Scouting in Texas
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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.
Key Information
Girl Scouts of the USA, organized into eight local councils, serving girls - with a focus on courage, character & confidence.
Scouting America 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.
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 1918 Troop 65 was established in Denton, Texas. Troop 65 has been continuously chartered since 1918.
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.
| Early history (1910–1950) |
|---|
| In 1912, the Alamo Council formed (#583), changing its name in 1918 to the San Antonio Council (#583). In 1925, the council changed its name to the Alamo Area Council (#583).
In 1912, the Austin Council (#564) was founded and changed its name to the Austin-Travis County Council (#564) in 1924. It changed its name again in 1928 to the Austin Area Council. In 1934, the council changed its name to the Capitol Area Council (#564).[4] In 1913, the Houston Council (#576) formed, changing its name in 1923 to Harris County Council (#574). It changed to Houston Area Council (#576) in 1927, changing again to Sam Houston Area Council in 1936. In 1913, the Midland Council was founded and closed in 1914. In 1913, the Rosenberg Council was founded and closed. In 1915, the Dallas County Council (#571) was formed as the Dallas Council (#571). It changed its name to the Circle Ten Council (#571) in 1928. In 1915, the El Paso Council (#573) was formed. In 1924 it changed its name to the El Paso County Council (#573). In 1928, it changed its name again to the El Paso Area Council (#573). EPAC changed its name to the Yucca Council (#573) in 1937 In 1915, the Waco Council was founded and closed in 1919. In 1917, the Corpus Christi Council was founded and closed in 1923. In 1918, the Bay City Council was founded and closed in 1920. In 1918, the Kingsville Council (#575) was founded and closed in 1924. In 1918, the Paris Council (#580) was formed, changing its name to the Lamar County Council (#580) in 1925. In 1928, the council renamed itself again to the Lone Star Area Council (#580). In 1955, the council became the NeTseO Trails Council. In 1919, the Beaumont Council (#565) was founded and changed its name to the Beaumont Area Council (#565) in 1934. In 1942 the council changed its name to the Trinity-Neches Council (#565). In 1970, Trinity-Neches merged into the Three Rivers Council (#578) with the Sabine Area Council. In 1919, the Port Arthur Council (#578) was founded and was merged into Sabine Area Council (#578) in 1929. In 1919, the Galveston Council (#574) formed, changing its name in 1925 to Galveston County Council (#574). It changed to Bay Area Council (#574). In 1919, the Nacogdoches Council was founded and closed in 1920. In 1919, the Texarkana Council (#584) was formed, changing its name to the Texas-Arkansas Council (#584) in 1928. In 1936, the council changed its name to the Caddo Area Council (#584). In 1920, the Brazos Valley Council (#566) was founded and closed in 1926. In 1920, the Fort Worth Council (#582) was formed, changing its name to the Tarrant County Council (#582) in 1922. In 1927, the council changed its name to the Fort Worth Area Council (#582), and again to the Longhorn Council in 1949. In 1920, the Laredo Council was formed, merging into the Webb County Council (#700). In 1920, the Mount Pleasant Council (#577) was founded and closed in 1924. In 1920, the Waxahachie Council (#586) was founded and closed in 1927. In 1920, the Webb County Council (#700) formed. In 1924, the Laredo Council formed, merging into Webb County Council in 1922. In 1925, Webb County Council changed its name to the Aztec Council (#700) in 1927. In 1933, the Aztec Council (#700) merged into Gulf Coast Council. In 1920, the Wichita Falls Council (#587) was formed, changing its name to the Wichita Area Council (#587) in 1927. It changed its name again in 1937 to the Northwest Texas Council (#587). In 1921, the Orange County Council (#578) was founded and was merged into Sabine Area Council (#578) in 1929. In 1970, Sabine Area merged into the Three Rivers Council (#578) with the Trinity-Neches Council. In 1921, the Amarillo Council (#562) was founded and changed its name to Panhandle Area Council in 1924. In 1928, it changed its name to Amarillo Area Council. In 1939, the council changed its name to Llano Estacado Council (#562). In 1986 it merged with Adobe Walls to form the Golden Spread Council (#562). In 1921, the Brownwood Council was founded and closed in 1924. In 1921, the Cleburne Council was founded and closed in 1921. In 1921, the Cooke County Council (#570) formed. In 1921, the Denton Council formed, merging with Cooke County to become Mo-Co-Wi-De Council (#572) in 1924. In 1927 to council changed its name to the Cooke and Denton Area Council. It merged into the Fort Worth Area Council (#582) in 1928. In 1921, the Terrell Council was founded and closed in 1921. In 1922, the Abilene Council (#561) was founded and changed its name to the Chisholm Trail Council (#568) in 1926. The Chisholm Trail Council merged with the Comanche Trail Council in 2003 to form the Texas Trails Council (#561). In 1922, the Guadalupe Valley Area Council (#547) was founded and changed its name to Tonqua Area Council in 1924. The Tonqua Area Council folded in 1932. In 1922, the Tyler Council (#585) was founded and changed its name to Kickapoo Council in 1924. The Kickapoo Council folded in 1926. In 1922, the Webb County Council (#700) was formed. In 1927, the Webb County Council changed its name to the Aztec Council (#700). In 1933, the council merged into the Alamo Area Council (#583). In 1922, the Wellington Council (#579) was founded and closed in 1924. In 1923, the Buffalo Trail Council (#567) was founded. In 1923, the Collin County Council (#569) was formed, splitting between the Lone Star Area Council (#580) and the Circle Ten Council in 1927. In 1924 the Arrowhead formed. In 1928 half of the council merged into the Alamo Area Council (#583). In 1924, the Arrowhead Council (#563) was founded and merged into the Austin Area Council (#564) in 1928. In 1924, the Falls-Milam-Robertson Area Council (#673) formed, merging into Harris County Council and McLennan County Council in 1926. In 1924, the Grayson County Council (#568) was founded, changing its name to the T-O Council (#568) in 1930. It dissolved in 1936. In 1924, the McLennan County Council (#662) was formed, changing its name to the Heart O' Texas Council (#662) in 1929. In 1924, the Navarro County Council (#676) was formed. It merged into the Circle Ten Council (#571) in 1927. In 1924, the Red River Valley Council (#563) was formed. It merged into the Circle Ten Council (#571) in 1947. In 1925, the Limestone County Council (#698) was formed, changing its name to the Limestone & Freestone Area Council (#698) in 1929, and merging into the Davy Crockett Council (#586) in 1930. In 1925, the South Plains Council (#694) was formed. In 1925, the Tr-An-Le-Ho Council (#586) was formed, merging into the Davy Crockett Council (#586) in 1930. In 1926, the Concho Valley Council (#741) was founded. In 1926, the Central Plains Council (#482) was formed, merging into the South Plains Council (#694) in 1929. In 1926, the Southwest Texas Council (#745) was formed, merging into the Concho Valley Council (#741) in 1929. In 1927, the Brownwood Council (#479) was founded and changed its name to Pecan Valley Council in 1928. In 1932, Pecan Valley merged into the Comanche Trail Council (#479) in 1932. In 1927, the Eastland County Council (#774) was founded and changed its name to Oil Belt Council in 1929. In 1932, Oil Belt merged into the Comanche Trail Council (#479). In 1927, the Lone Star Area Council (#569) was formed. It merged into the Circle Ten Council (#571) in 1928. In 1927, the Lone Star Area Council (#569) was founded and merged into the Grayson County Council (#568) in 1928. In 1927, the Rio Grande Council (#775) was formed as the Lower Rio Grande Valley Council (#775). It changed its name in 1947 to the current name.