October 3-5, 2025
Trail to Troop is a campout designed to introduce 5th-grade Arrow of Light Scouts and their parents or guardians to the many outdoor adventures of Scouting. This awesome weekend event includes an introduction to patrol-method camping.
On Saturday morning, Scouts will participate in a round-robin of events. Scouts can work on three Arrow of Light adventures. Training will be available for the parent. During the afternoon, Scouts will visit the Troop Fair. Troops will set up displays and activities in their campsites for Scouts and their parents to visit. The evening will culminate in a rousing campfire and ice cream social.
Find area troops at shacbsa.org/join-troop (search by meeting day or zip code). Learn more about the transition to Scouts BSA and questions to ask troop leaders at shacbsa.org/transition-to-scouts-bsa.
Registration
Registration is a two-step process.
Part 1: RSVP: Every unit in the district needs to RSVP by the September roundtable to inform the event staff of their attendance. Estimated numbers help the event staff plan a safe and quality program and are provided to the council so the appropriate number of campsites and program areas can be reserved.
Part 1: RSVP
Part 2: Payment: Registration is typically completed by parents/guardians; please check with your den leader before registering to ensure that they are not handling registration. At checkout, pay with a credit card or electronic check. Council refund policy. There is no program for siblings.
The registration fee is $30 for 5th-grade Scouts and includes a patch and activity supplies. The fee also includes a t-shirt if payment is made by September 15, 2025. There is no onsite registration.
Part 2: Payment
What to Bring
Suggested Scout Equipment List
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Suggested Pack Equipment List
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- Ground cloth/cover
- Tent (2-4 man)
- Sleeping bag
- Extra blankets
- Pillow
- Mess kit with utensils
- Daypack with light snack, sunscreen, bug spray, personal first aid kit
- Drinking cup / bottle to carry to activities
- Field uniform (Scout uniform)
- Activity uniform (Scouting t-shirt)
- Change of clothes – at least two days worth, appropriate for the weather
- Toilet paper
- Jacket/sweatshirt
- Rain gear
- Hat or head cover
- Personal toiletries – soap, towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, medication
- nightwear
- Flashlight, with fresh batteries
- Extra batteries
- Camp chair or stool
- Scout Handbook
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- Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & B) for every participant
- Unit roster
- Patrol roster
- Canopy
- Pack / den flags
- First aid kit
- Folding tables
- Trash bags
- Firewood
- Lanterns – propane or battery for campsite
- Meals (Saturday breakfast, non-cooking lunch, Saturday dinner, Sunday non-cooking breakfast)
- Stove – small propane
- Cooking gear – pots, pans, utensils, food
- Cleaning gear – dishwashing soap, buckets, scouring sponge/dishcloth
- Water containers with lids to carry water
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Do Not Bring: No electronic devices, laser pointers, pets bicycles, roller skates, rollerblades, skateboards, guns, sheath knives and other similar gear are not acceptable for Scouting activities and are prohibited.
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Tentative Schedule
Friday
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| 5:00 - 10:00 pm |
Check-in (eat before arrival) |
| 8:00 - 9:30 pm |
Movie night at the Big Red Pavillion |
| 9:30 pm |
Leader's Meeting |
| 10:00 pm |
Lights out / quiet in camp |
Saturday
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| 6:00 am |
Reveille and breakfast in campsite |
| 6:45 - 7:30 am |
Saturday arrivals check-in (eat breakfast before arrival) |
| 7:15 am |
Flag ceremony (wear field uniform with event t-shirt underneath) |
| 8:20 am |
Session 1 |
| 9:30 am |
Session 2 |
| 10:30 |
Session 3 |
| 11:30 am |
Lunch in campsites |
| 1:00 pm |
Session 4 |
| 2:00 pm |
Troop Fair - Scouts visit troop activity booths |
| 5:00 pm |
Dinner in campsites |
| 7:15 pm |
Flag ceremony the walk to campfire (adults should bring a chair and flashlight; Scouts will sit on benches) |
| 7:30 pm |
Campfire |
| 8:30 pm |
Cracker Barrel / Follow-up discussions with troops |
| 10:00 pm |
Lights out / Quiet time |
Sunday
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| 6:30 am |
Reveille; non-cooking breakfast in campsite; tear-down campsite |
| 8:00 am |
Flag ceremony |
| 8:15 am |
Interfaith service at the pavilion (wear field uniform) |
| 8:45 am |
Finish tear-down and check-out begins |
| 11:00 am |
Camp Brosig gates closed |
General Information
Special Needs: Please notify us immediately of any special needs. Please note that electricity is not available in the camping areas.
