Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area president Kathy Lemman greets Erica Gillette with the Scouting-BSA-Sam Houston Area Council. Ms. Gillette updated club members on the changes to the Boys Scouts of America, how they are serving the local community and that they are seeking new community projects to earn their merit badges. There are 38 chapters in our area including three all girl troops serving 1,435 children.
 
Scouting BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America) is actively serving the Lake Houston area community according to Erica Gillette with the BSA-Sam Houston Area Council. Ms. Gillette started as a volunteer and has been working for BSA since 2015.
 
Ms. Gillette recently visited Lake Houston Rotary to share what’s new with Scouting BSA. Scouts BSA, she explained, now includes both boys and girls and they have recently repainted the Bull Sallas Park gazebo in New Caney, collected plastic bags for recycling and repurposing into park benches, conducted traditional worn flag recycling by burning them, and they have helped to develop a butterfly garden.
 
She also said the Scouts are seeking additional community service projects. There are 38 chapters in our area including three all girl troops serving 1,435 children.
 
Ms. Gillette revealed Rotary and the Boy Scouts have a shared history as the founders of both organizations traveled the U.S together while they encouraged Rotary Clubs and Scouting Troops. Rotary was founded in 1905 and BSA was founded in 1910.
 
Scouting still has age-appropriate levels. They include Cub Scouts (Kindergarten through 5th grade), Scouts BSA (5th grade through high school). There are age and interest specific programs as well. They are Venturing (14-20 years old), Sea Scouts (14-20 years old), STEM Scouts (3rd - 8th grades) and Exploring (10-20 years old).
 
There were 53 new Eagle Scouts in our area last year, according to Ms. Gillette. Eagle Scouts must have 21 merit badges and the badges must be for community service. She also revealed girls could be Eagle Scouts too.
 
Find out more about local scouting here: https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/

The Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area members and guests meet at 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays for their weekly lunch meeting at the Lake Houston Family YMCA, 2420 West Lake Houston Pkwy in Kingwood.

The Summer Creek Satellite Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 8:30 a.m., at Generation Park 3rd floor Nimble Office Suite, 250 Assay St., Houston.
 
For more information about Rotary or membership, visit www.LHARotary.com .