It's time to think ahead into the next century and mark your calendars for the 2001 National Scout Jamboree. The first Jamboree of the new millennium will be held July 23 -August 1, 2001 at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia.  First Class Scouts at least 12 years old by July 1, 2001 and not older than age 18 before September 1, 2001 will be eligible to submit applications later this year.  Although nearly two years away, now is the time for all Scouts and Leaders with interest in the Jamboree to start fund raising planning and saving money for this premiere Scouting event.  Imagine yourself as one of the over 38,000 Scouts attending from 300 different Councils all over the country.

For the first time, the jamboree will feature two official patches: a red bordered patch for participants and junior staff under 18 years of age and a gold-bordered patch for adult staff members.

Participation costs have not yet been determined but will be determined by the council jamboree committee.  The cost will include the jamboree fee, travel and tour expenses, meals, lodging, unit and patrol equipment, accident and sickness insurance, and the cost of pre-jamboree training.

Applications for Adult Jamboree Staff positions are currently available at the Scout Office.  Volunteer Scouters are also needed to fill positions on the Jamboree Committee. Please call Ron Gabriel 949-0495 if interested.

HEB Venture Camp

A special Venture encampment will be held during the weekend of December 10-12, at the HEB Foundation Camp near Leakey, Texas. Leadership Training, fellowship, and fun, are the order of the day at this Camp. Campers will stay in cabins and will participate in games designed to promote shared leadership and individual decision making. Program training will include Venture Leadership and Ad- vancement, and will have special workshops on specialized topics like land navigation. For more information on this exciting Camp; Contact David Chapman at (915) 655-7107 or (800) 321-7107.

NOMINATIONS DUE FOR
ADULT RECOGNITION

Every one who volunteers for Scouting should receive the maximum of recognition.  There are always those who stand out even among the best.  To recognize these individuals the council has two primary awards, the Silver Beaver Award and the District Award of Merit.

Annually the Council recognizes three from our 1,800 adult leaders with the Silver Beaver Award and each district recognizes from one to four with the District Award of Merit.   Applications for both these awards are available at the Council Service Center.

The Texas Friends of Scouting is the program chosen be the executive board to provide a means of balancing the council budget.  We organize interested community and unit leaders to go out and ask our “friends” to consider a donation for program support through the FOS program.

The campaign begins with each board member invited to participate followed by an effort to invite Major donors to invest.  In January we ask each community to organize a campaign to ask for community leaders and business to invest.  This is followed by a campaign to inform parents of scouts of the program and invite participation.

In 1999 the budget totals $595,400 and the Friends of Scouting objective is $168,400.  To date the program totals $142,000.  All donations are accepted.

SCOUTING FOR FOOD

October 16, 1999 many scouts will assist local feeding organizations by gathering canned and box foods to support local effort to feed the hungry.  This year the Concho Valley Council is cooperating with the El Camino Girl Scout Council .  This cooperative effort will produce an efficient effort to collect the maximum amount of food.

In many communities scouts will distribute bags to neighborhood homes, ask residents to place food items in the bags and return to collect the food.  In San Angelo the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will divide the major grocery stores and ask members to serve two hour shifts and pass out bags at the door.  The shoppers will be asked to purchase food items and place them into the special bags provided.

More information will be provided at upcoming roundtables.

CUB TOWN PLANNED AT 
CAMP SOL MAYER

The Executive Board has voted to develop Cub Town at Camp Sol Mayer.  The concept of a town will allow Cub Scouts and their leaders to come to camp and conduct a planned program which will result in fun and learning.

The “Town” will be located on the East side of camp.  It will be entered from the present road going to the rifle range. An entrance way will lead to a new parking lot.  From the lot a new 200’ square shelter will be seen with an office, health lodge, rest rooms and a small kitchen.   Located around the building will be a fort, castle, ship and a silver mine as the prime facilities.  Between these sites will be a fire station, funeral parlor, bank, jail, barber shop, hotel, chapel, and livery stable.

When completed the area will feature three pack camping sites with year round latrine facilities.  Each pack will reserve these sites through the scout office for weekend use.  Construction of these facilities will begin when funding is available.