Check-in: Check-in will begin at 4:00 pm on Friday. No one may check in before this time. After receiving campsite assignments, go directly to campsites. Packs are encouraged to carpool; parking is limited.
Late Check-in: If your unit is not arriving until Saturday morning, please notify the camp director. Additionally, if you are coming on Saturday, please plan to arrive by 8:00 am and be ready for the day’s activities.
Check-out: The event ends after the Sunday morning interfaith service. Everyone is encouraged to attend the interfaith service. Final checkout of all packs is to be completed by 10:00 am on Sunday. Each pack must check out at the registration office (located behind the flagpole) to pick up medical forms and patches. Packs not wishing to stay overnight on Saturday may check out with the registration office prior to sunset on Saturday and must report to the camp director before leaving for the evening. Packs are encouraged to stay through Sunday for the best overall experience for the Scouts.
Uniforms: Field uniforms (Scout uniforms) should be worn for the Saturday morning flag ceremony, Saturday evening ceremony, and Sunday morning interfaith service. The activity uniform (e.g., Scout t-shirt) is suggested for all other times.
Traffic in Camp: The speed limit is 5 miles per hour or less and is mandatory for the safety of our children. There will be NO vehicles allowed in the camp area unless unloading gear without permission from the camp director. Check-in and check-out times will be stated, and vehicles will be allowed in at that time and policed by camp staff. ALL cars must be parked in the parking lot with the exception of the first aid vehicle.
Parking: Please park in the assigned area only. Vehicles will NOT be permitted in campsite areas. This rule will be enforced and is vitally important to maintain the safety for the Scouts. The parking sheet must be in the dash of all cars so the staff can contact you should an emergency occur. (Car alarms have been known to go off in the middle of the night for no reason).
Flashlights at Campfire: Scouts are encouraged to be safe and should bring flashlights with them whenever they are moving around the camp in the dark. However, please do not bring them to the campfire on Saturday night and shine them during the event. To avoid the temptation, adults are encouraged to bring flashlights to aid in navigating to and from the campfire. Never shine a flashlight in someone’s eyes.
Campsites: Campsite assignments will be given upon check-in. All dens from one pack will be assigned adjoining campsites. Water spigots are available at each campsite. Electricity is not available.
Fires: Fire information (including information on any burn bans) will be sent out the week before camp!
Water: Each campsite is equipped with a water spigot. Each pack should provide containers for transporting and containing water (preferably with a lid). Every Scout and adult should carry a personal water bottle for use during the day. Water will be provided near the activity sessions in coolers. Cups will not be provided.
Food / Cooking: Each den must furnish its own food, ice, and cooking stove, propane or charcoal. Meal suggestions:
- Friday night dinner. Eat before arriving.
- Saturday breakfast should be suitable to get the Scouts through an active morning.
- Saturday lunch should be a non-cooking meal, requiring minimal preparation (e.g., sandwiches, raw veges, fruit)
- Saturday dinner is a great opportunity for the Scouts to learn how to cook a hearty meal (e.g., a tin foil dinner or one cooked in a Dutch oven).
- Saturday night cracker barrel (e.g., cheese, crackers, summer sausage, fruit, veggies)
- Sunday breakfast should be a non-cooking meal using foods that don’t need continuous refrigeration, as it is often difficult to keep food cold this long in an ice chest.
Pack / Den Flags: Every pack/den should consider bringing its own pack/den flag to post in the pack campsite.
Pack/Den Yell: Every pack/den should have a pack/den yell, and the den is welcome to demonstrate it on Saturday while walking to their sessions. Please encourage your Scouts to participate and prepare them with a yell.
Insects and Poisonous Plants: As always, be prepared to defend yourselves against mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks. Come ready to treat fire ant bites and poison ivy.
Weather: Be Prepared! All packs must be fully prepared for the weather conditions typical for this time of the year. Either rain or shine, hot or cold – bring enough clothing to be as comfortable as possible during the weekend.
Interfaith 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.” Scouts must learn to recognize the beliefs of their peers and to respect those beliefs. The event staff will hold an interfaith service on Sunday morning.
