Hello Thunderbird Family,
We are heading into a BIG stretch of Scouting, so let’s kick things off with a quick look at what’s coming up:
Upcoming Events Snapshot
April 17–19 – Thunderbird District Camporee
May 2 – CAC Summer Kickoff @ Fickett Center
May 9 – University of Scouting & BALOO Mega Training
May 23 – Cub Fun Day
Camporee — This Weekend!
Camporee is finally here, and we are very excited to see everyone out there!
Weather Monitoring
We are closely monitoring the weather conditions. If a reschedule is required due to severe weather, we will notify everyone no later than Thursday at noon.
Burn Ban
Blanco County is currently under a burn ban, which means there is no use of the fire-pit area (as previously communicated).
We are hopeful that with some rain between now and the event, conditions may improve, and the burn ban could be lifted — but for now, please plan accordingly.
Required Forms
Attached are the forms that EVERYONE attending Camporee must complete — whether you are:
- Staying the full weekend
- Visiting for the day
Please complete these ahead of time to keep check-in smooth.
Let’s make this a safe, fun, and unforgettable weekend!
Summer Kickoff — May 2
The summer is right around the corner — let’s kick it off with a BANG!
Saturday, May 2
Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center
Start your day at Trash the Trash (Walnut Creek Park), then head over for:
- Fun & games
- Pinewood Derby races
- 2026 Popcorn info
- Fall recruitment planning
- Council program previews
FREE event + FREE food for those who are REGISTERED
Register here:
https://scoutingevent.com/564-113829-260861
District Activity Planning Reminder
The back of the event materials includes helpful guidance, but we want each district to be creative — FUN is the primary goal!
Each district must submit their activity proposal by April 24th
- This ensures we avoid duplicate activities
- If duplicates occur, the first submission takes precedence
Let’s bring energy and creativity and represent Thunderbird well!
University of Scouting — May 9
Come for the morning or stay all day — learn new skills, have fun, and bring ideas back to your unit!
Saturday, May 9, 2026
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Frank Fickett Training Center $15 (Lunch optional for an additional fee)
You’ll find dozens of classes across different “colleges,” including:
- Weird Science
- Dutch Oven Cooking
- Skits & Songs
- And much more!
These are practical trainings you can use immediately to strengthen your program.
Register here:
https://scoutingevent.com/564-113997-261159
BALOO & MEGA Training — May 9
Also happening alongside University of Scouting is MEGA Training, including:
- Scoutmaster Leader-Specific Training
- Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
- BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation)
- Chaplain Training
- Swimming & Water Rescue
- Paddle Craft Safety
BALOO Highlights:
Required for Packs to conduct overnight camping.
Requirements:
- All overnight adults must have current Safe Guarding Youth Training
- Must be registered with Scouting America
Bring:
- BSA Medical Forms (Parts A & B)
- Proof of registration (all participants)
- SYT certificate (adults)
More info:
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss01/
Register for MEGA Training:
https://scoutingevent.com/564-113271-259736
Cub Fun Day — May 23
A perfect recruiting opportunity!
- Families new to Scouting can attend
- Scouts can bring a friend (non-Scout)
- Must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
We’ll have:
- Food
- Games
- Opportunities for AOLs to meet local troops
We are in a strong stretch of program, training, and growth — and it shows in everything you’re doing.
Let’s carry that momentum into Camporee and beyond!
Yours in Scouting,
Sherrick West | Thunderbird District Executive
