Trail to Troop is a fun and energetic campout for Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts (4th and 5th graders) and their parents to experience what awaits them in Scouting. Scouts will have an opportunity to visit with troop Scouts and leaders.
The weekend will introduce Scouts into the many adventures of Scouting. It will be an opportunity for Scouts to learn and ask questions of prospective troops, troops can showcase their skills, and Scouts can work on the TBD Adventure!
Learn more about Webelos-to-Scout transition and information to help assist Webelos Scouts as they make the important decision on which troop to join and questions to ask troops at shacbsa.org/webelos. Find area troops at www.shacbsa.org/join-troop.
Registration
Registration is typically completed by the unit leader or den leader. The registration fee is $18 per person. Payments are made online with credit card or electronic check. There is no onsite registration. Council refund policy.
Register
Program
The program will consist of two nights of camping and a full day of activities on Saturday. More information will be available during roundtable. Leaders may want to purchase a Scout Handbook and read the chapters on camping, cooking, and first aid, and the sections on knots. Scouts will check-in Friday evening. On Saturday, Webelos Scout dens will compete in activities such as basic first aid, fire lays and fire building, games, Scout skills and knots (square, taut-line, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, sheet bend). Scouts will break camp and depart Sunday morning.
Event Information
Check-in: At 5:00, campers can begin checking in and will be directed to their campsite. Official check-in starts at 7:00 pm. After setting up camp, the Webelos den leader or assistant Webelos den leader should come to the registration area. Please bring the BSA Health and Medical form for every participant. Leaders will receive a registration packet that includes final event schedules. After setting up camp, the troop senior patrol leader, Scoutmaster and the Webelos Scout denner or designee should go to the registration area.
Check-out: When all participants in the unit are ready to leave on Sunday morning, send a representative to the camp headquarters. A staff member will then visit conduct a final campsite inspection. After the inspection, the leader will be given the event patches and the health forms will be returned.
Restrooms: There are enclosed restrooms.
First Aid and Safety: A health and safety officer will be on duty all weekend. No food or candy is allowed in your tent or sleeping bag. Since this is a wooded and water area, all campers should be on the lookout for snakes. The buddy system is to be used by the Scouts at all times.
Troop Visits: Webelos Scouts and their parents are encouraged to visit troops throughout the weekend. You may visit them anytime. This is a good time to meet the adult leadership and watch the troops in action.
Uniforms: Scouts are encouraged to wear their field uniforms traveling to and from Webelos Woods, during the opening and closing on Saturday, and to the Sunday morning worship service. Activity uniforms (Scout t-shirt) may be worn at other times.
Leadership: In most cases, the Webelos Scout will be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. It is essential that each Webelos Scout be under the supervision of a parent-approved adult (Guide to Safe Scouting). If a parent cannot attend, arrangements must be made for another youth’s parent (not the Webelos leader) or another adult to be a substitute. No parent should be responsible for more than one youth other than their own.
Leaders Meeting: There is a leader's meeting at 9:00 pm on Friday evening. All troop senior patrol leaders and a Scoutmaster from each troop should be in attendance for final instructions and schedules. Please bring a cup, a pen, and a chair.
Parking: Park in designated parking areas only. Cars will not be permitted to be parked at troop campsites.
Cooking and Fires: Each troop and den will be responsible for its own meals, furnish and cook their own food, as well as provide all equipment for preparation, serving, and cleaning up meals. A fire station/fire guard posting must be in place before any cooking or campfires may occur. Do not use liquid fuels. DO not build an open fire on the ground anywhere; use. existing campfire rings are allowed. Please bring in your own wood/charcoal if you choose to build a fire. Propane stoves are allowed. Remember that all materials brought in must be taken out. Campsite ash must be removed; do not put ash in the trashcans.
Water: Fresh water will be available. All units should bring their own containers (with lid) to transport water back to their campsites as needed.
Trash: All participants are expected to honor the BSA Outdoor Code and adhere to the seven keys to low-impact/no-trace camping practices. All trash must leave with your unit and unburned firewood should be carried out. Remember Carry in – Carry Out.
First Aid and Safety: There will be a first aid station staffed Saturday for any Scout or Scouter needing assistance. The first aid station will be centrally located and marked with a first aid sign. Please be sure to advise all participants of its location, which will be announced at the Friday leader's meeting.
Disabilities: Scouts with disabilities are encouraged to participate. Please notify the event staff of any special accommodations needed.
