Hello Thunderbird Family,
First off, thank you to everyone who attended last week’s Roundtable. I hope Charles Mead was able to give you and your youth some clarity regarding the Department of War announcement. If anyone still has questions, comments, or concerns, they can be directed here:
Looks like we have an exciting week ahead of us!
TONIGHT — Troop 745 Recruiting Night!
DO NOT FORGET!
Tonight is the recruiting night for our new Girls Troop — Troop 745.
If you have any female Arrow of Light Scouts or any new potential Scouts in general, please send them our way!
Any adult or youth who signs up tonight will be considered a founder of the troop and will be eligible for the Founder’s Patch.
South Austin Church of the Nazarene
6711 Menchaca Rd
Monday, March 9
6pm-7:30pm
Let’s make sure this new troop starts off strong and well supported!
Eagle Scout Reception — This Week!
We also have our Council Eagle Scout Reception coming up this week.
Saturday, March 14, 2026 Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center
12500 North IH 35, Austin, TX 78753
Free (RSVP required so we can order the correct number of challenge coins)
This is our annual Eagle Scout Reception recognizing the Class of 2025.
Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a milestone that lasts a lifetime. You will ALWAYS be an Eagle, but you will NEVER have this opportunity again to stand with your class, be recognized publicly, and see your name unveiled on the Eagle Wall.
Every Scout who earned the rank of Eagle in the past year is invited to:
- Be recognized in a special ceremony
- Hear an inspirational speech from a fellow Eagle
- Receive a limited-edition commemorative challenge coin
- See their name unveiled on the Puett Eagle Wall at the Fickett Center
And this year will be especially meaningful…
An alumnus from Thunderbird District will be receiving an extraordinary honor as the first in our entire council to earn Eagle, Summit, and Quartermaster — what I like to call a “Hat Trick.”
We want Thunderbird well represented for this historic moment.
Event Schedule
Morning Session
(Armadillo, Bee Cave, Colorado River, North Shore, San Gabriel)
9:30–10:00 AM – Gathering, photos, check-in
10:00–11:15 AM – Program & Eagle Wall unveiling
11:15 AM – Refreshments
Afternoon Session
(Chisholm Trail, Hill Country, Live Oak, Sacred Springs, Thunderbird, Waterloo)
1:00–1:30 PM – Gathering, photos, check-in
1:30–2:45 PM – Program & Eagle Wall unveiling
2:45 PM – Refreshments
Thunderbird Eagles will attend the Afternoon Session.
Eagles: please RSVP as soon as possible to ensure we have your challenge coin ready.
Eagle Alumni — We Need You!
If you are an Eagle Scout from previous years, we would love your help at the event.
Volunteer here: https://www.capitolareascouting.org/resources/eagle-reception/eagle-reception-volunteer/
Special Opportunity — Zilker Kite Festival Color Guard
Scouts have an exciting opportunity to present the colors at the Zilker Kite Festival!
Saturday, April 11 Zilker Park
Troop 256 will lead the color guard, but all units are welcome to participate.
Meet at the Tony Burger Center shuttle bus stop by 11:30 AM
Color Guard run-through: 12:30 PM
Flags presented at: 1:00 PM
The Zilker Kite Festival is a free public event held in Zilker Park.
Shuttle bus service runs from Tony Burger Center on Hwy 290 W
- Public parking is available but requires a fee
- Shuttle drop-off is closer to the event
- There is usually a fee for the shuttle, but Scouts in uniform ride for free
Units are encouraged to bring their troop, pack, or crew flag.
Troop 256 will provide the U.S. and Texas flags.
Full uniform is requested.
The festival itself opens around 10:00 AM, but the kite contest begins at 1:00 PM.
This is a fantastic opportunity for Scouts to represent Scouting in front of thousands of people in our community.
Austin ISD Pack Leader Form Reminder
Pack Leaders — if you have not completed the Austin ISD confirmation form I sent out last week, please do so as soon as possible.
This information helps the district and council map out our spring and fall recruiting efforts.
Deadline: March 15
Your input is extremely important to our recruiting strategy this year.
Community Recruiting Opportunity — Dove Springs Spring Fling
Heads up! The Dove Springs Recreation Center will be hosting their annual Spring Fling:
March 28
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
If you would like to host the Scouting table alongside the Membership Team and myself, please reach out!
We would love to introduce Scouting to families who could truly benefit from it.
Spanish-speaking volunteers would be a huge bonus!
(Flyer attached.)
Camporee Registration — NOW OPEN!
District Camporee: April 17–19
Olympic Theme: Competition + Camaraderie
Registration is officially open! The flyer is attached, and the QR code on the flyer takes you directly to registration.
Please ensure your troop registers soon to guarantee patches.
This year’s Camporee will bring the spirit of the Olympics to life through both competitive and cooperative events, and it’s shaping up to be one of our most exciting Camporees yet.
Thank you all for everything you continue to do for the Scouts of Thunderbird District. Your leadership, dedication, and teamwork are what make this district so strong.
Yours in Scouting,
Sherrick West | Thunderbird District Executive