[4] In 1928, the Adobe Walls Council (#569) was founded and changed its name to Adobe Walls Area Council in 1934. In 1986 it merged with lano Estacado Council to form the Golden Spread Council (#562). In 1928, the Pine Tree Area Council (#585) was formed, merging into the East Texas Area Council (#586) in 1931. In 1928, the Quanah Parker Council (#559) was formed. In 1931 one half of the council merged into the Wichita Falls Council (#587). In 1928, the Tejas Council (#472) was formed, merging into the East Texas Area Council (#586) in 1931. In 1928, the Tex-Okla Council (#489) was founded and merged into the Adobe Walls Council (#569) in 1931. In 1928, the Southeast Panhandle Council (#563) was founded and merged into the Adobe Walls Council (#569) in 1931. In 1929, the Gulf Coast Council (#577) formed. In 1924, the Nueces Valley Council formed, merging into Gulf Coast Council in 1929. In 1929, the Lone Star Council (#580) was founded and closed in 1954. In 1930, the Davy Crockett Council (#586) was formed, merging into the East Texas Area Council (#586) in 1930. In 1933, the Sherman Council (#569) was formed. It changed its name to the Sherman Area Council (#566) in 1941. In 1966, the council changed its name again to the Texoma Valley Council (#566). It merged into the Circle Ten Council (#571) in 1947. |
Scouting America in Texas
[edit]| Boy Scouts of America in Texas | |||
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.jpg) Map of approximate council boundaries | |||
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
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Texas is home to the Scouting America 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 Scouting 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) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | San Antonio, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| President | Jim Montgomery | ||
| Council Commissioner | Patrick Walther | ||
| Scout Executive | Ryan M Harris | ||
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| Website www | |||
The Alamo Area Council, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, serves a 13 county area in Texas. The counties served by the Council include Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, La Salle, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson.
Organization
[edit] |
- Structure
Instead of districts led by district executives (professional staff) and volunteer district commissioners, the council's structure unites all its members and functions as a single district. Professional staff offer support in specific areas of membership, engagement, and retention to commissioners and unit leadership.
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 CCamp, where Scout resident camp and Webelos resident camp are held during the summer. 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) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Galveston, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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) | |||
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| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Midland, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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]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
[edit]| Capitol Area Council (#564) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | 12500 North IH 25 Austin, Texas 78753 | ||
| Location | Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1912 | ||
| Membership | 24,000 youth | ||
| President | Marietta Scott | ||
| Council Commissioner | Mani Kuruvila | ||
| Scout Executive | Jon Yates | ||
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| Website www | |||
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]- Tonkawa #99[7]
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]| Circle Ten Council (#571) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1913 | ||
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| Website circleten | |||
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]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) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Tyler, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1930 | ||
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| Website www | |||
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) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Amarillo, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website goldenspread | |||
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) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Hurst, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Scout Executive | Wendy Shaw | ||
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| Website www | |||
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) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Paris, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website none - merged with Circle Ten Council | |||
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) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Wichita Falls, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1920 | ||
| Scout Executive/CEO | Greg Brownfield | ||
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| Website www | |||
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) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Harlingen, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1926 | ||
| President | Dr. Jake Margo | ||
| Council Commissioner | Paty Garcia | ||
| Scout Executive | Luis Rodriguez | ||
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| Website www | |||
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) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas | ||
| Location | 2225 N Loop W, Houston, Texas 77008-1311 | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1914 | ||
| Scout Executive / CEO | Marvin Smith | ||
| Chief Operating Officer | Thomas Franklin | ||
| Chief Development Officer | Travis Briner | ||
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| Website www | |||
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]
- (Sold in 2016) 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]The South Plains Council (#694) serves the area around Lubbock.
