Learn to Sail

5 Week Sailing Course
Begins Wednesday, May 2 at 6:00 PM
Texas Trails Council Service Center, 3811 N. 1st, Abilene, TX 79603
Only 10 Spots Remaining
Subsequent lessons will be at the Abilene Sailing Association on either Wednesday's or Friday's
Youth under 20 are free - Adults are $50 each or $50 per family
Reserve your spot with Mark Sutphen at (325) 665-6945 or msutphen@batjer.com

Face to Face Youth Protection

Thursday, May 10 - Wylie Baptist Church, Abilene
Thursday, May 17 - First Baptist Church, Eastland
Thursday, May 24 - First United Methodist Church, Stephenville

BSA revised the youth protection course in February. Learn More about these changes.

20th Annual Sporting Clays Classic - April 21, 2018

View Team and Individual Scores

View Team Photos on Facebook

Thank You to our Sponsors and Volunteers

STAR Dodge/Hyundai
Rentech Systems
Rentech Services
Harris Acoustics
Wolfe & Co
Ben E. Keith Beverages
First National Bank, Abilene
Atmos Energy
Bluff Cree Petroleum, LLC
First National Bank
Crop Production Services
John & Carolyn Beckham
Stephens Wild Game
H. Miller Richert, M.D., F.C.P.A.
Robert Grimes
CBS Insurance, LLP
County Waste Services
Dean Hagler, LTD
Stone Fest Shooters
Dearing Veterinary Clinic
Austin King, M.D.
West Texas Rehab
West Texas Mobility
Retrievers Sporting Clays
Knights of Columbus Council 2163
Volunteers from
- David Gabrielle, CMSgt, Fire Chief, 7 CES/CEF, Dyess AFB, TX
- Dyess We Care
- Cisco Fire Academy
- Members of Texas Trails Council, BSA

Nuts for Scouting - Pickup on Friday
If your unit participated in Nuts for Scouting, you may pickup your order at the Council Service Center on Friday, April 27. Please contact the office if you have any questions. (325) 677-2688

Local Scouts Attend Concave

29 members of Penateka Lodge attended Conclave at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch, April 20-22 near Bridgeport, Texas. 16 youth and 12 adults participated in a great weekend of training, fellowship, and fun. Highlights included the

F-16 Flight Simulators
Blacksmith Shop
Civil War Re-enactment
Pow-Wow
Ceremonies Competitions
Shooting Sports
Climbing Tower
Vigil Rededication Ceremony
Patch Trading
Leadership Training

Elections were held Sunday for the 2018-2019 Section Officers. New officers are: Connor Schee, Chief; Brody Humphries, Vice Chief; and Nate Humphries, Secretary. These officers will lead Southern Region Section 2 at the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC), October business meeting, January TRIAD, and the 2019 Conclave.

The Council of Chiefs voted to have the 2019 Conclave at George W. Pirtle Scout Reservation on the banks of Lake Murval southwest of Carthage, TX.

SR-2 Facebook

Scouts Meet BSA Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh
5 youth from Penateka Lodge had the pleasure of eating lunch with Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh at the Very Important Arrowmen lunch. Pictured here are

Michael Surbaugh (seated)
Slade Young, 2017-2018 SR2 Section Chief (standing behind Mr. Surbaugh)
Cameron Taylor
Riley Bilbrey
Hadyn Johnson
Leif Johnson
Clayton Dement (not pictured)

Mr. Surbaugh addressed adults and other youth members later that day. Arrowmen in attendance received a special Chief Scout Executive patch.

Summer Camp Fees Deadlines

Please remember the following dates:

Space Day Camp - $75 - Due May 31 (late fee of $15 due after May 31)
Boy Scout Summer Camp - $245 - Due May 31 (late fee of $50 applies after May 31)
Webelos and Cub Scout Resident Camp - $125 - Due May 31 (late fee of $50 applies after May 31)

Boy Scout Summer Camp

June 3-9 - Staff Week
June 10-16 - Boy Scout Camp Week 1
June 17-23 - Boy Scout Camp Week 2
June 24-30 - Boy Scout Camp Week 3

Learn More

Camp Tonkawa

June 11-15 | Day Camp @ Camp Tonkawa
June 17-21 | Webelos Resident Camp @ Camp Tonkawa
June 24-28 | Resident Camp @ Camp Tonkawa

Old Comanche Trail District

June 10-12 - Old Comanche Trail Eastland
June 14-16 - Old Comanche Trail Stephenville

Pecan Valley District

June 17-19 - Pecan Valley Brownwood
June 21-23 - Pecan Valley Lometa

Learn More

Penateka Lodge Spring Fellowship
May 18-20 | Camp Billy Gibbons

Please join us as we prepare Camp Billy Gibbons for the 2018 summer camp programs. This will be the last opportunity for the 2017 Ordeal Candidates to become members of the Order. Brotherhood will also be available. Learn More

The lodge will provide lunch to those who come out for Donkey Day on Saturday.

Nuts For Scouting
Thank you for your participation in this successful fundraiser. 14 units participated for a combined total of $12,275 (total sales).

