Daniel G. Bellow
Chair of the Board

Debbie A. Rollison
Council Commissioner

Marvin D. Smith 
CEO/Scout Executive

Cub Scouting is a year-round program for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5^th grade. The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of boys and their families through fun and challenging activities promoting education, character development and physical fitness. Members meet weekly in small groups called dens. Once a month, all the dens meet together as a pack. Cub Scouts work on award requirements at meetings and with their families. Many Cub Scout packs schedule camping trips or attend summer resident camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. During the summer, many individual Cub Scouts attend a district day camp
 

Scouts BSA is an exciting leadership and character development program for young men and women who are at least 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. With the support of adult leaders, youth learn self-confidence and develop personal values guided by the ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law. The merit badge program develops skills in addition to and beyond the classroom. Members usually meet once a week as an entire troop, and then have a group activity once a month – typically a weekend camp-out. Scout troops are encouraged to attend a week of summer and winter camp each where they work on merit badges and enjoy other activities. Scouts also organize and take part in community service projects, benefiting neighborhoods, schools, churches and more.

Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade, and are under 21 years of age. Through this youth-led program, members enjoy wilderness survival camping, emergency preparedness, high adventure camping, search and rescue training and more. They work in groups to learn teamwork, leadership, respect and responsibility. Sea Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members’ boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills and service experiences. Typically, a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship will meet at least once a month, along with a monthly event or trip.

Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 through 20. Exploring units, called posts, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as law enforcement, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity. This program, which gives youth a practical learning outlet, aligns Scouting closely with the business community in law enforcement, medical, fire fighting, engineering, aviation, science, law, government and public service.

Reaching More Lives

ScoutReach is the Sam Houston Area Council's initiative to provide an opportunity for all young people to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. The programs include Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturing. ScoutReach gives special leadership and emphasis to economically-challenged youth via non-traditional methods. Through caring, well-trained, paid leadership, and with neighborhood partners who will provide a safe, regular meeting place, ScoutReach delivers a Scouting program to our most needy youth in the inner-city neighborhoods of Southeast Texas.  This program encourages parental involvement, but is fully subsidized through the council's annual operating budget. In 2022, this amounted to a total of $779,610.

Camp Strake is a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Program areas include shooting sports, climbing, rappelling, boating, swimming, ATV riding, ziplining, and more.

2,319 Scouts attended summer camp at Camp Strake in 2022.

• Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail.

785 Scouts and adults attended Winter Camp at Camp Strake.

• Winter camp is held between Christmas and New Year's Day. Merit badge classes are taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. Over 80 merit badge classes are offered.

892 Scouts attended Full Throttle at Camp Strake.

Full Throttle is a weekend event for troops, crews, and ships. Scouts could participate in multiple program areas such as shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, archery), climbing, COPE (high-ropes course), swimming, ziplining, boating (canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, rowboats), and ATV riding. Camp staff provides specialty program leadership.

• Many district trainings and camporees and council events such as University of Scouting, Venturing Challenge, Sea Scout events and Order of the Arrow Fall PowWow are held at Camp Strake.

Bovay Scout Ranch 

Bovay Scout Ranch is located three miles south of Navasota. The 1,488 acres are a natural paradise for plants and wildlife with several lakes teaming with a variety of fish. Nature study, bugs, animal tracks and conservation are vital elements of the camp program. George Lake offers paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, and rafting. The water park is the center of swimming and fun activities. Scouts also enjoy field sports, BMX, archery and rifles. Programs include:

• Resident camp is a three-night campout for Cub Scouts and includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM, exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool.
   
• Adventure camp is an overnight, full program camp for all family members and includes an exciting variety of activities at several program areas and food service in the camp’s air-conditioned dining hall. Staff members provide program supplies and assist parents in leading the activities.

Tellepsen Scout Ranch

Tellepsen Scout Camp is located at Bovay Scout Ranch and has eight campsites. Each campsite has a pavilion and one shower and restroom facility for every two campsites.

The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five-station shotgun trap range, eight shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range. The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11 feet, 22 feet, 32 feet, and 41 feet. Programs include:

• Weekend camping for troops, ships and crews. 
   
• District camporees and trainings

Camp Brosig

Camp Brosig is available for weekend camping year-round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room are available and are used regularly for district camp-outs. This 92-acre property is located six miles north of Sealy, Texas in Austin County. Programs include:

• Weekend camping for troops, ships and crews. 
   
• Districts trainings and events such as Webelos Woods and camporees.
   
• Overnighters are available to packs or Webelos dens. Groups plan their own activities and cook their own food. Campsites, restrooms, and showers are available.

Day Camps

Cub Scout day camps are held throughout the council in June. The camps depend heavily on parents and volunteer leaders to spearhead the programming. Cubs Scouts participate in shooting BB guns and archery, playing sports and games, making crafts, learning Scout skills, participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and earning rank advancements.

The National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award is a prestigious recognition given to Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding achievement at the local, state or regional level. The National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award was presented to the following individuals:

John Berger

Jay E. Mincks

Dr. David W. Leebron

Charles W. Rawl

Richard G. Rawson

Monte D. Richardson

James H. C. Steen 

The Sam Houston Area Council is grateful to our over 10,000 volunteer adult leaders. The Sam Houston Area Council presented the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader before the annual Key Leaders Conference.

Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. This is the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader.

2022 Silver Beaver Recipients:

16,070 Cub Scouts in 302 packs

Cub Scouting is a year-round program for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5^th grade. The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of boys and their families through fun and challenging activities promoting education, character development and physical fitness. Members meet weekly in small groups called dens. Once a month, all the dens meet together as a pack. Cub Scouts work on award requirements at meetings and with their families. Many Cub Scout packs schedule camping trips or attend summer resident camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. During the summer, many individual Cub Scouts attend a district day camp
 

10,173 Scouts in 326 troops

Scouts BSA is an exciting leadership and character development program for young men and women who are at least 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. With the support of adult leaders, youth learn self-confidence and develop personal values guided by the ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law. The merit badge program develops skills in addition to and beyond the classroom. Members usually meet once a week as an entire troop, and then have a group activity once a month – typically a weekend camp-out. Scout troops are encouraged to attend a week of summer and winter camp each where they work on merit badges and enjoy other activities. Scouts also organize and take part in community service projects, benefiting neighborhoods, schools, churches and more.