South Texas Council
[edit]| South Texas Council (#577) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Corpus Christi, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | San Angelo, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Scout Executive | Devin Koehler | ||
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| Website htswcbsa | |||
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]
2025 Lodge Chief-Santiago Guerra
Texas Trails Council
[edit]| Texas Trails Council (#561) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Abilene, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Scout Executive | Mark Conrad | ||
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| Website www | |||
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]- Old Comanche Trails District (Stephens, Erath, Eastland, and Comanche counties, along with Moran ISD and Cross Plains ISD)
- Pecan Valley District (Lampasas, San Saba, Brown, Mills, and Coleman counties)
- Buffalo Mountain District (Stonewall, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Nolan, and Taylor counties, along with Albany ISD, Baird ISD, Clyde ISD, and Winters ISD)
Camps
[edit]- Camp Billy Gibbons
- Camp Tonkawa
Order of the Arrow
[edit]- Penateka Lodge
Three Rivers Council
[edit]| Three Rivers Council (#578) | |||
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| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Headquarters | Beaumont, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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.
High Desert Council
[edit]The High Desert Council serves some of Western Texas as well as areas in New Mexico and other states.
Girl Scouts of the USA in Texas
[edit]| Girl Scouting in Texas | |||
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 Map of Girl Scout Councils in Texas | |||
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There are 8 Girl Scout councils in Texas.
Girl Scouts of Central Texas
[edit]| Girl Scouts of Central Texas | |||
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| Headquarters | Austin, TX | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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.[18] 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).[19] 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | El Paso, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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:
- Camp Pioneer in Sunland Park, NM
- Camp Mitre Peak in Fort Davis, TX
Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas
[edit]Headquarters: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
[edit]| Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Harlingen, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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.[20] 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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 19,000 girls and 8,000 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties.
Council
[edit]Spanning 23,000 square miles, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves 19,000 girls and 8,000 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 serve more girls in more communities in more inclusive ways
- Value Proposition
Girl Scouts is the only organization that prepares every girl 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
Offices and Locations
[edit]There are a total of 5 locations: Jo Ann Fogg (Headquarters), Denton County Girl Scout DreamLab, Southern Dallas Girl Scout DreamLab (coming in 2026,) Girl Scouts Tyler Office.
Camps
[edit]- Camp Bette Perot - A resident summer camp near Palestine, Texas, known for its equestrian program.
- Camp Whispering Cedars - 20 minutes from downtown Dallas
- Camp Gambill - 54 acres (220,000 m2) near Paris, Texas. Initial bit donated in 1947 by John C. Gambill
- Camp Kadohadacho - on Lake Texoma
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
[edit]| Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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.[21] The entrance canopy of the Program Place was designed and built by University of Houston graduate architecture students.[22] The pavilion was represents a Girl Scout sash.[23]
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.[24]
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.[25] 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.[26] 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[27] 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.[28]
Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas
[edit]| Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Sally Cheever Girl Leadership Center | ||
| Location | San Antonio, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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
[edit]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:
- Avenida Guadalupe Girl Scout Center in San Antonio, TX
Camps
[edit]- 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.[29] 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
[edit]| Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Fort Worth, Texas | ||
| Country | United States | ||
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| Website www | |||
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
[edit]- Camp Kiwanis
- Camp Rio Blanco
- Camp Timberlake
- Stevens Ranch
- Camp Mel Davis
- Camp Boothe Oaks
Scouting museums in Texas
[edit]- Fred H. Poppe Museum,[30] Amarillo, Texas
- Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History,[31] Houston, Texas
- National Scouting Museum, Irving, Texas
- Worth Ranch Museum,[32] Palo Pinto, Texas
- Harbin Scouting Museum at Camp Wisdom,[33] Dallas, Texas
Further reading
[edit]- McNabb, Peter (1987). I go to prepare a trail for you; a History of Mikanakawa Lodge. Wolfe City, Texas: Hennington Publishing Co.
- Mikanakawa Lodge Operations Manual. Circle 10 Council. 2006. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014.
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Block, Nelson R. (June 12, 2010). "BOY SCOUTS". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
- ^ "Boy Scout Troop 5, Austin TX | About Us". austin5.mytroop.us. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c d Hook, James; Franck, Dave; Austin, Steve (1982). An Aid to Collecting Selected Council Shoulder Patches with Valuation.
- ^ www
.ath60 .org - ^ www
.caddobsa .org - ^ tonkawa99
.org - ^ tejaslodge
.org - ^ www
.netopalis209 .org - ^ "Laguna Station". Riograndecouncil.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ "Camp Perry - Summer Camp". Riograndecouncil.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ "Camp Strake — Sam Houston Area Council".
- ^ "Texas Scout Camps". August 4, 2019.
- ^ "El Rancho Cima". The Nature Conservancy. November 19, 2019.
