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Scouting for Clean Waterways 2026

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Trash doesn’t have to be in the water to cause damage.

That bottle sitting in a parking lot… the fast food bag near a storm drain… it all has a path. And eventually, it leads to our rivers, lakes, and oceans.

That’s why Scouts across the Alamo Area Council are stepping up.

Starting April 1, we’re joining Scouts nationwide for Scouting for Clean Waterways, a hands-on effort to protect the places we live, play, and explore. Whether it’s cleaning up a neighborhood park, a schoolyard, or an area near a creek, every piece of trash removed makes a difference.

Last year, Scouts across the country collected nearly 130,000 pounds of trash. This year, we’re ready to do even more—and right here in our own communities.

This is also a great opportunity to invite families, friends, and neighbors to be part of something meaningful. When people see Scouts in action, making a real impact, it shows exactly what Scouting is all about.

📅 Projects can happen anytime, with many units planning cleanups around Earth Day (April 22)
🌎 Open to all ages, with activities scaled for Cub Scouts through older youth
📊 Units can track their impact and be part of a national movement

If your unit is planning a project, now’s the time. If you’re looking for an easy way to get involved, this is it.

Read more and find ideas to get started from Aaron on Scouting’s Article.

And learn how to record your hours in Scoutbook with this helpful YouTube Video.

Let’s take care of our communities—because it all flows downstream.

Crossing the Bridge: A New Chapter Begins in Scouting

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Some moments in Scouting just feel different. You can see it on faces. Parents trying not to get emotional. Kids pretending they’re not nervous. Leaders watching it all unfold, knowing exactly what this moment means.

Crossover is one of those moments.

It’s the point where Cub Scouts step into something new. Not just a new uniform or a different meeting. It’s a shift. More independence. More responsibility. More room to grow into who they’re becoming.

Pack 537 recently held their crossover ceremony, and it was one of those nights that sticks with you. Ten Scouts made the move into ScoutsBSA:

  • Richard D. (Troop 307)
  • Anthony P. (Troop 307)
  • Oliver O. (Troop 307)
  • Zach R. (Troop 307)
  • Gavin R. (Troop 307)
  • Ian H. (Troop 307)
  • Max D. (Troop 307)
  • Frank V. (Troop 346)
  • Nicolas I. (Troop 346)
  • Avery M. (Troop 346)

Each of them has their own story. Campouts, pinewood derbies, learning knots, figuring things out along the way. Now they’re stepping into a program where they’ll lead, make decisions, and take on bigger challenges.

One of the best parts of the night was who welcomed them. Madelyn Pickett and Charlie Oscari, the Senior Patrol Leaders for Troops 346 and 307, were there to greet the new Scouts. Not long ago, they were standing on that same bridge as members of Pack 537.

That part never gets old.

You see it and realize this isn’t just a transition. It’s a cycle. Scouts grow up in the program, then turn around and help the next group take that same step. It connects everything.

For parents, it can feel like it happens fast. One minute you’re tying neckerchiefs and helping with crafts. Then suddenly your kid is heading off on campouts, learning to lead, figuring things out without you right next to them.

That’s the point.

And for the troops, this is where new energy comes in. New Scouts asking questions, trying things for the first time, bringing their own personalities into the mix. It changes the group in a good way.

Crossover nights are proud and a little emotional. There’s a sense that something is ending, but something bigger is starting right behind it.

To the Scouts of Pack 537, this is your next step. You’re ready for it, even if it doesn’t feel that way yet.

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If your Scout has earned their Arrow of Light and needs assistance crossing over into a troop, please reach out to your pack leadership or to our office at 210-341-8611, or send a message to Join@AlamoAreaScouting.org

Two Alamo Area Council Leaders Selected for the Prestigious Silver Antelope Award

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Scouting America’s National Court of Honor has announced the Silver Antelope Class of 2026, and the Alamo Area Council is proud to celebrate two of our own leaders who have been selected for this distinguished recognition: Lance Hirsch and Jim Jeffery.

The Silver Antelope Award is one of the highest honors presented by Scouting America, recognizing exceptional service to youth at the Council Service Territory level. Created in 1942 and first awarded in 1943, the Silver Antelope recognizes registered Scouters whose dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact on young people and the Scouting movement. Recipients are chosen by the National Court of Honor for their distinguished service, exceptional character, and commitment to the development of youth through Scouting.