388 Venturers and Sea Scouts in 64 crews and ships

Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade, and are under 21 years of age. Through this youth-led program, members enjoy wilderness survival camping, emergency preparedness, high adventure camping, search and rescue training and more. They work in groups to learn teamwork, leadership, respect and responsibility. Sea Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members’ boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills and service experiences. Typically, a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship will meet at least once a month, along with a monthly event or trip.

169 Explorers in 18 posts

Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 through 20. Exploring units, called posts, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as law enforcement, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity. This program, which gives youth a practical learning outlet, aligns Scouting closely with the business community in law enforcement, medical, fire fighting, engineering, aviation, science, law, government and public service.

Reaching More Lives

ScoutReach is the Sam Houston Area Council's initiative to provide an opportunity for all young people to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. The programs include Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturing. ScoutReach gives special leadership and emphasis to economically-challenged youth via non-traditional methods. Through caring, well-trained, paid leadership, and with neighborhood partners who will provide a safe, regular meeting place, ScoutReach delivers a Scouting program to our most needy youth in the inner-city neighborhoods of Southeast Texas.  This program encourages parental involvement, but is fully subsidized through the council's annual operating budget. In 2021, this amounted to a total of $729,859.

Camp Strake is a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Program areas include shooting sports, climbing, rappelling, boating, swimming, ATV riding, ziplining, and more.

• Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail.

2,630 Scouts and adults attended the inaugural summer camp.

• Winter camp is held between Christmas and New Year's Day. Merit badge classes are taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. Over 80 merit badge classes are offered.

Bovay Scout Ranch 

Bovay Scout Ranch is located three miles south of Navasota. The 1,488 acres are a natural paradise for plants and wildlife with several lakes teaming with a variety of fish. Nature study, bugs, animal tracks and conservation are vital elements of the camp program. George Lake offers paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, and rafting. The water park is the center of swimming and fun activities. Scouts also enjoy field sports, BMX, archery and rifles. Programs include:

• Resident camp is a three-night campout for Cub Scouts and includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM, exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool.

228 Cub Scouts and adults attended summer resident camp at Bovay Scout Ranch.

• Adventure camp is an overnight, full program camp for all family members and includes an exciting variety of activities at several program areas and food service in the camp’s air-conditioned dining hall. Staff members provide program supplies and assist parents in leading the activities.

Camp Brosig

Camp Brosig is available for weekend camping year-round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room are available and are used regularly for district camp-outs. This 92-acre property is located six miles north of Sealy, Texas in Austin County. Programs include:

• Weekend camping for troops, ships and crews. 
   
• Districts trainings and events such as Webelos Woods and camporees.

Day Camps

Cub Scout day camps are held throughout the council in June. The camps depend heavily on parents and volunteer leaders to spearhead the programming. Cubs Scouts participate in shooting BB guns and archery, playing sports and games, making crafts, learning Scout skills, participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and earning rank advancements.

The Sam Houston Area Council is grateful to our over 10,000 volunteer adult leaders. The Sam Houston Area Council presented the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader before the annual Key Leaders Conference.

Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. This is the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader.

2021 Silver Beaver Recipients:

13,073 Cub Scouts in 311 packs

Cub Scouting is a year-round program for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5^th grade. The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of boys and their families through fun and challenging activities promoting education, character development and physical fitness. Members meet weekly in small groups called dens. Once a month, all the dens meet together as a pack. Cub Scouts work on award requirements at meetings and with their families. Many Cub Scout packs schedule camping trips or attend summer resident camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. During the summer, many individual Cub Scouts attend a district day camp
 

10,587 Scouts in 344 troops

Scouts BSA is an exciting leadership and character development program for young men and women who are at least 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. With the support of adult leaders, youth learn self-confidence and develop personal values guided by the ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law. The merit badge program develops skills in addition to and beyond the classroom. Members usually meet once a week as an entire troop, and then have a group activity once a month – typically a weekend camp-out. Scout troops are encouraged to attend a week of summer and winter camp each where they work on merit badges and enjoy other activities. Scouts also organize and take part in community service projects, benefiting neighborhoods, schools, churches and more.

483 Venturers and Sea Scouts in 78 crews and ships

Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade, and are under 21 years of age. Through this youth-led program, members enjoy wilderness survival camping, emergency preparedness, high adventure camping, search and rescue training and more. They work in groups to learn teamwork, leadership, respect and responsibility. Sea Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members’ boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills and service experiences. Typically, a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship will meet at least once a month, along with a monthly event or trip.

593 Explorers in 45 posts

Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 through 20. Exploring units, called posts, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as law enforcement, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity. This program, which gives youth a practical learning outlet, aligns Scouting closely with the business community in law enforcement, medical, fire fighting, engineering, aviation, science, law, government and public service.

Reaching More Lives

ScoutReach is the Sam Houston Area Council's initiative to provide an opportunity for all young people to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. The programs include Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturing. ScoutReach gives special leadership and emphasis to economically-challenged youth via non-traditional methods. Through caring, well-trained, paid leadership, and with neighborhood partners who will provide a safe, regular meeting place, ScoutReach delivers a Scouting program to our most needy youth in the inner-city neighborhoods of Southeast Texas.  This program encourages parental involvement, but is fully subsidized through the council's annual operating budget. In 2020, this amounted to a total of $729,859.