- ^ www
.colonneh .org - ^ tswcbsa
.org - ^ wahinkto
.org - ^ "About Us | Girl Scouts of Central Texas". www.gsctx.org. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
- ^ "Camp Kachina". www.gsctx.org. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
- ^ RESACA DE LOS CUATES. Texas State Historical Association. June 15, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "SouthEast Texas Girl Scouts Camping". Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Camp Casa Mare". Camp Channel, Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Camp La Jita and Mira Sol (PDF). Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2011.
- ^ Dustin Mitchell. "Fred Poppe Museum". Eightyscouts.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Worth Ranch Museum". September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
- ^ "Harbin Scout Museum - Museums - Dallas".
Scouting in Texas
View on GrokipediaHistorical Development
Origins and Early Adoption (1910s-1920s)
The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on February 8, 1910, following the influence of Robert Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys (1908), which prompted informal Scout-like groups to form in Texas as early as 1908–1910.[1] The earliest verified Texas leader was Rev. George W. Sheafor of Comanche, registered as the 37th Scoutmaster nationally in 1910.[1] This rapid adoption reflected Texas's frontier ethos of self-reliance and outdoor proficiency, aligning with Scouting's emphasis on practical skills amid the state's rural and ranching landscapes.[1] Initial troops emerged in urban centers shortly after incorporation. In Houston, Scouting began in September 1910 when 12-year-old Nelson Duller and friends petitioned his father, David Duller, to organize the city's first group.[13] San Antonio followed on October 7, 1910, with its inaugural troop sponsored by the YMCA and led by George S. Chessum as Scoutmaster.[2] Beaumont established its first Scouts on September 16, 1911.[3] These efforts, often backed by civic organizations like the YMCA, focused on character-building through camping, hiking, and citizenship training, drawing boys from diverse backgrounds including a Black troop in Port Arthur by 1916.[1] Local councils formalized expansion in the 1910s, with San Antonio and Austin organizing in 1912, Houston in 1913, El Paso in 1917, and Dallas in 1919; the Alamo Council in San Antonio, formed May 16, 1912, was among Texas's first.[1][2] The 1920s saw accelerated growth as councils proliferated—Amarillo in 1921, Abilene in 1922, and Pampa in 1928—registering hundreds of troops across communities, supported by community leaders and aligning with post-World War I emphases on youth preparedness.[1] By decade's end, over 290 Texas communities had documented inaugural troops, evidencing widespread adoption amid economic and demographic shifts.[14]Expansion Amid Frontier Influences (1930s-1940s)
During the 1930s, Boy Scouting in Texas expanded amid the Great Depression, with new councils such as the Comanche Trail Council established in 1932 to serve rural and frontier-like regions in central Texas. This growth reflected the alignment of Scouting's emphasis on self-reliance, outdoor proficiency, and character development with Texas's lingering frontier ethos of rugged individualism and pioneer skills, as noted in historical analyses of the movement's appeal in the Southwest.[1] Local programs incorporated regional themes, including Indian lore merit badges and honor societies like the Order of the Black Arrow in Comanche Trail Council during the early 1930s, which drew on Native American traditions to foster camping and trailcraft amid vast ranchlands.[15] Similarly, the Aina Topa Hutsi Lodge of the Order of the Arrow was founded in 1931 within what became the Alamo Area Council, promoting brotherhood through ceremonial practices inspired by indigenous customs.[16] Texas Boy Scouts participated prominently in national events, exemplified by the Comanche Trail Council's Indian Camp exhibit at the 1937 National Scout Jamboree in Washington, D.C., highlighting frontier-inspired demonstrations of Scouting skills to over 27,000 attendees nationwide. Camps like Charles F. Perry, operational since 1927 and continuing through the decade as the state's oldest continuous Scout facility, emphasized woodcraft and survival training suited to Texas's arid terrains and historical trails.[17] Despite economic hardships, Scouting membership held steady, with troops engaging in community service such as resource collection, mirroring national trends where the organization reached 878,358 members by 1930 and sustained growth through structured youth activities.[18] In the 1940s, World War II accelerated expansion as Texas Scouts supported the war effort through scrap drives, bond sales, and training in citizenship, with specialized units like Sea Scouts Ship 400 in Jacksonville providing maritime skills from 1936 onward.[19] This period reinforced frontier influences via merit badges in ranching, horsemanship, and pioneering, preparing youth for practical self-sufficiency in a state still defined by its cattle trails and open ranges.[1] Girl Scouting paralleled this, with Texas troops collecting food and clothing during the Depression and expanding to institutions like the Texas School for the Deaf in 1939, embedding service and homemaking skills resonant with rural resilience.[20][21] By the decade's end, these efforts solidified Scouting's institutional presence, blending national programs with Texas's historical emphasis on hardy, independent living.Post-War Institutional Growth (1950s-1970s)
Following World War II, Boy Scouting in Texas experienced robust institutional expansion aligned with national trends fueled by the baby boom, suburban development, and a cultural emphasis on youth character building. The Boy Scouts of America saw its overall membership surge from about 2.8 million registered youth in 1950 to more than 5 million by 1960, reflecting heightened parental involvement and community support amid economic recovery.[22] In Texas, this manifested through strengthened local councils, such as the Sam Houston Area Council, which maintained detailed membership tracking from the late 1940s onward, indicating steady unit formation and participation growth in urban centers like Houston.[13] District-level data, for instance, show the Raven District within the Sam Houston Area Council supporting 2,255 youth by 1950, underscoring localized scaling in response to population influxes from military returns and industrial booms in oil and manufacturing.