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Scouting in Texas
Comanche Trail Council Indian Camp at the 1937 National Scout Jamboree
Comanche Trail Council Indian Camp at the 1937 National Scout Jamboree
Girl Scout uniform, 1927 at The Women's Museum
Girl Scout uniform, 1927 at The Women's Museum
Boy Scouts of America National Headquarters
Boy Scouts of America National Headquarters
Boy Scout Cookout
Boy Scout Cookout
 Scouting portal

Scouting in Texas has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, so that they may play constructive roles in society.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) provides Scouting for boys and girls in all programs. Texas is home to the BSA national headquarters, in Irving, Texas. The Boy Scouts of America in Texas are organized into 20 local councils.

Girl Scouts of the USA, organized into eight local councils, only serves girls.

History

[edit]

Scouting in Texas unofficially dates to the publication of British lieutenant general Robert Baden-Powell's popular book, Scouting for Boys, in 1908. Even before a national organization had been started, groups of boys began Scout activities in troops and small groups in 1908, 1909, and 1910. The claims of several troops to be the first organized in Texas, whether before or after the incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910, are difficult to verify. BSA archives do show that the thirty-seventh registered scoutmaster in the country was a Texan, Rev. George W. Sheafor, of Comanche, in 1910.[1]

In February 1910, just days after the Boy Scouts of America was organized, Boy Scout Troop 114 was established in Floresville, Texas by Professor W.H. Butler. A reference to the Floresville Boy Scout Troop can be found in the edition of April 2, 1911 of The Galveston Daily News when they published a picture of the Floresville troop. An article in the Victoria, Weekly Advocate (probably January 10, 1911 edition) refers to the Floresville Boy Scout troop as the second oldest in Texas. A short break in the troop's charter occurred in 1974. They no longer appear to be an active Troop.

Austin, TX Troop 5[2] was formed in 1911 and has been in continuous operation since that time. In 2011, Austin Troop 5 celebrated its 100th anniversary centennial at Camp Mabry. Troop 5 is believed to be the oldest continuously chartered scout troop in Texas.

In 1913 Troop 7 was established in Grapevine, Texas. The troop has been chartered every year since starting except 1979.

In 1916 Troop 1 was established in Wichita Falls, Texas. Troop 1 in Wichita Falls has been continuously chartered since 1916.

In 1925 Troop 30 was established in Houston, Texas. The troop has been continuously chartered since 1925.

An African American troop was formed in Port Arthur as early as 1916. The BSA report to Congress for 1930 named Dallas as one of the southern cities in which Scouting was growing in the black community. Hispanic boys were also active in Scouting, often in units with non-Hispanic boys. Jewish youth had been active in Scouting in San Antonio for many years before a synagogue sponsored a troop for them in 1924.[1]

By 1918, unofficial Wolf Cub packs appeared in Paris, Texas.

The BSA national office was moved to Irving in 1979.

The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council traces its roots back to the 1920s when Frances Mann Law and Corrinne Fonde organized a Girl Scout Council in Houston.[3] The council office was in a three roomed cottage.

Most Girl Scouts of the USA units were originally segregated by race according to state and local laws and customs. The first troop for Mexican Americans was formed in Houston in 1922. In 1936, the first African American Girl Scout troop west of the Mississippi was formed in Texas.

The Girl Scouts' Camp Texlake was dedicated in 1949.

Boy Scouts of America in Texas

[edit]
Boy Scouts of America in Texas
Map of approximate council boundaries
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
 Scouting portal

Texas is home to the BSA National Headquarters in Irving, Texas. The National Scouting Museum was located in Irving from October 2002 until September 2017 when it was moved to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.

There are twenty Boy Scouts of America local councils in Texas. All of Texas lies within the Southern Region, except for El Paso, Hudspeth and Parmer Counties, which are part of Western Region.[4]

Alamo Area Council

[edit]
Alamo Area Council (#583)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersSan Antonio, Texas
CountryUnited States
PresidentJimmy Allen
Scout ExecutiveMichael de los Santos
Website
www.alamoareabsa.org
 Scouting portal

The Alamo Area Council, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, serves a 13 county area in Texas. The counties served by the Alamo Area BSA include Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, La Salle, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson.

