SHAC International Scouting

Shout out to Scouts from Red Wolf and Phoenix Districts who conducted the opening flag ceremony for a recent performance at the Alley Theater!

While the performance tells the story of incredibly brave Nisei Japanese (second generation, born in the U.S.) soliders, who experienced prejudice at home, the underlying theme of the performance was that our country is built on its ideals of liberty, equality, justice, and opportunity, without regard to race, religion, or ethnicity.

It was an excellent show that continues to tour the country. More info here...https://definingcourageshow.com/.

Twenty six Scouts & Scouters from Hong Kong arrived in Houston yesterday to a warm welcome from members of the SHAC International Committee who made sure there was food in their bellies and plenty of snacks & drinks for all. Tired as they were after 20+ hours travel, the HK Scouts were excited to meet some counterparts and before long the AirBnB was filled with laughter and song. And, when they found out it was Sophia's birthday, they celebrated with her by singing Happy Birthday in both English and Chinese...very special! Tonight the contingent took in an Astros game. They have an ambitious schedule while here including museums, a tour of Rice University, a day trip to Space Center Houston, a troop visit, and more. And then, they'll be off to Dallas for the real reason they came to Texas...to see the Total Eclipse on April 8th. More fun to come...

Today we celebrate the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell. He was many things during his lifetime – a very famous British military officer, an author of best-selling books, a teacher, but he is most well-known today as the founder of the Scouting Movement.

Baden-Powell’s idea was that boys should organize themselves into small, natural subgroups of six or seven, with a boy leader overseeing each group—the patrol and patrol leader structure. Their training would encompass various skills including tracking, reconnaissance, mapping, signaling, knotting, first aid, and other abilities derived from camping and similar outdoor activities. To become a scout, a boy would pledge to be loyal to his country, assist others, and uphold the scout law, which embodies a simple code of chivalrous behavior easily grasped by young boys.

This fundamental scouting framework has endured over time. In every country where scouting exists, it features a scout oath or promise and a scout law, with slight variations reflecting national traditions and cultural nuances. There is also a strong emphasis on outdoor pursuits and the enjoyment of activities like camping, swimming, sailing, climbing, and canoeing. Scouts undergo progressive training and earn badges as they acquire new skills, with the practice of performing a daily good deed being encouraged. Symbolically, scouts use the left-handed handshake, wear the fleur-de-lis badge, and adopt the motto "Be Prepared." These elements collectively form the essence of scouting worldwide.

His final message to Scouts to be shared after his death is one that resonates even today.

… the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it…

To all my Scouting friends…Happy Founder’s Day & Happy Thinking Day!

I am thankful for the many Scouting friends I have made around the world, and to my very good friends right here in Sam Houston Area Council! What about you?

The Peace Light is coming to Josey Scout Lodge on December 14 @ 7:00pm. For more info, check the website... https://www.peacelightnorthamerica.org/.

Interested in Scouting around the world? Want to learn how to incorporate International Scouting as part of your program, whether its Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA or beyond? Join us at the University of Scouting this Saturday, Nov. 18. It's not too late to register for our class and the many others offered. Click here to learn more and register... https://shacbsa.org/university-of-scouting

Last weekend was the annual JOTA-JOTI weekend, which is the largest Scouting event in the world each year. Here locally, on Saturday, Sam Houston Area Council hosted its annual International Scouting Day event. Activities included Jamboree-on-the Internet (chatting with Scouts from over 60 countries); Jamboree-on-the-Air with HAM radios; language fluency testing for the Interpreter Strip award; Messengers of Peace & World Friendship Fund Collection; and launching a solar-powered, radio transmitter balloon which we will track on its journey around the globe. In addition, there were lots of displays of international scouting memorabilia, and information about how to organize an international Scouting trip, International Scouting Awards, and the International Peace Light. And, on Friday and Saturday evening, there were Zoom meetings with Scouts from Chiba, Japan. Tons of fun for all! Mark your calendar for 2024…the third weekend in October…see you then!

