Hello Thunderbird Family,
I hope everyone is fighting these allergies okay—I know they’ve definitely been getting the best of me lately! I’m excited to be back after our planning conference last week and will be following up on all your emails and communications as quickly as possible.
Roundtable Update
NO Roundtable in February due to the District Awards Banquet
Friday, February 6 — more details coming soon.
District Award Nominations are due January 23rd — and we are still missing submissions!
We will still offer Merit Badge Classes on February 5 if a counselor signs up.
I’ll work with Diana to notify the district by the Monday prior if we have instructors.
Sign up to teach Merit Badges:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePsFPeLQmsEctQxxrMpLL7qlrkKD6XHGE6EC30hgl_JqeyIA/viewform
VERY IMPORTANT – Paperwork Must Be Complete
If you are turning in:
- A new Adult Application
- A Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) certificate
- A Merit Badge Counselor form
ALL THREE must be submitted together.
If any part is missing, Tonya may not be able to process your application.
Please double-check before sending:
Adult Application SYT Certificate Merit Badge Counselor Form
If you’re a new Merit Badge Counselor or haven’t updated your form in a while, please CC me when you submit it so I can make sure it’s handled correctly in the office.
University of Scouting — Don’t Miss This!
The University of Scouting is one of the best training events of the year. Come for just the morning or stay all day—learn serious topics or just have fun!
We are aware of the possible weather this weekend and will keep everyone posted on any changes.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Austin Community College – Highland Campus
6101 Highland Campus Dr, Austin, TX 78752
$25 (Lunch optional for an additional fee)
There are classes in different “colleges” every year—from STEM to Dutch Oven Cooking to Skits & Songs—and topics you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re a new leader, I highly recommend attending.
Event Page:
https://www.capitolareascouting.org/training/adult/university-of-scouting/
Also, our new director and I will be teaching a Friends of Scouting Presenter Training there. This is the first step toward earning those Presenter Ghost Patches—I’d love to see more Thunderbird presenters join us!
Friends of Scouting Momentum — WE ARE AT 40%!
I want to give a huge thank-you to everyone who helped in any way with Friends of Scouting.
Thunderbird District is already at 40% of our 2026 goal — leading the way by a landslide!
This is a BIG deal, and I truly believe we can crush this goal early if we keep the momentum going.
One of the most important tools is Friends of Scouting Presentations.
If you haven’t scheduled one yet, please fill out this form:
Schedule a Presentation:
https://forms.gle/wnqFp7FpAXtpjzE18
We’ll be coordinating visits with all units and keeping new commissioners informed of meeting dates as well.
If you, your family, or even your business would like to help us push past 40%:
Donate Here:
https://givebutter.com/friendsofscouting
Let’s knock this goal out of the park ASAP!
Thank you all for your patience, your leadership, and everything you do for Thunderbird District. I’m excited to be back in the swing of things and grateful to serve alongside each of you.
Yours in Scouting,
Sherrick West | Thunderbird District Executive
Hello Thunderbird Family,
I hope everyone is fighting these allergies okay—I know they’ve definitely been getting the best of me lately! I’m excited to be back after our planning conference last week and will be following up on all your emails and communications as quickly as possible.
Roundtable Update
- NO Roundtable in February due to the District Awards Banquet Friday, February 6 — more details coming soon. District Award Nominations are due January 23rd — and we are still missing submissions!
- We will still offer Merit Badge Classes on February 5 if a counselor signs up.
I’ll work with Diana to notify the district by the Monday prior if we have instructors.
Sign up to teach Merit Badges:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePsFPeLQmsEctQxxrMpLL7qlrkKD6XHGE6EC30hgl_JqeyIA/viewform
VERY IMPORTANT – Paperwork Must Be Complete
If you are turning in:
- A new Adult Application
- A Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) certificate
- A Merit Badge Counselor form
ALL THREE must be submitted together.
If any part is missing, Tonya may not be able to process your application.
Please double-check before sending: Adult Application SYT Certificate Merit Badge Counselor Form
If you’re a new Merit Badge Counselor or haven’t updated your form in a while, please CC me when you submit it so I can make sure it’s handled correctly in the office.
University of Scouting — Don’t Miss This!
The University of Scouting is one of the best training events of the year. Come for just the morning or stay all day—learn serious topics or just have fun!
We are aware of the possible weather this weekend and will keep everyone posted on any changes.
Saturday, January 24, 2026 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Austin Community College – Highland Campus
6101 Highland Campus Dr, Austin, TX 78752 $25 (Lunch optional for an additional fee)
There are classes in different “colleges” every year—from STEM to Dutch Oven Cooking to Skits & Songs—and topics you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re a new leader, I highly recommend attending.
Event Page:
https://www.capitolareascouting.org/training/adult/university-of-scouting/
Also, our new director and I will be teaching a Friends of Scouting Presenter Training there. This is the first step toward earning those Presenter Ghost Patches—I’d love to see more Thunderbird presenters join us!
Friends of Scouting Momentum — WE ARE AT 40%!
I want to give a huge thank-you to everyone who helped in any way with Friends of Scouting.
Thunderbird District is already at 40% of our 2026 goal — leading the way by a landslide!
This is a BIG deal, and I truly believe we can crush this goal early if we keep the momentum going.
One of the most important tools is Friends of Scouting Presentations.
If you haven’t scheduled one yet, please fill out this form:
Schedule a Presentation:
https://forms.gle/wnqFp7FpAXtpjzE18
We’ll be coordinating visits with all units and keeping new commissioners informed of meeting dates as well.
If you, your family, or even your business would like to help us push past 40%:
Donate Here:
https://givebutter.com/friendsofscouting
Let’s knock this goal out of the park ASAP!
Thank you all for your patience, your leadership, and everything you do for Thunderbird District. I’m excited to be back in the swing of things and grateful to serve alongside each of you.
Yours in Scouting,
Sherrick West | Thunderbird District Executive