Organization

[edit]
Districts
  • Fiesta District
  • River District
  • Coyote District
  • Roadrunner District
  • Oak Tree District
  • Mesquite District
  • Wildflower District (meta-district includes Scoutreach)
  • Prickly Pear District (meta-district includes Exploring)
  • Mission District (made up of units run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was dissolved at the end of 2019 when the Church dissolved all its scouting units)

The council is composed of:

Old Districts
  • Texas Hills District
  • Rough Rider District
  • Diamondback District
  • Summit District
  • Memorial District
  • Longhorn District
  • Cimarron District
  • Two Rivers District
  • Armadillo District
  • Victory District
  • Broken Arrow District
  • Cherokee District
  • Eagle District
  • El Dorado District
  • Four Rivers District
  • Galaxy District
  • Keystone District
  • Mission Tejas District
  • Phoenix District
  • Sioux District
  • Aztec District
  • Tomahawk District
  • Two Feathers District

These thirteen no longer have their old names, except Galaxy.

Camps

[edit]

Alamo Area Council operates three camps: McGimsey Scout Park, where Cub Scout Day Camp is held during the summer, as well as other events throughout the year, Bear Creek Scout Reservation, where Boy Scout resident camp and Webelos resident camp are held during the summer, and the newest camp, the Mays Family Scout Ranch located south of downtown San Antonio.

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Aina Topa Hutsi #60[5]

Bay Area Council

[edit]
Bay Area Council (#574)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersGalveston, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.bacbsa.org
 Scouting portal

Organization

[edit]
  • Coastal District
  • Cradle of Texas District
  • Thunderbird District
  • Northern Star District

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Karankawa
  • Sea Star Base Galveston

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Wihinipa Hinsa Lodge

Buffalo Trail Council

[edit]
Buffalo Trail Council (#567)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersMidland, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.buffalotrailbsa.org
 Scouting portal

The Buffalo Trail Council comprises five Districts serving West Texas.

Organization

[edit]
  • Chaparral District - Martin and Midland counties
  • Comanche Trails District - Andrews, Ector, Loving, Ward, and Winkler counties
  • Big Bend District - Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Presidio, and Reeves counties
  • Lone Star District - Borden, Glasscock, Howard, Mitchell, Scurry and Sterling counties
  • Scoutreach District

Camps

[edit]
  • Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch

Caddo Area Council

[edit]
Main article: Caddo Area Council

Headquartered in Texarkana, Texas, the Caddo Area Council (#584) serves Scouts in Northeast Texas and Arkansas.[6]

The Longhorn District serves Bowie and Cass counties in Northeast Texas.

Capitol Area Council

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Capitol Area Council (#564)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
Headquarters12500 North IH 25
Austin, Texas 78753
LocationTexas
CountryUnited States
Founded1912
Membership24,000 youth
PresidentMarietta Scott
Council CommissionerMani Kuruvila
Scout ExecutiveJon Yates
Website
www.bsacac.org
 Scouting portal

The Capitol Area Council serves Scouts and Scouting volunteers in 15 Central Texas counties surrounding Austin. The council currently (when?) serves 24,000 young people, and is led by the current Scout Executive, Jon Yates.

Organization

[edit]
  • Armadillo District
  • Bee Cave District
  • Blackland Prairie District
  • Chisholm Trail District
  • Colorado River District
  • Hill Country District
  • Live Oak District
  • North Shore District
  • Sacred Springs District
  • San Gabriel District
  • Thunderbird District
  • Waterloo District

Camps

[edit]
  • Lost Pines Scout Reservation - Bastrop County, Texas
  • Griffith League Scout Ranch - Bastrop County, Texas
  • Camp Alma McHenry - near Giddings, Texas
  • Camp Green Dickson - near Gonzales, Texas
  • Smilin V -- Liberty Hill (Williamson County), Texas
  • Roy D. Rivers Wilderness Camp - Near Smithville, Texas

Order of the Arrow

[edit]

First chartered by the National Council on January 20, 1937, by Joe Lindsay Jr. and Joe Lindsay Sr., Tonkawa Lodge #99 started as Tejas Lodge but was later changed to Tonkawa in 1938 with lodge 72 already having the name. Tonkawa Lodge #99 was proudly had one of its members become the Order of the Arrow National Chief in 2011, Jonathan "Bunker" Hillis. Currently Tonkawa Lodge #99 has 12 Chapters that are aligned and named with the above-mentioned Districts.