Bovay Scout Ranch 

Scouts head to Bovay Scout Ranch, located three miles south of Navasota. The 1,488 acres are a natural paradise for plants and wildlife with several lakes teaming with a variety of fish. Nature study, bugs, animal tracks and conservation are vital elements of the camp program. George Lake offers paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, and rafting. The water park is the center of swimming and fun activities. Scouts also enjoy field sports, BMX, archery and rifles. There are two camp programs held at Bovay Scout Ranch:

Tellepsen Scout Ranch

• Tellepsen Scout Camp has eight campsites that can accommodate 48 individuals per site. Each campsite has a 30-foot x 40-foot pavilion and one shower and restroom facility for every two campsites.
• Tellepsen Scout Camp is the home of the council’s largest rifle range and a 41-foot climbing tower. The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five-stand gun range, eight shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range.
• The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11-feet, 22-feet, 32-feet and 41-feet, where campers are able to climb the council’s highest climbing wall. 

Camp Brosig

Camp Brosig is available for weekend camping year-round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room are available and are used regularly for district camp-outs. This 92-acre property is located six miles north of Sealy, Texas in Austin County. 

Virtual Day Camps

Two virtual Cub Scout day camps were held in June. 

Camp Strake is a first-class, state-of-the-art camp at a rural site near the Sam Houston National Forest, close to the community of Evergreen.

The camp was designed to create a 21^st century Scouting experience for Scouts and their leaders and to be a transformational outdoor adventure experience to equip young people with a foundation for leadership. The camp has two distinct sections:

• The Tsuru Scout Camp is an area for weekend and summer camp. 
• The future Integrity Institute will be the home for advanced training programs for adult leaders and youth members of Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing.

Camp Strake is located on 2,816 acres between New Waverly and Coldspring near the community of Evergreen, Tx. Lake Livingston is 10 miles east of the property. The camp is a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Houston and close to I-45 and the Grand Parkway. Camp Strake is surrounded on three sides by the Sam Houston National Forest and has the Lone Star Hiking Trail close to one corner of the property.

The Sam Houston Area Council is grateful to our over 15,000 volunteer adult leaders. On November 19, the Sam Houston Area Council hosted the annual Council Recognition Reception. The reception is held to honor adult volunteers who have received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader, and other distinguished awards.

Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. This is the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader.

2020 Silver Beaver Recipients:

Our Youth

47,340 Total youth served in 1,138 units

31,801 Cub Scouts in 518 packs

Cub Scouting is a year-round program for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5^th grade. The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of boys and their families through fun and challenging activities promoting education, character development and physical fitness. Members meet weekly in small groups called dens. Once a month, all the dens meet together as a pack. Cub Scouts work on award requirements at meetings and with their families. Many Cub Scout packs schedule camping trips or attend summer resident camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. During the summer, many individual Cub Scouts attend a district day camp.

13,798 Scouts in 474 troops

Scouts BSA is an exciting leadership and character development program for young men and women who are at least 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. With the support of adult leaders, youth learn self-confidence and develop personal values guided by the ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law. The merit badge program develops skills in addition to and beyond the classroom. Members usually meet once a week as an entire troop, and then have a group activity once a month – typically a weekend camp-out. Scout troops are encouraged to attend a week of summer and winter camp each where they work on merit badges and enjoy other activities. Scouts also organize and take part in community service projects, benefiting neighborhoods, schools, churches and more.

664 Venturers and Sea Scouts in 91 crews and ships

Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade, and are under 21 years of age. Through this youth-led program, members enjoy wilderness survival camping, emergency preparedness, high adventure camping, search and rescue training and more. They work in groups to learn teamwork, leadership, respect and responsibility. Sea Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members’ boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills and service experiences. Typically, a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship will meet at least once a month, along with a monthly event or trip.

1,077 Explorers in 55 posts

Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 through 20. Exploring units, called posts, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as law enforcement, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity. This program, which gives youth a practical learning outlet, aligns Scouting closely with the business community in law enforcement, medical, fire fighting, engineering, aviation, science, law, government and public service.

Reaching More Lives

ScoutReach is the Sam Houston Area Council's initiative to provide an opportunity for all young people to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. The programs include Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturing. ScoutReach gives special leadership and emphasis to economically-challenged youth via non-traditional methods. Through caring, well-trained, paid leadership, and with neighborhood partners who will provide a safe, regular meeting place, ScoutReach delivers a Scouting program to our most needy youth in the inner-city neighborhoods of Southeast Texas.  This program encourages parental involvement, but is fully subsidized through the council's annual operating budget. In 2019, this amounted to a total of $1,871,377.

Scouting for Food

The value of serving others was practiced by the Scouts of the Sam Houston Area Council by participating in the service project Scouting for Food.  Partnering with the Souper Bowl of Caring and area food banks, over 9,000 Scouts and leaders collected over 175,000 pounds of food.  The food was then distributed to those in need in our area. 

Recognitions

Lawrence Bradley Hancock received the Medal of Merit Award presented to individuals who performed an act of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected.

Scout Fair

In April, Scouts "Scored a Goal with Scouting” at our annual Scout Fair. This year's Scout Fair, held at NRG Arena, is the largest gathering of Scouts and leaders in the Sam Houston Area Council.  Thanks to a partnership with the Houston Dynamo, our Scouts were able to sell over 150,000 Scout Fair Coupon Books to help fund their programs.

Outdoor Learning

Outdoor adventure is the promise made to Scouts when they join Scouting. Scouts yearn for outdoor programs that stir their imagination and interest.

The Sam Houston Area Council operates three camp properties in Texas. Through the initiatives of the Leaders of Tomorrow campaign, the Sam Houston Area Council strives to have camp properties that best serve the needs of Scouting in the 21^st century.

Bovay Scout Ranch 

Scouts head to Bovay Scout Ranch, located three miles south of Navasota. The 1,488 acres are a natural paradise for plants and wildlife with several lakes teaming with a variety of fish. Nature study, bugs, animal tracks and conservation are vital elements of the camp program. George Lake offers paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, and rafting. The water park is the center of swimming and fun activities. Scouts also enjoy field sports, BMX, archery and rifles. There are two camp programs held at Bovay Scout Ranch:

• Resident camp is a three-night campout for Cub Scouts and includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM, exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool.
• Adventure camp is an overnight, full program camp for all family members and includes an exciting variety of activities at several program areas and food service in the camp’s air-conditioned dining hall. A staff member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities.

