George Strake District Trail to Troop

Trail to Troop is a campout designed to introduce Webelos Scouts to the many outdoor adventures of Scouting. This fantastic weekend event includes patrol-method camping and Scout activities. Webelos Woods is a great opportunity for Webelos Scouts to spend time with and learn from older Scouts, and experience first-hand what's ahead in Scouts BSA.

Webelos dens have the opportunity to visit several troops during the weekend event. By hanging out with the troops, the Webelos Scouts can get a feeling for the personality of each troop, and which troop fits them best. Learn about Webelos-to-Scout transition and information to help assist Webelos 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 www.shacbsa.org/join-troop.

Registration

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

Part 1: RSVP:

Every Webelos den and troop needs to RSVP by 9/1/23 to let the event staff know if you are attending. RSVP by 9/1/23 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. All Webelos Scouts will be camping with a host troop, so RSVP also allows the event staff to pair up Webelos dens with host troops.

Step 1: Unit RSVP

Step 2: Payment and T-shirt Order:

Pay online with a credit card, or electronic check. Registration closes 10/3/23; 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 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. Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age- and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided." (Source, Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs) 

Adult ratios for Cub Scouts (Source) Webelos Scouts should attend the camping event with their parent(s)/ guardian(s).

• Webelos Den Camping: Each Scout should attend with their parent(s) or guardian(s). A Webelos Scout whose parent or legal guardian cannot attend a den overnight camping trip may participate under the supervision of at least two registered leaders. The leaders and a parent or legal guardian must agree to the arrangement, and all youth protection policies apply. (Source)  
• Tenting Guidelines (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.)

The most recent updates to BSA's 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 Webelos Scouts from 10 am to noon. After lunch, there will be a round-robin style event in the troop campsites where Webelos Scouts can see the troops in action and have some fun participating in various activities. Webelos dens will then be free to visit all troops in the troop campsites to get a feel for how each troop operates. Webelos dens will have ample time to visit the troops. There will be an Order of the Arrow (OA) call-out ceremony after the Saturday evening campfire.

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: Webelos parents and leaders are encouraged to attend Webelos Scout to Scout BSA Transition 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.

Webelos 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 Webelos Scouts 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. Webelos dens will also receive a participation ribbon for their pack/den flag.

Medical forms: All Scouts and adult leaders must bring a copy of their BSA 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

General Information

Water: Hydrate has become a favorite term during BSA 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 the Boy Scouts of 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

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. The Boy Scouts of 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

Contact

For questions, please contact Rafael Ramos, Webelos Woods chair or the district program chair.