Circle Ten Council

[edit]
Main article: Circle Ten Council
Circle Ten Council (#571)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersDallas, Texas
CountryUnited States
Founded1913
Website
circleten.org
 Scouting portal

The Circle Ten Council serves BSA units in 24 counties across North Texas and portions of Oklahoma.

Organization

[edit]
North Central Service Area
  • Northern Trail District
  • Rising Sun District
  • Tejas Caddo District
  • West Park District
North Metro Service Area
  • Chisholm Trail District
  • Eagle Trail District
  • Iron Horse District
  • Lone Star District
  • Texoma Valley District
Northeastern Service Area
  • Duck Creek District
  • East Trinity Trails District
  • Eastern Lakes District
  • Post Oak District
  • Two Rivers District
Southwestern Service Area
  • Elm Fork District
  • Soaring Eagle District
  • Southern Star District
  • Western Horizion District

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Constantin - Graford, TX
  • Clements Scout Ranch - Athens, TX
  • Camp James Ray - Pottsboro, TX
  • Camp Wisdom - Dallas, TX

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Mikanakawa Lodge #101

Conquistador Council

[edit]
Main article: Conquistador Council

The Conquistador Council (No. 413), with its office in Roswell, New Mexico, primarily oversees BSA units in southeast New Mexico. However, Parmer County, Texas is included in the council territory because of its proximity to Clovis, New Mexico. There are no units chartered in Parmer County. The area is part of El Llano Grande District. The Kwahadi Lodge #78 of the Order of the Arrow serves local Arrowmen.

East Texas Area Council

[edit]
East Texas Area Council (#585)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersTyler, Texas
CountryUnited States
Founded1930
Website
www.etexscouts.org
 Scouting portal

The East Texas Area Council was formed in 1930 through the merger of the Davey Crockett Council, the Pine Tree Area Council, and the Tejas Council. It serves 17 counties in Texas.

Organization

[edit]
  • Five Rivers District
  • Golden Eagle District
  • Tomahawk District
  • Wo Ha Li District

Camps

[edit]
  • George W. Pirtle Scout Reservation (Camp Pirtle)

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Tejas Lodge 72[8]

Golden Spread Council

[edit]
Golden Spread Council (#562)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersAmarillo, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
goldenspread.org
 Scouting portal
Main article: Golden Spread Council

The Golden Spread Council (#562) serves Scouts in the Panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma. Its service area includes all or part of 23 counties in Texas and three counties in Oklahoma.

Organization

  • Adobe Walls District
  • Golden Eagle District
  • Lone Wolf District
  • Quanah Parker District

Camps

  • Camp Don Harrington
  • Camp M.K. Brown

Order of the Arrow

  • Nischa Achowalogen

Longhorn Council

[edit]
Longhorn Council (#662)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersHurst, Texas
CountryUnited States
Scout ExecutiveWendy Shaw
Website
www.longhorncouncil.org
 Scouting portal

The Longhorn Council serves Scouts in a 23 county area of North Texas and Central Texas. Its headquarters is in Hurst (near Fort Worth), with an additional service center in Waco.

Organization

[edit]

The council is organized into 12 districts:

  • Arrowhead District
  • "Brazos Valley District".
  • "Chisholm Trail District".
  • "Frontier Trails District".
  • Heart O' Texas District
  • "Leon Valley District".
  • Lone Star District
  • "Mustang District".
  • Orion District
  • Pathfinder District
  • Santa Fe District
  • "Trinity Trails District".

Camps

[edit]
  • Worth Ranch (Palo Pinto, Texas)
  • Sid Richardson Scout Ranch (Bridgeport, Texas)
  • Camp Tahuaya (Belton, Texas)
  • Hills and Hollows (Denton, Texas)

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Netopalis Sipo Schipinahck Lodge #209[9]

NeTseO Trails Council

[edit]
NeTseO Trails Council (#580)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersParis, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
none - merged with Circle Ten Council
 Scouting portal

NeTseO Trails Council serves Scouts in northeastern Texas (neT) and southeastern Oklahoma (seO) and has the Council Office in Paris, Texas on the west side of Loop 286. Council merged with Circle Ten 3/1/2017.