Tellepsen Scout Ranch

• Tellepsen Scout Camp has eight campsites that can accommodate 48 individuals per site. Each campsite has a 30-foot x 40-foot pavilion and one shower and restroom facility for every two campsites.
• Tellepsen Scout Camp is the home of the council’s largest rifle range and a 41-foot climbing tower. The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five-stand gun range, eight shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range.
• The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11-feet, 22-feet, 32-feet and 41-feet, where campers are able to climb the council’s highest climbing wall. 

Camp Brosig

Camp Brosig is available for weekend camping year-round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room are available and are used regularly for district camp-outs. This 92-acre property is located six miles north of Sealy, Texas in Austin County. 

Day Camps

Cub Scout day camps are held throughout the council in June. The camps depend heavily on parents and volunteer leaders to spearhead the programming. Cubs Scouts participate in shooting BB guns and archery, playing sports and games, making crafts, learning Scout skills, participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and earning rank advancements.

The future Camp Strake will be located in a rural site adjacent to the Sam Houston National Forest located near the community of Evergreen, Texas, which is between New Waverly and Coldspring.

Camp Strake will be first-class and state-of-the-art for Scouts and their leaders and will have two distinct sections:

1. The Tsuru Scout Camp developed for weekend and resident camp operations for Scouts BSA and Venturers, and
2. Leadership Institute for advanced training programs for adult leaders and Scouts BSA/Venturers.

The camp is scheduled is to open May 2020. For additional information about Camp Strake (design plans, construction schedule and periodic updates) please visit www.samhoustonbsa.org/camp-strake.

Check-in Building

At the entrance to Camp Strake is the check-in building. This facility is used to greet visitors, provide directions, and issue parking permits. All visitors should be prepared to stop at this building to sign-in.

Camp Headquarters Building

The camp headquarters houses the camp phone, lost and found, mail, camp director’s office, camp commissioner’s office, quartermaster, trading post, business manager’s office, and health lodge.

Dining Hall

The dining hall seats 460 people. During summer camp, meals will be served in one sitting. Lunch meals will be delivered to campsites. High quality and nutritious meals will be provided by a professional service. The parade field used for morning and evening flag ceremonies is west of the dining hall.

Campsites

Campsites are nestled in shaded areas throughout the camp. Every campsite has picnic tables, a covered pavilion with electricity, and two-person wall tents set on wooden pallets to form a floor elevated off the ground.

Shower Houses

Shower houses are located along the main campsite road and are shared by three or four campsites. Individual stalls are ADA compliant and have a toilet, shower, and sink.

STEM

The STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) building is in the program area just south of the administration building. The air-conditioned building is outfitted with equipment and materials to support a robust STEM and conservation program.

Aquatics

The aquatics area contains a pool, fishing area, beachfront with lake swimming area, and boating area to support the full range of aquatics related merit badges. The 28-acre lake provides a venue for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. A portion of the lake is reserved for conservation and fishing activities.

Shooting Sports

The shooting sports area contains a rifle range with 16 firing positions and a maximum range of 100 yards, a shotgun range, archery range, sporting arrows range, and 3D archery range.

Climbing Tower

The 32-foot-tall climbing tower and training pavilion is located at the west end of the lake. The top of the tower has a great vantage point overlooking the entire camp. The tower is designed to allow beginner and experienced climbers to test and improve their skills.

Program Field

Located inside the horseshoe formed by the ring of campsites is a large program field for a wide range of sporting activities.

High Adventure Program

The high adventure program will include a zipline, ATV program and climbing.

Staff Area

The staff area is west of the check-in building and contains a main staff building that includes office, storage, laundry, and meeting facilities. Adjacent to this building is 40 two-person huts and a shower/latrine facility.

Grand Pavillion

The Sam Houston Area Council is grateful to our over 15,000 volunteer adult leaders. On November 19, the Sam Houston Area Council hosted the annual Council Recognition Reception. The reception is held to honor adult volunteers who have received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader, and other distinguished awards.

Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. This is the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader.

Special Events

The Sam Houston Area Council held several special event is 2019, which netted a combined $504,865 for council operations.

Corporate Dodgeball Challenge

The 9^th Annual Corporate Dodgeball Challenge, sponsored by Anadarko, was held at Competitive Edge Sports in Spring, Texas.

Sporting Clays Tournament

The 23^rd Annual Sporting Clays Tournament was held at Greater Houston Sports Club.

29,403 Cub Scouts in 653 packs

Cub Scouting is a year-round program for boys and girl in kindergarten through 5^th grade. The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of boys and their families through fun and challenging activities promoting education, character development and physical fitness. Members meet weekly in small groups called dens. Once a month, all the dens meet together as a pack. Cub Scouts work on award requirements at meetings and with their families. Many Cub Scout packs schedule camping trips or attend summer resident camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. During the summer, many individual Cub Scouts attend a district day camp.

14,495 Boy Scouts in 561 troops

Boy Scouting is an exciting leadership and character development program for young men who are at least 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. With the support of adult leaders, youth learn self-confidence and develop personal values guided by the ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law. The merit badge program develops skills in addition to and beyond the classroom. Members usually meet once a week as an entire troop, and then have a group activity once a month – typically a weekend camp-out. Scout troops are encouraged to attend a week of summer and winter camp each where they work on merit badges and enjoy other activities. Boy Scouts also organize and take part in community service projects, benefiting neighborhoods, schools, churches and more.

917 Venturers and Sea Scouts in 106 crews and ships

Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade, and are under 21 years of age. Through this youth-led program, members enjoy wilderness survival camping, emergency preparedness, high adventure camping, search and rescue training and more. They work in groups to learn teamwork, leadership, respect and responsibility. Sea Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members’ boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills and service experiences. Typically, a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship will meet at least once a month, along with a monthly event or trip.