Congratulations to the top sellers from each district:

Buffalo Mountain - Troop 206 - $860 total sales
Old Comanche Trail - Pack 23 - $2,635 total sales
Pecan Valley - Pack 14 - $1,625 total sales

Kiwanis Pancake Day - April 28
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Abilene Convention Center

Volunteers are needed to help bus tables, serve drinks, refill syrup bottles, and other duties. Please contact Mark Young if you or your unit are interested in volunteering - (325) 672-1712 or markabgc@yahoo.com.

Also, tickets are available for $5 each. You may purchase tickets from the Council Service Center.

Den Leader Specific Training - Saturday, April 28 - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Training will be held in Clyde at the James Beard Scout Hut, 300 Forest Rd (across the street from the Elementary school in Clyde). Training will be available to anyone in the council that wants to attend. Please contact James Whitehead if you are interested in this training. Call or text (325) 829-7808 or email jrwhitehead223@gmail.com.

NEW - Hazardous Weather Training
BSA has released a new online Hazardous Weather Training (SCO_800) that replaces WS81. Effective April 30, 2018 new direct contact leaders must complete Hazardous Weather Training to be considered position trained. Please review this website for more information.

Uniform Updates - Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos
Beginning in 2018, several rolling uniform transitions will begin taking place within Cub Scouts. To streamline the uniform process for parents, the rank insignia, neckerchief, hat, and Handbook/Leader Guide will begin to color coordinate for each rank.

Learn More

Lion is transitioning from a Pilot to an official Cub Scout rank and program beginning with the 2018-2019 program year. Recognizing the success of the national Lion pilot program, the Boy Scouts of America’s Board of Directors have approved integrating Lions into the Cub Scout program. This will empower chartered partners with packs to offer the experience to kindergarten-age children nationwide.

Learn More About The Transition

Other Reference Material

Dyess AFB "Eyes Above The Horizon" Outreach Event

On Saturday, May 5th from 7:45 AM to 5:00 PM, LFA will be hosting its unique 1-Day Outreach and Flight Introduction Program, “Eyes Above The Horizon,” for students ages 10-17.

Eyes Above the Horizon is an outreach and flight orientation program designed to inspire youth to reach beyond their familiar circumstances. This program gives under-represented and minority youth an opportunity to develop and foster an interest in aerospace careers through flight introductions, mentorship, and immersion into the rich history and LEGACY of the Tuskegee Airmen. No previous aviation experience is necessary and space is limited. Learn More

Adult Adventure Weekend @ Summit Bechtel Reserve
June 20-24
Attention adult leaders! Unleash Your Inner Scout! Programs Include Aerial, Wheels, Water, Shooting, Biking, Rafting, Evening Workshops and More.

Reserve Your Adventure

Southern Region Week @ Philmont
July 8-16
The Southern Region invites all council, district & unit volunteers to join them for a special week of training. They will present several courses including:

Council Key 3
District Key 3
Welcoming Girls – Family Scouting
Leading Diversity
Visual Storytelling-Marketing the Stories of Scouting
Strengthening Leadership Teams

Unable to attend Week 5? Philmont has many options to fit your schedule.

Learn More

NEW - Philmont Family Adventure
The new Philmont Family Adventure is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Philmont Scout Ranch like never before. This adventure is open to all registered members of the BSA and their families. Activities include hiking, rock climbing, crafts, shooting sports, and horseback riding.

Learn More

Family Scouting - What Do I Need to Know?
The Cub Scout program is now available for Boys and Girls. In 2019, a program will be available for older Girls, allowing them to earn the Eagle Scout Rank. By welcoming both boys and girls to the program, even more youth will have access to the character development and values-based leadership that Scouting promises and be better prepared for future success.

How will the new programs work? How can I prepare? Check out the Family Scouting website for more information.

Learn More About Family Scouting

VenturingFest 2018 - July 1 to 6 - Summit Bechtel Reserve
VenturingFest is a special Scouting event open to registered Venturers, Scouts and adult leaders across the U.S. This six-day high-adventure festival invites participants to explore the Summit. Activities include rock climbing, skateboarding, BMX biking, water sports, shooting sports, zip lines, challenge courses, and so much more!

Learn More

Summit Adventure Leadership Training
The Summit Adventure Leadership Training (SALT) provides an opportunity for Scouts and Venturers to enjoy the adventures available at the Summit Bechtel Reserve and learn how to be a high adventure champion in their units, district and council. Several dates are available.

Learn More

July 22 to August 9, 2019
Summit Bechtel Reserve - West Virginia, USA

Learn More

New Scouting Mobile App

BSA recently released the new Scouting App for Android and iPhone.

Features

Track a Scout’s advancement
Track logs like service hours, hiking, and camping
View parent and/or Scout profile
Provide parent access to your Scouts’ accounts

Learn More

Updated Youth Protection Training
In early February, the BSA introduced newly updated youth protection training that is required for all volunteers before October 1, 2018. Even if they took the previous training prior to the February rollout, it will need to be taken it again.

Learn More