Organization

[edit]
  • Two Rivers District
  • Northern Star District
  • White Oak District

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Frederick H. Dierks, Wright City, Oklahoma (sold 2017)
  • Lynwood Hogue Scout Camp a.k.a. "Hogue's Landing", Paris, TX

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Loquanne Allangwh Lodge #428

Northwest Texas Council

[edit]
Northwest Texas Council (#587)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersWichita Falls, Texas
CountryUnited States
Founded1920
Scout Executive/CEOGreg Brownfield
Website
www.nwtcbsa.org
 Scouting portal

The Northwest Texas Council (#587) was founded in 1920. Based in Wichita Falls, the Northwest Texas Council serves almost 100 units in 12 Texas counties (Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cottle, Foard, Hardeman, King, Knox, Montague, Throckmorton, Wichita, and Wilbarger).

Organization

The Northwest Texas Council has two districts:

  • Green Belt District
  • Red River District

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Perkins - a gift in 1941 from Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Perkins, is the primary camp for the council. It is about 400 acres (160 ha) located along the Red River.

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Wichita Lodge 35

Rio Grande Council

[edit]
Rio Grande Council (#775)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersHarlingen, Texas
CountryUnited States
Founded1926
PresidentDr. Jake Margo
Council CommissionerPaty Garcia
Scout ExecutiveLuis Rodriguez
Website
www.riograndecouncil.org
 Scouting portal

The Rio Grande Council (#775) was formed in 1927 as the Lower Rio Grande Valley Council (#775). It changed its name in 1947 to the current name.[4] It covers 5 counties, including Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Starr & Zapata and it serves a membership of approximately, 4,000 youth and 1,500 adult leaders in the southernmost parts of Texas.

Organization

[edit]

The Rio Grande Council has two districts:

  • East
  • West

Camps

[edit]
  • Laguna Station High Adventure Sea Base[10] is located on South Padre Island. Campers can gain SCUBA certification.
  • Camp Perry[11] was established in 1927 and has continuously operated as a Boy Scout Camp longer than any other such camp in Texas. Situated on the banks of the Arroyo Colorado, it covers over 260 acres (1.1 km2). There are twelve campsites at Camp Perry.

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Wewanoma Lodge

Sam Houston Area Council

[edit]
Sam Houston Area Council (#576)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersHouston, Texas
Location2225 N Loop W, Houston, Texas 77008-1311
CountryUnited States
Founded1914
Scout Executive / CEOMarvin Smith
Chief Operating OfficerThomas Franklin
Chief Development OfficerTravis Briner
Website
www.samhoustonbsa.org
 Scouting portal

The Sam Houston Area Council serves youth in 16 counties in southeast Texas. The council headquarters is in Houston.

Organization

[edit]

Central Division

East Division

Frontier Division

North Division

South Division

West Division

Learning for Life Division

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Strake was a Boy Scout Camp in Southern Montgomery County, Texas off of I-45. The camp closed in December 2014. Camp Strake is moving to a rural site in the Sam Houston National Forest, between New Waverly and Coldspring near the community of Evergreen in order to create a 21st-century Scouting experience for Scouts and their leaders.[12]
  • El Rancho Cima Scout Reservation, a 2,680 acre mountain ranch purchased in 1953. It is located on the Blanco River near Wimberley, Texas in the Devil's Backbone of the Texas Hill Country. El Rancho Cima contains three main areas.[13] -
    • Due to devastating flooding at El Rancho Cima's River Camp on Memorial Day 2015, El Rancho Cima was closed as a scout camp. Hays County purchased a portion of the land from SHAC in November 2019.[14]
  • Camp Brosig is located seven miles north of Sealy, Texas. This camp is used primarily for weekend camping at district/council activities.
  • Bovay Scout Ranch is located off SH 6, just south of Navasota, Texas. Bovay Scout Ranch contains the McNair Cub Adventure Camp and the Tellepsen Scout Camp.

OA Lodges

[edit]
  • Colonneh Lodge #137[15]

International exchanges

[edit]

Houston Scouts have an international relationship with Scouts in Chiba, Japan.

South Plains Council

[edit]
Main article: South Plains Council

The South Plains Council (#694) serves the area around Lubbock.

