For parents

Regular Troop meetings are Monday nights, 7-8:30pm at The Church at Highland Park in Sapp Hall. Enter from the back of the building and down the stairs. On the Monday evening following a campout, we hold our leadership meetings instead of a regular Troop meeting.

No. We recognize that our families and scouts are very busy, often involved in additional school and sporting activities. The benefits of the program accrue the more activities are attended. For scouts attending a campout, the regular Troop meeting on Monday before the campout is required, as the Scouts will complete meal planning and collect “grub money” ($15/scout, $20/adult, cash).

The youth leaders determine our campout agenda 12-18 months in advance. Adult leaders then manage the logistics, including selecting appropriate locations, depending on the activities for each event. We mostly camp at BSA-owned properties, state parks, and private property provided by friends of the Troop, usually within a 60-90 minute drive. The Troop routinely has 60+ people on each campout. Each campout has a specific activity, such as: -Bushcraft – our signature event, demonstrating scouting skills at their finest -Canoeing down the Colorado River -Kayaking at Canyon of the Eagles -Mountain Biking at Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis -Tubing on the San Marcos, Guadalupe, or Comal rivers -Rappelling at Enchanted Rock -Caving at Longhorn Caverns -Salt water fishing at Galveston -Aviation: we partner with private pilots from the Experimental Aircraft Association “Young Eagles” program to take our scouts flying.

The scouts select a summer camp in the fall for the following summer. In recent years we have attended camps in Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. While we try to get out of the Texas heat, we tend to bring the rain with us wherever we go.

Starting at age 13 or 14, scouts may attend high adventure camps. In the past 4 years our crews have enjoyed: hiking the mountains of Philmont, NM; both summer canoeing and winter extreme weather camping at Northern Tier, Ely, MN; sailing, snorkeling, and fishing at Sea Base Bahamas and Sea Base Florida; and hiking through the Swiss Alps at the Kanderstag international scout center in Switzerland.

For most meetings, events, and campout departures and returns, Scouts are expected to wear their “Class A” uniform, which includes tan Scout uniform shirt, belt, and shorts or pants. On campouts, service projects, summer camp and high adventure trips where the Scouts will be outside/working, Scouts wear their “Class B” uniform – a T410 T-shirt. Scout caps are optional and non-Scouting caps should be tasteful. Closed toe shoes are always recommended. Adult leaders should wear their Class A uniforms, and all registered adults are encouraged to do so but not required.

All adults serving as registered leaders are required to take BSA Youth Protection Training (YPT). All adults are required to take YPT to attend any campouts or overnights. The online class takes about 90 minutes, and is good for two years. You may sign up for online YPT at http://www.bsacac.org/resources/youth_protection. Adults serving as leaders will take Troop Committee Training and position-specific training such as Scoutmaster Training (for future Scoutmasters and ASMs), and Merit Badge Counselor Training. Future ASMs must also sign up for Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS). You may sign up for online training at my.scouting.org, and for classroom and field training classes at http://bsacac.org/training.

Yes! Scholarships are available; please speak to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair. Assistance is also available through the Council for BSA membership and uniforms.

There is an annual troop registration fee (currently $265.00) per Scout is due each year. There are additional fees for monthly campouts and summer and winter camp. No boy will be denied admission to the troop or to attend monthly campouts and/or summer and winter camps due to an inability to pay the registration or camping fees. If such a situation exists, please contact the Scoutmaster or Troop Committee Chairperson.