Camp Strake Leader's Guide

Camp Strake is a first-class, state-of-the-art camp at a rural site near the Sam Houston National Forest, close to the community of Evergreen.

Camp Strake is surrounded on three sides by the Sam Houston National Forest and has the Lone Star Hiking Trail close to one corner of the property. The Lone Star Hiking Trail is close to one corner of the property.

This leader’s guide will provide basic information about camp operations and the camp programs offered and help prepare units for outstanding camping programs.

Printable View              About Camp Strake

Directions

Camp Strake is located on 2,816 acres between New Waverly and Coldspring near the community of Evergreen, Tx. The camp is a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Houston and close to I-45 and the Grand Parkway. Camp Strake is located at 2020 Camp Strake Rd., Coldspring, TX 77331. Latitude and longitude: 30.608901, -95.230270.

Camp Reservations and Fees

Leader Information

Rangers / Campmasters:  Camp Strake is served by a camp director and two rangers in residence at the camp. Unit needing assistance during their time at camp should contact one of the rangers. During most weekends, there will be one or more campmasters, volunteers who provide additional support to the weekend activities. The campmasters are located in the check-in building near the entrance to the camp.

Check-in/out: Check-in is after 3 pm on Fridays and check-out is before 11 am on Sundays. 

Parking: all cars are to park in the campsite parking lots. Do not drive past the gates (e.g., to the ranges or through camp). Unit trailers are to remain in the parking lot (not in the grassy area of the campsite). Bikes (non-motorized) can only be ridden on the horseshoe around the outer rim of the campsites and on the road to shooting sports. Helmets are required when riding a bike. Bikes can not be ridden through camp.

WiFi: The following locations at camp are equipped with internet connectivity. Check with the ranger for information on the WiFi router name and password. Use of this system is monitored, and users are required to accept conditions for use. Wifi works best at • Headquarters •  STEM Building • Dining Hall • Staff Lounge • Grand Pavilion

 

Camp Strake Program Areas

Medical Information and Emergencies

Health Lodge: The Health Lodge at camp is located in the administration building. It is not usually open during weekend camping times except for when district or council events are occurring at the same time. When the Health Lodge is open, the staff can handle minor injuries and illnesses. Any emergency that cannot be treated at the Health Lodge will be referred to a local hospital or doctor’s clinic. The unit leader or assistant will transport the patient to the outside medical facility.

Hospital Treatment: Should any participant at Camp Strake require medical treatment beyond the first aid capabilities provided by the participant’s unit or camp staff at the Health Lodge, they will be evacuated to the nearest medical treatment facility. The nearest hospital is Cleveland Emergency Hospital located at 1017 South Travis Ave, Cleveland TX.

Emergencies: The camp has emergency phone numbers posted near all telephones and FM radio communication throughout the camp. In an emergency, the camp ranger, or designee, will initiate emergency procedures depending upon the situation. During emergencies, adult leaders should supervise their own unit’s response appropriately. If an evacuation is necessary, it will be initiated by the camp ranger.

Camp Strake Emergency Numbers:

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Camp Strake Orienteering Course

There is a permanent orienteering course established at Camp Strake. A copy of the map and clue sheet along with a compass should be provided to each buddy team that runs the course. This is a challenging course for beginning participants, but it does meet the layout requirements for the First Class rank orienteering requirement. Before going on the course, participants should be familiar with map reading techniques and compass use. Orienteering is a competition event. Units using the course should encourage Scouts to move as quickly as possible without missing any of the control points. There are numerous places along the course where the heights or widths of objects can be measured. It is not possible to travel in straight lines on this course. Participants will have to use their land navigation skills to maneuver around obstacles. An experienced team can complete the course in about an hour. Most teams will require at least two hours to do the course. For additional information or assistance, contact David Van Kleeck at david.vankleeck@entouch.net.

Orienteering Basics: The sport of orienteering began in the late 19th century in Scandinavia. In its classic form, orienteers (competitors) are given a topographic map with a series of controls marked on it. They find these controls in order and return to the starting point; the orienteer with the best time wins. 

Scope: Following are instructions for the orienteering courses currently established at Camp Strake. Operation of these courses supports the conduct of the Orienteering Merit Badge and rank advancement requirements. From time to time, it may also support troop program activities as well as council-supported orienteering events.

Policies: Orienteering is normally an individual competitive event. It is essentially a cross-country race using a map and compass to find specified waypoints. However, in order to comply with BSA safety requirements, any orienteering activity at Camp Strake must use the buddy system. Participants will be advised not to cross any fences on the camp property. The northern boundary of the orienteering courses is the range road. There are no orienteering control points located north of this road.

Procedures: The present full course is over a mile in length (straight-line distances) and thus meets the First Class rank orienteering requirement. Clearly, it is not possible to travel in straight lines between points because of the terrain and vegetation. That will challenge even the more experienced orienteering participants. The objective of the course is to use the orienteering map provided to find and identify correctly all of the control points in the order laid out for the course. The following table contains the key for the order of the points in the course.

