Alamo Area Council

 
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Meet Staff SGT Jacob Whitlock this Saturday at our CWC! – Scavenger hunt for a door prize!

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This weekend’s Council Wide Campout is all about first aid, emergency preparedness and medical services.  It spotlights the opportunities scouts can find in the U.S. Army in many different medical associated jobs.  Hopefully the scouts that are attending are aware of this new program and theme and are just as excited as we are about what is being offered this year.

Did you know that high school students can find scholarship opportunities while attending CWC this weekend?  We will have an area set up that will focus on the scholarships the military offers each year and information on how they can qualify for them. More information about this will be shared at the leader’s meeting tonight and the opening ceremony tomorrow morning.

Did you know we have someone special staffing our Council Wide Campout tomorrow? Read all about it here: Army medics adapt, evolve as service needs change

Then let’s have a scavenger hunt for a door prize! What do you have to do?

  1. Read the article about Staff SGT Jacob Whitlock (above).
  2. Like or follow the Alamo Area Council on Facebook (while you are at it, if you want to know everything, join our Scouts BSA Alamo Area Council Group – The Group is a bonus but not required for the Drawing.)
  3. Locate Staff SGT Jacob Whitlock at the Council Wide Campout, introduce yourself to him and then submit your name and unit number on a piece of paper (there will be a container located at his station).

Who can participate? Leaders and youth members, both!

What will you win?  A free campout at anyone of our local Scout Camps to be used during in 2024 for your unit and a $50 gift certificate to the scout shop for the name called.  $50

We will do the drawing early next week and will announce the winner on our Facebook page! So keep an eye out!

Hiring Day Camp and Aquatics Staff Members for Summer 2024! – Interviews start soon!

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Our Camps operate differently but require some of the same staffing. When you are looking at opportunities, please consider the following: 

  • McGimsey Scout Park Pool Seasonal Aquatics Staff: operate on a paid staff and volunteer structure. Supports the Day Camps and Bear Creek Summer Camp Aquatics Programs, as required. Training may be provided for these positions if you apply early enough to attend (early April training). 
  • Boerne and Canyon Lake Day Camps operate strictly on a volunteer basis outside of our Camp Director and Program Director positions. We offer opportunities for Program Staff Positions to work for us and receive 1 scout entrance fee free. This does not include Den Walkers provided to meet the unit supervision requirements.  
  • McGimsey Cub Scout Day Camp operates on a Paid staff and volunteer structure. The opportunity to hold a position and receive 1 scout entrance fee free is available for program positions as well as paid hourly positions.  
  • Please ensure you know which camp you would like to apply for and which positions. This Document is broken down by Camp, then available positions with a quick description and details of each position.  

Once you have determined the camp you want to apply for and the position you are interested in, please use this link to submit your application to be on Cub Scout Day Camp Staff: https://form.jotform.com/232136588963164 

 

Boerne Day Camp: June 25 through June 27, 2024 (plus one day prior to this for staff training – TBD). Located at the Agricultural Heritage Museum, Boerne, TX. Camp time is from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, staff time will be approximately 7:30 am to 4:30 pm each day. Camp attendance averages 30 to 50 scouts each day.  

Positions: 

  • Range and Target Sports (Archery or BB Ranges)*: Must be 19 years of age or older and willing to attend training to be certified for Archery or BB Rangemaster (8-hour training). We can operate in a 1 to 8 ratio, so we will want a minimum of 2 to 3 people on each range – Volunteer positions.  
  • Program Area Leads*: Must be 16 years of age or older. Responsible for leading the program area assigned for a group of 10 to 12 scouts for each rotation. Program areas include Crafts, Games, Sports, Nature, etc. – Volunteer position.  
  • Program Area Assistants*: Must be 14 years of age or older. Assists the Program Area Leads in providing the designed programming for the area assigned. May be asked to participate in activities such as leading songs, chants and other themed activities to create the most exciting and engaging environment possible.  

*this position qualifies to receive 1 scout entrance fee free if able to staff the required dates for the camp and the camp training.  

Canyon Lake Day Camp: June 3 through June 6, 2024 (plus staff required training day on June 1, 2024). Located at Fischer Park in New Braunfels, TX. Camp time is from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, staff time will be approximately 7:30 am to 4:30 pm each day. Camp attendance averages around 100 scouts each day. 

