, if I’ve learned anything after a year of a pandemic and a Texas snowstorm, it’s to Be Prepared. I mean, it’s our motto, is it not? I still plan on carrying masks with me because there will be times when my Scout and I will need them: namely when being indoors. One of the great experiences of camp is shopping at the Trading Post, and because it’s inside and social distancing is a bit harder to ensure, visitors will need a mask to enter.

It’s important to know that while the Alamo Area Council encourages wearing a mask in groups if you’re not yet vaccinated, the choice to wear one is yours. If you feel more comfortable wearing one outside while at camp, please do so. If you choose not to, remember that to enter one of the buildings, wearing one is required. It’s easy enough to tuck in in a pocket, backpack, or loop it around your wrist when you or your Scout is Adventuring outside.

I’m officially terming this summer The Summer of Smiles, because camp is awesome, and I’ve never been more ready to get out of my house! Won’t you join me?

For the most updated CDC Guidelines as recommended by the Alamo Area Council’s Medical Advisory Committee, CLICK HERE.

Ready to register for BSA Summer Camp at Bear Creek or Cub Scout Day Camp? There’s still space for you!

COVID-19 Protocol Update, Effective 6-2-21

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Per the updated guidelines of the CDC, the Medical Advisory Committee of the Alamo Area Council announces the following changes to the council’s COVID-19 protocols effective today, June 2, 2021

  • Participants (Youth and Adults) at Alamo Area Council activities will not be required to wear masks while in outdoor settings.
  • Masks will still be required while indoors and confined areas where social distancing may be difficult to maintain at camp properties.
  • Fully vaccinated visitors to the council service center will not be required to wear a mask.
  • Scouts and Scouters are still encouraged to maintain social distancing whenever possible and to wear a mask if not fully vaccinated when outdoors.

 

COVID Protocols Specific for Resident Summer Camp:
Bear Creek Summer Camps, NYLT, Akela Adventure Camp

    • All attendees of Resident Camp will provide proof of one of the following three options at check-in:
        • A negative COVID test taken within 1-3 days prior to arrival at camp
        • A positive COVID test taken within 3 months prior to arrival at camp
        • Proof of completed vaccination with 2 weeks of time passed since the final injection.
    • Medical screenings will be done at the entrance of the camp immediately upon arrival. If any scout or leader arrives at the medical screening exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, it will be assumed that the entire unit is likely exposed and will result in the entire unit being sent home.
    • A COVID-19 “At-Risk” Camp Participant Statement will be collected for every camper, youth and adult. Pre – Event Medical Screening Checklist will be provided to each participant prior to camp and used to prepare attendees for their time at camp.
    • Attendees must bring a 2-layered mask or disposable mask (not a gaiter) for use in indoor settings.
    • Social distancing and capacity changes previously announced will remain in effect while at camp.
    • Participants presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 will be temporarily quarantined and sent home immediately.
      • All parents must fill out a “Commitment to Transport” that requires their written acceptance that they will provide transport for their youth should that youth be identified as someone who needs to be sent home.
    • Changing leaders during the week is discouraged, but if a unit must change adults during the week, each new adult will need to check-in at the office and complete prescreening procedures and show the same documentation as required for adult participants.
    • There will be no Family Night/Activities held this summer.
    • Once an individual (youth or adult) has checked in to camp they should not plan to leave the property. Readmittance to camp will be on a very limited basis and units should plan accordingly.
    • A Scout or leader is encouraged to bring their own supply of hand sanitizer, face mask, and /or gloves as they deem necessary.
    • Previously announced staff protocols will remain in effect. (Please consult your Camp Director for details.)

2021 Summer Guide is HERE

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Ready for fun this summer? So are we! Check out what’s happening in San Antonio this Summer in our 2021 Summer Activities Catalog and experience the adventure!

CHECK OUT THE SUMMER CATALOG HERE

Additionally, reservations are currently open for the McGimsey Pool, canoeing on the lake, hammock camping at Mays, and campouts at all of our fabulous Scouting properties. Come as a family, or come with your unit, either way bring your camera to capture the memories you’ll make together!

Unit Leader Promotional Materials for Summer Activities 2021

Catalog Poster 8.5×11 with QR Code
Cub Scout YouTube Video for Camp Promotion
Cub Scout / Webelos Social Media Graphic
Generic Social Media Graphic_1
Generic Social Media Graphic_2
Scouts BSA YouTube Video for Camp Promotion
Scouts BSA Social Media Graphic

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

Scouting Adventures