South Texas Council

[edit]
South Texas Council (#577)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersCorpus Christi, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.southtexasbsa.org
 Scouting portal

The South Texas Council of Corpus Christi, Texas, was renamed from the Gulf Coast Council in 2003.

Organization

[edit]
  • Aztec District
  • Brush Country District
  • Coastal Plains District
  • LaSalle District
  • Pawnee District
  • Venado District

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Karankawa
  • Camp Huisache

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Karankawa Lodge 307

Texas Southwest Council

[edit]
Texas Southwest Council (#741)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersSan Angelo, Texas
CountryUnited States
Scout ExecutiveDevin Koehler
Website
htswcbsa.org
 Scouting portal

The Texas Southwest Council serves Scouts in Southwest Central Texas through the jurisdiction of two districts and 26 Boy Scout troops.[16]

Organization

[edit]
  • Concho Valley District
  • Amistad District

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Sol Mayer
  • Camp Fawcett
  • Baden Powell Park

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Wahinkto Lodge 199[17]

2024 Lodge Chief-Santiago Guerra

Texas Trails Council

[edit]
Texas Trails Council (#561)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersAbilene, Texas
CountryUnited States
Scout ExecutiveMark Conrad
Website
www.texastrailsbsa.com
 Scouting portal

The Texas Trails Council was formed in 2003 by the consolidation of the Chisholm Trail Council (all of Taylor, Shackelford, Haskell, Jones, Callahan, and Coleman counties, and part of Runnels County) and the Comanche Trail Council (Brown, Comanche, Erath, Mills, San Saba, and Lampasas counties).

Organization

[edit]

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Billy Gibbons
  • Camp Tonkawa

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Penateka Lodge

Three Rivers Council

[edit]
Three Rivers Council (#578)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersBeaumont, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.3riversbsa.org
 Scouting portal

Organization

[edit]
  • Big Thicket District
  • Sabine District
  • Spindletop District
  • Trinity District

Camps

[edit]

Scott Scout Ranch formerly Camp Urland

  • Camp Urland Scout Reservation

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Hasinai Lodge

Neche Lodge 36, Second Oldest in the South until 1970 when the merger of Trinity Neches and Sabine Area required a combine lodge name change to Hasinai.

Yucca Council

[edit]
Yucca Council (#573)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersEl Paso, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.yuccabsa.org
 Scouting portal

Yucca Council serves Scouts in Texas and New Mexico in the El Paso area.

Organization

[edit]
  • Geronimo District
  • Mescalero District
  • Polaris District
  • Sunshine District
  • Wapaha District
  • White Sands District

Camps

[edit]
  • Black Range Cavalcade
  • Camp Dale Resler

Order of the Arrow

[edit]
  • Gila Lodge

As the Boy Scouts of America has trademarked the phrase, "Scouting", there are no other organizations in the state who may use the term in reference to its program for boys.[18]

Girl Scouts of the USA in Texas

[edit]
Girl Scouting in Texas
Map of Girl Scout Councils in Texas
 Scouting portal

There are 8 Girl Scout councils in Texas.

Girl Scouts of Central Texas

[edit]
Girl Scouts of Central Texas
HeadquartersAustin, TX
CountryUnited States
Website
www.gsctx.org
 Scouting portal

Girl Scouts of Central Texas (GSCTX) serves 46 counties and includes the former councils of: Girl Scouts — Bluebonnet Council, Girl Scouts — El Camino Council, Girl Scouts — Heart of Texas Council, Girl Scouts — Lone Star Council. In 2017, the Girl Scouts of Central Texas served 17,000 girls, ages 5–17 years, and over 12,000 adult volunteers in 46 counties.[19] The council runs two residential camps: Camp Texlake and Camp Kachina.

Camps

[edit]

Camp Texlake comprises 455 acres (1.84 km2) on Lake Travis. It was assigned to the former Girl Scouts — Lone Star Council by the Lower Colorado River Authority, and was dedicated on July 17, 1949. That summer nearly 400 girls attended camp. The dining facility overlooks Lake Travis itself. The council houses ten horses at this site as well as encouraging watersports. The camp can accommodate 335 overnight guests in a variety of situations.

Camp Kachina is on the shores of Lake Belton. It covers a total of 244 acres (0.99 km2).[20] Activities include archery, sailing, and water sports.