Positions: 

  • Camp Director: Must be 21 years of age and willing to attend a weekend National Camp School to be certified for the Administration of a BSA Branded Cub Scout Day Camp. Responsible for personnel, all administrative activities of the camp including tracking expenses, supplies, NCAP standards, etc. Works directly with the Program director to ensure an amazing and outstanding camp is developed and implemented for our scouts. Required to attend monthly planning meetings on the last Wednesday of each month on zoom and any additional meetings internally with their camp staff. Works with Program Director to run the staff training held on June 1, 2024. This position is a paid position at $150 per day for the week of camp ($600.00)  
  • Range and Target Sports (Archery, Sling Shot or BB Ranges)*: Must be 19 years of age or older and willing to attend training to be certified for Archery or BB Rangemaster (8-hour training). We can operate in a 1 to 8 ratio, so we will want a minimum of 2 to 3 people on each range – Volunteer positions.  
  • Program Area Leads*: Must be 16 years of age or older. Responsible for leading the program area assigned for a group of 10 to 12 scouts for each rotation. Program areas include Crafts, Games, Sports, Nature, Fishing, etc. – Volunteer position.  
  • Program Area Assistants*: Must be 14 years of age or older. Assists the Program Area Leads in providing the designed programming for the area assigned. May be asked to participate in activities such as leading songs, chants and other themed activities to create the most exciting and engaging environment possible. Volunteer position.  
  • Aquatics Director*: Must be 21 years of age or older and hold a current National Camp School Aquatics Instructor Card with a current BSA Lifeguard and CPR/AED/FA/CPR PRO certification. Is responsible for supervising the aquatics area during canoeing activities offered during the programming. May not be an everyday required position. This is a volunteer position.  
  • BSA Lifeguard*: Must be 16 years of age or older and hold a current BSA Lifeguard certification with current CPRAED/FA/PRO certification. Supports the Aquatics director in supervising the boating area during canoeing activities at the camp. May not be an everyday required position, based on program design.  This is a volunteer position.  

*this position qualifies to receive 1 scout entrance fee free if able to staff the required dates for the camp and the camp training. 

McGimsey Day Camp: June 10 through June 28 – in addition staff training – TBD and Camp Clean up days.  through June 29, 2024 (plus staff required training day on June 1, 2024).  Camp attendance averages around 100 scouts each day. 

Positions: 

  • Camp Director: Must be 21 years of age and willing to attend a weekend National Camp School to be certified for the Administration of a BSA Branded Cub Scout Day Camp. Responsible for personnel, all administrative activities of the camp including tracking expenses, supplies, NCAP standards, etc. Works directly with the Program director to ensure an amazing and outstanding camp is developed and implemented for our scouts. Required to attend monthly planning meetings on the last Wednesday of each month on zoom and any additional meetings internally with their camp staff. Works with Program Director to run the staff training held on June 1, 2024. This position is a paid position at $150 per day for the week of camp (3 weeks at $750 per week). 
  • Range and Target Sports (Archery, Sling Shot or BB Ranges)*: Must be 19 years of age or older and willing to attend training to be certified for Archery or BB Rangemaster (8-hour training). We can operate in a 1 to 8 ratio, so we will want a minimum of 4 to 5 people on each range – This is an hourly position – $16/hour 
  • Program Area Leads*: Must be 16 years of age or older. Responsible for leading the program area assigned for a group of 10 to 12 scouts for each rotation. Program areas include Crafts, Games, Sports, Nature, Fishing, etc. – This is an hourly position $15/hour  
  • Program Area Assistants*: Must be 15 years of age or older. Assists the Program Area Leads in providing the designed programming for the area assigned. May be asked to participate in activities such as leading songs, chants and other themed activities to create the most exciting and engaging environment possible. This is an hourly position $12/hour 
  • Den Walkers*: Must be 15 years of age or older. Is fully responsible for a group of 6 to 8 scouts and moving them from one program area to another. Provides mentorship and leadership to the group. Sets the example with songs and chants and keeps the scouts engaged. This is a paid position $12/hour 
  • Aquatics Director*: Must be 21 years of age or older and hold a current National Camp School Aquatics Instructor Card with a current BSA Lifeguard and CPR/AED/FA/CPR PRO certification. Is responsible for supervising the aquatics area during canoeing activities offered during the programming. May not be an everyday required position. This is an hourly position – $20/hour 
  • BSA Lifeguard*: Must be 15 years of age or older and hold a current BSA Lifeguard certification with current CPRAED/FA/PRO certification. Supports the Aquatics director in supervising the aquatics program at camp to include the after camp swim lessons. This is an hourly position – $16/hour  

*this position qualifies to receive 1 scout entrance fee free if able to staff the required dates for the camp and the camp training. For McGimsey Day Camp this would be instead of receiving payroll.  

