Activities

The district and council offers a variety of activities in which packs, troops, crews and ships are invited to participate. See the district calendar for specific dates.

The camporee is a weekend campout for troops. Patrols compete in Scoutcraft competitions. Patrols are judged on leadership, teamwork, skill demonstration and Scout spirit.

The Recognition Dinner is an opportunity for us to thank our district volunteers for the hard work and dedication that made this year incredibly successful. Flaming Arrow District’s outstanding leaders at the unit and district levels will also be recognized. All volunteers are invited. District Award Nominations should be submitted for enthusiastic Scouters who live by the Scout Oath and Scout Law, served the youth above and beyond the call of duty and make a difference in the lives of our Scouts.

The first aid meet is an event where Scoust in troops are tested on their first aid skills. Patrols work as a team to solve several first aid scenarios. The top two scoring patrols represent the district at the council First Aid Meet.

The pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden models that Cub Scouts make with help from their families. Win or lose, Scouts will take pride in having done their best. Scouts learn craft skills, the rules of fair play, and good sportsmanship.

Day camp is full of fun and excitement. Camp is held every night for three days in June. Cub Scouts have the opportunity to make new friends and share all kinds of new experiences, including BB guns, archery sports, nature crafts, and more. Tigers, Wolves, and Bears work on electives; Webelos Scouts work on activity badges.

Scout Days are awesome opportunities to get your Scouts, friends and family together for some exciting experiences around the area with other Scouting families. All Scout Days are offered at a discounted price of admission. Also, many of our partners offer merit badge classes and advancement workshops for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts.

The district Webelos Do Your Best is a camp out designed to introduce Webelos Scouts to the many outdoor adventures of Scouting. This awesome weekend event includes patrol-method camping and Scout activities. On Saturday morning, Webelos Scouts compete in skills (e.g., first aid, fire building, camping skills, games, knots), and during the afternoon local troops teach basic Scouting skills. The Webelos are judged on their den flag and yell, resources, leadership, teamwork, skill demonstration and Scout spirit.

Monthly District Meetings

Roundtable is a district monthly meeting typically held the first Thursday of the month to help unit leaders plan and carry out their own program. The objective of Roundtable is to give leaders program ideas; information on upcoming events and trainings, and an opportunity to share experiences and enjoy fun and fellowship with other Scouting leaders. Leaders will be inspired, motivated, informed, and able to provide a stronger program for their Scouts.

District committee meetings are typically held ]the second Thursday of every month (except July). Consisting of chartered organization representatives (CORs) and elected district committee members, the district committee coordinates the functions of the district.

Commissioner meetings are typically held the second Thursday of every month (except July). The commissioners review specific unit needs, discuss ways to support unit growth in the Journey to Excellence criteria, examine ways to promote events and provide resources to units, support on-time charter renewal, and evaluate ways to help the units and district maintain the standards of the Boy Scouts of America.

Trained leaders provide a quality, fun-filled program for youth. When leaders understand the whys and hows of Scouting, they are more effective in their roles. Scouting is a lifetime of learning. It’s a game with a purpose. Scouting teaches skills not only to the youth, but also to its adult volunteers as well. Some training can be taken online at www.myscouting.org (e.g., YPT, Cub Leader Specific). Flaming Arrow District offers a variety of training courses. Find out more about training and courses held around the council.

Order of the Arrow (OA) Chapter meetings are typically held at the first Thursday of the month. The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society.

Council Sponsored Activities

Sam Houston Area Council also offer a variety of activities. See the council calendar for specific dates.

January

SHAC Scouting for Food is a council-wide service project in conjunction with the Souper Bowl of Caring. There is no better way to show our Scouting spirit to the community than by participating in the annual Scouting for Food drive!

The OA Lodge Leadership Development is a dynamic annual youth and adult leadership training event for Order of the Arrow members to learn more about the OA and how to become a better leader. The day ends with a banquet.

February

University of Scouting is a one-day training opportunity for leaders of all program areas to come together for a day of fun, fellowship and learning. Over 100 different classes are offered and are presented by some of the most experienced volunteers in the council covering leader specific training, information on how to train youth, conservation, program ideas and more.

Scout Sunday and Scout Sabbath is an opportunity for units are urged to participate in the religious service of their chartering organization. Units are encouraged to attend en masse in uniform, do a flag ceremony, speak about Scouting, and/or formally thank them for their support throughout the year. This is a great time to distribute the religious awards earned by Scouts.

March / April

The Scout Fair is a fabulous, fun-filled day for Scouts from Lions to Eagle Scouts to mingle with thousands of other Scouts and their families, participate in hundreds of hands-on activities, and taste gourmet camp-fare cooked by Scouts. Scout Fair is held at the NRG. Admission is free (parking is typically $10). Scout Fair Coupon Books are a wonderful way for units to raise money Coupon Books are easy to sell. Sign up your unit for a booth.

OA Arrowmen Bash is a weekend event for Order of the Arrow members. The day starts with Arrowmen giving back in cheerful service to the camp followed by fun events and activities, PowWows and more.