Program areas include STEM, Financial Literacy, Bullying Prevention, Outdoors, Travel, and many special interest troops such as Outdoor Adventure, Robotics, Harp Ensemble, and Mariners.

Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest – Southern New Mexico & West Texas

[edit]
Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest – Southern New Mexico & West Texas
HeadquartersEl Paso, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.gsdsw.org
 Scouting portal

Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest brings together Girl Scouts of the Permian Basin, Girl Scouts of the Rio Grande and Girl Scouts - Zia Council. The merger on May 1, 2009, is part of the realignment of Girl Scout councils nationwide.(see Scouting in New Mexico).

Organization

[edit]

Service Centers: Midland, TX; Odessa, TX; Alamogordo, NM; Artesia, NM; Carlsbad, NM; Deming, NM; Hobbs, NM; Las Cruces, NM; Roswell, NM; Silver City, NM;

Camps

[edit]

Camp Mitre Peak is located in the Davis Mountains between Alpine and Fort Davis. There are three cabins, known as Kickapoo, Apache, and Seminole, located in Fern Canyon. There are also three tent units: Mescalero, Tonkawa, and Chippewa. These have views of Mitre Peak. The Janice Hill Mathews Amphitheater seats over 200 people and campfires are held here. The Pamela Catherine Haas Horseback Riding Arena, nicknamed Rebel Arena, gives girls the opportunity to participate in western riding and trail riding programs. The Laura Van Pelt Complex supports indoor activities. The complex consists of a pavilion and an educational building. The latter includes a kitchen and a darkroom. Alumni and supporters of the camp can join Troop Mitre.

Camps:

Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas

[edit]
Main article: Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas

Headquarters: North Little Rock, Arkansas

Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas

[edit]
Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
HeadquartersHarlingen, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.gsgst.org
 Scouting portal

Formed by the merger of Girl Scouts Paisano Council and Girl Scouts — Tip of Texas Council in 2007.

Organization

[edit]

Council Offices:

Program Centers:

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Bayview is 18 acres (73,000 m2) near Bayview, TX along the Resaca de los Cuates.[21] There are cabins and bungalows to accommodate campers. There is a swimming pool, amphitheater and a covered pavilion.
  • Camp Green Hill is spread over almost 50 acres (200,000 m2) and is located near Mathis, TX on Lake Corpus Christi. The site is mostly wooded. Small craft can be launched from the waterfront.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas

[edit]
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
HeadquartersDallas, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.gsnetx.org
 Scouting portal

The Dallas Girl Scouts were established in December 1920 through the joint efforts of Mr. Elmer Scott and members of the Business and Professional Women's Club. In 1963, the Dallas Girl Scouts merged with the Chisholm Trail Girl Scout Council and began serving 11 counties as the Tejas Girl Scout Council. In 2007, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas was born through the merger of Cross Timbers, Red River Valley, and Tejas Councils.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves nearly 35,000 girls and 17,000 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties.

Council

[edit]

Spanning 23,000 square miles, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves nearly 25,000 girls and 12,500 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties: Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Collin, Dallas, Delta, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Franklin, Freestone, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Navarro, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.

Mission

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Vision

To be the best organization to help girls thrive in the 21st century.

Value Proposition

Girl Scouts is the only organization that prepares every G.I.R.L. to practice a lifetime of leadership, by providing access to countless girl-led experiences, skill-building opportunities, and connections, because girls built of courage, confidence, and character make the world a better place.

Service Centers

[edit]

There are a total of 8 service centers: Jo Ann Fogg (Headquarters), Collin Service Area Service Center, Denton Service Center, East Texas Service Center, Grayson Service Center, Highland Village Service Center, Paris Service Center, and Southern Sector Service Center.

Camps

[edit]
  • Camp Bette Perot - A resident summer camp near Palestine, Texas, known for its equestrian program.
  • Camp Rocky Point - A resident summer camp on Lake Texoma founded in 1952.
  • Camp Whispering Cedars - 20 minutes from downtown Dallas
  • Camp Kadohadacho - on Lake Texoma
  • Camp Gambill - 54 acres (220,000 m2) near Paris, Texas. Initial bit donated in 1947 by John C. Gambill

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council

[edit]
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
HeadquartersHouston, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.gssjc.org
 Scouting portal

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council was founded by Mrs. F. M. Law and Miss Corinne Fonde in 1922 in Houston.

