Scouting America - Texas Southwest Council

07/12/2026

Order of the Arrow member? Want a very affordable trip to Northern Tier?

The Order of the Arrow Wilderness Voyage program is an experience like no other! For two weeks, you will join together with Arrowmen from around the country and experience all that the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota has to offer.

07/11/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐞.🌍
The Citizenship in the World merit badge now has a digital resource guide, packed with interactive videos, downloadable activity templates and career connections to bring the badge to life beyond the pamphlet.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞. 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨.
🔗 Link in first comment.

Photo: Shutterstock

07/11/2026

Stay up to date on the future of Scouting America's technology tools.

Scouting America's Technology Group is hosting two live Technology Update webinars to introduce Scoutconnect and discuss what's changing this fall.

Scoutconnect is the new technology initiative that will bring updates to BeAScout, Online Registration, and eventually My.Scouting and Scoutbook+.

Join one of these free sessions to learn what's new, what to expect, and how these updates will support volunteers and Scouting units.

Monday, July 20 | 7:00 PM Central :

26c086d9-aa47-4848-be84-3ccb95d78a9a@fd9008a0-7846-4989-a4c5-77cfad3f7e4e" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/26c086d9-aa47-4848-be84-3ccb95d78a9a@fd9008a0-7846-4989-a4c5-77cfad3f7e4e

Thursday, August 13 | 7:00 PM Central :

eb61f82c-f9eb-4d33-b991-30e1a261728e@fd9008a0-7846-4989-a4c5-77cfad3f7e4e" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/eb61f82c-f9eb-4d33-b991-30e1a261728e@fd9008a0-7846-4989-a4c5-77cfad3f7e4e

We encourage all Scouting volunteers to attend and learn about the next generation of Scouting America's technology tools.

07/07/2026

On August 3, 2026, BeAScout will introduce an updated look and feel designed to better support prospective families. The enhanced experience will provide answers to common questions before families contact a unit, including:
• Estimated cost to join
• Unit meeting days and times
• Whether the unit charges additional dues
To support these improvements, several new fields have been added to the Unit Pin page in Organization Manager:
• Fundraising Helps Cover Costs
• Trial Visit Encouraged
• Unit Fee
• Meeting Schedule: Meeting Frequency, Meeting Day, Start Time, End Time
Beginning July 9, 2026, unit leaders can begin updating these fields within their Unit Pin settings.

Please log in and complete these updates prior to August 3, 2026, to ensure their unit details are accurate and fully displayed in the updated BeAScout experience.

NOTE: Changes to these fields in Unit Pin settings will not reflect until August 3, 2026.

07/06/2026

Great units don't happen by accident. They are built by youth leaders who are prepared, confident, and inspired to lead.

One of the best ways to strengthen a unit is to invest in the youth by encouraging them to attend the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE).

Held at Philmont Scout Ranch and The Summit, NAYLE is Scouting America's premier national youth leadership course. Designed for youth ages 14 to 20 who have completed National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), the course challenges participants through hands-on leadership experiences, ethical decision-making, problem-solving, team development, and servant leadership.

When Scouts return home, they bring more than great memories. They return with the confidence to lead, the skills to mentor younger Scouts, and fresh ideas that strengthen the entire unit. Whether serving as a Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Crew Officer, or Boatswain, these youth leaders help create a more engaging, youth-led program.

Leadership development is also one of the best membership retention strategies. Scouts who are challenged, empowered, and given meaningful leadership opportunities are more likely to stay involved. Their enthusiasm inspires others, improves the unit experience, and helps create a culture where both current and new members thrive.

Registration is now open for the 2027 NAYLE sessions at The Summit:

https://www.summitbsa.org/training/seven-day-conferences/nayle/

And, soon at Philmont:

https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/nayle/

Now is the perfect time to identify the next generation of youth leaders and encourage them to take the next step in their Scouting journey. Investing in one Scout's leadership development today can have a lasting impact on an entire unit tomorrow.

07/04/2026

07/02/2026

Beginning August 3, 2026, BeAScout will launch an updated experience designed to give prospective families the information they want before contacting a unit.

The goal is simple: make it easier for families to find the right Scouting unit and take the next step.

Starting July 9, unit leaders can update these new fields in their Unit Pin within Organization Manager:

💰 Fundraising Helps Cover Costs
Let families know if fundraising opportunities help offset the cost of participating.

👋 Trial Visit Encouraged
Show prospective families that they are welcome to attend a meeting before deciding to join.

🏷️ Unit Fee
Display any additional unit dues beyond the national membership fee.

📅 Meeting Schedule
• Meeting Frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc.)
• Meeting Day
• Meeting Start Time
• Meeting End Time

Please encourage your unit leaders to complete these updates before August 3 so families will see accurate, complete information when the new BeAScout experience goes live.

Please note: Any updates made to these new fields before August 3 will not appear on BeAScout until the new experience launches.

A complete Unit Pin helps families make informed decisions and take the first step into Scouting.

07/01/2026

Are you interested in working on Winter Camp staff? Sign up today to help us make camp awesome!

Winter Camp Staff RegistrationAs a camp staff member, you will be an integral part of the family that has made Camp Sol Mayer a successful and excitin