 

Counselors in Training – All camps offer a Counselor in Training Program. This is for youth 14 to 15 years old that want to learn more about being on summer camp staff. This position supports the camp as extra hands and overall takes time to experience all the different areas so that they know where they would like to apply to work in future years. If you are interested in being a CIT at any of our Day Camps, apply here: https://form.jotform.com/232119257860154 

 

Seasonal Aquatics Staff: This staff supports the operations of the McGimsey Scout Park Pool. This includes McGimsey Day camp, Swim Checks, Swim Lessons, and Pool rentals during the season the McGimsey Pool is open (May to September). Minimum age is 15 to be a BSA Lifeguard and over 21 to be an Aquatics Director. You can be certified as an Aquatics Instructor (lifeguard trainer) at 19. If you are interested in any of these positions, please apply through the Day Camp Staff Application, select the McGimsey Day Camps and select the Aquatics Section. We will host interviews for the Aquatics section separately from Cub Scout Day Camp through our Aquatics committee. We can provide training to get you the required certifications if you are committed to supporting us as a full season aquatics staff member. You apply to work as seasonal staff from May 1 to June 7 and then July 8 to September 30 if you want to work at Bear Creek Summer Camp from June 8 to July 7. Just apply for both camps.  

  • Aquatics Director: Must be 21 years of age or older and hold a current National Camp School Aquatics Instructor Card with a current BSA Lifeguard and CPR/AED/FA/CPR PRO certification. Is responsible for supervising the aquatics area during canoeing activities offered during the programming. May not be an everyday required position. This is an hourly position – $20/hour 
  • BSA Lifeguard: Must be 15 years of age or older and hold a current BSA Lifeguard certification with current CPRAED/FA/PRO certification. Supports the Aquatics director in supervising the aquatics program at camp to include the after camp swim lessons. This is an hourly position – $16/hour 

For questions, please reach out to Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org  

FAQ’s for AAC’s New Organizational Structure

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Greetings, Alamo Area Council members! We understand that you may have questions about the recent restructuring within our Council. Here are some frequently asked questions that address key aspects of our vision, staffing structure, volunteer engagement, and more:

What is our vision as a Council?

  • The Alamo Area Council seeks to provide resources to support and encourage Scouting programs in our community with the goal of facilitating higher-quality programs for an ever-increasing number of young people.

Are we keeping Districts or just restructuring the District Executive role?

  • We are re-organizing the staff so as to be able to provide quality service to our Scouts, parents and leaders, as well as to be able to better introduce Scouting in the Alamo area to new families.

Are we still going to get the same support from the staff as we did before?

  • The intent is for unit leaders to receive more support. Instead of one professional staff member to reach out to, leaders now have multiple options. Leaders and parents can reach out directly to our Growth Team for recruitments, Engagement Team for Unit Service, Retention Team for struggles with keeping members, and Outdoor Adventure Team for any type of event or activity support. The Development Team along with the Engagement Tram can help with Camp Cards and Popcorn. We are all here to help you.

Are you adding or subtracting paid employees?

  • In order to best serve the future of Scouting in the Alamo Area, the council is constantly evaluating the staffing structure. At this time, the council is shifting staffing resources from some areas to others. New staff members are being added, while some vacant positions are being eliminated.

What type of input do units have on these decisions?

  • Decisions about the best way to organize staff within the Alamo Area Council ultimately rest with the council’s Scout Executive. The Scout Executive has a volunteer board that he meets with regularly for input and feedback on the direction of the council and on the various decisions made with regards to its management.

What is the ratio of paid staff to volunteers? And units? 

  • The Growth, Engagement, Retention, Outdoor Adventures and Development Team staff number 14 individuals at this time. This amount may change as needs are identified. In 2023, the council ended with 2,664 registered adult volunteers and 222 units.

Is the New Unit Team (NUT Squad) a part of the future growth plans?

