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Backup Belay is Required in All BSA COPE & Climbing Programs  

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Backup belay is required for all COPE and climbing programs that utilize a belay system. Recently, the BSA has seen an increase in incidents and near misses that were the result of either no backup belayer present or an inattentive backup belayer. Backup belayers are a key part of our climbing safety. In the event the belayer becomes unable to fulfill their responsibility, a backup belayer can take over the belay responsibility by applying tension on the friction device, which can prevent a fall.

In rare, natural-area instances where there is not enough space for a backup belayer, using trained belayers to belay with an assisted braking device or hitch is allowed. (Artificial climbing surfaces or elements that do not allow for a backup belay should be redesigned or have their operating procedures modified to meet this requirement.) In addition, an auto belay device (properly certified and inspected) can also be used.

Please review the Guide to Safe Scouting, NCAP Standard PS-206 and the Belay On Manual to review this critical requirement and share this information with your camp directors and COPE & Climbing council committees.

Questions? Email Andrea.Watson@Scouting.org.

 

You can make a HUGE impact in just 10-minutes

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 “A Scout carries out suggestions the more wholeheartedly when he understands their aim.” – Sir Robert Baden-Powell. 

We’ve all seen the statistics about the impact of Scouting among youth, but have you ever wondered how studies on the benefits of Scouting collect their data? They gather it from everyday folks like you and me by way of surveys. The Alamo Area Council captures information with Excel Beyond the Bell, whose focus is narrowed to youth who participate in after-school activities “Beyond the Bell.”

Nationally, data is often used by non-profit organizations like the BSA to advocate for increased access to developmental programs. Locally, the Beyond the Bell survey gives Bexar County youth access to programs they need to succeed – like Scouting. That’s where you come: As the parent or guardian of a child involved in Scouts, the Council humbly requests you take a few minutes to participate in the survey at Beyond the Bell.

How does this impact the Alamo Area Council and Scouting in San Antonio? 

When foundations and companies consider where to spend their charitable funds, they’ll turn to third-party researchers, like Beyond the Bell, for nonbiased data to ensure their donations are making the biggest impact within their communities. The Council needs a large sample size to illustrate a true representation of its impact. That’s why your participation is so critical!

Ok, I’ll help, but how? 

It’s easy. The first step is to obtain your child’s Student ID number. If you don’t know it already, you can request the information from your child’s school. Once you have that, go to Beyond the Bell and complete the survey for each child in your household.

Why does Beyond the Bell need my child’s Student ID number? 

The ID number ensures that the data collected is as accurate as possible. Utilizing the assigned number keeps the incoming data pure, and free of duplicates or inaccurate statistics – which is why donors trust the data provided by Beyond the Bell. For participants like us, the number provides an extra layer of autonomy, protecting any specific details about our family from outside parties.

Degression, and protection of information 

All collected information will go directly to Excel Beyond the Bell. It will NOT be shared with any persons or entity other than Excel Beyond the Bell – not even with us as a participating organization. Each year Excel Beyond the Bell publishes the results of its cumulative findings online. See the sample of what researchers see on the image to the right.

 

We are Hiring Summer Camp Staff, Apply Now!

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 Not sure what you are going to be doing this summer?

Want to find a fun way to get outdoors and spend time doing things you love? The Alamo Area Council is searching for quality youth to join our Summer Camp Staff this summer. This includes Resident Camp at Bear Creek Summer Camp in Hunt, Texas and in San Antonio at our McGimsey Day Camp.

Why should I consider being a Staff member? Our most important team members are our Camp Counselors. They are the heart and soul of what happens at camp. They are the number one reason why a camper falls in love with camp. You can be a Counselor and be given the opportunity to impact somebody’s forever!  Not to mention, summer camp jobs are great ways to start off in the work force and teach life skills!