Tentative Schedule
Friday night
|
| 5:00 pm |
Camp opens. Upon arrival, turn in paperwok |
| 9:00 pm |
Cracker Barrel and staff meeting: Cubmasters, Scoutmasters and senior patrol leaders |
| 10:00 pm |
Lights out |
Saturday
|
| 6:30 am |
Reveille |
| 7:00 am |
Check-in for Saturday participants / breakfast |
| 8:45 am |
Flag ceremony and opening |
| 9:00 am |
Activity 1 |
| 10:00 pm |
Activity 2 |
| 11:00 am |
Activity 3 |
| 12:00 pm |
Lunch (non-cooking) in campsites |
| 1:00 pm |
Activity 4 / Webelos to Scout Transition Talk for Parents |
| 2:00 pm |
Activity 5 |
| 3:00 pm |
Activity 6 |
| 4:00 pm |
Activity 7 / Sign up for Dutch Oven Cooking Compeition |
| 5:00 pm |
Flag retreat ceremony |
| 5:15 pm |
Dinner in campsites |
| 7:00 pm |
Dutch oven competition |
| 7:30 pm |
Campfire |
| 8:30 pm |
Camp-wide social / desserts |
| 10:30 pm |
Lights out |
Sunday
|
| 8:00 am |
Reveille / breakfast / campsite breakdown |
| 10:00 am |
Interfaith Worship Service |
| 10:15 am |
Closing ceremony |
General Rules
- At all times, follow the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
- Stay with your den during the events and with your pack at all other times. Use the buddy system.
- If it isn't yours, don't touch it.
- Stay away from the playgrounds and the waterfront.
- Don't go into the woods at the edge of the park; we don't want someone lost or hurt.
- Don't mess with any wildlife.
- If you are not female, stay out of the women's restrooms and women's port-a-cans.
- Keep your campsite clean at all times. Dispose of trash properly.
- Observe lights out and silence in the camp.
- If someone gets hurt, let an adult know and have him or her get our medical team over to take care of the injured person. Don't move them unless they are in danger staying where they are.
- No vehicles in the camping area.
- No ground fires. No liquid fuel. Propane is okay; Webelos shall not handle propane fuel.
- All fires must be in pits, raised off the ground. All ash must be removed from the site - not placed in the trashcans.
- Never leave your campfire unattended. Put out all fires before going to bed.
- Webelos Scouts will not be allowed to handle axes or hatchets. Saws are to have blade guards.
- No sheath knives, No firearms, No BB guns, No fireworks, or No slingshots are permitted.
- If your group wishes not to camp, you will still be assigned a campsite. The same rules apply as if you were staying the night.
- After all of the above, HAVE FUN IN SPITE OF ALL THE RULES!
What to Bring
Personal gear:
Check with the troop Scoutmaster for what to bring, but typically:
- BSA Health and Medical form for every participant
- Tent (if not supplied by troop)
- Bedroll, or sleeping bag
- Jacket, raingear, hat
- Extra change of clothes and shoes
- Mess kit; camp cup
- Toiletries, personal items, medications
- Field uniform (Scout shirt) and activity uniform (Scout t-shirt)
- Webelos Handbook
- Hand sanitizer
- Folding chairs
- Daypack
- Water bottle
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Paper and pen
- Pocket knife and Whittling Chip card
- Neckerchief (for the first aid event)
- Six-foot section of rope (easy to handle and good for knot tying)
- Optional: glow sticks (helps to spot Scouts at night)
Den gear:
- Water containers with lid for hauling water (if not supplied by troop)
- Cooking gear and food (if not supplied by troop)
- First-aid kit (one per pack is acceptable)
- Trash bags
- Den flag
- Den menu and duty roster
- Optional items (if not supplied by troop): table, marshmallows and sticks, raised firebox and wood (if you want a fire), 5-gallon buckets and shovel (to remove all ashes and unused wood), canopy
Rain Date / Late Breaking Information
Webelos Woods is typically held rain or shine unless there is going to be dangerous conditions. Be prepared for all types of weather and conditions. For late-breaking news, follow the district on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHACArrowheadDistrict.
Cracker Barrel
A cracker barrel is an evening snack and time for fellowship with other Scouts or Scouters. The term cracker barrel is most thought to come from the time when people would shop at their local general store and gather around the cracker barrel to sit and visit with others in the community, much like the modern-day water cooler. The food is typically kept simple, such as cheese and crackers, summer sausage, chips and cookies. On campouts, many troops have a Friday night cracker barrel with the leaders and youth leadership to review the weekend schedule.
Photographs
Notice! Please be advised that promotional videotaping/photography may be in progress at any time at an event. Your entrance constitutes your agreement that the district has the right to reproduce your likeness in videography/photography for promotion (e.g., publications, internet, newspaper).
Scouting Safely
The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them.
BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow Youth Protection Guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:
- Two-deep leadership on all outings required.
- One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited.
- The buddy system should be used at all times.
- Discipline must be constructive.
Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.
Youth Protection Guidelines Guide to Safe Scouting Sweet Sixteen Enterprise Risk Management
Contacts
For questions, contact Carol Clarkston or Mike Woods.