Jennifer Arntson

Dive into the Fun: Hosting Your Own Raingutter Regatta!

August 6, 2024 by Jennifer Arntson

Ahoy, Scouts and families! If you’re looking for an exciting, hands-on activity that combines creativity, competition, and a whole lot of fun, look no further than the Raingutter Regatta! This exhilarating boat race is a fantastic way for Scouts to test their skills, learn valuable lessons, and create lasting memories with friends and family. Let’s dive in and explore what makes the Raingutter Regatta such a beloved tradition in Scouting.

What is the Raingutter Regatta?

For those unfamiliar with this event, the Raingutter Regatta involves racing small sailboats down water-filled rain gutters. Each boat is powered by the Scout blowing into the sail through a soda straw, propelling it forward. The race is held in heats, and the Scout with the fastest time is crowned the winner. It’s a thrilling spectacle of skill and strategy!

Tips for Success

Perfect Your Technique: The key to winning is to practice blowing hard in a small, concentrated area. Too much force can be counterproductive, making you lightheaded without effectively moving your boat. Focused, even breaths are your best bet!
Stay Steady: An even, steady wind will propel your boat faster than frantic puffs. A skilled captain knows the importance of controlled breathing.

Highlighting Recycling: Build with Recycled Materials

Why not take your Raingutter Regatta to the next level by crafting your sailboats from recycled materials? This not only makes the event more eco-friendly but also provides a fantastic opportunity to teach Scouts about the importance of recycling and sustainability. Using materials like old plastic bottles, cardboard, and other household items can spark creativity and show the value of repurposing items that might otherwise be discarded.

The True Spirit of Scouting

While winning is exhilarating, the Raingutter Regatta is about more than just crossing the finish line first. Scouting teaches us to win with humility and accept defeat with grace. No matter the outcome, the primary goal is to have fun. Designing and building the sailboat offers a wonderful opportunity for parents to connect with their children, and for Scouts to learn from and compete against their peers.

Gear Up for the Race

To make your Raingutter Regatta experience seamless and enjoyable, the Scout Shop has everything you need. Whether you’re looking for the official Raingutter Regatta Racing Trimaran Kit, Raingutter Regatta Inflatable Raceway, Raingutter Regatta Sticker Decals, or Raingutter Regatta Neck Medals, the Musselman Scout Shop is your one-stop-shop for all things boat racing!

Host Your Own Event

Encourage your Cub Scout pack to host a Raingutter Regatta event and invite friends to join in on the fun! It’s a fantastic way to introduce new families to the excitement of Scouting and strengthen the bonds within your pack.

Hosting a Raingutter Regatta is simple:

Set Up: Fill rain gutters with water and secure them to prevent spills.
Race: Organize heats and have Scouts blow their boats down the gutter.
Celebrate: Award prizes and celebrate everyone’s effort and creativity.

So, gather your materials, rally your Scouts, and prepare for an adventure on the high seas—right in your backyard! Whether you’re in it to win it or just to have a great time, the Raingutter Regatta promises a day filled with laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories.

Ready, Set, Recruit! How Your Unit Can Support Fall Recruitment

July 25, 2024 by Jennifer Arntson

As the new school year approaches, the Alamo Area Council is excited to announce our comprehensive marketing plan to support fall recruitment efforts. This season, we’re rolling out TV and social media ads to bolster your grassroots campaigns and help bring new families into the Scouting community.

1. Update Your BeAScout Pin and Information

Your BeAScout pin acts as your storefront. Ensure it’s current and provides clear, direct information that anyone can understand. Highlight how your Chartered Organization supports both Cub Scout Packs and Scout Troops. For example:

“Scouting is a family activity, and our Pack is great for families with kids in elementary school, middle, and high school because our Troop meets the same night at the same place. Bring the entire family and discover the adventure together!”

Avoid Scouting jargon. Instead of terms like “scout-led” or “rank,” use universally understood concepts like “leadership building activities” and “awards and recognition for achievements.” Double-check that your contact information is accurate and respond promptly to inquiries. Quick replies can make a significant difference in keeping potential members interested. Instructions for updating your pin can be downloaded here.

2. Share Contact Information with the Council Office

After your recruiting events, send your contact information sheets to the council Membership Team at Growth@AlamoAreaBSA.org. We have tools to maintain contact with these individuals and support their journey into Scouting, making membership as seamless as possible.

3. Participate in Our Grassroots Media Campaign

Peer-to-peer recruitment is incredibly powerful. Share your positive Scouting experiences with your friends and invite them to see the benefits for their children. Even if they live out of the area, every kid deserves the chance to join Scouting. We have created a toolkit to help you spread the word to your circle. Download your copy here. You can also share the TV advertisement from our YouTube Channel.

4. Attend a Unit Growth Workshop

Stay informed about the latest recruitment and retention strategies by attending a Unit Growth Workshop and Fall Membership Kickoff. These workshops provide valuable insights and practical tips to help your unit grow.

New Membership Incentives

$48 Promotion

If you haven’t already heard about the $48 promotion, read this article for details. Our commercial ads will reference this limited offer in August, so be prepared! Because this is a limited offer, our commercials will change once the offer is exhausted.

Cub Scout Promotion

From August 1 to October 31, 2024, every new Cub Scout who registers online will receive a Welcome Kit. This kit includes a sticker for a water bottle, a Scout Life Mini Magazine, and a Peer-to-Peer Recruiting card. This card provides details on how to recruit a friend into Cub Scouts and earn a FREE Recruiter Strip Emblem at the Mussleman Scout Shop. TV commercials promoting this offer will run through the end of September, and social media advertising will continue through October to maximize this opportunity.

Recruiter Incentives

From August 1 to October 31, 2024, any Scout who recruits a friend into the Scouting program can earn a Recruiter Strip. Complete the information on the backside of the Peer-to-Peer Recruiting card and take it to the Musselman Scout Shop for immediate redemption.

Let’s work together to make this fall recruitment season the best one yet. Ready, set, recruit!

Thank You to Our Dedicated Volunteers and Staff for a Memorable Summer Camp Season

July 1, 2024 by Jennifer Arntson

The summer adventures of the 583 wouldn’t have been possible without the vision, dedication, and hard work of the staff of Cub Scout Day Camp, Camp Akela, and Bear Creek Summer Camp. Staffing camp can have its challenges, but these Scouts and Scouters remain flexible and believe in the mission of Scouting. These adults and youth are changing lives – that’s not an exaggeration. For some of their campers, it’s their first time away from home. For others, it’s the first time on the range. These are moments that campers will never forget…the very foundation that has made most of this year’s camp staff so eager to be counselors themselves.

Our volunteers and staff not only ensured the safety and enjoyment of our campers, but also served as role models, mentors, and friends. They taught essential skills, from knot-tying to archery, and instilled values of teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. Their enthusiasm and dedication were evident in every activity, campfire story, and badge earned.

A special thank you goes to our camp directors, program leaders, and support teams. Your behind-the-scenes efforts made everything run smoothly, allowing our Scouts to focus on having fun and learning. Your commitment to excellence is the backbone of our success.

We also want to acknowledge the families of our volunteers and staff. Your support and understanding allowed your loved ones to devote their time and energy to Scouting, creating unforgettable experiences for countless young people.

As we look back on this summer, we are filled with gratitude and pride. The positive impact of your hard work will resonate for years to come. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to the Boy Scouts of America and for making this summer an extraordinary adventure for all.

We salute you!

See photos from this year’s Adventure on the Alamo Area Council’s Flickr account – we’re still adding photos, so check back often.

Do you have photos to share? Send them to Enews@AlamoAreaBSA.org or text them to 210-394-9915 and we’ll load them to the Flickr account.