A Rare Award Indeed

From the first presentation of the award through 2025, only 3,360 individuals nationwide have received the Silver Antelope, making it one of the most selective recognitions in Scouting. Over the years, recipients have included influential leaders from across the country, including military leaders, business executives, and public officials who have helped shape both their communities and the Scouting movement.

In keeping with Scouting tradition, modeled after the U.S. military recognition system, Silver Awards represent the highest level of recognition in Scouting America. The Silver Antelope specifically recognizes outstanding service within a Council Service Territory, reflecting leadership that reaches beyond a single local council and benefits Scouting across a broader region.Beginning in 2022, the award transitioned from recognizing service within geographic regions to recognizing service within the organization’s newly established Council Service Territories.

2026 Celebrations

The Silver Antelope Class of 2026 will be formally recognized during Scouting America’s National Annual Meeting Luncheon on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, where honorees from across the country will be celebrated for their dedication to youth and the ideals of Scouting. For the Alamo Area Council, the selection of Lance Hirsch and Jim Jeffery represents an extraordinary moment of pride. Their years of volunteer leadership, service to youth, and commitment to the mission of Scouting have strengthened not only our council, but the broader Scouting community across our territory.

Their recognition serves as a reminder of the impact that dedicated volunteers can have in shaping the lives of young people by helping them grow into responsible citizens, leaders, and people of character.

Please join us in congratulating Lance Hirsch and Jim Jeffery on this remarkable honor and thanking them for their continued commitment to the youth of our communities.

Doing Our Duty: Mays Family Scout Ranch Supports Texas Horned Lizard Conservation

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At Scouting America’s Alamo Area Council, conservation is not just a merit badge requirement — it is a responsibility. That responsibility is alive and well at Mays Family Scout Ranch, where we are proud to partner in the conservation of one of Texas’ most iconic native species: the Texas Horned Lizard.

According to the San Antonio Zoo Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project – 2025 Project Report, 2025 marked another strong year for the reintroduction effort led by the Center for Conservation & Research at the San Antonio Zoo. This year alone, 36 zoo-bred and hatched lizards were released, bringing the total number released at the project site to 324 lizards. In addition, ongoing surveys, breeding efforts, and research initiatives continue to strengthen the program.

Why Mays Family Scout Ranch Matters

The Texas Horned Lizard depends almost entirely on harvester ants as its primary food source. As the report explains, the project has expanded partnerships to secure additional sources of harvester ants, noting that organizations like Mays Family Scout Ranch have helped augment ant collection efforts to support the growing lizard population.

That means something important:

The ant populations at Mays Family Scout Ranch are not a nuisance to eliminate. They are part of a larger conservation strategy.

Healthy harvester ant colonies mean food security for reintroduced horned lizards…and food security means higher survival rates and long-term recovery for this threatened Texas species.

This is conservation in action — and we are honored to play a role.

A Year of Progress

The 2025 report highlights significant milestones:

36 hatchlings released this season

8 formal surveys conducted at the release site

Continued breeding success at both San Antonio Zoo and Zoo Miami

Expansion of research into lizard health, reproduction, and genetics

This steady progress is encouraging. While survey teams primarily detected scat rather than live lizards during transects, genetic testing and monitoring continue to inform long-term success. Conservation is rarely flashy; it is methodical, patient, and data-driven…and it appears to be working.

Why We Do NOT Poison the Ants

Because harvester ants are essential to the horned lizard’s survival, we do not use poison treatments to eliminate ant colonies at Mays Family Scout Ranch. We understand that campers may encounter ant mounds. That is part of being in a healthy, functioning ecosystem. Instead of eliminating ants, we ask our campers and leaders to:

  • Choose campsite locations wisely

  • Avoid setting up tents directly on ant pathways

  • Stay clear of visible ant colonies

  • Respect the natural habitat

A Scout is conservation-minded. We adapt to nature; we do not attempt to remove it for convenience.

Teaching Conservation by Living It

Scouting has always emphasized stewardship of the outdoors. At Mays Family Scout Ranch, that stewardship is not theoretical. It is practical.

When Scouts learn to observe their surroundings, relocate a tent a few feet to protect a habitat, or explain why harvester ants matter, they are practicing exactly what conservation education is meant to teach. They are doing their duty to the land. And through our partnership with the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project, they are helping ensure that future generations of Texans may once again see these remarkable creatures thriving in their native habitat.