[23] Texas councils prioritized infrastructure development, establishing and upgrading permanent camps to facilitate the influx of participants and advanced training programs. This era saw investments in facilities tailored to the state's diverse terrain, from coastal plains to hill country, enabling year-round outdoor activities that emphasized self-reliance and practical skills. Participation in national initiatives, including multiple National Scout Jamborees (held in 1950, 1957, and 1960), drew substantial contingents from Texas councils, fostering inter-council collaboration and elevating local organizational capacity. By the 1970s, as national membership peaked near 6.5 million, Texas operations benefited from these trends, though challenges like urban sprawl began testing council boundaries and volunteer recruitment.[1] Girl Scouting in Texas paralleled this trajectory, with councils adapting to surging enrollments through territorial consolidation and program enhancements. The Houston and Harris County Girl Scouts, reorganized in 1946, enrolled over 6,000 girls and 1,550 adult leaders by that year, capitalizing on post-war family stability and expanded access to education.[24] Central Texas councils, such as precursors to the modern Girl Scouts of Central Texas, aggressively developed permanent campsites throughout the 1950s to meet demand for hands-on leadership training amid the state's rapid urbanization.[21] Institutional maturation accelerated in the 1970s via national realignments; for example, the Tejas Girl Scout Council expanded to encompass 20 counties by incorporating nine additional ones in 1970, boosting membership beyond 14,000 girls and solidifying regional operational efficiency.[25] These developments emphasized community service and skill-building, with Texas-specific adaptations like eco-focused programs reflecting the era's environmental awareness without diluting core principles of personal responsibility.Modernization and National Alignment (1980s-2000s)
Following the relocation of the Boy Scouts of America national headquarters to Irving, Texas, in 1979, Texas councils experienced enhanced coordination with national leadership during the 1980s and 1990s.[8] This proximity facilitated the rapid implementation of national program updates and policy alignments across the state's 20 local councils.[1] Membership in Texas grew alongside national trends, with the BSA reaching its 30 millionth Cub Scout in 1980, many from Texas's expansive urban and rural units.[8] Modernization efforts emphasized youth safety and program expansion. In 1988, the BSA introduced mandatory Youth Protection Training nationally, a policy pioneered and early-adopted by councils like the Sam Houston Area Council in southeast Texas, requiring two-deep leadership and background checks to mitigate risks in scouting activities.[26] Cub Scouting was restructured in the early 1980s to include Tiger Cubs for first-graders and extend Webelos to two years, broadening early engagement in Texas troops amid rising youth participation.[27] By the 1990s, councils aligned with national shifts, such as transitioning Exploring to the co-ed Learning for Life program in 1992 and launching Venturing in 1998 for 14- to 20-year-olds, adapting to diverse youth interests while preserving core outdoor and character-building focuses. These changes addressed evolving family structures and educational needs without altering foundational oaths or moral guidelines.[28] Organizational efficiency drove council consolidations in Texas during this era. For instance, smaller councils merged to form larger entities like the Golden Spread Council in 1987, combining resources for better program delivery in the Panhandle region.[29] Such alignments mirrored national efforts to streamline operations amid demographic shifts and funding pressures.[30] Texas's BSA units maintained traditional membership standards, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court's 2000 decision in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, affirming the right to exclude leaders whose avowed homosexuality conflicted with the organization's values.[31] Girl Scout councils in Texas similarly aligned with national directives, evolving programs to meet girls' leadership development needs in the 1980s through updated badges in STEM, outdoors, and community service.[32] Councils like the Girl Scouts of the Southwest Texas, established earlier but active in this period, participated in national cookie programs and troop expansions, reflecting steady growth without fundamental shifts from self-reliance principles.[20] By the 2000s, Texas Girl Scout membership contributed to the organization's 2.5 million national total, emphasizing experiential learning amid cultural changes.[33]Recent Reforms and Transitions (2010s-2025)
In response to ongoing debates over inclusivity, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), headquartered in Irving, Texas, revised its membership policies during the 2010s. In 2013, the organization ended its ban on openly gay youth, followed by lifting restrictions on gay adult leaders in 2015. By 2018, girls were permitted to join Cub Scouts, and in 2019, the Scouts BSA program opened to them, prompting a rebranding of that division from Boy Scouts to Scouts BSA. These national decisions, originating from the Texas-based headquarters, elicited mixed reactions among Texas's 20 local councils, with some units experiencing membership fluctuations as faith-based chartering organizations, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, disaffiliated in 2019 over the inclusion of girls.[34] The BSA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 18, 2020, amid over 82,500 sexual abuse claims spanning decades, culminating in a $2.46 billion reorganization plan approved in 2023 that included contributions from local councils. Texas councils, including the Texas Trails Council, reported minimal disruption to day-to-day operations, asserting that local Scouting experiences remained unaffected while national assets were restructured to compensate survivors. Faith-based sponsors, prevalent in Texas units, played a key role in post-bankruptcy stabilization, contributing to the settlement and helping sustain programs despite a prior membership decline from 2.4 million in 2019 to about 1 million by 2023.[35][36][37] On May 7, 2024, the BSA announced a rebranding to Scouting America, effective February 8, 2025, to emphasize inclusivity for all youth regardless of gender, marking the first name change in its 114-year history. This transition, managed from the Irving headquarters, coincided with a modest membership uptick in early 2025, attributed partly to renewed outreach amid stabilizing finances. In Texas, councils like Circle Ten continued district realignments for efficiency, as seen in 2020 adjustments focused on unit growth, while annual events such as the Report to State gathering in Austin highlighted ongoing achievements.[38][39][40] Girl Scouting in Texas saw fewer structural upheavals, with national realignments in 2009-2011 consolidating councils from 315 to 112 nationwide, affecting Texas operations through mergers like the formation of the Girl Scouts of the Texas Oklahoma Plains. Recent adaptations included responses to Texas legislation passed on September 2, 2025, imposing new youth summer camp requirements that prompted operational reviews for council properties. Nationally, Girl Scouts approved dues increases to $45 in 2026 and $65 in 2027 to avert program cuts, influencing Texas councils' budgeting for experiential learning sites.[41][42][43]Organizational Framework
Boy Scouting under Scouting America (Formerly BSA)
Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, delivers its primary youth programs in Texas via a federation of local councils that oversee operations within defined territories. Established in 1910 nationally, the organization rebranded to Scouting America effective February 8, 2025, marking its 115th anniversary and emphasizing expanded eligibility to include girls since 2018.[38] In Texas, these councils coordinate chartering with community organizations such as churches, schools, and civic groups to sponsor units, ensuring programs align with national aims of character development, citizenship training, and fitness.[44] The state's councils collectively serve tens of thousands of youth, with the national headquarters situated in Irving providing centralized policy and support.[44]Council Structure and Geographic Distribution
Texas hosts over a dozen Scouting America local councils, each governing districts within their service areas to facilitate unit operations, training, and events.[45] These councils vary in size and scope, covering urban centers to rural expanses; for example, the Sam Houston Area Council encompasses 16 counties in southeast Texas, including Houston, and supports nearly 50,000 youth members through 26 districts and approximately 18,000 adult volunteers.[46] The Capitol Area Council operates across 15 central Texas counties centered on Austin, delivering programs from kindergarten through age 20.[6] Further north, the Longhorn Council spans 23 counties in central and north Texas, promoting character-building via diverse activities.[47] Other key councils include the Alamo Area Council in San Antonio, Bay Area Council near Galveston, and Rio Grande Council in the southern valley, ensuring statewide coverage from the Panhandle to the border.[48] [49] [50] Council boundaries approximate county lines but adapt to population densities, with professional staff managing finances, camps, and compliance while volunteer-led committees handle program delivery.[51]Core Programs, Ranks, and Youth Development
Core programs under Scouting America in Texas mirror national structures but incorporate regional emphases on outdoor heritage and leadership. Scouts BSA, the flagship for ages 11-17 (co-educational since 2019), advances youth through ranks including Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Scout, requiring merit badges in areas like citizenship, personal development, and outdoor skills.[52] Cub Scouting engages younger children ages 5-10 in dens focused on adventures, while Venturing and Sea Scouting target older teens with high-adventure pursuits. Texas units often integrate state-specific elements, such as Texan history merit badges or urban-rural hybrid activities, fostering self-reliance via patrol methods and weekly meetings.[53] Youth-led service projects and annual events like council camps underscore causal links between structured challenges and measurable gains in resilience and ethical decision-making, as evidenced by longitudinal studies on Eagle Scouts' higher college attendance and leadership roles.[44]Camping Facilities and Outdoor Training
Texas councils maintain extensive camping infrastructure tailored to the state's diverse terrain, from piney woods to deserts, supporting mandatory outdoor requirements. High-adventure bases and resident camps offer week-long programs in aquatics, hiking, and survival skills, with facilities like those under the Sam Houston Area Council accommodating thousands annually at sites equipped for troop progression.[46] The Capitol Area Council provides access to multiple properties emphasizing experiential learning in Central Texas hills.[6] Training adheres to national standards, including Youth Protection and wilderness first aid, ensuring safety amid Texas's variable weather; councils track participation metrics showing consistent outdoor exposure correlates with program retention.Specialized Initiatives like Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow (OA), Scouting America's honor society, operates in Texas through council-affiliated lodges that recognize youth excelling in camping service and leadership. Election requires 15 nights of camping, including six consecutive at a council event, followed by an Ordeal induction emphasizing stewardship.[54] Texas lodges, such as those linked to major councils, host section conclaves for ritual, training, and inductions, promoting indigenous-inspired traditions adapted nationally. With chapters mirroring troops, OA units in Texas facilitate service corps at events like Philmont Trek proxies or local conservation, reinforcing causal pathways from ritual commitment to sustained volunteerism.[55]Council Structure and Geographic Distribution
Scouting America administers its programs in Texas through local councils, each responsible for delivering Scouting services within designated geographic territories encompassing multiple counties. These councils function as semi-autonomous units chartered by the national organization, led by volunteer executive boards and staffed by professionals who coordinate training, events, and support for districts and units. Districts within councils handle day-to-day operations for packs, troops, crews, and posts chartered by community organizations, ensuring localized implementation of national standards.[45] Texas, spanning over 268,000 square miles, is divided among twelve local councils whose boundaries approximate county lines, shaped by historical growth rather than uniform state division. This structure allows tailored responses to regional needs, such as urban density in major metros versus rural expanses in west Texas. Council service territories are periodically reviewed for efficiency, with maps provided by the national office to delineate coverage.[51][56] Prominent examples include the Sam Houston Area Council, headquartered in Houston and serving 16 southeast Texas counties with nearly 50,000 youth participants across 26 districts.[46][4] The Capitol Area Council, based in Austin, covers 15 central Texas counties including Bastrop, Blanco, and Travis.[6] The Longhorn Council operates in 23 counties of central and north Texas, such as Bell, Cooke, and Denton.[57] The Rio Grande Council serves five counties in the southern Rio Grande Valley.[50] Additional councils, including Alamo Area (San Antonio region), Bay Area (Houston suburbs), Circle Ten (Dallas-Fort Worth), and others like Buffalo Trail, Caddo Area, East Texas Area, Northwest Texas, Texas Southwest, and Texas Trails, address the remaining areas from the Panhandle to the Permian Basin.[56][58][49]Core Programs, Ranks, and Youth Development