  • Yes, these volunteers are crucial to the success of the Growth Team.

What is the plan to recruit more volunteers?

  • Every new young person recruited into Scouting brings one or two (maybe more?) parents into contact with Scouting in the Alamo Area Council. It is the responsibility of existing unit leaders and commissioners as well as Growth Team and Engagement Team staff members to engage those new parents and other family leaders with unit and council level volunteer roles. Every new family should be given the opportunity to be involved in some capacity with at least one project within the unit a year. For many people, that one project can evolve into a more permanent volunteer role.

What is the role of a commissioner?

  • The role of a Unit Commissioner is to act as a ‘friend’ and resource to the leadership of the units that he or she works with. The Commissioner is a conduit of communication between the council and the unit leadership, as well as a coach and voice of experience. He or she can also act as an independent third party voice to help resolve disputes. This person should be a unit leader’s first contact when facing a challenge or problem that they don’t know how to handle.

What qualifies a unit as successful?

Why is there an assumption that all units are suffering?

  • Not all units are suffering, but some do from time to time. It is important to the success of local Scouting programs that every unit have the resources needed to operate effectively and efficiently. That is why it is critical that the staff and volunteers of the Alamo Area Council be available to help units quickly.

Why are some committees acting under the old district structure?

  • In a few specific instances, physical geography concerns dictate that council committees still operate much as they did under the old district structure. As an example, Eagle Scout Boards of Review will continue to operate in various parts of the council much as they did before. This is because of the realities of meeting in person, often on weeknights, dictate that there is no one central location that will be convenient for everyone across the council’s 13,000 square miles. However, it is important to note that any Eagle Scout candidate may attend a board of review in any of the areas offered across the council. The committee will work under the guidance of the Alamo Area Council’s Advancement Committee.

What’s So Great About a Scout Night?

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So glad you asked!

You see, I thought it was an event at a local event venue for packs and troops. I was wrong.

Then, I thought it was something that individual Scouters signed up for and attended with their families.

…Annnd that buzzer goes again, telling me I’m wrong a second time.

Well, not totally wrong, but not completely accurate either. Yes, Scout Nights (or days) could be something that your unit participates in as a group or a family event, but it’s so much bigger than that!

Scout nights are a chance to partake in some really cool activities that have partnered with the Council to offer exclusive experiences at a lowered rate, but anyone – yes anyone – can get tickets, no matter if they are Scouts or not.

It’s like a special something you can share with your friends and extended family.

So, invite your neighbors, your cousins, or think bigger: let your child’s class, youth group, or all your co-workers.

While you’re doing it, you’re also supporting Scouting in a BIG way. Remember how I said that these businesses partnered with the council and offered reduced rates? Well, they then take a percentage of the proceeds and give it back to Scouting!

Rare, top-notch, community-inclusive, value-priced activities that pay the Council to do it?

Sign. Me. Up. (And a few of my friends too!)

Check out the Alamo Area Council’s Scout Nights HERE!

 

 

Outdoor in ’24

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There’s lots to do in 2024, including our Outdoor in 24 challenge, provided by our UK Scouting friends.

This is a great recruiting tool, and something that can be shared with non-Scouting friends, too!

The aim is to get Scouts outside, so we’ve put together a list of 24 exciting things to do outdoors throughout the year. They’ve even created a blank bucket list to come up with your own challenge! You could complete 24 new outdoor activities, have a sleepover over for 24 hours, or learn 24 new skills. It’s up to you!

Download the graphic for social media, or use this template to add your unit’s information to and pass out.

To see the original article from our friends in the UK, visit their website here.

What, or Who is the 583?

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The BSA’s diverse programs are overseen nationwide by local councils, each responsible for a geographic range spanning from a single city to an entire state. Scouting extends its offerings to youth across the country via local council service centers, like ours, and just like your unit has a number to distinguish it from other units, our Council has a number to identify us from other Councils.

As you may already be aware, Councils play a pivotal role in assisting chartered organizations in effectively utilizing the Scouting program and broadening its application to serve the needs within our neighborhoods. The trained and registered leaders within these chartered organizations act as mentors to youth as they progress through the program – and the youth are the sole reason we do what we do. Building character, leadership skills, and creating strong communities is what drew us into the Scouting movement in the first place.

So, if you’re wondering who is The 583, the answer is simple: We all are!

Scouting Adventures