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council serves 26 counties in Southeast Texas, including Angelina, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Wharton.

Program Place and Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History

[edit]

The Program Place and Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History opened in 2007. It is situated next to the headquarters building and is intended to function in harmony with the headquarters on the shared site. The Program Place includes a library, theater, Girl Scout shop, stage, café and a lounge for older girls, as well as a park with fire pit. The Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History, in the same building, features a timeline from the start of the council in the 1920s until the present, and interactive displays. The building acquisition and renovation cost $5.6 million.[22] The entrance canopy of the Program Place was designed and built by University of Houston graduate architecture students.[23] The pavilion was represents a Girl Scout sash.[24]

Camps

[edit]

There are ten camps run by the council. Three of these form the Treelake Complex, a series of connected camps. Trails allow Girl Scouts to hike from Camp Misty Meadows to Camp Silver Springs via Camp Agnes Arnold.[25]

Camp Agnes Arnold is a 479-acre (1.94 km2) camp near Conroe. Campers can be accommodated in tents, yurts, tree houses or cabin units. The camp offers canoeing and fishing on Shadow Lake. A nature trail encircles the lake. In total, there are 7 miles (11 km) of hiking and cycling trails on the site. The Ann Temple Allen Lodge is air-conditioned. The Nature Center was opened on 2008-04-12.[26] The center has over 4,000 square feet (370 m2) of space and includes a workroom, classroom and exhibit hall, as well as overnight accommodations for two naturalists. A glass wall makes an indoor observation deck. There is also a pillared observation deck. Wood from around the site was used to build the center. The council received the 2008 Excellence in Wood Design Award from the Texas Forestry Association (TFA) for the Nature Center.[27] In total, there are 7 miles (11 km) of hiking and cycling trails on the site. The Ann Temple Allen Lodge is air-conditioned.

Camp Camwood covers 100 acres (0.40 km2) in Hockley. It is only operational during the daytime.

Camp Casa Mare is a year-round camping facility for Girl Scouts ages 8–17 years old. It is located on Galveston Bay in Seabrook, Texas and under ownership of the Girl Scouts San Jacinto Council. Camp Casa Mare was founded in 1958[28] and has offered sailing programs, aquatics, and sporting activities, not to mention performing arts and academic classes. Fencing is also offered to campers at this site.

The Galveston Boat Club (GBC) is a two-storey building on Galveston Island. Visitors sleep on the floor on the second storey. Adult leaders can be accommodated in a separate small building. The GBC is in a residential area. Visitors primarily use the GBC to visit the island's attractions.

Camp Misty Meadows is a 328-acre (1.33 km2) wooded camp located in Conroe. The main attraction of this camp is its horse riding facilities. In 2007, there was a herd of forty horses. Visitors sleep in cabins or dormitories.

Camp Myra S. Pryor includes air-conditioned cabins and a camping area. The activity center is also air-conditioned.

Camp Robinwood is a 206-acre (0.83 km2) camp in Willis. Campers are accommodated in platform tents, cabins or dorms. Swimming and canoeing is conducted on Lake Ann, a man-made reservoir donated to the camp by a family whose daughter, a Brownie Scout named Ann Winchell, died at age nine. There is also an outdoor swimming pool.

Camp Silver Springs is a wooded 131-acre (0.53 km2) camp located in Conroe.

Camp Whispering Pines is a 93-acre (380,000 m2) site located in Garrison. Swimming, canoeing and rope assisted hill climbing are all on offer at this site.

Camp Wind-A-Mere is located in Alvin. The Tejas unit had two teepees. These were destroyed in Hurricane Ike, but will be replaced. The Caddo unit has platform tents. Pine Meadows and the Chickasaw site are camping areas. During Hurricane Ike, a great oak tree fell on the lodge and half the building was declared unsafe and unrepairable.[29]

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas

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Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas
HeadquartersSally Cheever Girl Leadership Center
LocationSan Antonio, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.girlscouts-swtx.org
 Scouting portal

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas serves more than 19,000 girls and was established in 2007 from the San Antonio Area council plus a large section of the old El Camino council.

Organization

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Counties served: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Frio, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson from the San Antonio Area jurisdiction, Edwards, Dimmit, Kimble, Kinney, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zavala from El Camino Council jurisdiction, Comal, Gonzales, and Guadalupe from Lone Star Council jurisdiction, and Karnes from Tip of Texas Council, now Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas jurisdiction.