You mentioned life skills, tell me more! Your time management, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills will see a great improvement over the summer, because you’ll be using them all day every day! These skills in particular are useful for college & college interviews, as well as future job opportunities. Whether it’s about leadership, patience, critical thinking or becoming flexible – all these are essential in all parts of life. Whether it’s a summer job you need to get by or an opportunity to gain experience, becoming a camp counselor is fun and rewarding.

 

Bear Creek Summer Camp Staff….

If you are interested in living at camp this summer you should apply to be on our amazing Bear Creek Summer Camp Staff.  Summer camp staff week starts Sunday June 5th and camp continues through Saturday, July 9th.  Some staff are asked to stay on to help with our Akela Adventure Camp for the week of July 10 through 16.

What will you be doing? Mentoring your peers, other scouts just like you who want to learn and have fun at summer camp. You will teach them and talk with them and get to know them. Best of all, you become a part of the Bear Creek Summer Camp Staff Family!

For Camp Staff you must be 15 years of age by June 1, 2022 or older – CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR CAMP STAFF

If you are 14 years old you can sign up to be a Counselor in Training (CIT). These are volunteer staff that support the program and learn what it means to be a Counselor.  It is a great way to get to know the staff at Bear Creek and get your foot in the door for a full staff position the following year.  CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO BE A CIT.

 

Cub Scout Day Camp Staff….

Are Staff positions paid? McGimsey Day Camp positions are paid positions. All the other Day Camps are volunteer led.

What will you be doing? This year, you will be mentoring and working with groups of 8-10 Cub Scouts all week, and will get to know them, help them grow, and keep them safe at camp. We are looking for high energy team members that are willing to sing, dance, and do everything they can to bring our theme alive.

You determine which camp meets your interest and apply for any and all the camps you want to help out at. After applying you will be contacted by the leadership from each camp you applied for to set up an interview. Then you will be given further instructions on what to expect.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR DAY CAMP STAFF – 16 years of age or older

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO BE A CIT FOR DAY CAMP – 14 and 15 years of age.

 

What are some other reasons to join Summer Camp Staff that I should consider?

Develops Lifelong skills
Promotes Independence
Makes Time for Play
Teaches Teamwork
Teaches Resiliency
Provides Fun Screen-Free Activities
Encourages a Connection with Nature
Fosters Growth
Builds Self-Esteem
Supports Healthy Living
Nurtures Friendships
Teaches Youth to Respect Differences
Keeps Youth Intellectually Engaged
Promotes Growth in a Safe Environment
Gives Youth a Sense of Purpose
And many more!!!!

Updated Youth Protection Policy for Re-Charter this Fall

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Dear Alamo Area Council Member,

Updated Alamo Area Council Youth Protection Policy: The Alamo Area Council and the BSA place the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. The BSA mandates that all volunteers complete our Youth Protection Training (YPT), developed by prominent child-safety experts, prior to any interaction with children in a BSA program. The training, which is regularly updated to include the latest strategies for recognizing, responding to, and preventing abuse, covers multiple types of abuse including emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse among others. YPT is required for each adult on the unit charter, all newly registered adults, and over-18 participants in Scouting programs.

Under the current YPT structure, it is possible for an adult’s YPT certification to expire prior to the end of their annual membership term. To prevent this issue, the Alamo Area Council will not complete a registration in conjunction with a unit charter renewal for 2022 if any registered adult has a YPT certificate that will expire during 2022. Therefore, if an adult has not completed a YPT course during the 2021 calendar year, they will need to do so prior to their charter renewal. To check the YPT status of adult leaders in your Scouting unit, a member of the Key 3 (Primary Unit Leader, Committee Chair, Chartered Organization Representative) can access Training Manager by logging into my.scouting.org.

Yours in Scouting,

                                               

Raul Rios                                          Lance Hirsch                                   Alan Compton
Council President                             Council Commissioner                    VP of Training

Support Scouts While You Shop with Amazon Smile

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AmazonSmile customers can now support Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, Inc. in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.

  1. Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
  2. Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into ‘Settings’
  3. Tap ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process

If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, update your app. Click here for instructions.

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