Arrowhead District Trail to Troop

Trail to Troop is a fun and energetic campout for Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts (4^th and 5^th 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 the transition to Scouts BSA and information to help assist 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 $10 per person. There is no program for siblings. Payments are made online with credit card or electronic check. There is no onsite registration.  Council refund policy.

Register

Leadership Requirements

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." (Source, Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs) 

• Adult Ratio for Dens:   "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.  All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee required position." (Source)

• Tenting Guidelines for Dens (highlights include: 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.).  Dens will be in a campsite separate from troops.

• Adult Ratios for Troops: "All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant.  Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in." (Source)

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

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, 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 den leader should go to the registration area. Please bring the Health and Medical form for every participant.  Leaders will receive a registration packet that includes final event schedules. 

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. Toilet paper and handsoap is not provided – bring your own!

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:  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 Trail to Troop, 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 Requirements 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." (Source, Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs) 

• Adult Ratio for Dens:   "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.  All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee required position." (Source)

• Tenting Guidelines for Dens (highlights include: 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.).  Dens will be in a campsite separate from troops.

• Adult Ratios for Troops: "All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant.  Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in." (Source)

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

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 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

General Rules

1. At all times, follow the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
2. Stay with your den during the events and with your pack at all other times. Use the buddy system.
3. If it isn't yours, don't touch it.
4. Stay away from the playgrounds and the waterfront.
5. Don't go into the woods at the edge of the park; we don't want someone lost or hurt.
6. Don't mess with any wildlife.
7. If you are not female, stay out of the women's restrooms and women's port-a-cans.
8. Keep your campsite clean at all times. Dispose of trash properly.
9. Observe lights out and silence in the camp.
10. 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.
11. No vehicles in the camping area.
12. No ground fires.  No liquid fuel. Propane is okay; Scouts shall not handle propane fuel.
13. All fires must be in pits, raised off the ground.  All ash must be removed from the site - not placed in the trashcans.
14. Never leave your campfire unattended.  Put out all fires before going to bed.
15. Scouts are not allowed to handle axes or hatchets.  Saws are to have blade guards.
16. No sheath knives, No firearms, No BB guns, No fireworks, or No slingshots are permitted.
17. 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.
16. After all of the above, HAVE FUN IN SPITE OF ALL THE RULES!

What to Bring

Rain Date / Late Breaking Information

Trail to Troop 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

​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

For questions, contact the event chair or district activities or program chair.