1,596 Explorers in 71 posts

Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 through 20. Exploring units, called posts, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as law enforcement, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity. This program, which gives youth a practical learning outlet, aligns Scouting closely with the business community in law enforcement, medical, fire fighting, engineering, aviation, science, law, government and public service.

Reaching More Lives

ScoutReach is the Sam Houston Area Council's initiative to provide an opportunity for all young people to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. The programs include Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing. ScoutReach gives special leadership and emphasis to economically-challenged youth via non-traditional methods. Through caring, well-trained, paid leadership, and with neighborhood partners who will provide a safe, regular meeting place, ScoutReach delivers a Scouting program to our most needy youth in the inner-city neighborhoods of Southeast Texas.  This program encourages parental involvement but is fully subsidized through the council's annual operating budget. In 2018, this amounted to a total of $1,561,337.

• Cameron Dominguez and Shawn Sheffer received the Medal of Merit Award presented to individuals who performed an act of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected. 

Bovay Scout Ranch 

Scouts head to Bovay Scout Ranch, located three miles south of Navasota. The 1,488 acres are a natural paradise for plants and wildlife with several lakes teaming with a variety of fish. Nature study, bugs, animal tracks and conservation are vital elements of the camp program. George Lake offers paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, and rafting. The water park is the center of swimming and fun activities. Scouts also enjoy field sports, BMX, archery and rifles. There are two camps at Bovay Scout Ranch:

• Resident camp is a three-night campout for Cub Scouts and includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM, exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool.
• Adventure Camp is an overnight, full program camp for all family members and includes an exciting variety of activities at several program areas and food service in the camp’s air-conditioned dining hall. A staff member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities.

• Tellepsen Scout Camp has eight campsites that can accommodate 48 individuals per site. Each campsite has a 30 foot x 40 foot pavilion and one shower and restroom facility for every two campsites.
• Tellepsen Scout Camp is the home of the council’s largest rifle range and a 41-foot climbing tower. The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five-stand gun range, eight shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range.
• The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11-feet, 22-feet, 32-feet and 41-feet, where campers are able to climb the council’s highest climbing wall. 

Camp Brosig is available for weekend camping year-round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room are available and are used regularly for district camp-outs. This 92-acre property is located six miles north of Sealy, Texas in Austin County. 

Cub Scout day camps are held throughout the council in June. The camps depend heavily on parents and volunteer leaders to spearhead the programming. Cubs Scouts participate in shooting BB guns and archery, playing sports and games, making crafts, learning Scout skills, participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and earning rank advancements.

The future Camp Strake will be located in a rural site adjacent to the Sam Houston National Forest located near the community of Evergreen, Texas, which is between New Waverly and Coldspring.

Camp Strake will be first-class and state-of-the-art for Scouts and their leaders and will have two distinct sections:

1. The Tsuru Scout Camp developed for weekend and resident camp operations for Boy Scouts and Venturers, and
2. Leadership Institute for advanced training programs for adult leaders and Boy Scouts/Venturers.

The camp is scheduled is to open in late 2019. That date is predicated on favorable weather conditions and no unforeseen circumstances. For additional information about Camp Strake (design plans, construction schedule and periodic updates) please visit www.samhoustonbsa.org/camp-strake.

The Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award recognizes a young man who has demonstrated excellence in his Eagle Scout service project. The award program of the National Council is designed to recognize the valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. The award recognizes the Scout for his Eagle Scout leadership service project, which is part of the requirements for earning the Eagle Scout Award.

The Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award was presented to Ricardo Bayon. Ricardo's Eagle Scout project consisted of building pallative care unit for children with terminal diseases in the Hospital del Nino in Hidalgo, Mexico.  He also sent a shipment of medical supplies and equipment with the assistance of Medical Bridges.

The Sam Houston Area Council is grateful to our nearly 16,000 volunteer adult leaders. On November 28, the Sam Houston Area Council hosted the annual Council Recognition Reception. The reception is held to honor adult volunteers who have received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader, and other distinguished awards.

Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. This is the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader.

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award for outstanding services by an adult individual or organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds—this is in fulfillment of Whitney Young’s dream of justice and equality for all. The 2018 Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award was presented to Kimberly Henderson Gossett, M.D.

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award for outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Asian American youth. The 2018 Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service award was presented to John Brogan.

iScouting!... Vale la Pena!

iScouting!... Vale la Pena! Service Award for outstanding service by an adult or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic/Latino youth. The 2018 iScouting!... Vale la Pena! Service Award was presented to Flor Dimassi.

Distinguished Corporate Citizen Award Dinner 

Each year, the Distinguished Corporate Citizen Award Dinner affords an opportunity to honor corporations, individuals, or families who have made a distinct difference in the fabric of Southeast Texas. The 2018 Distinguished Citizen Corporate Award was presented to Schlumberger. Houston Astros Owner Jim Crane was on hand to make a special presentation of a World Series ring to Schlumberger.

Corporate Dodgeball Challenge

The 8^th Annual Corporate Dodgeball Challenge, sponsored by Anadarko, was held at Competitive Edge Sports in Spring, Texas.  

Sam Houston Area Top Golf Challenge

The first Top Golf Challenge was held at Top Golf Katy location.  

26,781 Cub Scouts in 721 packs

Cub Scouting is a year-round program for boys in the 1^st through 5^th grade. The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of boys and their families through fun and challenging activities promoting education, character development and physical fitness. Members meet weekly in small groups called dens. Once a month, all the dens meet together as a pack. Cub Scouts work on award requirements at meetings and with their families. Many Cub Scout packs schedule camping trips or attend summer resident camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. During the summer, many individual Cub Scouts attend a district day camp.

16,084 Boy Scouts in 712 troops

Boy Scouting is an exciting leadership and character development program for young men who are at least 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. With the support of adult leaders, youth learn self-confidence and develop personal values guided by the ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law. The merit badge program develops skills in addition to and beyond the classroom. Members usually meet once a week as an entire troop, and then have a group activity once a month – typically a weekend camp-out. Scout troops are encouraged to attend a week of summer and winter camp each where they work on merit badges and enjoy other activities. Boy Scouts also organize and take part in community service projects, benefiting neighborhoods, schools, churches and more.