Service Centers:

Camps

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  • Camp La Jita is 236 acres (96 ha) on the Sabinai River near Utopia, TX. The land for it was donated in 1946 by the John F. Camp family.[30] Campers sleep in cabins. An equestrian program is offered at this camp. La Jita means precious possession.
  • Camp Mira Sol is 47 acres (19 ha) overlooking the Guadalupe River and is near Waring, TX.

Houses:

  • Del Ro Girl Scout House in Val Verde county.
  • Eagle Pass Girl Scout Educational Center in Maverick county
  • Kerrville Girl Scout House in Kerr county
  • New Braunfels Girl Scout Hous in Comal county
  • Seguin Girl Scout House in Guadalupe county
  • Uvalde Girl Scout House in Uvalde county

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

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Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains
HeadquartersFort Worth, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
www.gs-top.org
 Scouting portal

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains serves over 24,000 girls and 9,000 adult volunteers. It was formed by the merger in January 2008 of Girl Scouts of Caprock Council, Girl Scouts-Five Star Council, Girl Scouts Norcentex Council, and Girl Scouts Circle T Council. The first Girl Scout troop in Fort Worth was formed in 1924.

Organization

[edit]

Regional Offices:

Service Centers:

Camps

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  • Camp Kiwanis
  • Camp Rio Blanco
  • Camp Timberlake
  • Stevens Ranch
  • Camp Mel Davis
  • Camp Boothe Oaks

Scouting museums in Texas

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]

See also

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[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scouting in Texas.

References

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  1. ^ a b Block, Nelson R. (June 12, 2010). "BOY SCOUTS". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  2. ^ "Boy Scout Troop 5, Austin TX | About Us". austin5.mytroop.us. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  3. ^ "Have you visited the Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History at the Program Place for Girls?" (PDF). The Golden Link. 34 (5). Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council: 7. September–October 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d Hook, James; Franck, Dave; Austin, Steve (1982). An Aid to Collecting Selected Council Shoulder Patches with Valuation.
  5. ^ www.ath60.org
  6. ^ www.caddobsa.org
  7. ^ tonkawa99.org
  8. ^ tejaslodge.org
  9. ^ www.netopalis209.org
  10. ^ "Laguna Station". Riograndecouncil.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  11. ^ "Camp Perry - Summer Camp". Riograndecouncil.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  12. ^ "Camp Strake — Sam Houston Area Council".
  13. ^ "Texas Scout Camps". August 4, 2019.
  14. ^ "El Rancho Cima". The Nature Conservancy. November 19, 2019.
  15. ^ www.colonneh.org
  16. ^ tswcbsa.org
  17. ^ wahinkto.org
  18. ^ "Trademarks".
  19. ^ "About Us | Girl Scouts of Central Texas". www.gsctx.org. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  20. ^ "Camp Kachina". www.gsctx.org. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  21. ^ RESACA DE LOS CUATES. Texas State Historical Association. June 15, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2013. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  22. ^ "Girl Scouts have place to call their own". El Campo Leader-News. December 8, 2007. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  23. ^ "Girl Scouts Opens Program Place for Girls". Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  24. ^ "Special Recognition Award: The Girl Scouts: Building confidence, character and a new Headquarters". Building Design and Construction. Reed Elsevier Inc. October 1, 2008. Archived from the original on October 26, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  25. ^ "SouthEast Texas Girl Scouts Camping". Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  26. ^ "Nature Center Opens At Girl Scout Camp". Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. May 2008. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  27. ^ "Girl Scouts Recognized by Texas Forestry Association". Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. November 2008. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  28. ^ "Camp Casa Mare". Camp Channel, Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  29. ^ Spaeth, Bob (November–December 2008). "Around Camp" (PDF). The Golden Link. 34 (6). Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  30. ^ Camp La Jita and Mira Sol (PDF). Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2011.
  31. ^ Dustin Mitchell. "Fred Poppe Museum". Eightyscouts.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  32. ^ "Girl Scouts Opens Program Place for Girls: Also Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History - News - Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Houston, Texas". Gssjc.org. July 6, 2010. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  33. ^ "Worth Ranch Museum". September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
  34. ^ "Harbin Scout Museum - Museums - Dallas".
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