Arrow of Light Advancement Day

​November 7-9, 2025

Camp Strake
2020 Camp Strake Rd.
Coldspring, TX 77331

Arrow of Light Advancement Day is an opportunity for 5th grade Scouts to earn advancements and prepare for the next Scouting journey, Scouts BSA). This exciting day is packed with fun activities to learn Scouting skills and prepare for Scouting opportunities. Scouts will have an opportunity to complete work on first aid skills, design, build and race their own LEGO Derby Car,  canoe on the lake, develop critical outdoor skills, connect with fellow Scouts and make new friends, and get a sneak peek into the exciting world of Scouts BSA! Join us at Camp Strake for this exciting event! 

  Questions and Support  

Registration

• Arrow of Light Scouts: $115  (includes four meals, patch, and program supplies). 
• Adult: $40 (includes four meals).
• There is no program or provision for siblings.
• Council refund policy.

          Register              

Program

• Scouts will work on three Adventures:
  • Race Time Adventurees: Create, build, and race your very own Lego pinewood derby car! 
  • Paddle Craft Adventure:We’re all set to dive into the Paddle Craft adventure, and if Mother Nature plays nice, we'll throw in some swim tests! If not, we suggest you splash through those swim tests before you join the fun!
  • First Aid Adventure: Scouts will hone their first aid skills.  Using the patrol method Scouts will work together in first aid scenarios and learn how to do CPR.
• Roast marshmallows and enjoy tasty s’mores
• Practice slingshot skills with paintballs
• Paddle a canoe across the lake 

Tentative Schedule

Friday
4:00 - 7:00 pm	Check-in (eat dinner before arriving)
5:30 - 7:30 pm	Swim checks, weather permitting
8:00 pm	Opening campfire program
9:00 pm	Cracker barrel (snack) and leader meeting
10:00 pm	Lights out
Saturday
7:00 - 8:00 am	Breakfast
8:15 - 8:35 am	Flag ceremony
9:00 - 11:45 am	Morning program
12:00 - 1 pm	Lunch
1:30 - 4:15 pm	Afternoon program
4:30 - 4:55 pm	Closing flag ceremony
5:00 - 6:00 pm	Dinner
6:30 - 7:45 pm	Open program time
8:00 - 9:00 pm	Closing campfire program
9:00 pm	Cracker barrel
10:00 pm	Lights out
Sunday
7:30 am	Breakfast (grab and go) and interfaith worship service
8:30 - 10:30 am	Break camp and check out

Leadership Requirements

• Every adult at camp must have a copy of their Safeguarding Youth Training certificate taken online at my.scouting.org.
• Every Arrow of Light Scout must be under the supervision of a registered leader or their parent or legal guardian at all times.
• Each registered unit must provide a minimum of two-deep leadership. “Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including all meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth or female adult program participants.  Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided." (Source, Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs).
• Each unit should have one BALOO-trained leader and one Safe Swim Defense-trained leader.  

Adults

Adults spending the night at camp must be either:

1. Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders. All adults must review the “How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” that can be found in the front of each Cub Scout Handbook. In addition, the parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward.   (Source)
2. All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee-required position in the position(s) they serve. See FAQ for list of approved adult registration fee-required positions.  (Source)

Tenting:  • Separate tenting arrangements must be provided for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth. • Youth sharing tents must be no more than two years apart in age. • In Cub Scouting, parents and guardians may share a tent with their family. • Spouses may share tents. (Source)

The most recent updates to the Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed, and all Scouting activities must be conducted in a safe and prudent manner, including using the Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities. 

What to Bring

Swim Test

• All adults participating in canoeing are required to have a current Swim test.
• All Arrow of Light Scouts who participate in canoeing are encouraged to pass a swim test.
• Arrow of Light Scouts may canoe with a registered adult leader with a current swim test.
• The swim check must be conducted by a certified lifeguard or swimming instructor according to the Swim Classification Procedures. Many YMCAs or local pools have lifeguards who will perform a swim test for a small fee.

Swim Classification Procedures Record and Classifications

Camp Policies

Every adult attending Camp Strake must be familiar with the Leader’s Guide, which includes council policies and procedures, and the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Mandatory paperwork

1. Current Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A and B) for each participant, two copies alphabetized in an envelope or notebook (one to keep in campsite and one to turn in during registration).
2. Copy of Safeguarding Youth Training certificates for every adult.
3. Copy of BALOO-trained trained certificate for one leader.
4. Copy of Safe Swim Defense training certificate for one leader.  

How to print your Youth Protection training certificate

1. Log in to My.Scouting.org.
2. Click “Menu” at the top left.
3. Click “My Dashboard.”
4. Make sure you're under “My Training” and “SYT.”
5. Next to “SYT Status,” look for a small blue printer icon. ...
6. Your browser will open a PDF that you can print or save to your compute

Check-in

• Campers may check-in between 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Friday evening or between 7:00 - 8:00 am on Saturday morning.
• Programs begin on Saturday at 8:00 and runs until 8:30 pm. 
• For packs attending: The designated leader will check in at the registration office in the administration building (approximately one mile past the main gate on the left) and register the unit or group.
• For individual registrations: The individual registered Arrow of Light Scout with an accompanying parent or legal guardian will check in at the Headquarters breezeway.
• When check-in is complete, the staff will assign campsites and campers may then proceed to their campsite.
• Distribute wristbands to all youth and adults. Everyone must wear their designated wristbands at all times. Wristband colors determine which rotation schedule the Scout should follow. Please follow the specified rotation schedule as the program is designed for a specific number of youth at each outpost.

Departure Procedures

• Please make sure all personal camping gear is packed before breakfast.
• On Sunday morning, the campmaster will drop off cleaning supplies at the restrooms. Follow the written instructions on cleaning assigned showers and restrooms.
• Scouts should conduct a “police line” where Scouts stand within arm’s length of each other and walk the entire campsite picking up all trash.
• The campmaster will inspect each campsite to make sure the campsite, restrooms, showers, and pavilions are undamaged and clean, and that all gear and trash is removed.
• After passing inspection, proceed to the administration building to sign out and pick up paperwork. 

Resources

• Annual Health and Medical Record (parts A & B for all Scouting events)
• Camp Policies and Procedures
• Camper Release Form
• Evaluation Form
• Guide to Safe Scouting
• Campership assistance

Camp Branding

During lunch, Arrow of Light Scouts can have items (e.g., hats, belts) branded with the camp brand. Items (e.g., cups) will be available for purchase in the Trading Post that are good for branding.  The Arrow of Light Scouts will enjoy this keepsake.

Interfaith Worship Service

The Scout Law teaches, “A Scout is reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. They are faithful in their religious duties. They respect the beliefs of others.” It is important that Scouts be taught to recognize other Scouts' beliefs and respect those beliefs. The Webelos to Scout Expo staff will hold an interfaith service on Sunday morning.

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.

A cracker barrel will be held on Friday and Saturday night for leaders where last-minute information and changes will be communicated.  Please bring a cup and pen.

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

​Scouting 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

  Support desk (for questions not addressed on this page).