Rules and Regulations
Membership: All Scouts and leaders must be currently registered with Scouting America.
Campsites: Campsites will be identified by pack number. Multiple dens within a pack must agree on how to share the available space. The den number or name should identify each den area.
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Per national guidelines, in Cub Scouting, parents and guardians may share a tent with their family. No adult will sleep in a tent with any child other than his or her own child.
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Equipment transportation to campsites must be done safely and efficiently. Each vehicle, from each pack, will be permitted to carry gear into the campsite on Friday night, Saturday morning and out on Sunday at check-out. All vehicles must be properly placarded. The vehicle's placecard will be provided as the vehicle enters the camp or at check-in. Individuals and light equipment should be hiked into campsites to minimize vehicle trips. Each pack should coordinate amongst its members to get their dens into camp efficiently. It is against policy for anyone to ride in the bed of an open pick-up truck.
Bathrooms: Located by the pavilion near the center of camp, and a primitive one towards the front of camp. Please instruct Scouts to observe the co-ed signs. Instruct Scouts that the bathrooms are not a place to play or to wash/rinse dishes. Use wash buckets for cleaning dishes. There are no shower facilities at Camp Brosig.
Trash: All trash must be taken to the dumpsters located at the entrance of camp on the exit road. Keep trash off the ground to avoid attracting critters to your campsite. Do not litter.
Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic beverages are forbidden at Scouting functions. Anyone found possessing, consuming, or having consumed alcoholic drinks will be required to leave the camp immediately.
Smoking. Smoking is not permitted in the Scouts' area, bathrooms, or staff area. If you wish to smoke, please go away from all activity areas and out of sight of Scouts.
Pets are not allowed.
Knives and Axes: As there will be little room for a proper ax yard in the campsites, Axes are not allowed except in the designated camp director area. Axes may be used only by adults and Scouts in troops who have earned their Totin’ Chit.
Cooking Fires: Do not use liquid charcoal starters! SHAC camp policies prohibit the use of liquid charcoal starters!
Lanterns and Stoves: Propane-fueled lanterns and stoves may be used under adult supervision. Liquid-fueled equipment using fuels such as Coleman fuel, kerosene, or white gas are prohibited by SHAC camp policies. There should never be any open flames in a tent. Tent light should be provided, when necessary, by flashlight or battery-powered lanterns.
Vehicles: All vehicles must remain on the road at all times. No cars are to be parked in the campsite area at any time. Equipment should be unloaded and loaded in the shortest possible time to allow everyone an opportunity to approach their campsite. Campers and tent trailers are not permitted in the camping area. No Scout may ride in the back of a pickup or trailer at any time.
Trenching: No ditching (trenching) of tents will be allowed at Camp Brosig.
Damages: Any damage to campgrounds, equipment, or other items will be the financial responsibility of the dens/packs responsible for the individual(s) responsible for any damage.
Trees: Participants are not to cut down any trees or branches. Please be careful of any trees and do everything you can to protect them. Anyone found damaging trees will be asked to leave the event.
Leave No Trace: All participants expected to adhere to the seven Leave No Trace practices.
Campsite Inspection
On Saturday, every den campsite will be inpsected/judged by a troop. Have campsite ready for inspection before sessions start on Saturday morning. Every patrol will be given a sign to display in front of their campsite area for easy identification by the volunteer judges. Den signs provided by WTSE staff that are not visible will not be judged. Please make sure common areas shared between multiple dens in the same pack (camp kitchen, fire ring area, etc.) are left neat and clean because they will be judged. Awards will be presented at the Saturday campfire. Every campsite will be inspected during daylight hours using the following criteria.
- U.S. flag displayed correctly, 10 points
- Unit/pack flag displayed, 10 points
- Personal gear stowed properly, 10 points
- General appearance of campsite, 10 points
- Food properly stored and coolers secured, 10 points
- Cooking fires safe distance from tents (8-10 feet), 10 points
- Duty rosters posted, 10 points
- First aid kit readily available, 10 points
- Water bucket for tent, dining fly, and cooking fire, 10 points
- Garbage stored off the ground, 10 points
- Subtract 20 points for each vehicle in camp (excludes pack trailers)
- Bonus: 25 points for a handwashing station, entrance gateway or grease trap
Duty Roster
The duty roster is a blueprint for shared responsibility. In preparation for the main event, during breakout group sessions, buddies are assigned to various tasks to assure their patrol’s smooth running and organization for mealtimes. Everyone has a job to do. For weekend camps, assignments are changed after each meal.