Even though the 2023 JOTA-JOTI weekend has ended, you can access much of the show and lots of other interesting content on-demand at the World Scouting YouTube site (https://www.youtube.com/).

Here's the JOTA-JOTI Closing Show...

https://www.youtube.com/

World Scouting - YouTube The World Organization of the Scout Movement is an international, non-governmental organization composed of its recognized national Scout organizations. Its ...

Last week the World Scout Foundation held their 75th BP Fellowship Event in Kandersteg🇨🇭

Members of Boy Scouts of America (including Scott Sorrels, National Commissioner, and Lou Paulson, International Commissioner) joined over 250 Baden Powell Fellows, Scouts, and guests for several days of programming as part of

Pictured here are members of BSA presenting a gift to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre for their 100th anniversary

Was invited to the Iron Horse District Roundtable meeting tonight to present information about International Scouting (thanks Swee!). As we know, International Scouting is not just the World Jamboree! And, with the JOTA-JOTI weekend just a few short weeks away (third weekend in October), it was a perfect opportunity to promote SHAC's International Scouting Day event that will take place on October 21, 10am-3pm at the council offices. By the way, the JOTA-JOTI event (https://www.jotajoti.info/) is the largest Scouting event in the world each year, with over 1.5 million Scouts participating! Other topics included the revised Messengers of Peace program, the International Peace Light, International Scouting awards, and upcoming International Scouting travel adventures to Japan, Scotland, and Iceland.

If your district would like to learn how to bring International Scouting elements into their units' programs, add a comment below and someone will be in touch!

Please spread the word...share on your personal and district Facebook/social media!

It was wonderful to see all those who were able to attend the SHAC International Committee meeting and summer social last Saturday. A huge thank you goes out to Craig & Roberta McPhie for generously hosting us at their home.

Our business meeting covered a lot of ground. The next significant event will be the International Scouting Day/Jamboree on the Air-Jamboree on the Internet (JOTA-JOTI) on October 21, taking place at the council offices. If you're interested in getting involved in this event or any other International Scouting endeavors, please feel free to leave a comment below or utilize the QR code to subscribe to our newsletter.

The International Committee participated in the Japan Festival on May 6-7, showcasing the ongoing relationship between Chiba Council (Japan) and Sam Houston Area Council, specifically through the Houston-Chiba Scout Exchange program that began in 1984. Festival-goers enjoyed crossing the Rope Bridge and writing the Japanese word for "Friend" on wooden keepsakes adorned with Messengers of Peace ribbon. Talked to many folks about fun & benefits ("Fun with a Purpose") of our Scouting program and the international adventures possible at Kandersteg, in Chiba, of course, and around the world! Thanks to more than 50 Scout volunteers that made our participation in the event possible! Fun times for all!

Go International! Earn Scout Service hours! Have Fun - all at the Houston Japanese Festival Scout Booth!

JAPAN FESTIVAL - MAY 6-7, 10AM-6PM
The 50th anniversary of the Houston-Chiba (Japan) sister city relationship will be celebrated at the Japan Festival on May 6-7 at Hermann Park. SHAC International Committee will have a booth showcasing the Houston-Chiba Scout Exchange program, which is almost as old (40 years in 2024)! Over 30,000 people attend the festival, which includes entertainment from Japan, food and cultural activities all weekend. Scouts have the opportunity to earn Service Hours toward rank advancement. We do need assistance overseeing the activities at the booth. You can sign up for a two-hour shift, then enjoy the festival afterwards. More info in the flyer below.

Access the Signup Genius volunteer registration page by clicking this link... https://tinyurl.com/35jnfs4j.

