Thunder Wolf District Trail to Troop

November TBD, 2025

Trail to Troop is not being held in 2024.  Consider attending Arrow of Light Advancement Day and/or Webelos/Arrow of Light Quest.

​​​Bovay Scout Ranch
3450 County Road 317
Navasota, TX 77868
​​​

Trail to Troop is a special weekend designed for Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts (4^th and 5^th graders) and their parents to experience what awaits them when they register in a troop. Scouts will have an opportunity to visit with older Scouts and troop leaders. Learn more about Webelos to Scouts BSA transition 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 shacbsa.org/join-troop.    

Registration

Registration is a two-part process. Trail to Troop is for Scouts and their parent(s)/guardian(s); there is no program for siblings. 

What to Bring

Suggested Personal Gear BSA Health and Medical form (part A & B) for every attendee Ground cloth Tent Sleeping bag Extra blanket Pillow Mess kit with utensils Drinking cup / bottle to carry during the day Field uniform (Scout uniform) Activity uniform (Scout t-shirt) Change of clothes appropriate for weather Closed-toed shoes Jacket/sweatshirts  Rain gear Hat Toiletries – soap, towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, deodorant Personal medications Pajamas/nightwear Flashlight and extra batteries Camp chair Handbook Paper and pen Daypack Hand sanitizer, optional Insect repellent 5th grade Arrow of Light Scouts - contact Scoutmaster for what to bring

What NOT to bring to camp:  Alcohol, electronics/game equipment, firearms, guns and ammunition, sheath knives, fireworks, illegal drugs, liquid fuel lanterns or stoves, pets, scooters, skates, skateboards, valuables

Medical Forms 

Upon arrival, each pack representative will need to turn in a packet containing a BSA Health and Medical Record (for all Scouting events; Parts A & B) for every adult and Scout attending. Packets will be returned at check-out. Troop leaders will be responsible for each participant’s BSA Health and Medical Record.  

Tentative Schedule

4th Grade Webelos Scouts
Friday
6:00 pm	Check-in and camp setup begins
9:30 pm	Information meeting and cracker barrel and information meeting (pavilion)
10:30 pm	Lights out - quiet time
Saturday
6:30 am	Reveille
7:00 am	Breakfast
8:15 am	Opening ceremony / Sign-up for adventures
9:00 am	Session # 1
11:00 am	Archery range time
12:00 pm	Lunch break
1:00 pm	Session # 2
3:15 pm	Troop presentations for 4th grade Webelos Scouts and parents
4:15 pm	Visit campsites
5:10 pm	Flag ceremony
5:25 pm	Free time
6:00 pm	Dinner
8:00 pm	Campfire
9:30 pm	Cracker barrel
10:30 pm	Lights out - quiet time
Sunday
6:30 am	Reveille
7:00 am	Breakfast
8:00 am	Interfaith worship service
8:20 am	Flag ceremony / awards
9:15 am	Check-out
10:30 am	District units and staff depart

 

5th Grade Arrow of Light Scouts / Troop Schedule
Friday
6:00 pm	Check-in and camp setup begins
10:15 pm	Scoutmaster and senior patrol leaders meeting (pavillon)
10:30 pm	Lights out all
Saturday
6:30 am	Reveille
7:00 am	Breakfast
8:15 am	Opening ceremony
9:00 am	Session # 1 / Troops prepare campsites for inspection
12:00 pm	Lunch break
1:00 pm	Session # 2
3:15 pm	Troop presentations for 5th grade Arrow of Light Scouts and parents
4:15 pm	Visit campsites
5:10 pm	Flag ceremony
5:25 pm	Dinner / free time
7:00 pm	Troop cook-off – judging at HQ
8:00 pm	Campfire
10:30 pm	Lights out
Sunday
6:30 am	Reveille
7:00 am	Breakfast
8:00 am	Interfaith worship service
8:20 am	Flag ceremony / awards
9:15 am	Check-out
10:30 am	District units and staff depart

Parent-Focused Activities

Saturday

9:15 - 10:00 am	Webelos Scout to Scouts BSA Transition
10:10 - 10:55 am	Gear Talk
1:15 - 2:00 pm	Benefits of Scouts BSA Program

 

Uniforms

Scouts are encouraged to wear their field uniforms traveling to and from the event, Saturday evening program and to the Sunday morning interfaith worship service. Activity uniforms (any Scout t-shirt) may be worn at other times.

Cracker Barrel and Information Meeting

There is a meeting on Friday evening at the pavilion for 4^th grade Webelos Scouts and their parent. Snacks will be provided and information will be shared regarding schedules and the weekend's activities. Please bring a cup, a pen, and a chair.

Leaders Meeting

There is a leader's meeting on Friday evening.  All senior patrol leaders and Scoutmasters from each troop should be in attendance for final instructions and schedules. Please bring a cup, a pen, and a chair.

Troop Cook-off

Saturday evening each troop may enter one dish for the cook-off.  This dish can be any entree of your choosing and cooked in any manner. Troops with several patrols who are cooking a dish will need to select one dish is to be presented. Points will be awarded on appearance, taste, complexity, and incorporation of the theme.

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.” It is important that Scouts be taught to recognize the beliefs of other Scouts and to respect those beliefs. Troops will conduct their own interfaith service in their campsite. Event staff will hold an interfaith service for Scouts and their parents on Sunday morning.

Parking

Park in designated parking areas only. Cars will not be permitted to be parked at troop campsites. Unit trailers may be left in their campsite as long as wheels are blocked and the trailer is secured when unattended. Please inform all drivers to obey posted camp speed limits and use extra caution while operating their vehicles on camp roads and parking areas. Please encourage all attendees to carpool as much as possible.

Campsites

Each troop will be assigned a campsite adequate for the number of Scouts indicated on the troop registration form. A large number of last-minute additions may result in overcrowding of campsites, so please have an accurate count for registration. Be reminded to have a first aid kit, trash bags, duty roster, and meal planner visible in the campsite. A site will be assigned to all fourth-grade Webelos Scouts and their parents upon arrival

Cooking and Fires

Each troop 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. No liquid fuels are allowed per SHAC policy, and you may not build an open fire on the ground anywhere.  Existing campfire rings are allowed. Please bring in your own wood/charcoal/ fire pit/sand 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 troops should bring their own containers (with lid) to transport water back to their campsites as needed.

Trash

All participants are expected to adhere to the seven Leave No Trace 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 participant needing assistance. The first aid station will be centrally located and marked with a red cross sign. Please be sure to advise your patrol members of its location, which will be announced at the Friday leader's meeting.

Check-out and Patches

When you are ready to leave on Sunday morning, send a representative from the unit to headquarters to have a staff member visit your campsite for inspection. If your campsite is ready for your departure, you will be given your patches and health forms.

Accommodations

Scouts who need accommodations are encouraged to participate in all activities. Let the staff know prior to the event about any accommodations needed.

Campsite Inspections 

Campsite inspections will take place for all troops sometime Saturday afternoon.  The troop with the highest point total will be recognized.

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).

Cancellations and Late-Breaking Information

For late-breaking news and announcements, sign up for our district texting service and e-mail list.  The event will happen rain or shine unless there are dangerous conditions.  “Be prepared for all types of weather and conditions. There will not be an alternate or rain date.

Scouting Safely

​​​The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Scouting America puts the utmost importance on the 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. 

BSA 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 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 a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting      Sweet Sixteen      Enterprise Risk Management

Contacts