George Strake District Trail to Troop

​October TBD, 2025

Camp Strake
2020 Camp Strake Rd.

Trail to Troop is a campout designed to introduce 5th-grade Scouts to the many outdoor adventures of Scouting. This fantastic weekend event includes patrol-method camping and Scout activities. Trail to Troop is a great opportunity for Arrow of Light Scouts to spend time with and learn from older Scouts, and experience first-hand what's ahead in Scouts BSA. While 4^th-grade Webelos can participate, only Arrow of Light elective adventures will be offered. 

Dens have the opportunity to visit several troops during the weekend event. By hanging out with the troops, the Scouts can get a feeling for the personality of each troop, and which troop fits them best. Learn 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 www.shacbsa.org/webelos. Find area troops at shacbsa.org/join-troop.

Registration

Registration is a two-step process. Registration is handled by the unit leader or den leader (no individual registrations) and must meet leadership requirements.

Part 1: RSVP:

Every den and troop needs to RSVP by 9/1/24 to let the event staff know if you are attending. RSVP by 9/1/24 to guarantee a patch. Estimated numbers are provided to the council so the district can reserve the appropriate number of campsites and program areas for the event. 

Step 1: Unit RSVP

Step 2: Payment and T-shirt Order:

Pay online with a credit card, or electronic check. There is no onsite registration. Council refund policy.

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

Saturday activities: There will be camp-wide activities for Scouts from 10 am to noon then lunch with their host troop then more camp-wide activities from 2 pm to 4pm. In the evening, there will be a round-robin style event where  Arrow of Light Scouts can see the troops in action and have some fun participating in various activities.

Campfire program: There will be a campfire program on Saturday evening from 8-9 pm. All Scouts and Scouters should wear field uniforms to this event. If you would like to perform your favorite skit or song, please sign up at the registration tent from 8 am -10 am Saturday morning. An Order of the Arrow (OA) representative may visit your campsite during the day if additional skits and songs are needed.

Training: Parents and leaders are encouraged to attend the Transition to Scout BSA Training which will be held Saturday morning from 10:15 - 11:15 am.

Chapel service: An Interfaith worship service will be held Sunday morning.

Check-in and check-out

Troop Check-in: Troops can arrive as early as Friday at 5:00 pm to set. The troop should send a representative to the registration tent between 5 pm and 9 pm Friday night to hand in their final roster, and to pick up t-shirts, schedules, and other information for the weekend. There will be a cracker barrel for Scoutmasters and senior patrol leaders (SPLs) at 9:00 pm Friday night at camp headquarters.

Den Check-in: Participants plan on arriving early on Saturday to set up your tents and check-in. Send a representative to the registration tent between 8 am - 10 am to hand in the final roster, and to pick up t-shirts, schedules, and other information for the weekend. There is no check-in for dens on Friday.

Check-out time: Sunday from 9 -11 am. After your area has been inspected by an Order of the Arrow (OA) representative, you may send someone to the registration tent to pick up your patches. 

Medical forms: All Scouts and adult leaders must bring a copy of their Medical and Health Record (for all Scouting events; parts A&B) with them. One person in each unit should be responsible for these forms.

Tentative Schedule

Troop Fair

The Troop Fair is an opportunity for dens to visit area Scouts BSA troops and see what they do best.  It will be an enjoyable, highly interactive event that should build enthusiasm for both troops and Cub Scout dens.  

The Troop Fair will take place on Saturday from 4:00-5:30pm at the Sports Field behind the STEM building. Troops will each have an area they may decorate as they see fit (possibly with their troops typical entryway).  Each troop should prepare an activity that showcases what their troop does best.  These activities should be easy and fun for the Cub Scouts to participate in.  Cub Scout dens will rotate on an assigned schedule to visit each troop.  Troops should prepare a handout to distribute to den parents and leaders with information about their troop. 

Honor Troop / Scoring

Troop participation and scoring for the Troop Fair will be included in the scoring for the George Strake District’s Honor Troop Award.  Per district tradition, the District Honor Troop flag will be awarded at the end of next year’s camporee. 

General Information

Water: Hydrate has become a favorite term during activities. A well-hydrated Scout is a healthy and happy Scout.

First Aid: Minor first aid will be the responsibility of each troop. Emergencies should be reported to the registration pavilion. The staff will contact the ranger or camp director, who have emergency protocols in place.

Fires: Propane, wood or charcoal fires may be used in the campsite, but fires must be confined to above ground fire containers such as barbecue pits. Ground fires are not allowed.

What to Bring

 

Campfire

Each troop is encouraged to participate in the closing campfire by performing a song, skit or dance. Multiple entries from the same troop are acceptable but cuts could be made due to time constraints. All entries will need prior approval from the camporee staff. Campfire entries are due to the camporee staff by the start of the cooking competition.

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 night for the Scoutmasters and senior patrol leader. Webelos leaders and one Webelos Scout denner are invited to a special cracker barrel where last-minute information and changes will be communicated.  Please bring a cup and pen.

Interfaith Service

​The Scout Law teaches, "A Scout is reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.” It is important that Scouts be taught to recognize the beliefs of other Scouts and to respect those beliefs. There will be an interfaith worship service on Sunday morning. All Scouts and Scouters should plan on attending this service. Field uniform should be worn. 

An interfaith service will be conducted for all participants on Sunday morning. An interfaith service is a brief worship or meditation, specifically designed for Scouting events where there may be members of more than one faith group. The intention of an interfaith service is to provide a spiritual focus during a camping experience that does not reflect the views of a particular denomination or faith. An interfaith service can be defined as a gathering of Scouts held to contribute to the development of their spirituality and to promote a fuller understanding of the Scout Oath and Law, with emphasis on one’s Duty to God.

Order of the Arrow (OA) 

​The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of Scouting America. Colonneh Lodge is the Sam Houston Area Council's Order of the Arrow Lodge. The Order of the Arrow (OA) recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.

• OA Cracker Barrel: On Saturday night, a cracker barrel is held for all Order of the Arrow members.
• Call-Out: Following the campfire, a traditional OA Call-Out ceremony will take place to recognize those youth and adults from troops, crews and ships in the district elected to the OA.
• ​Brotherhood: The Order of the Arrow will have a Brotherhood Walk on Saturday evening. All Brotherhood-eligible Arrowmen are invited. Arrowmen must be current on lodge dues. After six months of service as an Ordeal member and after fulfilling certain requirements, a member may take part in the Brotherhood ceremony, which places further emphasis on the ideals of Scouting and the Order. Completion of this ceremony signifies full membership in the Order of the Arrow.  Brotherhood is an opportunity for members to evaluate their past service to Scouting (camping and unit involvement) and to their lodge, and to reaffirm their belief in the high purposes of the Order. There is no charge for the Brotherhood walk or ceremony. Learn more about Brotherhood.
• Scoutmasters, please give your lists for Call-out and Brotherhood-eligible members attending the event to the chapter chief at the Friday night Scoutmaster/SPL meeting.

About Camp Strake

​​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. 

                    Google Map    Map     Camp Policies     About Camp Strake

Camp Strake has 20 campsites with pavilions; modern restrooms and shower houses; climbing and repelling tower; zipline;  an aquatics center with a swimming pool, lake, canoes, and kayaks; a shooting sports complex with rifle, shotgun, and archery range, including a sporting arrows course; and more.

 

Camp Strake is located on 2,816 acres between New Waverly and Coldspring near the community of Evergreen, Tx. Lake Livingston is 10 miles east of the property. 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.

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

Contact

For questions, please contact the Trail to Troop chair or the district program chair.