The Venturing Challenge s a weekend campout at a council camp for Venturers. This event is intended to be an opportunity for the youth to bring prospective Venturers and Sea Scouts to a council-wide activity. The weekend is filled with games, movies, crew against crew competitions, campfire program, shooting sports and much more.

The Sea Scouts Sail Daze is a day of small boat sailing on Galveston Bay that is open to all the older youth in the Sea Scouts program. Participants gather at Houston Yacht Club, and SHAC ships provide Sunfish, Lasers, catamarans, and other trailerable craft for a day of fun!

May

Program Preview is conducted at May Roundtable. The district and council calendars are provided along with information on all the fun events for the upcoming year. After Program Preview, units should conduct an annual program planning conference to get ready for the coming year. Using national planning resources for each program, as well as various calendars (e.g., council, district, school, chartered partner), units can develop a program filled with safe and fun activities and adventures. Planning ahead allows the unit to generate new ideas, find resources, and allow more Scouts to have a quality program that is exciting and will create memories!

The New Eagle Scout Reception recognizes the previous year’s Eagle Scout class. The council continues its tradition of providing this reception free of charge for new Eagle Scouts and three guests. The evening is underwritten with generous sponsorships by many Eagle Scout alumni, charter members and patrons.

June / July

Summer Camp hosts a variety of summer experiences where Scouts in troops can earn merit badges and learn and practice their Scouting skills.

Resident Camp is a three-night summer camping program at Bovay Scout Ranch during July for Cub Scouts. Cub Scouts can participate in BB guns, archery, sling shots, crafts, sports, games, campfire, and lots more.

August / September

The Venturing Banquet is the annual awards banquet where Venturers and leadership will be presented with recognition for their work in the Venturing. Before the banquet, Venturing Officer Association (VOA) elections are held for the offices of council Venturing president, vice-president of program, and vice-president of administration and they are installed during the banquet.

Selling popcorn is a wonderful opportunity for units to earn funds to support their entire year of Scouting by selling gourmet popcorn. There are three options to sell popcorn: traditional take order sales, sell online to friends and family out of town and show-n-sell.

Fall Join Scouting Nights are an opportunity to reach out to each potential Cub Scout and his family with a personal invitation to join a pack where they will learn positive values, new skills and have fun with friends. The fall recruiting campaign will focus on recruiting new families to the fun and adventures of Cub Scouting.

The Sea Scouts Minto Rendezvous is a regional event for Sea Scouts to test their knowledge and skills. The competition includes over 20 events that test a ship’s teamwork, training and preparation in a variety of nautical-related events. A highlight of this annual event is the Flotsam Flotilla race. Materials vary from year to year (e.g., build a boat out of recyclable plastic containers and duct tape), but the challenge to build the fastest boat remains the same.

October / November

Fun With Family gives newly registered Cub Scouts and their families an opportunity to experience and overnight campout and exciting activities such as BB guns, crafts, archery and more! Fun With Family is typically held in October at Bovay Scout Ranch.

The Recognition Reception is held each fall and is an opportunity for the council to recognize the recipients of the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a council can bestow on a volunteer Scouter.

Webelos Coyote Xtreme Camp is a two-night camping program that focuses on the Arrow of Light Award requirements and skills needed when camping with troops while trekking across the Bovay Scout Ranch to exciting outpost program areas. Fun, excitement and adventure is the name of the game at Webelos CTX camping program!

The OA Fall Pow Wow is a weekend event full of ceremony and dance classes, competitions and pow wows; sports; exciting games; shows; expos; and more for Order of the Arrow members from across the council.

The University of Scouting is a one-day training opportunity for leaders of all program areas to come together for a day of fun, fellowship and learning. Over 100 different classes are offered and are presented by some of the most experienced volunteers in the council covering leader specific training, information on how to train youth, conservation, program ideas and more.

December

Winter Camp is held each year at Camp Strake between Christmas and New Years and is a wonderful opportunity for troops to camp and Scouts to earn merit badges. Merit badge classes are taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field.

Year-Round Activities

Adventure Camps are weekend campouts for Cub Scout packs at Bovay Scout Ranch. Families will enjoy eating in the air-conditioned dining hall and activities such as BB guns, archery, swimming, sports, crafts, games, BMX biking and more.

Wood Badge is a six-day advanced leadership course offered several times per year for Scout leaders involved in all program levels. Wood Badge is some of the best (and definitely the most fun!) leadership training found anywhere. Leadership skills developed through Wood Badge will make you a more effective leader at work, in Scouting at home and in other volunteer roles. During the course, participants define their personal vision of success for their Scouting position, and then outline five significant goals to bring that vision to life.

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed six-day council-level program designed to provide Scouts who are 13 years and older with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Content is delivered in a unit and small group outdoor setting with an emphasis on immediate application of learning in a fun environment. Courses are held in June and December. Courses fill up early.

Scout Days are opportunities for Scouts to receive discounts on events with our community partners such as Scout Day with the Houston Astros, Schlitterbahn Galveston, Monster Jam, Harlem Globetrotters and more.