Alamo Area BSA

 
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Cub Scouts

The Impact of Camp – Part 5

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BSA Scouts Elijah and Dominic lead a group of Cub Scouts during Week 1 of McGimsey’s Day Camp

I’ve written a few stories this week about what I observed with members of my unit while at Day Camp, but I wouldn’t be giving a complete picture of the week without mentioning the Youth Staff and volunteers who make camp an enjoyable experience for the kids.

The Cub Scouts at Day Camp are divided into smaller groups who travel throughout the camp stations during the day. Den Walkers are Scouts themselves – active in Scouts BSA – who ensure the Cub’s safety and aid them at each station. It’s a big job. The Cubs are constantly going to the restroom or leaving their items behind, and the Den Walkers not only make sure the kids are all accounted for but keep them healthy and hydrated in the Texas heat. They tie shoes, hold tape, act as referees during games, pass out lunches, put names on water cups, encourage, coach, and praise a group of kids they’ve never met…for an entire week.

I’ve heard that Scouts BSA builds character and leaders, and at Day Camp I saw one way Scouting creates an opportunity for it.

Dominic, who is working toward his Eagle, not only provided leadership to our Cub Scouts and their parents who came with them, but he mentored Elijah, his assistant for the week. Together they identified potential issues, solved problems, and worked in tandem to make the experience enjoyable for everyone in our group. Even I, a 44-year old mother of two, looked to the two of them for guidance. Dominic delegated tasks to Elijah and provided him gentle instruction when needed. Elijah reported back to Dominic and offered suggestions when appropriate. Together they involved parents to help make things run smoothly throughout the week, and it worked beautifully.

For the kids in my Pack, Day Camp is a chance at trying new things, but Day Camp also offers an opportunity for our teens to develop their own leadership skills. For the record, the Webelos in my den took notice of their future in Scouting. My daughter is already asking when she can be an assistant and has big plans to be a lifeguard at the pool as soon as she’s old enough to be certified. That’s quite the compliment when you’ve made such an impact on a younger Scout, that they can’t wait to follow in your footsteps!

 

Do you have a story to share about your Scout’s experience at Camp? Tell Jenn, the Council Publicist at Jennifer.Arntson@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

The Impact of Camp – Part 4

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I’ve been a Cub Master and Den Leader for nearly three years, and though I think I’m hilarious, not everybody does. In fact, there is one young man I’ve never even seen smile. He’s a great kid – kind and polite, but that smile has illuded me for years, and man, have I tried everything to catch a glimpse of it.

…then we went to Day Camp.

The first one, I caught by accident.

The others he posed for.

Three years.

Three.

As much as I’d like to take credit for it, this amazing smile was all thanks to Day Camp, and these are my favorite pictures of the year – even if they’re a little blurry!

 

Do you have a story to share about your Scout’s experience at Camp? Tell Jenn, the Council Publicist at Jennifer.Arntson@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

 

    

The Impact of Camp – Part 3

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After a year of virtual learning with a parent who is working remotely from home, some kids couldn’t wait to escape the house and go to Day Camp. There were others, like Eliso, a Cub just entering the Wolves den, who had a difficult time imagining what a whole day without his parents might look like. To help soothe Elisio’s anxiety, mom took a personal day off of work and attended the first day of Day Camp with her young son.

He had so much fun, and like many of the kids in his group, looked forward to pool time, which happened to be the final class of the day. A couple of the kids mentioned that they brought their water shoes to protect their toes, so Elisio’s mom decided to go buy him a pair before lunch.

Though she explained to her son that she’d be back shortly, Eliso’s anxiety got the better of him, and he begged her not to go. “I’ll be back before you know it,” she said before leaving for her car.

It was the first time he’d been separated from his parents in 18-months, and for him, the hour seemed like an eternity.

Elisio and his Day Camp cohort make bouncy balls.

Willie, a dad from Elisio’s Pack had come to Day Camp as a parent partner for his Tiger Scout. When he saw how distraught Elisio was, Willie sat under the shade tree with him a few yards from the other campers and helped him with his craft. They talked and talked and talked. They talked so much, he didn’t complete his craft.

As planned, mom returned with the shoes, and all was well with the world.

I didn’t expect to see Elisio the next day, because his mom couldn’t take off another day to be there with us. You can imagine my surprise when the two of them walked up together on Tuesday. “Good morning, Ms. Jenn,” she said. “Elisio said he’d like to come today if that’s alright, but I can’t stay-” she started to say, but Elisio quickly interrupted her. “Yesterday was fun,” he confessed in a small voice. “Momma packed my lunch.”

Willie’s son saw Elisio and ran to him, giving him a big hug, and a moment later the two were off, starting the day with repeat-after-me songs with the other Day Campers at opening ceremonies. “I can come and pick him up if he changes his mind,” his mom assured me. “It’s really no trouble.”

Elisio and Willie giving mom two thumbs up right before lunch!

But I never had to make that call. Instead, I texted her this picture of Elisio and his Day Camp mentor, Mr. Willie. Just look at that smile! The best part is that the Scouts supported each other, and helped make a safe space for Elisio to try new things on his own…and he enjoyed it so much, he wished to come back for a second day.

Day Camp inspires kids to do their best – to be brave and embrace adventure. That’s what Elisio did this summer, and what could possibly be better than that?

 

 

 

 

Do you have a story to share about your Scout’s experience at Camp? Tell Jenn, the Council Publicist at Jennifer.Arntson@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

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!

Get Your Cub Scout Summer Passport

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Summer was made for adventure and this summer is no different…

Grab your Alamo Area 2021 Passport and start heading down the trail to your Summertime Award. How do you get the award? Easy, participate in at least one Scouting activity for the months of June, July, and August. Scouts can do something with their pack, den, or any Council activity — like camp! Simply mark off what you’ve accomplished in your Passport each month and turn it into your Pack’s Advancement Chair when you’ve completed your August event.

Campers attending McGimsey Day Camp will get theirs at the end of their week, or you can download the Passport for your Pack, Den, or Family and begin your great Summer Experience now!

 

Scouting Adventures