Annual Reports

Our Leadership

Dear Friends,

Through your support and leadership, 2024 was a successful year for Scouting in Southeast Texas.

The Sam Houston Area Council served over 28,600 youth through traditional Scouting, career-based Exploring and ScoutReach programs. Partnering with new chartered organizations, we saw an increase in units over last year. Our council also had over 800 Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

2024 saw a year focused on increasing youth membership and increasing adult participation. The council added over 7,000 new Scouts and over 2,100 new volunteers.

As we continue to be on the cutting edge in program innovation, we have formalized a number of Corporate Partnerships in order to create dynamic program offerings for our Scouts, preparing them for future careers in critical fields.

All these successes were made possible by the tireless effort from over 10,000 volunteers. Thanks to your support and dedication to Scouting, we continue to lead youth to life-long values and a commitment to service and achievement throughout our diverse community.

2024 Officers and Executive Committee

2024 Board of Directors

2024 Honorary Life Board

2024 Advisory Board

 *District Chair

Our Youth

28,603 Total youth served

2024 Highlights

Youth Served and Volunteers
28,603	Total youth served
10,778	Registered volunteer adult leaders
Finance
$11,156,673	Operating expense
$390	Estimated dollar amount per Scout to support youth in Scouting and Exploring
	*Numbers reflected are unaudited
Program
811	Eagle Scouts
6,013	Cub Scouts attended Weekend Adventure Camps
2,442	Scouts attended Summer and Winter Camp activities
160,000+	Community service hours performed by Scouts, Explorers, and leaders

Investment in the Community

ScoutReach: The council remains committed to investing in the ScoutReach Initiative, which focuses on serving youth in our most underserved neighborhoods. In 2024, the Sam Houston Area Council invested $867,381 to deliver a Scouting program to 6,443 youth in 22 underserved schools in at-risk communities.

Results from a 2024 survey show our school principals agree that ScoutReach works...

• 100% Because Scouting is a character-building program, my students are better able to deal with peer pressure.
• 96%  The Scouting curriculum is helping students build self-esteem.
• 96% Consistently repeating and practicing The Scout Oath and Law is helping my student's behavior.
• 92%   Scouting helps motivate better student attendance.

Forging Partnerships

In 2024, we established strategic partnerships with leading corporations such as EOG, NOV, Citgo, Transocean, NASA, and Space Center Houston. Our goal is to prepare future generations of corporate leaders in fields like STEM, aviation, aerospace, and technology. These collaborations will allow us to develop a variety of engaging and dynamic programs tailored specifically for our Scouts. These programs will enhance their learning experiences and encourage them to pursue careers in various fields.

NASA and the Sam Houston Area Council signed a Space Act Agreement, marking the first collaboration between NASAs Office of STEM Engagement (NASA OSTEM) and a Scouting Council. This agreement provides Scouts with access to premier Science, Technology; Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs and supports NASAs mission to prepare the next generation of explorers while enhancing youth education.

Through this partnership, Scouts will gain a deeper understanding of the academic requirements of the aerospace industry and engage with NASA to widely share information about its activities and outcomes. Scouts will have the opportunity to participate in the NASA Stars & STEM Program, which offers an in-depth look at current science and projects being developed at NASA. Additionally, Scouts will enjoy a behind­ the-scenes tour of NASA, partake in a robotics workshop, tackle the HUET Survival Challenge, meet an astronaut, communicate with the International Space Station (ISS}, and participate in many other exciting activities.

A Scout is Helpful

Outdoor Learning

Outdoor adventure is the promise made to Scouts when they join Scouting. Scouts yearn for outdoor programs that stir their imagination and interest.

Camp Strake

Camp Strake is a first-class and state-of-the-art facility for Scouts and their leaders. Program areas include shooting sports, climbing, rappelling, boating, swimming, ATV riding, ziplining, and more.

1,825 Scouts attended summer and winter camp at Camp Strake in 2023.

• Summer camp is a week-long council-organized overnight camp for Scouts BSA that operates under council-retained leadership. The program provides opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail.