Eagle Scout Project of the Month (June 2024)

June 30, 2024 by Jennifer Arntson

Eagle Scout Project of the Month: Building a Better Future for San Antonio’s Children

The Boy Scouts of America Council is proud to announce June’s Eagle Scout Project of the Month. This month, two different, yet similar Eagle Scouts have been selected for their outstanding efforts in leading projects with a shared mission: providing beds for needy children in San Antonio. We are honored to recognize Emilio Edwards of Troop 163 in New Braunfels and Travis Ghormley of Troop 226 in Stone Oak for their dedication and hard work.

Emilio Edwards: A Community United

Sleep In Heavenly Peace – San Antonio Chapter estimates that more than 70,000 San Antonio children lack beds to sleep in every night. Inspired by his parents’ previous volunteer efforts with the organization, Emilio aimed to address the ever-pressing issue of child bedlessness himself. “I thought this project was a great way to work with the community to help raise funds to purchase materials and raise awareness about children without beds to sleep in.” Emilio and his team of 27 volunteers constructed 22 1/2 beds, 95 headboards, and collected 7 bed-in-a-bag sets, demonstrating the impact that one individual can make.

Travis Ghormley: Immediate Impact for Families in Need

Travis Ghormley partnered with First Baptist Church San Antonio (FBCSA) and the South Texas Alliance for Orphans (STAO) to build beds for families in need. His project specifically focused on kinship care families and those within the CPS system, addressing the urgent need for safe sleeping spaces for children. According to SATO, Bexar County faces significant child welfare challenges, including 21,897 cases where children need to be removed from their homes due to abuse. Providing beds for extended family members’ homes allows children to stay with their biological relatives rather than being placed in foster care, emergency shelters, or sometimes even with caseworkers. This initiative not only prevents family separation, but also reduces the strain on the city’s foster care system. “I chose this project because of the immediate impact it would have on the community and how urgent the need for beds was,” Travis explained.

Byron Pitts of FBCSA delivered the beds shortly after they were made. When Travis and his troopmates learned how quickly the beds they built were put into homes, they reconvened to construct more beds, even after Travis had earned his Eagle Scout rank. Reflecting on the need, Pitts stated, “We could build 1,000 bunk beds and never have enough. The need is so great that every church and every Scout troop could build beds, and we would still have a need.” To help address this ongoing demand, Travis is collaborating with these organizations by sharing the information he gathered during his Eagle Scout project planning and execution phases—specifically his notes and budget details—so that others may work together to meet the community’s need for beds.

The Importance of These Projects

Most people are unaware of this specific need in our community and are surprised by the number of children who often lack necessities such as a bed. Though Emilio and Travis may not have known about the other’s project, they approached the need to directly address urgent issues, providing much-needed beds for children of families in desperate situations.

Emilio’s and Travis’s projects exemplify the values of Scouting, demonstrating leadership, community service, and a commitment to helping others, embodying the true spirit of Scouting.

Stay tuned for more stories of exceptional Eagle Scout projects, and let these inspire you to make a difference in your community. Together, we can build a better future for all.

The Scouting Edge: A Study of Ethics and Character in America

June 27, 2024 by Jennifer Arntson

The Scouting Edge: A Study in Ethics and Character in America was conducted by Scouting America in partnership with the Harris Poll. This study delves into American’s ethical and character dimensions, comparing and contrasting Scouting vs. non-Scouting populations.

Key Findings

Americans report a wide satisfaction gap between their personal lives and the state of the country/world. Despite this, Americans express general pride in living in the USA, and several key ideals bind people together.

