Alamo Area Council

 
Boy Scouts of America

Unified Focus On Youth

Cub Scouts

Council-Wide Virtual Roundtable Continues

by

Thank you to all for your help and participation in making the Alamo Area Council’s first virtual roundtable in April so successful! This was a great way to communicate one Scouting message with all of our volunteer leaders, parents, and Scouting families. It keeps Scouting moving forward in this difficult period of time! It was a team effort and we appreciate everyone’s support.

“Baden-Powell said Scout Spirit is an attitude that Scouts around the world are supposed to show…Our virtual Roundtable showed us that a virus can’t stop that Scout Spirit!  Scouting is alive and well, not just at home, but in our hearts.  I was proud of the turnout and contributions everyone made during our April Roundtable,” said Lance Hirsch, Alamo Area Council Commissioner.

Remember, we are one Scouting family.

We had almost two hundred people participate in the General Session, sixty-five in the Cub Scout breakout session, ninety-nine in Scouts BSA, and twenty-one in the Venturing breakout session. That is a lot of Scouters learning about what is going on in the Alamo Area Council. And, we’re finally on the same page…or the same video conferencing screen, in this case. It is also the largest Zoom meeting I have ever seen since adjusting to our new normal!

Special thanks to Council Commissioner, Lance Hirsch; Council Roundtable Commissioner, Sean Basinger and Assistant Council Commissioner, John Haines for their leadership and assistance in making sure that this happened smoothly.

All Scouters from the Alamo Area Council’s Six Districts – Fiesta, Coyote, Roadrunner, Mesquite, River, Oaktree – and beyond are invited to attend the virtual May Council-Wide Roundtable on Thursday, May 7, 2020. Join us for program updates, fellowship, news, and training starting with a 30-minute general session then continuing with program breakouts for Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, and Venturing.

For more details and to register for FREE, please visit this May Council-Wide Roundtable 2020 event link.

Jason A. Gates
Director of Field Service
Alamo Area Council, BSA

Josh Ozuna Shares Why He Lives Scouting in Scoutreach – GTA @ Work

by

Josh Ozuna smiles during a break at Carillo Elementary School’s Scoutreach Field Day in 2019.

I’ve had the priviledge of coming across some really good kids who come from really bad circumstances…that’s why I want to work with Scoutreach for a very long time because it really makes a difference in the life of a kid. ~ Josh Ozuna, Scoutreach Director of the Alamo Area Council. #GTA @ Work

GTA @ Work Supporting the Scoutreach Program

The Alamo Area Council is committed to making sure that all youth have an opportunity to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. Watch the video below of our talk with Josh Ozuna, Director of the Council’s Scoutreach program, which served over 5,100 Cub Scouts in 2019. It takes about $375,000 dollars to support this program every year. 

The Scoutreach Division is a non-traditional school-based program. Program leaders support units in select schools in the Edgewood ISD, Harlandale ISD, SouthSan ISD, Southwest ISD, and in other schools through partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, the YMCA of Greater San Antonio, and the Northside Learning Tree program.

This program caters to youth from Kindergarten through 5th grades (ages 5-11 years old).  For additional information, visit the Scoutreach page at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Scoutreach or contact the Scoutreach team at Scoutreach@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

Scoutreach Mission

The Scoutreach mission is to recruit strong adult leaders and to develop solid relationships with chartered organizations in urban communities in Bexar county to ensure that culturally diverse youth have the opportunity to join the Scouting program.

In-School Scouting

In-School Scouting provides a Scouting experience for boys during the school year. The bi-weekly sessions are held during the physical education class in order to preserve the integrity of the instructional schedule.

After-School Scouting

After-School Scouting is held at a neighborhood center or public school in which program specialists meet weekly and emphasize character development, family understanding, and personal achievement through a variety of activities.

18 Councils in Texas Celebrate 110 Year Scouting Birthday during Report to State 2020

by

  • Eagle Scout Trent Corley prepares for his speech.
  • Eagle Scout and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Trent Corley, of Scouts BSA Troop 809, addresses house.
Report to State 2020 Delegates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Angel Martinez, PR Director

(210) 394-9915

Angel.Martinez@Scouting.org

San Antonio Scouts Report to State of Texas 2019 End of Year Results

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (January 31, 2020) – The Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council will join all Scouts, volunteers, and families across the 18 councils in Texas on Saturday morning, February 1, 2020, in celebrating the 110-year anniversary of Scouting in the United States with an annual parade through downtown Austin (The official birthday falls on February 8th). All are welcome to show Scout spirit via floats, marching, cheering, and music. A Scout Spirit Rally on the south steps of the Capitol happens before delegates head into the House of Representatives’ chamber and hear Scout youth reports across the state, plus comments from an elected state lawmaker who serves as an honored guest for the day. The Governor, Attorney General, and the Secretary of State have served in the past.  Media is invited to see hundreds of Scout youth from across Texas, including our San Antonio delegate,  parade down Congress St. starting on the Ann Richards Bridge at Congress Avenue/Cesar Chavez and going north to the grounds of the State Capitol at 11th Street to present their ‘State of Scouting’.

 2020 Schedule

  • 7:30-8:30am Units line up on Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
  • 9:00am           Parade steps off
  • 9:40am           SCOUT SPIRIT RALLY on South Steps of Capitol
  • 9:45am           Eagle Scout (all ages) Rededication Ceremony
  • 11:00am         Report to State in House Chambers
  • 12:01pm         Report to State Concludes

Alamo Area Council’s Report to State 2020

“Greetings from the 17,244 Scouts and the 4,456 adult volunteer Scouters of the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

I am Eagle Scout and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Trent Corley, of Scouts BSA Troop 809, chartered by the Alamo Heights Presbyterian Church. I am also fortunate to be the Vice Chief of Units for the Order of the Arrow Coyote Chapter of the Aina Topa Hutsi Lodge.

I am honored to report that the Alamo Area Council continues to accomplish its mission of instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law in our youth by utilizing outdoor adventure, citizenship, and fitness.

The Alamo Area Council earned the Journey to Excellence SILVER Award, the BSA’s planning, performance, and recognition program designed to encourage and reward the success of our units, districts and councils. We were also 1 of only 11 Councils in the US to receive the GOLD Journey to Excellence Award for Venturing.

Most importantly, we continue to serve more youth. In fact, over 1.3 Million youth have been served by the Alamo Area Council since our chartered date of May 16, 1912.

2019 successes include:

  • Camping activity reached 5,699 – with Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing Scouts attending summer and year-round adventure programs.
  • Scouting for Food efforts of our youth and adults collected over 5,000 pounds of food. This represents 6,500 meals for food insecure youth and families in our local community.
  • Cub and Scouts BSA advancements, supporting career development, reached 11,697.
  • 399 Scouts BSA youth achieved Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout, contributing over 58,450 service hours with a value over $1.48 million invested into our local economy and community. (based on value of 2019 volunteer time $25.43/hr. by independentsector.org)

Highlights of our Eagles include:

    • Jonathan Largoza, of Troop 346 – Recognized for the 2019 Adam’s Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year for his work supporting a senior citizens community.
    • Eagle Scout Ethan Schneider of Troop 911 earned prestigious William T. Hornaday Award for his conservation project work on invasive species control.
    • Eagle Scout Alex Kubon earned ALL 138 Merit Badges available to complete within the Scouts, BSA program. Alex joins a list of less than 450 Scouts that have reached such an accomplishment within the 110-year history of the BSA.
  • Additional Community Service We acknowledge the sacrifices and services of those in the U.S Armed Forces. In San Antonio, the Military City, we proudly participate in many flag ceremonies with our largest community service being Flags at Fort Sam, to honor our fallen American Heroes.

The Alamo Area Council continues to receive the support of our volunteers and community leaders; and, with your support, we will continue this tradition of Scouting and service for many years to come!

In closing, the Alamo Area Council proudly manages 1,500 acres of outdoor adventure for boys and girls from 5-20 years of age at three premier camps – Bear Creek Scout Reservation, Mays Family Scout Ranch, and McGimsey Scout Park. So, please join us! Scouting adventures!”

About the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council

The Alamo Area Council, BSA headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, serves a 13-county area imparting the Scouting program to over 17,000 youth and 4,000 volunteer adults in South Texas. The Boy Scouts of America continue to prepare young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, utilizing outdoor activity, citizenship, and fitness. The Alamo Area Council manages over 1,500 acres of outdoor adventure for boys and girls from 5-20 years of age at three premier camps – Bear Creek Scout Reservation, Mays Family Scout Ranch, and McGimsey Scout Park. Learn more at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org.

