May Newsletter 2008
April was a huge month for Venado District. For starters our new Assistant Scout Executive and Venado District Executive, Marty Sepulveda, attended his first District Committee meeting on April 10th. Several years ago Marty had served as our DE, so in many ways it was like coming home. Please make him welcome in the District. He is a positive addition to our program.
The weekend of April 11-13 saw two major events for the District. Mesquite District hosted its camporee and invited units from Venado to participate. The camporee was held at the Gentry Ranch near Pawnee. There’s nothing like the great out of doors in South Texas. Unit members competed in a myriad of events. To be sure, Troop 186 placed first in Orienteering and tied for first in Search and Rescue. Troop 186 placed second in Fire Building and Dutch Oven Cooking (my favorite). Troop 186 also placed third in Guesstimation. Sharing in that success was Troop 53 whose members joined forces with Troop 186. Congratulations to all that participated. I know that you had fun and that is what it is all about.
The Council Retreat occurred that same weekend at the International Bank of Commerce Ranch near Aguilares, Texas. While our Scouts were hard at work competing at the camporee, your Council Board members were hard at work to insure that our Scouting programs remain strong for all of our youth. Caring adult leaders and candid discussion highlighted the retreat. This was the third such retreat and each year Scouting grows stronger as a result. Over the next several months various goals and objectives of the Council will be disseminated. So stay tuned.
\ April 26th awakened to the thunderous sound of revving engines at the Venado District Pinewood Derby hosted by the Wild Horse Crossing Mall in Kingsville. Over time I have been to my share of Pinewood Derby’s, but this was one of the best. Joel Gant was nothing less than outstanding in organizing the Derby this year. Special thanks are extended to David Villarreal, Master of Ceremonies; Manuel “Meme” Recio, technology guru (he had all the bells and whistles this year); and Rod Grayson and Anita Reyna, Registration. Funding and trophies were provided by Yaklin Ford (Eddie Yaklin), Quality (Cantwell) Chrysler, Ranco, and First Community Bank of Kingsville (Brian Coufal). The local Woodmen of the World Organization provided judges for the car styles and the young men of the Omega Delta Phi Fraternity at Texas A&M University-Kingsville helped set up, clean up and cook hot dogs. We are especially grateful to the management of the Wild Horse Crossing Mall for allowing us to use the space within the Mall.
The following are the first, second and third place winners for each category:
Tigers Wolves
First-Carlos Cardenas First-Tristen Salinas
Second-Damacio Garza Second-Dallas Cannon
Third-Roen Solis Third-Nathian Crouse
Bears Webelos
First-Russell Wagner First-Adolfo Palacios
Second-Mathew Villarreal Second-Ozzie Rios
Third-Edward Longoria Third-Jackson Lewis
Open (32 Entries) Grand Finals (Cubs Only)
First-Troy Miller First-Tristen Salinas
Second-Tristen Salinas Second-Adolfo Palacios
Third-Adolfo Palacios Third-Carlos Cardenas
And once again, please put on your calendars the Bicycle Safety Rodeo scheduled for May 24th at the WalMart parking lot in Kingsville. Venado’s Activity Committee Chairman has another fun (and of course educational) event lined up for all Scouts. Another reminder – please identify your unit Popcorn Chair. The Popcorn campaign is already getting underway and you don’t want to get left behind. This year’s Council Popcorn Chairman is Roy Griffin of Victoria and I know he has some really big plans. Also on the horizon-Your Key 3 has just about completed the 2009 District events calendar. We are trouble shooting it now to avoid conflicts with other Districts and Council events. And start thinking 2010 Centennial. VENADO ROCKS because we all are thinking ahead. Until next time,
Happy Trails,
Martin J. Chiuminatto, Jr.
Chairman, Venado District
South Texas Council, BSA
