Alamo Area Council

 
Boy Scouts of America

Unified Focus On Youth

scouts bsa

Details of Eagle Extensions Due To Corona Virus Challenges

by

 

The Alamo Area Council Advancement Committee has developed procedures to help youth members apply for an extension for Eagle requirements if the Corona Virus inadvertently impacted their ability to complete them before their 18th birthday. The procedures follow guidelines published by the National Council BSA. Normally extensions to complete Eagle requirements after the 18th birthday can only be granted by the National Council and that still is the policy. However, local councils are allowed to grant up to a three month extension for Eagle requirements if the need is because of Corona Virus concerns. The deadline to apply for these extensions is 9/30/20.

Click on the link below to see the PDF containing AAC procedures and the required information form, National Guidelines on non Corona Virus related extensions, and the National Guidelines of Corona Virus related extension requests.

Extension Request

NEW EAGLE BOARD EXTENSION DETAILS FOR THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF SCOUTS BSA

by

The coronavirus pandemic is having a direct impact in many Scout’s ability to continue on their trail to Eagle – especially having completed all their requirements prior to the boards of review that are to be held from 10/1-31/2020.

Because the BSA wants all girls who joined in 2019 and wish to be a part of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts to have the benefit of such an experience, and after carefully considering recommendations from stakeholders, including feedback from volunteers and professionals, they will be extending the period for boards of review from 10/1/2020 – 1/31/2021. To further support the Inaugural Class, all boards of review will be dated with the same date by the National Service Center.

While this notice discusses the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts, the lengthening of the Eagle Boards of review window is applicable to all Scouts who were granted the Inaugural extension, regardless of gender.

If you would like to read the original text on the one time extensions on the BRYAN ON SCOUTING blog please follow the link below:

https://blog.Scoutingmagazine.org/2019/01/31/temporary-transition-rules-give-new-Scouts-bsa-members-the-chance-to-earn-eagle/.

 

 

 

 

 

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

Salesmanship Merit Badge & Camp Cards: A Perfect Match!

by

Is your unit looking for a simple Merit Badge to accomplish from Home? Do you know a Scout still trying to actively participate in this year’s Camp Card sale? 

3 Options for your Scout to take Advantage:

  1. Council Opportunities for Individual Scouts: April 7 & 16 @ 7pm

(Online Zoom MB) Registration on Alamo Area Council Website (Limited Spots Available)

Or

  1. Have a registered MB counselor who is a unit leader or parent administrate the MB to your unit

Or

  1. A Scout can participate now and finish the rest of the requirements at a later date

 

Camp Cards & Salesmanship MB PromotionDownload
Salesmanship MB WorkbookDownload

Scout Youth Honored at Bexar County Brunch 2020

by

  • Left ft to right: Jonathan Largoza, Alex Kubon, Gabriel Harper, Jim Syring, and Tyler Syring

Community leaders and Scout supporters gathered Thursday, February 13, 2020, to hear youth and adult members of the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council share their stories, including a keynote from Eagle Scout, Jim Syring, newly appointed President of Property and Casualty Insurance Group at USAA. Others were honored for their outstanding achievements and saving lives. Valero Energy Corporation hosted this annual fundraising and recognition event, Give the Adventure Bexar County Brunch, for the last six years.

“The goal of the Scouting Movement is to teach our youth to have good judgement and a good head on their shoulders by experiencing positive outdoor adventures. So please ‘Give’ to help fund the tradition of adventure and character development for all boys and girls,” said Michael de los Santos, Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council.

Tyler Syring with Scouts BSA Troop 18 and Gayle Hende of Scouts BSA Troop 346 emceed the brunch; announcing many special honorees. Eagle Scout Jonathan Largoza of Troop 346 was honored with the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award for his support of a senior community.

  • Jonathan Largoza receiving the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award
  • Co-Emcee’s Tyler Syring and Gayle Hende

Conor Ferguson of Troop 285, Stephen Chapman, Clayton Gillen, and Massone Sirianni of Troop 111 were honored for their significant acts of service that demonstrate unusual heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save another’s life.

  • Conor Ferguson receiving the Medal of Merit
  • Clayton Gillen, Stephen Chapman, and Massone Sirianni (not pictured)
    with their Scoutmaster, Robert Collier and Council Key 3 Leadership

Presentation of colors was be led by Eagle Scout Alex Kubon with Scouts BSA Troop 208. Alex was recognized for completing ALL 138 merit badges Scouting has to offer.

  • Alex Kubon receiving all 138 Merit Badges with Webelos Scout, Gabriel Harper who gave the invocation for the brunch

This annual event helps support Scouting programs and camps council wide.

To support Scouting, donate online at www.GiveTheAdventure.org or text GIVEADVENTURE to 41444.

On My Honor – To Be Prepared -January 2020

by

In the picture from left to right are: 
Robert Collier, Jr. (former Scoutmaster, Troop 111)  Massone Sirianni (Eagle Scout)  Clayton Gillen (Life Scout)  Jake Chapman (Life Scout). All from Troop 111 in Kerrville sponsored by Notre Dame Catholic Church.

The Alamo Area Council is proud to announce the selection of three members of Troop 111 of Kerrville to be recipients of Meritorious Action Awards. Stephen Chapman, Clayton Gillen and Massone Sirianni will receive National Certificates of Merit for their actions during a Troop outing.

The Troop was hiking at Colorado Bend State Park and after 11 miles of hiking with the air temperature reaching 106°, Mr. Robert Collier, the Scoutmaster, stumbled and then fell. Immediately, Stephen, Clayton and Massone dropped their packs and ran to his aid. They noted that he was sweating profusely and that his skin was hot to the touch.

The three Scouts quickly decided that Massone would stay with Mr. Collier while Stephen and Clayton would go to end of the trailhead and look for help. Massone propped up Mr. Collier with his bed roll, erected a tarp near a tree for shade, and kept him lying still and offered him water to keep him from further danger.

The others were able to flag down a pick-up truck and asked to use their cell phone to call 911. After linking up with Texas Park and Wildlife rangers (TPWD), they directed them to the location of Mr. Collier and Massone.

TPWD transported Mr. Collier to the trailhead where they were met by EMS who determined that time was of the essence and called for a helicopter to take Mr. Collier to the hospital in Temple, Texas.

Mr. Collier has since made a full recovery and is looking forward to future hiking adventures.

The Council Advancement Committee awarded the recognition due to the youth showing a significant act of service of an exceptional character. The three members of Troop 111 responded quickly and worked together to help overcome a challenging situation.

Scouting Adventures