The counties served by the Alamo Area BSA include Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, La Salle, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Scout Oath (or Promise)

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean, and reverent.

Scout Slogan

“Do a Good Turn Daily”- which means to do a special act of kindness, big or small, every day.

###

Report to State 2020

by

Photos of prior year Report to State events

Report to State – February 1, 2020

Greetings from the 17,244 Scouts and the 4,456 adult volunteer Scouters of the Alamo Area Council, headquartered in San Antonio.

I am Eagle Scout Trent Corley of Scouts BSA Troop 809, and I am honored to report that the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council continues to accomplish its mission of instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law in our youth by utilizing outdoor adventure, citizenship, and fitness.

The Alamo Area Council earned the Journey to Excellence SILVER Award, the BSA’s planning, performance, and recognition program designed to encourage and reward the success of our units, districts and councils. And, we were 1 of 11 Council’s in the Nation to receive the GOLD Journey to Excellence Award for Venturing.

Most importantly, we continue to serve more youth. In fact, over 1.3 Million youth have been served by the Alamo Area Council since our chartered date of May 16, 1912.

Counted among our 2019 successes include:

  • Camping activity reached 5,699 – with Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing Scouts attending summer and year-round adventure programs.
  • Scouting for Food efforts of our youth and adults collected over 5,000 pounds of food. This represents 6,500 meals for food insecure youth and families in our local community.
  • Advancements: Total Cub and Scouts BSA advancements reached 11,697.
  • Eagle Scouts – 399 Scouts BSA youth achieved Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout, contributing over 58,450 service hours with a value over $1.48 million invested into our local economy and community. (based on value of 2019 volunteer time $25.43/hr. by independentsector.org)

Highlights of our Eagles include:

  • Jonathan Largoza, of Troop 346 – Recognized for the 2019 Adam’s Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year for his work supporting a senior citizens community.
  • Eagle Scout Ethan Schneider of Troop 911 awarded prestigious William T. Hornaday Award for his conservation project work on invasive species control.
  • Eagle Scout Alex Kubon earned ALL 138 Merit Badges available to complete within the Scouts, BSA program. (Alex joins a list of less than 450 Scouts that have reached such an accomplishment within the 110-year history of the BSA)
  • Additional Community Service We acknowledge the sacrifices and services of those who serve in the U.S Armed Forces. In San Antonio, the Military City, we participate in many flag ceremonies with one of our biggest community service involving placing flags through Fort Sam Houston Cemetery to honor our American Heroes.

The Alamo Area Council continues to receive the support of our volunteers and community leaders; and, with your support, we will continue this tradition of Scouting and service for many years to come to help our youth to succeed!

Pinewood Build Days at Mays

by

Get Ready For The Races!!!

Come and get your Pinewood Derby car ready for the races!

Lots of tools will be on hand to help sculpt your car to perfection.

Be sure to bring an adult (some tools will need the aid of an adult) and your creativity. A paint booth will be set up. Bring your favorite colors of paint since they’re not provided, and sharing with others is encouraged.

This event is just $5.00 per Scout (this nominal price will help us to keep having this event year after year).

Two dates in 2020.

Click here to register for a session on January 4, 2020

Click here to register for a session on January 11, 2020

Each date will have 3 sessions to choose from.

If you have any tools that you would like to use or share feel free to bring them along as well.

Shooting Sports Committee Meeting

by

We’re back!!! The Alamo Area Council is looking for some Rootin Tootin Cowboys/Gals to join the Shooting Sports Committee.

The purpose of our committee is to manage and provide resources to the Council, the Camping and Outdoors Program Committee, and the council camps for all activities involving shooting sports whether during summer camps or during year-round shooting opportunities.

Our next committee meeting will be held October 9, 2019 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm at the McGimsey Dining Hall. If this sounds like something you are interested in join us for our next committee meeting by RSVPing below.

Click here to RSVP!

Want to get connected? Can’t make the meeting? That’s okay scroll down to fill out the form below to get connected!

Let us know you’re interested!

Sign Me Up!Not An Expert but Willing to LearnNo Thanks!I Was Serious, No!
Adult Training...Just call me YODA.
Cub Scouts ...They Keep Me Young
Scouts BSA...I Don't Mind The Stinky Ones

Scouting Adventures