We celebrate the progress. We honor the science. And we remain committed to protecting the ecosystems entrusted to us. Because conservation is not optional.

It’s our duty.

Edwin & Erwin De Luna: Twin Eagles, A Lifetime of Service

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In 1965, twin brothers Edwin and Erwin De Luna achieved Scouting’s highest rank—Eagle Scout—through the Alamo Area Council. Earning Eagle is never a small accomplishment. It requires leadership, perseverance, service to others, and the completion of rigorous advancement requirements. For two brothers to reach that milestone together speaks not only to their dedication, but to a shared foundation of character and purpose. Nearly six decades later, their lives continue to reflect the values they first strengthened as Scouts.

A Legacy That Began in 1965

Edwin and Erwin joined the proud ranks of Eagle Scouts during a formative era in Scouting history. Their achievement placed them among the early generations of Eagle Scouts in the Alamo Area Council—young men prepared to lead, serve, and give back to their community. The phrase “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle” is more than tradition. In the case of the De Luna brothers, it has proven to be a lifelong truth.

Erwin J. De Luna: Civic Leader, Cultural Advocate, Servant Leader

Erwin J. De Luna has built a lifetime of service that mirrors the Scout Oath and Law in action. After earning his Eagle Scout rank, Erwin went on to serve more than 21 years with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, beginning as a Medicaid eligibility specialist and later supervising within the Long Term Care Program. He retired in 2011 after a distinguished career helping administer programs that supported the health and well-being of Texans.

But his service did not stop there.

Erwin has served as President of the Board of Directors for the United San Antonio Pow Wow since 1997 and has dedicated decades to promoting and preserving American Indian traditions and culture. Of Navajo and Taos Pueblo ancestry, he has become a respected cultural ambassador, serving in leadership roles across numerous civic and community organizations.

In 2016–2017, he became President of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission—the first Native American to hold the position. His presidency marked a historic moment for representation within one of San Antonio’s most visible civic traditions. His military and civic contributions have also been formally recognized. He received the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and the Commander’s Award for Public Service from United States Army North leadership. In 2022, he was honored as a Distinguished Quartermaster during the U.S. Army’s 247th birthday celebration at Fort Sam Houston.

Within Scouting, Erwin’s commitment has been equally profound. He is a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association and a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow. He has received the Silver Beaver Award, the District Award of Merit, the Scoutmaster Award of Merit, and numerous Catholic Scouting recognitions, each reflecting sustained, exceptional service to youth.

Erwin’s life demonstrates that Eagle Scout is not a final destination. It is a beginning.

Edwin De Luna: A Shared Foundation of Leadership

While public records provide fewer details about Edwin’s professional path, his achievement as an Eagle Scout alongside his twin brother remains a significant part of Alamo Area Council history. The shared experience of earning Eagle in 1965 reflects a family and community that valued leadership, discipline, and service. Together, the De Luna twins represent a generation shaped by Scouting’s call to responsibility, and a reminder that the impact of Scouting extends far beyond a single ceremony or rank advancement.

The Power of What Scouting Makes Possible

When we reflect on leaders like Edwin and Erwin De Luna, we are reminded that today’s Scouts are tomorrow’s judges, legislators, veterans, educators, and community leaders.

In November, we honored Lewis Kayton, the first known Eagle Scout of the Alamo Area Council, who was a young man who helped shape Scouting’s earliest days in South Texas. In February, we shared the story of Franklin S. Spears, whose Eagle Scout experience in 1945 became the foundation for a lifetime of leadership and service.

Now, in March, we recognize Edwin and Erwin De Luna, twin Eagle Scouts who earned their rank in 1965 and whose lives continue to reflect the values of Scouting decades later.

Three different eras. Three different paths. One consistent truth: Scouting builds leaders whose impact extends far beyond their youth.

Stories like these are not isolated moments in history, they are evidence of what Scouting consistently builds. Character. Commitment. A readiness to serve. And perhaps most importantly, a legacy that continues long after the uniform is folded away.

The 1912 Society: Investing in the Next Generation

The 1912 Initiative honors our founding year while investing in the future of Scouting. A monthly gift of $19.12 helps sustain programs that build character, teach leadership, and provide safe, meaningful experiences for thousands of local youth. These contributions help maintain camps, support volunteers, and remove financial barriers for families who might not otherwise be able to participate.

Supporting Scouting is not just an investment in a program, it is an investment in people.

