Texas Trails Council | Boy Scouts of America

Welcome to Breanna Jewell - Buffalo Mountain District Executive
Breanna Jewell is originally from Pendleton Indiana and has been in Abilene for over a year now. She has her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Youth Leadership from Indiana State University. She received her master's degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University. Breanna loves to travel, hike and spend time with loved ones.

Haunted Forest - Oct 23-25

Join us at Camp Tonkawa for family camping, activities, hayride, and the haunted hike. Activities will be available on Saturday. Camping is optional both Friday and Saturday nights. Read More

Penateka Lodge Food Drive - Nov. 7
Collection Site - Units may drop-off food between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm at the Food Bank of Abilene - 5505 N. 1st, Abilene, TX 79603. Map is now available at the Council Service Center for your unit to select your food collection area. Bags are ready for pick up from the Council Service Center.

Indian Lore Merit Badge - Nov. 7
Frontier Texas will offer this merit badge the afternoon of Nov 7. Advanced registration is required. Read More

OCT District Winter Camporee - Dec 4-6
Registration is now available for this camporee to be held at Camp Billy Gibbons. Activities include tomahawk throwing, 3-D Archery, Fire Making, Knots, String Burning, Scout Law, First Aid Scenario and chili cook-off. Read More

Penateka Lodge - Order of the Arrow - Scouting's National Honor Society

New Vigil Members - Please help us celebrate our new Vigil members: Christopher McHann, John Z. Walke, Greg Cannon, and Cindy Webb. Thank you to Ben Holmes for conducting an outstanding Vigil ceremony.
Nov 13-15 - Penateka Lodge Fall Fellowship - Camp Billy Gibbons
Ordeal candidates will have another opportunity to seal their bond in the Order. Brotherhood will also be offered. Arrowmen will help us prepare Camp Billy Gibbons for 2016 Summer Camp programs. Read More
Dec 12 - Penateka Lodge Banquet
12:00 pm at Hendrick Medical Center. Recipients of the Centurion Award will be honored. Cost and guest speaker will be announced next month. Read More
Jan 15-17 - Section Triad - This weekend event will be held at Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp in Athens, TX. Arrowmen will participate in leadership training, Indian Affairs training and attend the section business meeting. Read More
Apr 15-17 - Section SR2-3N Conclave
Conclave at Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp. Early-bird registration will be open Nov. 15. Read More

2015 Popcorn Sales Campaign

Dates

Oct 21 - Show & sell money due to council
Nov 12 - Turn in take-orders to council
Dec 4 - Distribution of take-orders
Dec 16 - Take-order money due to council
Dec 19 - Popcorn Sales Party
Dec 23 - Prize orders due

Weekly Drawings for $600 and Fill-It-Up Sheets are due by 4:00pm each Friday to Tesha Conditt by email to tesha.conditt@scouting.org, or Fax to 325.677.2923

Timber Tag 94 - Jan 23, Feb 5-7, Feb 26-28

Adult leader training for Cub and Boy Scout leaders at Camp Tonkawa. Timber Tag is a great opportunity for Scouters to complete Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Training, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, and position- specific training. Read More

Wood Badge - April 2016 - Texas Southwest Council

Wood Badge is advanced training for adult leaders in the BSA. This includes Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity & Venturing Leaders, District and Council Committee members as well as Professional Scouters. Courses will be held at Camp Sol Mayer in Menard, Texas. Read More

Highlights from Burnam Merit Badge Seminar
104 Scouts attended the annual seminar Oct 10-11 at ACU. Each Scout had an opportunity to work on 3 merit badges, participate in the Life to Eagle Seminar, and have fun at the climbing wall and pool.

Nan Burnam was presented with Joe Ed Burnam's Centurion Award. For nearly 100 years, the Order of the Arrow has purposefully recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. The Centurion Award aims to highlight “Hometown Heroes,” or Arrowmen who have meaningfully contributed to the forming, maturing and ongoing operational excellence of their local council’s lodge, and who, in doing so, inspired others to follow in their footsteps.

2017 Jamboree

Texas Trails Council plans to send a contingent of 36 youth and 4 adults. Please indicate your interest by completing the online form. Scouts must be 12 years of age and a 1st class Scout at the start of the Jamboree. Scouts may not have another opportunity to attend.