1,264 Venturers and Sea Scouts in 176 crews and ships

Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 years of age or 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade and are under 21 years of age. Through this youth-led program, members enjoy wilderness survival camping, emergency preparedness, high adventure camping, search and rescue training and more. They work in groups to learn teamwork, leadership, respect and responsibility. Sea Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members’ boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills and service experiences. Typically, a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship will meet at least once a month, along with a monthly event or trip.

1,786 Explorers in 71 posts

Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 through 20. Exploring units, called posts, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as law enforcement, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity. This program, which gives youth a practical learning outlet, aligns Scouting closely with the business community in law enforcement, medical, fire fighting, engineering, aviation, science, law, government and public service.

2,664 Learning for Life Participants in 13 groups

The Learning for Life Curriculum is designed to help our youth develop social and life skills and helps them formulate positive personal values. It prepares them to make ethical decisions that will help them achieve their full potential. Learning for Life also enhances a teacher's capacity to increase youth learning by using a fun and relevant curriculum. Youth build a greater understanding of real world situations and how to negotiate them. The Learning for Life Champions program provides students with mental disabilities additional help in developing social and personal, life and self-concept skills to help them achieve greater self-sufficiency.

Reaching More Lives

ScoutReach is the Sam Houston Area Council's initiative to provide an opportunity for all young people to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. The programs include Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing. ScoutReach gives special leadership and emphasis to economically-challenged youth via non-traditional methods. Through caring, well-trained, paid leadership, and with neighborhood partners who will provide a safe, regular meeting place, ScoutReach delivers a Scouting program to our most needy youth in the inner-city neighborhoods of Southeast Texas.  This program encourages parental involvement, but is fully subsidized through the council's annual operating budget. In 2017, this amounted to a total of $1,639,226.

• Kody Ngo and Oskar Oberg received the Honor Medal awarded for demonstrating unusual heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to himself.
• Jeremiah Farrell received the Certificate of Merit Award which is awarded to an individual who has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition.
• Matthew Benavidez and Charles Dailey received the Medal of Merit Award presented to individuals who performed an act of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected. 

Bovay Scout Ranch 

Scouts head to Bovay Scout Ranch, located three miles south of Navasota. The 1,488 acres are a natural paradise for plants and wildlife with several lakes teaming with a variety of fish. Nature study, bugs, animal tracks and conservation are vital elements of the camp program. George Lake offers paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, and rafting. The water park is the center of swimming and fun activities. Scouts also enjoy field sports, BMX, archery and rifles. There are two camps at Bovay Scout Ranch:

• Resident camp is a three-night campout for Cub Scouts and includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM, exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool.
• Adventure Camp is an overnight, full program camp for all family members and includes an exciting variety of activities at several program areas and food service in the camp’s air-conditioned dining hall. A staff member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities.

• Tellepsen Scout Camp has eight campsites that can accommodate 48 individuals per site. Each campsite has a 30 foot x 40 foot pavilion and one shower and restroom facility for every two campsites.
• Tellepsen Scout Camp is the home of the council’s largest rifle range and a 41-foot climbing tower. The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five-stand gun range, eight shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range.
• The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11-feet, 22-feet, 32-feet and 41-feet, where campers are able to climb the council’s highest climbing wall. 

Camp Brosig is available for weekend camping year-round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room are available and are used regularly for district camp-outs. This 92-acre property is located six miles north of Sealy, Texas in Austin County. 

On July 15^th, a special decommissioning ceremony was held for El Rancho Cima. The day was highlighted by a summer camp staff reunion and final closing ceremony.

Cub Scout day camps are held throughout the council in June. The camps depend heavily on parents and volunteer leaders to spearhead the programming. Cubs Scouts participate in shooting BB guns and archery, playing sports and games, making crafts, learning Scout skills, participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and earning rank advancements.

The future Camp Strake will be located in a rural site adjacent to the Sam Houston National Forest located near the community of Evergreen, Texas, which is between New Waverly and Coldspring.

Camp Strake will be first-class and state-of-the-art for Scouts and their leaders and will have two distinct sections:

1. The Tsuru Scout Camp developed for weekend and resident camp operations for Boy Scouts and Venturers, and
2. Leadership Institute for advanced training programs for adult leaders and Boy Scouts/Venturers.

The camp is scheduled is to open in late 2019. That date is predicated on favorable weather conditions and no unforeseen circumstances. For additional information about Camp Strake (design plans, construction schedule and periodic updates) please visit www.samhoustonbsa.org/camp-strake.

Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is presented to Eagle Scouts who have achieved extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their field, and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was presented to Sam Houston Area Council Executive Committee Member Frank Tsuru.

The Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award recognizes a young man who has demonstrated excellence in his Eagle Scout service project. The award program of the National Council is designed to recognize the valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. The award recognizes the Scout for his Eagle Scout leadership service project, which is part of the requirements for earning the Eagle Scout Award.

The Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award was presented to Garrett Hermes. Garrett's Eagle Scout project consisted of building a 50-foot bridge that provided access from a recreation building to two stocked fishing ponds at Parks Youth Ranch in Richmond, Texas. Parks Youth Ranch is a home for homeless boys and girls ages 7 to 17.

The Sam Houston Area Council is grateful to our nearly 19,000 volunteer adult leaders. On November 28, the Sam Houston Area Council hosted the annual Council Recognition Reception. The reception is held to honor adult volunteers who have received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader, and other distinguished awards.

Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. This is the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader.

William H. Spurgeon Award

The William H. Spurgeon Award for contributing significant leadership to the Exploring program was presented to
Dr. Wanda Bamburg.