• Winter camp is held between Christmas and New Year's Day. Merit badge classes are taught by Scouters with real-life experiences in the field. Over 80 merit badge classes are offered.

• Full Throttle is a weekend event for troops, crews, and ships. Scouts could participate in multiple program areas such as range and target activities (rifle, shotgun, archery), climbing, COPE (high-ropes course), swimming, ziplining, boating (canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, rowboats), and ATV riding. 

• Aquatics Day is an event for Scouts in troops, crews, and ships to participate in canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, rowboats, and swimming in the pool and the obstacle course. 

• Webelos & Arrow of Light Quest is a summer campout for 4^th & 5^th graders to earn advancement, learn Scout skills and be introduced to the many outdoor adventures of Scouts BSA. 

• Many district trainings, Trail to Troop, camporees and council events such as University of Scouting, Sea Scout events, Order of the Arrow events are held at Camp Strake.

Bovay Scout Ranch 

Bovay Scout Ranch is located three miles south of Navasota. The 1,488 acres are a natural paradise for plants and wildlife with several lakes teaming with a variety of fish. Nature study, bugs, animal tracks and conservation are vital elements of the camp program. George Lake offers paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, and rafting. The water park is the center of swimming and fun activities. Scouts also enjoy field sports, BMX, archery and rifles. Programs include:

• Resident camp is a three-night campout for Cub Scouts and includes activities such as riding BMX bikes, shooting archery and BB guns, playing sports, canoeing, fishing, making crafts, learning about STEM, exploring nature, stargazing, branding, and splashing in the pool.
   
• Adventure camp is an overnight, full program camp for all family members and includes an exciting variety of activities at several program areas and food service in the camp’s air-conditioned dining hall. Staff members provide program supplies and assist parents in leading the activities.

• Overnighters are available to packs or Webelos dens. Groups plan their own activities and cook their own food. Campsites, restrooms, and showers are available.
   
• Districts trainings and events such as Trail to Troop and council events such as Fun with Family, Webelos Coyote Extreme, Venturing Challenge, and the Cub Scout Fishing Derby are held at Bovay Scout Ranch.

Tellepsen Scout Ranch

Tellepsen Scout Camp is located at Bovay Scout Ranch and has eight campsites. Each campsite has a pavilion and one shower and restroom facility for every two campsites.

The rifle range consists of four 50-yard high-powered rifle stations, four 100-yard high-powered rifle stations, a five-station shotgun trap range, eight shooting stations for .22 rifles and pistols and an archery range. The climbing tower has four rappelling stations of 11 feet, 22 feet, 32 feet, and 41 feet. Programs include:

• Weekend camping for troops, ships and crews. 
   
• District camporees, Trail to Troop and trainings

Camp Brosig

Camp Brosig is available for weekend camping year-round. With 20 campsites, a large covered pavilion and meeting room are available and are used regularly for district camp-outs. This 92-acre property is located six miles north of Sealy, Texas in Austin County. Programs include:

• Weekend camping for troops, ships and crews. 
   
• Districts trainings and events such as Trail to Troop and camporees.
   
• Overnighters are available to packs or Webelos dens. Groups plan their own activities and cook their own food. Campsites, restrooms, and showers are available.

Day Camps

Cub Scout day camps are held throughout the council in June. The camps depend heavily on parents and volunteer leaders to spearhead the programming. Cubs Scouts participate in shooting BB guns and archery, playing sports and games, making crafts, learning Scout skills, participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and earning rank advancements.

Producing Leaders

Eagle Scouts

The 2024 Eagle Scout class consisted of 811 Eagle Scouts.

Honoring Volunteers

Council Recognition Reception

The Sam Houston Area Council is grateful to our over 10,000 volunteer adult leaders. The Sam Houston Area Council presented the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader before the annual Key Leaders Conference.

Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. This is the highest recognition a council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader.

2024 Silver Beaver Recipients:

Financial Support

Supporters

Annually, the Sam Houston Area Council invests over $390 in each of our Scouts through programs and services. Thank you to the following leadership-level supporters: