Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24Dear Friends of Scouting, Thanks to you, 2015 was another positive year for Scouting in southeast Texas. Camping is a critical element of Scouting. The Sam Houston Area Council plans to become a leader in camping by having first-class, well- maintained facilities that provide safe, fun and educational outdoor programs for our Scouts. The Sam Houston Area Council’s camping vision is to provide “Exemplary, Sustainable Outdoor Experiences and Creative Learning for 21st Century Youth and Their Leaders.” The first portion of this vision was realized in 2015 when Tellepsen Scout Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch was opened. In its first year, nearly 2,200 Scouts and Venturers visited Tellepsen Scout Camp, where they experienced the wonders of the outdoors, climbed the Council’s highest climbing wall and took aim at its biggest shooting range. Additional segments of the camping visions are included elsewhere in this annual report. During 2015, the Sam Houston Area Council served over 57,000 youth in our Scouting, Exploring and school-based Learning for Life programs. Our Scouting program continues to offer varied opportunities to teach youth, enabling them to be strong in character, have self-confidence and grow in their leadership abilities. Fostering these talents, along with service projects and citizenship activities, is how we are helping our community, nation and world become a better place. As a measure of our membership, quality programming, community service and financial health, the Boy Scouts of America recognized our Council with Silver Level status in the national Journey to Excellence program. All of our successes in 2015 were made possible through the tireless efforts of our nearly 19,000 volunteers and adult leaders. Thanks to their commitment to southeast Texas, we are able to continue to lead youth to life-long values, service and achievement. The following pages highlight the 2015 accomplishments of the Sam Houston Area Council. Letter from Leadership Council achieved Silver Level Status for 2015 in the National Boy Scouts of America Performance Program Journey to Excellence Richard A. Eichler Chairman of the Board Brian W. Foster Council Commissioner Thomas O. Varnell CEO/Scout Executive Richard A. Eichler Chairman of the Board Brian W. Foster Council Commissioner Thomas O. Varnell President/Scout Executive