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award for outstanding services by an adult individual or organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds—this is in fulfillment of Whitney Young’s dream of justice and equality for all. The 2017 Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award was presented to Deborah & Louis McKinney 

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award for outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Asian American youth. The 2017 Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service award was presented to Ajey Chandra.

iScouting!... Vale la Pena!

iScouting!... Vale la Pena! Service Award for outstanding service by an adult or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic/Latino youth. The 2017 iScouting!... Vale la Pena! Service Award was presented posthumously to Raul Dominguez.

Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner and Heroes of Harvey

Each year, the Distinguished Citizen/Family Award Dinner affords an opportunity to honor individuals or families who have made a distinct difference in the fabric of Southeast Texas. The 2017 Distinguished Citizen Award was presented to Richard A. Eichler. That evening, special recognition was given to "Heroes of Harvey," which saluted Scouts that went above and beyond the call of service during our community's time of need and assistance. The event generated net proceeds of $577,788 to support Scouting.

Corporate Dodgeball Challenge

The 7^th Annual Corporate Dodgeball Challenge, sponsored by Anadarko, was held at Competitive Edge Sports in Spring, Texas.  The event generated $148,022 in net proceeds.

United Way

The Sam Houston Area Council received $1,300,827 in support from our United Way partners, which included United Way of Greater Houston, Montgomery County United Way and United Way of Greater Baytown & Chambers County.

Sam Houston Area Council Golf Classic

BlackHorse Golf Club hosted the 41st Annual Sam Houston Area Council Golf Classic.  The event garnered $29,095 in net proceeds.

27,247 Cub Scouts in 748 packs

Cub Scouting is a year-round program for boys in the 1^st through 5^th grade. The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of boys and their families through fun and challenging activities promoting education, character development and physical fitness. Members meet weekly in small groups called dens. Once a month, all the dens meet together as a pack. Cub Scouts work on award requirements at meetings and with their families. Many Cub Scout packs schedule camping trips or attend summer resident camp at Bovay Scout Ranch. During the summer, many individual Cub Scouts attend a district day camp.

16,341 Boy Scouts in 735 troops

Boy Scouting is an exciting leadership and character development program for young men who are at least 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. With the support of adult leaders, youth learn self-confidence and develop personal values guided by the ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law. The merit badge program develops skills in addition to and beyond the classroom. Members usually meet once a week as an entire troop, and then have a group activity once a month – typically a weekend camp-out. Scout troops are encouraged to attend a week of summer and winter camp each where they will work on merit badges and enjoy other activities. Boy Scouts also organize and take part in community service projects, benefiting neighborhoods, schools, churches and more.

1,593 Venturers and Sea Scouts in 209 crews and ships

Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 years of age or 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade and are under 21 years of age. Through this youth-led program, members enjoy wilderness survival camping, emergency preparedness, high adventure camping, search and rescue training and more. They work in groups to learn teamwork, leadership, respect and responsibility. Sea Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members’ boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills and service experiences. Typically, a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship will meet at least once a month, along with a monthly event or trip.

1,761 Explorers in 65 posts

Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 through 20. Exploring units, called posts, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as law enforcement, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity. This program, which gives youth a practical learning outlet, aligns Scouting closely with the business community in law enforcement, medical, fire fighting, engineering, aviation, science, law, government and public service.

2,692 Learning for Life Participants in 14 groups

The Learning for Life Curriculum is designed to help our youth develop social and life skills and helps them formulate positive personal values. It prepares them to make ethical decisions that will help them achieve their full potential. Learning for Life also enhances a teacher's capacity to increase youth learning by using a fun and relevant curriculum. Youth build a greater understanding of real-world situations and how to negotiate them. The Learning for Life Champions program provides students with mental disabilities additional help in developing social and personal, life and self-concept skills to help them achieve greater self-sufficiency.

95 STEM Scouts in 5 Labs

In 2016, the Sam Houston Area Council participated in a national pilot program called STEM Scouts. A coed program of the Boy Scouts of America, STEM Scouts offers a Scouting experience with less emphasis on the outdoors. STEM Scouts follow the Scout Oath and Law with the goal of producing young men and women who are leaders, who display confidence, realize their skills and limitations, are respectful of others’ opinions, are problem solvers in all aspects of life, look for opportunities to serve others, are good citizens, and demonstrate integrity in all phases of life.

Reaching More Lives

Scoutreach is the Sam Houston Area Council's initiative to provide an opportunity for all young people to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. The programs include Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing. Scoutreach gives special leadership and emphasis to economically challenged youth via non-traditional methods. Through caring, well-trained, paid leadership, and with neighborhood partners who will provide a safe, regular meeting place, Scoutreach delivers a Scouting program to our most needy youth in the inner-city neighborhoods of Southeast Texas.  This program encourages parental involvement but is fully subsidized through the council's annual operating budget. In 2016, this amounted to a total of $2,157,043.

Ground-Breaking at Camp Strake

On October 20, 2016, members of the Strake family and representatives from the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Camp Strake. Camp Strake is currently being built at a rural site near the Sam Houston National Forest, close to the community of Evergreen, in order to create a 21st-century Scouting experience for Scouts and their leaders. 

Sales and Onboarding

In 2016, the council received a remarkable opportunity to directly impact the growth of membership and units through a gift restricted for creating a new sales department. This sparked the creation of our new Sales and Onboarding Department, which includes sales associates, new unit onboarding specialists and BeAScout.org customer service representatives.  The council is making great strides in changing our culture to become both a service and sales organization.

Exploring Program Cultivation Luncheon

In October, the Sam Houston Area Council hosted a luncheon to highlight the Exploring program in Southeast Texas. In attendance were representatives from over 20 law enforcement administrations who were invited to attend by Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman. The keynote address was given by R. Gil Kerlikowske, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Commissioner Kerlikowske is head of the largest federal law enforcement agency and second largest revenue collecting source in the federal government and also serves as chairman of the National Law Enforcement Exploring Committee. In his address, Commissioner Kerlikowske spoke about the importance of young people’s involvement in Exploring. The event introduced the Exploring program to law-enforcement organizations from our area.