JAPAN FESTIVAL - MAY 6-7, 10AM-6PM
The 50th anniversary of the Houston-Chiba (Japan) sister city relationship will be celebrated at the Japan Festival on May 6-7 at Hermann Park. SHAC International Committee will have a booth showcasing the Houston-Chiba Scout Exchange program, which is almost as old (40 years in 2024)! Over 30,000 people attend the festival, which includes entertainment from Japan, food and cultural activities all weekend. Scouts have the opportunity to earn Service Hours toward rank advancement. We do need assistance overseeing the activities at the booth. You can sign up for a two-hour shift, then enjoy the festival afterwards. More info in the flyer below.

Access the Signup Genius volunteer registration page by clicking this link... https://tinyurl.com/35jnfs4j.

Come join us on April 1 & share this with your Scouting network!

KISC-JOTI, Feb. 19-26 ...a week of fun filled with online events, live shows, webinars, opportunities to earn digital awards, and much more. Meet Scouts from around the globe. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kandersteg International Scout Center, the home of the "Permanent Mini-Jamboree" that BP envisioned after the first World Jamboree. Registration required, but no cost to participate (https://www.kiscjoti.info/). Please pass along this info to your Scouting friends!

We planted a Burr Oak tree near the Canoe Launch at Bovay Scout Ranch in memory of a great scouter and friend to so many... Jack Metcalfe. Hopefully this tree will be watching scouts launch canoes here for many, many years to come...

We can officially broaden our horizons...

International Travel Ban Lifted:
BSA's ban on international travel has been lifted. As your units prepare to travel internationally please have them refer to https://www.scouting.org/international/events/ for resources on planning an international trip.

Procedures for International Visitors Attending BSA Events:
Several councils have had international Scouts and units reach out to them requesting to attend events and summer camps in the US. There are several items that should be completed prior to their approval to attend. The most important step is obtaining a roster of those planning to attend your camp or event. Once you have obtained the roster please send to [email protected]. The International Department will contact the National Scout Organization (NSO) to verify that those attending are in good standing with their NSO. Each attendee 18 or older will also need to complete the BSA’s Youth Protection training. For additional requirements on this topic visithttps://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Inviting-Internationals-to-Camp.pdf

Video | Ukraine Army Uses Boy Scouts Network To Keep Frontline Soldiers Supplied News Sports Business Celebrities Auto Exclusive Features Food Environment Fashion Travel Tech Viral i-Witness Elections Mindspace Comedy Property Art Beauty Style

WOSM statement on the situation in Ukraine French SpanishThe World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is deeply concerned by the military operation towards Ukraine and the overall deteriorating security situation in the region.&nbs

Jack Metcalfe was one of my instructors when I took IOLS as a Cub leader prepping for the Scouts BSA program. I recall having several long conversations with him that weekend about the Boy Scout program (as it was called then). Every Scouter should have been so fortunate as I was to have Jack talk me through the transition from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. Jack was there for an untold number of us. Let's all turnout for his memorial service next Saturday, Feb 26 (location details below). If you have questions, leave them in the Comments section below.

Karla Taylor Christian will be hosting a Peace Light sharing event at the Council offices on Dec. 15. This would be a fabulous opportunity to invite Scouts/Scouters, as well as non-Scouters to participate in this event. It is open to the public and there is no cost to attend. In case you are not familiar with the event, check the website (https://peacelightnorthamerica.org/) for additional information. A brief description of the International Peace Light is provided below.

The Peace Light is an eternal flame originating at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Similar to the Olympic flame, it is spread around the world with a message of peace and brotherhood. Each year, a child fetches the flame into blast-proof lamps which are flown from Tel Aviv to Vienna, Austria then on to New York City. Delegations from many churches, Scout groups, and other youth organizations receive the Peace Light at a service at John F. Kennedy Airport, then spread the flame and its message of peace and brotherhood across the North American continent.

It's now easier to send SHAC International Scouting a message.

JOTI@SHAC made contact with scouts from 41 difference NSO's (National Scout Organizations), AKA scouts from 41 difference countries. And I probably missed recording a few on our google tracking map. And JOTA-JOTI is still going all weekend around the world!