Hard work is a shared “American” and “Personal” value.
There is strong agreement that civic duties such as voting and fighting for our country are important – those who can do these … should.
Americans are overwhelmingly positive about what lies ahead; at least 7 in 10 adults and youth share feelings of hopefulness, optimism, or excitement about their future.
More than half of Americans report that the values instilled in them growing up match the current values of most Americans today.
Parents play a critical role in instilling values in their children, leading to a strong consensus that older people should be respected.
Reverence continues to be relevant to Americans today as more than 7 in 10 Americans claim a primary religion, although fewer report attending religious services regularly.
A strong majority of Americans report a belief in God or a higher power, and they connect with something bigger than themselves.
Selflessness and kindness towards others are celebrated and viewed as important components of being a good citizen.

The Scouting Edge…

The connection is clear between Scouting and the perception that Scouts and alumni act ethically and morally in their attitudes and behaviors. People who are Scouts as well as those who have never been Scouts believe that Scouts and Scouting alumni are more likely than their counterparts to act in ways that are described as ethical and moral. They believe that people with an affiliation to Scouting realize benefits beyond those who have never been in Scouting.

Scouting alumni report teaching their children about values and ethics at an earlier age than their peers, and Scouts report learning about values and ethics from their parents at an earlier age than their peers.
There is a strong link between Scouting and religion, as alumni and Scouts are more likely than their counterparts to indicate a primary religion, and alumni report attending religious services more frequently.
Additionally, alumni and Scouts are more likely to indicate that “reverence” is both an American value and a personal value.
Furthermore, alumni and Scouts express, in higher proportions than their counterparts, that voting in every election, volunteering time in the community, participating in youth-related organizations, and taking an active part in charitable organizations are somewhat to extremely important traits in being a good citizen.
Scouts and alumni express a greater willingness, if necessary, to fight for their country.
Scouts and alumni are more likely than their counterparts to identify negative behaviors as being “mostly” or “absolutely” wrong, including tossing out trash while driving, not declaring income to the IRS, exaggerating education/experience on a resume, or smoking cigarettes/vaping.
Scouts and non-Scouts, alumni and non-alumni, agree that Scouting improves our country across a variety of vectors – in particular, they recognize the “somewhat” or “extremely” positive effects Scouting has on one’s leadership abilities and the competency to help others accomplish their goals.

Local Scout Soars to National Success: Ricardo Awarded Top Eagle Scout in the Country

April 18, 2024 by Jennifer Arntson

San Antonio, TX – In the heart of Texas, amidst the bustling cityscape of San Antonio, a young Scout has emerged as a beacon of dedication and achievement. Ricardo L. has not only made his mark locally but has soared to national recognition, clinching the prestigious title of Top Eagle Scout in the country.

Just a month ago, Ricardo received news that he had secured the top spot in the Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest at the state level, representing the state of Texas. His application, forwarded by the local San Antonio Chapter, stood out among the rest, earning him the first-place position.

But Ricardo’s journey didn’t stop there. His excellence transcended state borders when he was selected as the First-Place Winner to represent Texas at the national level by the Sons of the American Revolution.

This past weekend, at the Sons of the American Revolution State Convention, Ricardo received news that would further solidify his status as a standout Scout. He was informed that he had been chosen as the Top Eagle Scout in the entire nation.

The accolades didn’t end with recognition; Ricardo is set to receive significant scholarships as a testament to his hard work and dedication. He will be awarded a total of three scholarships, amounting to an impressive sum:

$250.00 – Local Chapter 1st Place Winner
$3,500.00 – State-Level 1st Place Winner
$10,000.00 – National 1st Place Winner

With the national title under his belt, Ricardo’s journey continues as he prepares to embark on an all-expenses-paid trip to Lancaster, PA, on July 13th. There, he will be honored with the national $10,000.00 scholarship, marking a remarkable achievement in his scouting career.

The 583 extends heartfelt congratulations to Ricardo, expressing immense pride in his accomplishments! As he prepares to receive his well-deserved recognition on the national stage, the community stands in awe of his dedication, perseverance, and commitment to service. Ricardo’s success not only highlights his individual achievements but also serves as an inspiration to Scouts across the country, showcasing the transformative power of determination and hard work.