Bovay Scout Ranch 

Scouts head to Bovay Scout Ranch, located three miles south of Navasota. The 1,488 acres are a natural paradise for plants and wildlife with several lakes teaming with a variety of fish. Nature study, bugs, animal tracks and conservation are vital elements of the camp program. George Lake offers paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, and rafting. The water park is the center of swimming and fun activities. Scouts also enjoy field sports, BMX, archery and rifles. There are two camps at Bovay Scout Ranch:

McNair Cub Adventure Camp - 15,054 total campers

• Resident camp is a three-night campout for Cub Scouts and includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM, exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool.
• Adventure Camp is an overnight, full program camp for all family members and includes an exciting variety of activities at several program areas and food service in the camp’s air conditioned dining hall. A staff member in each area will provide program supplies and support the parents who will be invited to assist in leading the activities.

Tellepsen Scout Camp – 6,033 total campers

• Tellepsen Scout Camp has eight campsites that can accommodate 48 individuals per site. Each campsite has a 30 feet x 40 feet pavilion and one shower and restroom facility for every two campsites.
• Tellepsen Scout Camp is the home of the council’s largest rifle range and a 41-foot climbing tower. The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five-stand gun range, eight shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range.
• The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11-feet, 22-feet, 32-feet and 41-feet, where campers are able to climb the council’s highest climbing wall. 

Camp Brosig – 6,373 total campers

Camp Brosig is available for weekend camping year-round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room are available, and are used regularly for district camp-outs. This 92-acre property is located six miles north of Sealy, Texas in Austin County. 

El Rancho Cima – 4,370 total campers (includes 3,120 weekend)

El Rancho Cima is located on the Devil’s Backbone in the Texas Hill Country near Wimberley, Texas. It is the home for three very unique camps for Boy Scouts and Venturers: Cockrell River Camp, Walter Scout Camp at Horseshoe Bend, and Hamman High Adventure Base at Ironwheel Mesa. The Rough Riders program at the Hamman High Adventure Base includes a sky bridge to a 1,000 ft. and a 2,000 ft. zip line. Scouts enjoy overnight horseback treks, black powder shooting and rock cliff rappelling in the outback of El Rancho Cima. A COPE course tests their leadership skills. The Walter Scout Camp at Horseshoe Bend has the Carole and Jim Looke Equestrian Center along with swimming pool facilities. Programs include the Native American Village, Cowboy Camp, horseback riding, kayaking courses, archery, rifles and a six-stage shotgun shooting range in the Walter Shooting Sports Complex.

Day Camps – 6,017 total campers

Cub Scout day camps are held throughout the council in June. The camps depend heavily on parents and leader volunteers to spearhead the programming. Cubs Scouts participate in shooting BB guns and archery, playing sports and games, making crafts, learning Scout skills, participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and earning rank advancements.

In October of 2016, a special ground-breaking ceremony for Camp Strake was held. The future Camp Strake will be located in a rural site adjacent to the Sam Houston National Forest located near the community of Evergreen, Texas, which is between New Waverly and Coldspring.

Camp Strake will be first-class and state-of-the-art for Scouts and their leaders and will have two distinct sections:

1. Scout camp developed for weekend and resident camp operations for Boy Scouts and Venturers, and
2. Leadership Institute for advanced training programs for adult leaders and Boy Scouts/Venturers.

The camp’s schedule is to open in the summer of 2019. That date is predicated on favorable weather conditions and no unforeseen circumstances. For additional information about Camp Strake (design plans, construction schedule and periodic updates) please visit www.samhoustonbsa.org/camp-strake.

Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is presented to Eagle Scouts who have achieved extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their field, and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was presented to Sam Houston Area Council Honorary Life Board Member L.E. Simmons.

The Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award recognizes a young man who has demonstrated excellence in their Eagle Scout service project. The award program of the National Council is designed to recognize the valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. The award recognizes the Scout for his Eagle Scout leadership service project, which is part of the requirements for earning the Eagle Scout Award.

The Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award was presented to Mattison Gibson. Mattison's Eagle Scout project consisted of building two additional walls and modifying existing walls of a climbing tower at a camp for disabled children.

The Sam Houston Area Council is grateful to our nearly 19,000 volunteer adult leaders. On October 25, the Sam Houston Area Council hosted the annual Council Recognition Reception. The reception is held to honor adult volunteers who have received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader, and other distinguished awards.

Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. This is the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader.

William H. Spurgeon Award

The William H. Spurgeon Award for contributing significant leadership to the Exploring program was presented to Robert Weeks.

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award for outstanding services by an adult individual or organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds—this is in fulfillment of Whitney Young’s dream of justice and equality for all. The 2016 Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award was presented to both Susan Alexander and David Jackson.

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award for outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Asian American youth. The 2016 Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service award was presented to John “Jack” Metcalfe.

iScouting!... Vale la Pena!

iScouting!... Vale la Pena! Service Award for outstanding service by an adult or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic/Latino youth. The 2016 iScouting!... Vale la Pena! Service Award was presented to The Harris County Sheriff Department and Alberto “Beto” Santos, Jr.

Eagles Among Us

In 2016, the Sam Houston Area Council celebrated 100 years of Eagle Scouts in the Sam Houston Area Council. On November 2, 2016, a special evening showcasing the history of Eagle Scouts in our council was held at the Hilton Americas. Rex W. Tillerson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation served as the keynote speaker.  The event generated net proceeds of $330,955 to support Scouting.

Corporate Dodgeball Challenge

The 6^th Annual Corporate Dodgeball Challenge, sponsored by Anadarko, was held at Competitive Edge Sports in Spring, Texas.  The event generated $151,484 in net proceeds.

United Way

The Sam Houston Area Council received $1,382,187 in support from our United Way partners, which included United Way of Greater Houston, Montgomery County United Way and United Way of Greater Baytown & Chambers County.

Sam Houston Area Council Golf Classic

BlackHorse Golf Club hosted the 40^th Annual Sam Houston Area Council Golf Classic.  The event garnered $60,416 in net proceeds.