August 9, 2024

Camp Strake
2020 Camp Strake Rd.
Coldspring, TX 77331

Aquatics Day is an event for Scouts in troops, crews, and ships. Scouts can attend one or two classes.


Aquatics Day

Registration

Payments are made online with a credit card or electronic check. Council refund policy

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Cost Registrant Type Times       Notes
$50    Individual Scout Sat. 8 am - 5 pm Parent/guardian registers the Scout; fee includes lunch, and 2 merit badge classes.  
Scouts attend with a buddy; parents who are YPT trained can be a Scout's buddy. 
$75 Scouts with a troop, ship, crew Fr. 6 pm - Sun. 12 pm Unit leader registers the unit; fee includes camping, 3 meals on Sat, breakfast on Sun, and 2 merit badge classes. Units must follow all leadership requirements. Troops are asked to provide one merit badge counselor.
$10 Adult parent - Saturday only Sat. 8 am - 5 pm Fee includes lunch. Parent and adults must have current YPT training.
$25 Adult leader - weekend Fr. 6 pm - Sun. 12 pm Fee includes camping, Sat meals, Sun breakfast. Adults must be registered leaders with their unit. 

Program

Scouts can participate in two sessions. When Scouts are not participating in a program area, the troop leadership is responsible for programming in the campsites. Camp staff will provide leadership in the program areas.

Swim Checks

swim testOn Friday evening, after Scouts drop off their gear at their campsite, Scouts should change into swimsuits, take a towel and report to the aquatic area. Buddy tags will be issued based on the level of swimming proficiency. Adult assistance is needed to hand out the buddy tags during the swim check.

Swim Checks Prior to the Event. Units may complete their swim checks locally prior to the event following the Swim Classification Procedures or bring documentation of swim checks conducted during summer camp. The unit-level swim check must be conducted by one of the following certified people: Aquatics Instructor; Aquatics Cub Supervisor; Lifeguard; Swimming & Water Rescue; or other lifeguard, swimming instructor, etc. When swim tests are conducted prior to camp, the camp aquatics director shall reserve the authority to review or retest all participants to ensure that standards have been maintained for the safety of everyone. 

Swim Classification Procedures Record and Classifications

Tentative Classes
AM PM
Location
Age
Prerequisite and other notes
Art Merit Badge   Pavillion J   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
• Requirements not covered: #6
Canoeing Merit Badge   Aquatics   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. Must be able to pass a swim test; be physically fit
Chess Merit Badge Pavillion K   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
• Not covered: ​#6 (complete after class)
• Bring chess board, completed worksheet
Climbing Tower Climbing Tower   • Not a merit badge class
Kayaking Merit Badge   Aquatics 14+ • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet. Must be able to pass a swim test; be physically fit
• Recommended for older Scouts
Lifesaving Merit Badge Pool 12+  • All day
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet; must be able to pass a swim test.
• Prerequisite: Have earned the Swimming Merit Badge
• Bring: long pants, a long-sleeved button-down shirt, shoes
• Recommended for Scouts ages 12+
Multisport Merit Badge Pavillion M   • All day
• Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet; must have earned the Swimming Merit Badge
• Not covered: #2a, 5, 7a
• Bring: fitness-appropriate clothes including tennis shoes
Oceanography Merit Badge   Pavillion L   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet.
Photography Merit Badge   STEM Lab   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet; bring verification of viewing the Personal Safety Awareness "Digital Safety" video
• Requirements not covered: #7
• Bring camera, and 12 digital pictures that you are willing to share for #4, 5.
Pulp and Paper Merit Badge   Leader's Lounge   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
Radio Merit Badge   STEM Lab   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
Rowing Merit Badge   Aquatics   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
• Must be able to pass the  Swim Test Swimmer requirement
Sculpture Merit Badge   Pavillion J   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
Search and Rescue and Fingerprinting Merit Badges  STEM Center   • Special guest instructors: Montgomery County Search and Rescue Team
• Prerequisite: Read the Fingerprinting Merit Badge Pamphlet
• Prerequisite: Read the Search and Rescue Merit Badge Pamphlet
Sea Scout Advancement Track Pavillions E, F, G, H 14+ • For Sea Scouts to work on Apprentice and Ordinary rank advancements, such as ideals, marlinspike,
boat handling, safety, ground tackle, navigation, weather
Sea Scout Aquatics Aquatics 14+ • All day
• For Sea Scouts to work on anchoring and Ordinary and Able water skills
Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge   STEM Center   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
Snorkeling Award   STEM Lab   • Not a merit badge
• Bring: Scouts bring snorkeling gear
• Become proficient in snorkeling skills and to snorkel safely
Stand Up Paddleboard   Aquatics   • Not a merit badge
• 2-hour class
• Develop boardsailing skills
• For Scouts with core & leg strength and balance
Swimming Merit Badge   Pool   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
Textile Merit Badge   Leader's Lounge   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet
Venturing Track HQ Training Room 14+ • For Venturers to work on rank advancement requirements and training
Weather Merit Badge   Pavillion L   • Prerequisite: Read merit badge pamphlet