Scouts BSA, the primary program under Scouting America for youth aged 11 to 17 in Texas, emphasizes outdoor activities, skill-building, and personal growth through troop-based experiences.[52] Troops in Texas councils, such as the Sam Houston Area Council, organize weekly meetings, monthly campouts, and high-adventure opportunities to foster self-reliance and teamwork.[59] Advancement in Scouts BSA occurs via a structured rank system, beginning with the Scout rank, which introduces the Scout Oath, Law, and basic skills like knot-tying and first aid.[60] Subsequent ranks include Tenderfoot, focusing on camping and physical fitness; Second Class, covering navigation and safety; and First Class, integrating leadership in patrol activities.[60] Higher ranks—Star, Life, and Eagle—require earning merit badges, serving in leadership roles, and completing service projects, with Eagle demanding a community-impact project planned and led by the Scout.[60] In 2023, Texas councils reported thousands of Eagle Scouts annually, reflecting robust participation in advancement.[59] Youth development in Texas Scouting America prioritizes character formation, citizenship, leadership, and fitness through experiential learning.[61] Programs like National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), a six-day course offered by councils including South Texas and Longhorn, teach practical skills in communication, planning, and conflict resolution using patrol method simulations.[62] [63] Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops provides entry-level training for new leaders, emphasizing role-specific responsibilities within units.[64] These initiatives align with Scouting's aims, promoting ethical decision-making and service, as evidenced by council-led service projects addressing local needs like disaster response in hurricane-prone areas.[44]Camping Facilities and Outdoor Training
The Scouts BSA program in Texas emphasizes camping as a fundamental component for rank advancement, requiring participants to complete progressively more nights under canvas—from one night for Tenderfoot to at least 20 for Eagle Scout—while fostering skills in self-reliance, teamwork, and environmental stewardship through hands-on outdoor immersion. Local councils leverage Texas's varied terrain, including pine forests, lakes, and hill country, to host weekend troop campouts, week-long summer residencies, and high-adventure treks that align with national outdoor standards but adapt to regional conditions like humidity and wildlife.[65] Prominent facilities include the Sam Houston Area Council's Camp Strake in Coldspring, a state-of-the-art site with 20 pavilioned campsites, modern shower houses, an air-conditioned dining hall, STEM center, and aquatics base on a lake, designed for merit badge instruction in areas like rifle shooting and lifesaving.[66] Complementing this, the council's 92-acre Camp Brosig near Sealy provides primitive camping across 20 sites with a pavilion for basic skills practice, while Bovay Scout Ranch near Navasota features lakeside areas and a water park for introductory aquatics and team-building since its establishment in 2001.[67] [68] The Capitol Area Council maintains seven properties, notably the 400-acre Lost Pines Scout Reservation along Lake Bastrop, equipped with Texas's tallest climbing tower (DOK’s Tower), shooting ranges, and canoe rentals for orienteering and water safety training.[69] Its 5,000-acre Griffith League Scout Ranch supports extended backpacking and survival exercises amid rugged terrain, and the 250-acre Camp Alma McHenry offers fishing ponds and oak groves for patrol-method campouts emphasizing resourcefulness.[69] In the Alamo Area Council, Bear Creek Scout Camp in the Texas Hill Country delivers rugged weekends focused on hiking and navigation, with facilities for day-to-multi-night stays accommodating troops in varied weather.[70] Mays Family Scout Ranch similarly provides hill country access for adventure programming, including trail systems for endurance training.[71] Outdoor training for adult leaders in Texas councils mandates completion of Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS), a hands-on course teaching patrol-led camping techniques such as site selection, fire building, menu planning, and tool use, often conducted at local camps like those in Circle Ten or Sam Houston councils.[72] [73] Youth training integrates merit badges like Camping (requiring trip planning and equipment maintenance) and Pioneering (knot-tying for structures), with Texas sites offering specialized ranges for rifle, archery, and shotgun under certified instructors to meet safety protocols. These elements ensure compliance with national risk management while capitalizing on Texas's outdoor resources for practical, verifiable skill acquisition.Specialized Initiatives like Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow (OA), Scouting America's national honor society founded in 1915, functions in Texas through lodges chartered to local councils, where it selects and inducts members based on camping service, leadership, and adherence to Scouting ideals.[74] These lodges emphasize brotherhood, cheerful service, and outdoor traditions, with inductions involving the Ordeal—a ceremonial process requiring physical labor, fasting, and reflection to instill commitment.[75] In Texas, OA lodges align with the state's expansive council structure, supporting high-attendance events like section conclaves in areas such as Section G2, which encompasses multiple Texas lodges including those in the Alamo Area and Sam Houston councils.[76] Prominent Texas OA lodges include Aina Topa Hutsi Lodge #60 of the Alamo Area Council, established in 1931 as the 60th OA lodge nationally, with John Ackerman as its first lodge chief; the lodge continues to host inductions and service projects at regional camps.[16] Colonneh Lodge serves the Sam Houston Area Council, organizing chapters across districts like Apollo and Arrowhead for localized service, such as trail maintenance and camp improvements.