As we honor the legacy of Eagle Scouts like Edwin and Erwin De Luna through the 1912 Initiative, we invite you to help ensure that every young person in our community has the same opportunity to discover their potential. Because when we invest in Scouting, we are shaping futures, strengthening communities, and building leaders one Scout at a time.

Text 1912 to 41444 or click here to join the 1912 Society and be part of Scouting’s next century of impact.

Why Fundraising Matters in Scouting—Even If You’d Rather Just Pay the Fee

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Many parents admit it openly: “I’d rather just write a check than deal with fundraising.”
It’s understandable—life is busy, and selling Popcorn or Adventure Cards may feel like “one more thing.”

In Scouting, fundraising is so much more than selling a product. It is hands‑on youth development. It builds qualities that no fee can buy—and gives Scouts access to experiences that shape their character for life.

Here’s why fundraising matters not just for your Scout’s wallet, but for their confidence, growth, and future leadership.

1. Fundraising Builds Real-World Salesmanship Skills

Salesmanship isn’t just about selling a product—it’s about learning how to communicate, listen, and respond. When a Scout approaches a neighbor, a stranger at a storefront, or a local business, they learn:

  • How to introduce themselves
  • How to make eye contact
  • How to explain something clearly
  • How to speak with confidence
  • How to answer questions respectfully

These are the same skills they’ll need for college interviews, job interviews, and leadership roles later in life.

2. It Teaches Resilience—One “No” at a Time

One of the most powerful lessons in life is learning to hear the word no without giving up.

Scouts experience this every time they fundraise:

  • Not everyone will buy popcorn
  • Not everyone will support an Adventure Card
  • Not every business will support an Eagle Project

And that’s okay.

Scouts learn to keep going, stay positive, and understand that rejection is part of growth—not a reason to quit.

3. It Builds Confidence in Kids Who Need It Most: Hunter’s Story

Hunter from Troop 228 is a perfect example of how fundraising can transform a Scout.

Hunter is working toward his Eagle Scout rank, and his mom, Monica, says fundraising has played a huge role in who he is today:

“Fundraising has definitely impacted him. My son is on the spectrum, and fundraising has given him the ability to put himself out there and be confident with himself and with his public speaking. The way his demeanor changes the moment he has to sell anything Scout-related is amazing. I always tell everyone—Scouting has changed my son’s life.”

For Hunter, fundraising didn’t just raise dollars.
It built self-assurance, communication skills, and the ability to interact positively with others in ways that once felt overwhelming.

4. Fundraising Makes Adventure Possible

When asked about the adventures fundraising has allowed Hunter to experience, Monica shared:

 

“He always uses his fundraising to go to summer camps. His favorite so far has been Trevor Rees.”

 

Because of his own effort, Hunter has been able to attend camps that help him grow, explore new horizons, and create lifelong memories.

Some families can pay for these experiences upfront—but many cannot. Fundraising creates equality in Scouting. Every Scout earns their own way, and every Scout has access to adventure.

5. It Prepares Scouts for Their Eagle Project and Beyond

Fundraising directly supports one of the biggest milestones in Scouting: the Eagle Project.

Monica sees this connection clearly:

“When you think about it, these boys have to approach businesses for donations or discounts. The skills they learn from being salesmen during fundraising events give them the confidence and communication skills necessary to do that.”

Just like with popcorn or cards:

  • Some businesses will say yes
  • Some will say no
  • Not everyone will understand the project
  • Not everyone will want to support it

Fundraising prepares them for this reality—teaching them persistence, planning, and professionalism.

6. Fundraising Builds Leaders, Not Just Revenue

Writing a check covers costs.
Fundraising develops character.

It gives Scouts:

  • Independence
  • Problem‑solving skills
  • Confidence interacting with adults
  • Experience managing money
  • Personal ownership of their Scouting journey

Most importantly, it gives them pride:
“I earned this. I made this adventure possible.”

A Fee Pays for the Program. Fundraising Helps Build the Scout.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d rather just pay,” you’re not alone.
>But every time your Scout participates in fundraising—even for a single shift—they’re building skills that last far beyond their Scouting years.

 

They are learning to stand tall.
>To speak clearly.
>To try again after hearing “no.”
>To lead.

 

And as Hunter’s story shows, fundraising can truly be life‑changing.

Adventurecards@alamoareascouting.org

Adventure Card Chair: Jennifer Jarvis

Scouting Adventures