Attend the information meeting - Sun. Nov 1 @ 3:00 pm - Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler, Abilene, TX 79601

See our Jamboree webpage for more information. Read More

Friends of Scouting

Thank you for your consideration to become a Friend of Scouting or renew your Friends of Scouting support! Our Friends of Scouting greatly assist the Texas Trails Council in supporting the programs and services provided to each youth, family, scout unit and chartered organization. Donate online

Buy-A-Brick – Texas Trails Council Scouter’s Walk
Create a lasting memory for family and friends by purchasing a brick for the Scouter’s Walk. The bricks will be placed around the flag poles at Camp Tonkawa, Camp Billy Gibbons, and the new Service Center. Proceeds will be designated to the council’s capital funds. Read More

Life to Eagle - New Resources
Texas Trails Alumni Association has been working on the development of new, online resources to help Scouts achieve their Eagle Scout award. Documents are being added and updated frequently. Read More

Highlights from Eagle Scout & Scouting Alumni Dinner
The Oct 6 dinner provided an opportunity for 50 Eagle Scouts and Scouting Alumni to reengage and reconnect. Ryan Larson and Todd Plotner shared information on alumni activities offered by the BSA. John Vann shared the vision of the Texas Trails Eagle Scout & Scouting Alumni Association. View Photos and Presentation

Scoutreach - Making Scouting Available in Schools/Communities

The Scoutreach program gives special leadership and emphasis to urban and rural Scouting programs by ensuring that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting. The Texas Trails Council's program is named "Texas Trails Stars" and has over 180 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts at units in Abilene, Brownwood, Coleman, and Santa Anna. This year, Scouts have gone camping, traveled to Corpus Christi, attended the Tarleton Merit Badge Seminar, and attended resident summer camp at Camp Tonkawa. Contact Randy Linn, Scoutreach Director, for more information.

Scout Shop Orders
Units located outside of Abilene can place orders for patches, books, uniforms and other items sold throughout the Scout Shop. Orders are delivered by staff members when they visit those cities. Please submit your orders at least 72 hours prior to the need date. This will ensure we have time to fill the order and have items available.

Cub Scouting Program Changes

Advancement, Handbooks, Leader training, Program Material
Read More

Annual Program Planning for Troops

Has your troop began planning for the next 12 months? Annual program planning is an important process for a successful Scouting program. It is essential for the youth and adults in your troop to plan meeting agendas, merit badges, campouts, summer camp, and other events. Download the planning guide.

Future of Scouting with BSA President Dr. Robert M. Gates
Grow Our Program ... message presented by Dr. Gates during the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference.

Dr. Gates also spoke at the 2015 National Business Meeting. Read More

Michael Surbaugh - New Chief Scout Executive

Michael Surbaugh replaced Wayne Brock this month as our new Chief Scout Executive. Mike is an Eagle Scout and an Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor member, and has completed Wood Badge. He also is proud to have served as camp director and a member of summer camp staffs for 12 years. Read More

Learn More about his vision for the growth of Scouting.

2016 Training Programs at Philmont - Youth and Adults

Did you know training is available for youth and adults at Philmont? The 2016 conference schedule is now available. Philmont Training Center

NAYLE - National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience

The National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) is conducted for older Scouts and Venturers who have the potential for being on the staff of the council junior leader training or youth leader training conference. Philmont Training Center will offer 7 sessions in the summer of 2015. Read More.

New Award Helps Scout Units Commit to Health and Fitness
Scouts know the value of health and fitness – and now, with the SCOUTStrong Healthy Unit Award, they can show they’re committed to this value at meetings and gatherings. This award centers around 3 healthy principles: drinking clean water, eating fruits and vegetables for snacks, and engaging in physical activities during meetings. Read More

Making A Difference Through Scouting: The Adventure of the Muddy Lions
Troop 491 developed a video and curriculum to help youth in their community with smart decision making. The video promotes character, leadership, teamwork, and self-esteem and contains messages that resonate with today’s youth. Download the video and materials. Read More

Magic Johnson: A Fan of Boy Scouts

Basketball legend and former LA Lakers' Magic Johnson spoke at the annual Friends of Scouting Breakfast in Midland, Wisconsin.Read what he has to say about dreams coming true. Read More