[77][78] Karankawa Lodge supports the South Texas Council, focusing on elangomat mentoring—where experienced members guide candidates through the Ordeal to foster immediate integration and ongoing participation.[75] These lodges contribute to Texas Scouting's emphasis on practical outdoor service, with members often staffing council camps and jamboree events, reflecting the OA's role in reinforcing camping proficiency amid the state's diverse terrains.[79] OA initiatives in Texas extend to regional leadership training and national service opportunities, such as trail crews at Philmont Scout Ranch, though local lodges prioritize council-specific projects like flood recovery service in Gulf Coast areas.[55] Membership requires election by peers and adult nomination, ensuring selection of those exemplifying Scouting values, with Texas lodges reporting sustained youth involvement despite national membership fluctuations post-2010s policy changes.[80] The structure promotes advancement through ranks like Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Honor for exceptional service, adapting national ceremonies with local Native American-inspired elements while adhering to BSA guidelines on cultural sensitivity established in the 1990s.[81]Girl Scouting under Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouting in Texas functions through local councils chartered by the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), which deliver programs emphasizing leadership development, outdoor skills, and community service tailored to regional needs. Established in various Texas cities during the 1920s, such as Austin in 1921 and San Antonio in 1924, these councils have grown to serve approximately 100,000 girls across the state as of recent reports.[21][20] The structure divides Texas into six main councils: Girl Scouts of Central Texas covering central regions including Austin and Waco; Girl Scouts Northeast Texas spanning North Texas areas; Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council in the Houston vicinity; Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas in the south-central area; Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas along the coastal bend; and Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains serving the Panhandle and parts of West Texas.[7][82][83] Programs under GSUSA in Texas follow national frameworks but incorporate local elements, such as troop activities focused on STEM, entrepreneurship through the cookie program, and badges earned via hands-on experiences like horseback riding and kayaking, reflecting Texas's diverse terrain.[84][85] Girls progress through age-level branches—Daisies (grades K-1), Brownies (grades 2-3), Juniors (grades 4-5), Cadettes (grades 6-8), Seniors (grades 9-10), and Ambassadors (grades 11-12)—with leadership councils and service units supporting troop operations at the community level.[86][87] Experiential learning occurs at council-owned camps, including Camp La Jita in Southwest Texas offering archery and ropes courses, Camp Greenhill in Greater South Texas with lake-based activities, and multiple properties under San Jacinto Council like Agnes Arnold for overnight programs.[88][89] These facilities host summer camps, troop weekends, and skill-building workshops, with over 20 dedicated sites statewide promoting resilience and environmental stewardship.[90][91] Council operations emphasize volunteer-led troops, requiring at least two adults per five girls, with policies ensuring safety and girl-led decision-making.[92] Funding derives from product sales, donations, and memberships, supporting property maintenance and program expansion amid Texas's urban and rural divides.[93] Historical milestones include early integration efforts, such as the first all-Black troop in Central Texas in 1936, underscoring adaptations to local demographics.[21]Council Structure and Regional Operations
Girl Scouting in Texas operates through multiple local councils chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), each functioning as an independent nonprofit organization responsible for program delivery, troop support, and resource management within its designated territory.[94] These councils maintain a volunteer-staff partnership model, where professional staff handle administrative duties, camp operations, and training, while volunteers lead troops and service units at the grassroots level.[93] Service units, the basic organizational subunit, coordinate troops within specific locales, providing direct support such as recruitment, badge workshops, and events.[87] As of 2024, Texas hosts seven primary Girl Scout councils, covering the state's diverse regions from urban centers to rural areas, with some overlap in border counties.[95] Each council is governed by a board of directors and led by a chief executive officer, overseeing budgets, property maintenance, and compliance with GSUSA standards.[96] Regional operations emphasize localized programming, including camp facilities, product sales logistics for cookie and fall programs, and community partnerships, tailored to demographic needs like urban troop densities in Houston or Dallas versus sparse rural units in West Texas. The councils include:| Council Name | Primary Coverage | Key Operations |
|---|---|---|
| Girl Scouts of Central Texas | 46 counties, including Austin, Waco, Killeen, San Angelo | Maintains multiple service centers; focuses on skill-building workshops and camp properties.[7][96] |
| Girl Scouts Northeast Texas | 26 counties, including Dallas, Collin, Denton, Grayson | Operates headquarters in Dallas and regional offices; provides resources for troop dreams and local events.[97] |
| Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council | 26 counties in Southeast Texas, including Harris (Houston), Galveston, Fort Bend | Volunteer-staff structure supports troop organization; manages camps and training programs.[5] |
| Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas | South Texas counties, including Corpus Christi area | Emphasizes camp maintenance and skill workshops for local troops.[86] |
| Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas | Southwest Texas, including San Antonio | Delivers programs through service centers; integrates community service and experiential activities.[98] |
| Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest | West Texas portions, extending to New Mexico | Handles arid region operations, including remote troop support and outdoor programs.[95] |
| Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains | Texas Panhandle and northern plains | Coordinates cross-state operations with focus on rural accessibility and volunteer training.[99] |