Climbing Instructor Course flyer updated

The council website has been updated with the form you'll need to sign up for the Climbing Instructor Course in April and May 2007. CLICK HERE to download and print the registration flyer.

Wilderness First Aid Confusion

An email to our volunteer and leader database has caused a lot of confusion, so please allow me to clear it up:

The message sent on Tuesday January 30 carried the subject line, "Scouts - Training Session Filled". It briefly said that the March 31-April 1 Wilderness First Aid Basics course was now filled. This note was sent because the council sent its monthly e-newsletter the day before - with a posting promoting the Wilderness First Aid Course.

The Tuesday January 30 email was sent only as a clarification to the e-newsletter promotion - and not as an indication of whether or not an individual was registered or not registered in the course. My apologies for any and all confusion related to this matter.

Charles Mead
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Capitol Area Council

UPDATE: Wilderness First Aid Full

The Capitol Area Council's Wilderness First Aid Basics Course for March 31-April 1, 2007, has been filled. There is a waiting list, but it is already very long. There will be another course offered in the fall.

Attention: Units participating in Report to State Parade

The location to pickup your unit's Participation Packet is:

Parade Headquarters Tent
Corner of Congress Avenue and Riverside Drive in the TX DOT Parking Lot
(One block south of the Congress Avenue Bridge)
Pickup Time: 7:30am-9:00am, Saturday February 3, 2007

Packets include prepaid patches, neckerchiefs, and unit ribbon

Please send one unit representative to pick up your packet!

Summer Camp Leader's Guide now available online

The 2007 Summer Camp Leader's Guide for Lost Pines Boy Scout Camp is now available on the Capitol Area Council website, www.bsacac.org. You will find the link on the Summer Camp page under "Camping and Events/Camps and Programs/Boy Scout Summer Camp" (CLICK HERE to see that page). It's also listed on the "Forms" page under "S", titled "2007 Summer Camp Leader's Guide" (CLICK HERE to get that form).

Outdoor Training for Leaders

Pioneer and Green Dickson Districts will offer the following outdoor skills training courses:

BALOO (Outdoor training for Cub Scout leaders)
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Camp Green Dickson
9am-5pm
CLICK HERE to learn more

Boy Scout and Webelos Leaders: Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
February 24-25, 2007
Camp Green Dickson
9am Saturday-12pm Sunday
CLICK HERE to learn more

Upcoming Training Events

Pioneer and Green Dickson Districts will offer Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader Specific Training on Saturday, February 10, 2007.

Location: Smithville - First Presbyterian Church
Time: 9am
Please bring proof of completed Youth Protection Training!

Cub Scout leaders can CLICK HERE to learn more
Boy Scout leaders can CLICK HERE to learn more

Explore UT program offered

The University of Texas will host its annual “Explore UT: The Biggest Open House in Texas!” on Saturday, March 3, 2007. Explorers of all ages can take part in free learning activities on the campus from 11am to 5pm.

Youth from kindergarten through high school, their parents and friends can choose from more than 350 hands-on activities, films, demonstrations, and exhibits given by UT faculty and students. For a full listing, see www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut.

Merit Badge University needs help

Merit Badge University needs your help this year. They need instructors for three merit badge classes on Saturday, February 17, 2007:

*Radio
*Reptile and Amphibian Study
*Space Exploration

If you would like to volunteer to instruct one of these classes or need more info please email Ashley at volunteer@utmbu.org.

MBU is delivered each year by the Alpha Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at the University of Texas at Austin. Find out more about Merit Badge University at their website, www.utmbu.org.

Spring "Aggie Eagle" Program

If you have an Eagle Scout considering Texas A&M University for his college choice, you may be interested in the "Aggie Eagle" weekend on March 2-3 in College Station. CLICK HERE for A&M's website dedicated to the program. It's a good way to learn about the university, and attendees are guaranteed scholarship money.

Scout Night "2" with the Austin Ice Bats

The Ice Bats are welcoming back the Capitol Area Council, Boy Scouts of America for a special night. On Saturday, February 17th, the Ice Bats will give away FREE Ice Bats trading cards to all kids at the game - and patches to all Scouts in attendance! Come cheer the Ice Bats as they take on Northeast Division Leader, the Memphis River Kings. Make your ticket order by Friday, February 9, 2007 to make sure your group can all sit together!

Special Scout Rate: $11 for Stadium seating (Box Office price is $15)
Ask about Premium seat upgrade

NOTE: Order tickets as a group (15 or more) and pay just one $2.00 handling fee; Individual ticket purchases are charged a $2 handling fee PER TICKET
NOTE: Additional $1 Facility fee is applied to each ticket, whether group or individual order
NOTE: There is a $5 parking fee at Chaparral Ice Arena during Ice Bats games

Please call Dan Cowan with the Ice Bats at (512) 927-7825 xt.128 to help set up your group outing or if you have any additional questions.

Longhorn District Camporee Postponed

After much deliberation, the Longhorn District Camporee has been postponed and will not be held January 19-21, 2007, as planned. The theoretical reschedule date is the weekend of March 24, however we have yet to confirm this date. The district will post the latest news about this event on its website, www.longhorndistrict.org.

Scout Orienteering Challenge now February 10

The Eighth Annual Scout Orienteering Challenge has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2007. If you have any questions, please contact Course Director, Steve Nelson of Troop 1998 at snelson33@austin.rr.com or 512-303-0493.

Summer Camp Staff interviews scheduled

The council is holding staff interviews and workshops for those interested in working at Lost Pines Scout Reservation for Summer Camp 2007:

February 10 - 9am at the Capitol Area Council Office, 7540 Ed Bluestein Blvd, Austin

February 24 - 1pm at LPSR Dining Hall

March 3 - during the OA Tonkawa Lodge Pow-Wow at LPSR

March 17 - 1pm at LPSR Dining Hall

April 14 - 1pm at LPSR Dining Hall

May 12 - 1pm at LPSR Dining Hall

Please make sure to wear your class-A scout uniform or appropriate attire for your interview. If you have any questions, call Mark Smith, Camp Director, at 512-966-1535, or e-mail him at lpsr56@yahoo.com. You may also contact Martin Payne, Council Camping Director, at 512-944-7750 or mpayne@bsamail.org.