The overall layout of the points is shown in the picture below. This is provided primarily for use by the leaders supervising the orienteering activity. It can be used in debriefs following the activity to help participants find any points they had difficulty with during the course. Yellow points are orienteering course control points.

Participants should know their pace counts. A football field makes a good known distance. There is a known distance marked on the Camp Strake activity field near the course start point. Most Scouts have a count between 110 and 120 paces per 100 yards. The participants should use the orienteering map along with a compass to find the control points in order.

Distances can be estimated using the scale on the map.

• When the participants reach control points, they should record the point name in the table on the back of the orienteering map sheet in the box corresponding to the control point number. Or use the hole punch at the control point to punch a pin pattern on their course card. Those in charge of running the course can check the completeness and accuracy of the card once participants complete the course.
• To run an event, provide buddy pairs (never do Scout events solo) with a map and compass. Sequence buddy pairs so that they start every 30-60 seconds apart. Record their start time.
• Orienteering is a timed event; thus, the winner is the buddy team with the fastest time while also getting all of the control point names correct.
• Cards with incorrect names or hole punches will result in the buddy pair being disqualified for competition purposes. Being disqualified does not prevent Scouts from meeting the rank advancement requirement nor any of the applicable Orienteering Merit Badge requirements.
• Organizers should recognize the top finishers.

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Geocaching

Geocaching is a sport that combines land navigation using maps and GPS receivers with problem-solving and competition. In geocaching, participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook where the geocacher enters the date they found it and signs it with their established code name. Often, there are tiny trade items you can take away as souvenirs.

Geocaching is often described as a “game of high-tech hide and seek.” It’s a fun way to spend a day or a weekend and to practice important Scouting skills.

Scope: Following are instructions for the geocaching course currently established at Camp Strake. Operation of this course supports the conduct of the Geocaching Merit Badge and rank advancement requirements (use of a GPS). From time to time, it may also support troop program activities as well as council-supported events.

Policies: Geocaching is normally an individual activity. It is essentially a cross-country treasure hunt find specified caches. However, in order to comply with BSA safety requirements, any geocaching activity at Camp Strake must use the buddy system.  Participants will be advised not to cross any fences on the camp property. The northern boundary of the orienteering courses is the range road. There are no geocaches located north of this road.

Procedures: The present set of geocaches comprises a course is over a mile in length (straight-line distances) if the participant chooses to find the caches in the order listed. Clearly, it is not possible to travel in straight lines between points because of the terrain and vegetation. The objective of the course is to use a GPS receiver (handheld receiver or cell phone app) along with a map to find the caches. Caches may be located in the order listed, or individually depending on the time available. If you choose to use the caches as a course, you will find clues to find the next cache in the sequence in the current cache. So, it is possible to complete the course by providing only the location of the first cache in the sequence. 

Geocaching Resources:

• SHAC Geocaching and Orienteering Course
• Geocaching Merit Badge
• Geochaching Troop Meeting Plans and Ideas
• Geocaching Information 

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Disc Golf 

Disc golf is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf. There is a 9-hole course at Camp Strake. Players complete a hole by throwing a disc from a tee pad or area toward a target, known as a basket, throwing again from where the previous throw landed until the basket is reached. The number of throws a player uses to reach each basket is tallied; players seek to complete each hole in the lowest number of total throws.

Disk Golf Resources:

• Disc Golf in Support of Scouting 

Gaga Ball

There are two Gaga ball pits at Camp Strake. One is located behind the Grand Pavillion and one is in the sports field. Scouts must be monitored and supervised at all times. Gaga ball is a fast-paced, high-energy game that is a kinder, gentler version of dodgeball in an octagonal pit. Players begin with one hand on any side of the wall of the pit. A ball is tossed into the pit, and players yell “GA,” “GA,” and “BALL!” to mark each time the ball bounces in the pit. On the third bounce (“BALL!”), gameplay begins. Players can hit the ball with an open or closed hand but must leave the pit if they are hit by the ball anywhere below the waist. The ball cannot be held but can be caught on a flyball to get the previous “hitter” out. The last player standing wins the round. Games typically last a few minutes and can be intensified by the addition of a second ball. Leaders need to supply a dodgeball.

Fishing

Catch and release fishing is allowed at camp to catch bass, sunfish, bluegill and catfish. Bring your own poles and equipment. Hooks must be barbless. Suggested bait include worms, corn, jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwater lures. Fishing licenses are not required.

Nature Trails

Camp Strake Nature Guide

The Camp Strake Nature Guide gives brief descriptions of some of the numerous varieties of trees and other plants found along the nature trail. Scouts in troops can work on First Class #5 (Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants in your community) and various merit badges.

There are three native pollinator gardens at camp. The sunny garden is next to the tree line west of the STEM center, the shady garden is located west of the STEM center on the path between the trees, and the boggy garden is located on the west side of the HQ building. 

Camp Strake Nature Guide      Camp Strake Pollinator Gardens

 

iNaturalist

iNaturalist is a free app to help identify plants and animals. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! What’s more, by recording and sharing your observations, you’ll create research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature. Download the app on your phone or visit iNaturalist.org.

Upload pictures to identify plants and wildlife. Tag Camp Strake.

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Contacts