| Sample Roster: |
Cook |
Asst Cook |
Water |
Clean-up |
Fire & Water |
Fire Assistant |
Camp Clean-up |
| Saturday Breakfast |
Scout 1 |
Scout 2 |
Scout 3 |
Scout 4 |
Scout 5 |
Scout 6 |
Scout 7 |
| Saturday Lunch |
Scout 7 |
Scout 1 |
Scout 2 |
Scout 3 |
Scout 4 |
Scout 5 |
Scout 6 |
| Saturday Dinner |
Scout 6 |
Scout 7 |
Scout 1 |
Scout 2 |
Scout 3 |
Scout 4 |
Scout 5 |
| Sunday Breakfast |
Scout 5 |
Scout 6 |
Scout 7 |
Scout 1 |
Scout 2 |
Scout 3 |
Scout 4 |
*Everyone washes their own dishes
- The Fire and Water Crew maintains the water supply, supplies of tinder, kindling, and fuel wood, or charcoal, protected from the weather, and makes sure cooking fires and/or stoves are ready to assure the cook crew has meals prepared on time.
- The Cook Crew assembles food supply, follows menus and recipes exactly, serves meals on time, puts food away, prepares cook pots to soak, and has cleanup water set on the fire or stove before serving meals.
- The Cleanup Crew sets up wash and rinse water for dishwashing, cleans cooking pots and utensils, cleans up camp kitchen and dining areas, stores all group equipment, disposes of garbage and trash, and, as appropriate, puts out the cooking fire.
Den Flag Competition
Den flags are simple flags that represent each den and give den members a sense of camaraderie and information. There will be a competition for the best den flag. The den flag should be made by the Scouts using as many natural materials as possible. Discourage plastics, non-biodegradable materials, and natural materials that harvesting might negatively impact the environment (e.g., feathers/wings of certain species of birds, hides of endangered animals, cutting trees for this project). Markers and paints can be used.
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The key requirement is that the flag is made by the Scouts.
After that, judges will be looking for the following:
- Unique materials
- Unique use of materials
- Legibility – is it easy to recognize and read from a distance?
- Does it include all of the required elements listed below?
- Can it be easily displayed and carried by the den?
- Scout spirit – are the positive aspects of the den name and totem displayed?
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Included on the flag:
- Pack number
- Den name
- Sam Houston Area Council
- Big Cypress District
- Den members’ names (first names or first and last names)
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Patrol Yell Competition
Den yells demonstrate Scout spirit, grow group identity, build den spirit and enthusiasm, and also can help Scouts let off steam at meetings. Appropriate language is the key. No inappropriate, discriminatory, defaming language will be accepted. Suggestions:
- Try to identify the pack and den name, SHAC and Big Cypress District!
- Cadences are good
- New twists on old cheers
- Short songs – old favorites with new words
- Den totems are a great resource
About Camp Brosig
Camp Brosig is a 92-acre property, located six miles north of Sealy, TX, in Austin County with 20 campsites. Camp Brosig is located at 1893 Trenckman Road, Sealy, TX 77474.
Camp Brosig Leader's Guide
Directions: Take I-10 West from Houston to Sealy, TX, exit 720 (TX-36N/Meyer St). After exiting, turn left (north) at the traffic light on TX-36N. Proceed 5.1 miles until you pass the intersection with FM331. Another 0.6 miles past FM331 is Trenckmann (a blacktop road to the left - west). The road is difficult to see at night. Go 1.6 miles on Trenckmann Road to the Camp Brosig gate on the left (south). Turn in and drive to the top of the hill. Total drive time from Houston is approximately one to one and a half hours.
Click on the icon (
) in the upper right-hand corner to make the map full screen.
Google Map
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 council and district have the right to reproduce your likeness in videography/photography for promotion (e.g., publications, internet, newspaper).
Late-Breaking Information
For late-breaking news and announcements, join the district Facebook page and sign up for the district e-mail list.
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 can be readily treated 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 have developed the SAFE Checklist of safety procedures for physical activity. These points, which embody good judgment and common sense, apply 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 Trail to Troop chair or district activities chair.