What to Bring

Personal Gear* (check with Scoutmaster)

  • Field uniform (Scout uniform)^
  • Activity uniform (Scout t-shirt) 
  • Tent and ground cloth
  • Sleeping bag, blankets, sheet 
  • Pillow 
  • Cot or pad 
  • Shoes (closed-toe) or hiking boots 
  • Cap or hat 
  • Pajamas or sleeping clothes
  • Rain gear (pants and jacket) 
  • Swimsuit and towel (if participating in swimming or boating), water shoes are optional
  • Personal items (e.g., deodorant, comb, medications, toothpaste, toothbrush)
  • Personal medications: prescriptions (listed on medical form) and over-the-counter, in original containers
  • Sunscreen 
  • Camping gear
  • Water bottle
  • Insect repellent (non-aerosol) 
  • Mosquito netting  
  • Portable chair or camp stool 
  • Scouts (ages 14+) enrolled in the ATV program have additional items to bring.

Troop Equipment

  • Annual Health and Medical Record (part A&B for all Scouting events) for every participant
  • Trash bags, 55-gallon
  • Ice chest
  • Troop first aid kit 
  • Lanterns 
  • Lockable storage container 
  • Firewood (if no burn ban) 
  • Cooking gear and food (for breakfast and dinner; lunch is provided by camp staff)
  • Hose, optional
  • Hand washing station to put next to the water spigot, recommended (e.g., small bucket, bar of soap)
  • Sports equipment, optional (e.g., Frisbee, football, soccer ball, kickball)
Optional
  • Spending money for trading post (cash, debit, credit)
  • Backup phone battery, rechargeable, fully charged
  • Fishing pole and bait (worms, corn, jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater lures); hooks must be barbless; catch and release only
^The field uniform is not expected to be worn as part of the weekend programming, so check with the Scoutmaster before packing.
*Mark all items with name and troop number.  Electricity is limited.

Don’t Bring: Valuables, electronics (e.g., iPad), fireworks, sheath or hunting knives, pets, hammocks, personal firearms and ammunition, jewelry, personal bows and arrows or hammocks

Camp AppCamp App

We are thrilled to introduce our brand-new camp app, which will serve as a vital communication tool for all camp attendees, offering convenient access to essential resources such as the camp map, schedule, program updates, emergency announcements, and much more. You can find it by searching "Sam Houston Area Council" on both Apple and Android platforms.

Tentative Schedule

Friday
5:30 - 8:00 pm Unit Arrival (eat before arrival)
6:30 - 7:30 pm Swim Checks
830 - 10:00 pm Training: Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, and Life Jacket Safety in Dining Hall 
11:00 pm Lights out
Saturday
7:00 - 8:00 am Breakfast for units
7:30 - 8:30 am Saturday-only participants check in
7:30 - 9:00 am Swim Checks for Saturday-only participants
9:00 am - 12:00 pm     Morning classes
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 - 5:00 pm Afternoon classes
5:00 pm Saturday-only attendees depart
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Venturing and Sea Scout Midway
8:00 pm Glow Splash Party and open swim
11 pm Lights Out

Sunday

7 am -8 am Breakfast
830 - 11:30 pm Swimming Merit Badge (25 spots)
9:00 - 11:00 am Open boating
12 pm Check Out

Safety

Buddy System

Scouting 101All Scouts should adhere to the buddy system throughout the camp. Scouting’s buddy system calls for Scouts to pair up with a friend or two for all activities. This helps ensure safety and accountability and teaches Scouts to have responsibility for others. No Scout should ever be found wandering through camp alone. It can be difficult to implement the buddy system when a Scout does not schedule classes with fellow members of their troop. Troop leaders are encouraged to pair Scouts in classes as much as possible. If this is not feasible, the Scout should walk with other Scouts in the class to the location of the merit badge class. Due to the number of Scouts and the short amount of time between classes, this should be a relatively simple exercise.

Scouting Safely

Safety is Your Responsibility posterScouting America's Commitment to Safety is ongoing, and the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Scouting America puts the utmost importance on 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. 

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 is 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 Scout activities, the National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the National Council has developed the SAFE Checklist of safety procedures for physical activity. These points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities. 

*About Medical Record: Scouting America requires all participants to bring an Annual Health and Medical Record to every Scouting event. The Scouting adventures, camping trips, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in ensuring you have a great Scouting experience. Completing a health history promotes health awareness, collects necessary data, and provides medical professionals with critical information needed to treat a patient in the event of an illness or injury. It also provides emergency contact information. Please download the form and have it with you at all Scouting events for every member of your family.  

^Closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for all Scouting events. Many of our outdoor venues have snakes and sticks that can injure toes. Many of our activities include active games, so shoes that Scouts can run in (e.g., tennis shoes) are recommended.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting      SAFE Checklist      Enterprise Risk Management

Contacts

QuestionParents of campers should contact their troop leaders with questions about Aquatics Day. Many of the adult leaders attending summer camp are quite experienced and can answer most questions.

For answers not addressed on this page, click here.

Questions and Support