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==Other scouting associations for boys in Texas==
==Other scouting associations for boys in Texas==
* In 1997, the leaders of a Scout troop in Fort Worth, Texas contacted the Baden-Powell Scout Association in the United Kingdom to inquire about a possible affiliation. The Chief Commissioner of the [[Baden-Powell Scouts]] in England issued a Branch Warrant to the Fort Worth group in 1998. The unit operated under a dual status from 1998 until January 2002, at which time the troop divided, and the 1st Tarrant Group was officially established solely as a Baden-Powell Scout Association unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206135141/http://www.1sttarrantbpscouts.org/ |title=1st Tarrant Baden-Powell Scouts Home |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=February 6, 2012 |accessdate=January 7, 2014}}</ref>
* In 1997, the leaders of a Scout troop in Fort Worth, Texas contacted the Baden-Powell Scout Association in the United Kingdom to inquire about a possible affiliation. The Chief Commissioner of the [[Baden-Powell Scouts]] in England issued a Branch Warrant to the Fort Worth group in 1998. The unit operated under a dual status from 1998 until January 2002, at which time the troop divided, and the 1st Tarrant Group was officially established solely as a Baden-Powell Scout Association unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1sttarrantbpscouts.org/ |title=1st Tarrant Baden-Powell Scouts Home |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=February 6, 2012 |accessdate=January 7, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20130523193100/http://1sttarrantbpscouts.org/ |archivedate=May 23, 2013 }}</ref>


==Girl Scouts of the USA in Texas==
==Girl Scouts of the USA in Texas==
Line 1,108: Line 1,108:
====Program Place and Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History====
====Program Place and Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History====


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.<ref>{{cite news| title = Girl Scouts have place to call their own | publisher = El Campo Leader-News | date = December 8, 2007 | url = http://www.leader-news.com/news/2007/1208/lifestyle/036.html | accessdate = February 13, 2009}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The entrance canopy of the Program Place was designed and built by University of Houston graduate architecture students.<ref>{{cite web| title = Girl Scouts Opens Program Place for Girls| publisher = Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council | url = http://www.gssjc.org/news/2007/12-programplace.cfm | accessdate =February 13, 2009}}</ref> The pavilion was represents a Girl Scout sash.<ref>{{cite web| title = Special Recognition Award: The Girl Scouts: Building confidence, character and a new Headquarters | work = Building Design and Construction | publisher = Reed Elsevier Inc | date = October 1, 2008 | url = http://www.bdcnetwork.com/article/CA6603398.html | accessdate =February 13, 2009}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Girl Scouts have place to call their own |publisher=El Campo Leader-News |date=December 8, 2007 |url=http://www.leader-news.com/news/2007/1208/lifestyle/036.html |accessdate=February 13, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20080706223406/http://www.leader-news.com/news/2007/1208/lifestyle/036.html |archivedate=July 6, 2008 }}</ref> The entrance canopy of the Program Place was designed and built by University of Houston graduate architecture students.<ref>{{cite web| title = Girl Scouts Opens Program Place for Girls| publisher = Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council | url = http://www.gssjc.org/news/2007/12-programplace.cfm | accessdate =February 13, 2009}}</ref> The pavilion was represents a Girl Scout sash.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special Recognition Award: The Girl Scouts: Building confidence, character and a new Headquarters |work=Building Design and Construction |publisher=Reed Elsevier Inc |date=October 1, 2008 |url=http://www.bdcnetwork.com/article/CA6603398.html |accessdate=February 13, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20081026182850/http://www.bdcnetwork.com:80/article/CA6603398.html |archivedate=October 26, 2008 }}</ref>


====Camps====
====Camps====
Line 1,229: Line 1,229:
* Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gssjc.org/news/2007/12-programplace.cfm |title=Girl Scouts Opens Program Place for Girls: Also Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History - News - Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Houston, Texas |publisher=Gssjc.org |date=July 6, 2010 |accessdate=October 25, 2013}}</ref> [[Houston, Texas]]
* Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gssjc.org/news/2007/12-programplace.cfm |title=Girl Scouts Opens Program Place for Girls: Also Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History - News - Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Houston, Texas |publisher=Gssjc.org |date=July 6, 2010 |accessdate=October 25, 2013}}</ref> [[Houston, Texas]]
* [[National Scouting Museum]], [[Irving, Texas]]
* [[National Scouting Museum]], [[Irving, Texas]]
* Worth Ranch Museum,<ref>[http://www.worthranch.com/tour/museum.htm ]{{dead link|date=April 2013}}</ref> [[Palo Pinto, Texas]]
* Worth Ranch Museum,<ref>[http://www.worthranch.com/tour/museum.htm ] {{wayback|url=http://www.worthranch.com/tour/museum.htm |date=20070928121104 }}</ref> [[Palo Pinto, Texas]]


==Further reading==
==Further reading==

Revision as of 10:41, 29 August 2015

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.

Scouting for boys in Texas is primarily represented by the Boy Scouts of America, or BSA. Texas is home to the BSA National Headquarters in Irving, Texas. The Boy Scouts of America in Texas are organized into 20 local councils.

Scouting for girls in Texas is primarily represented by the Girl Scouts of the USA, organized into eight local councils.

History

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 Boys 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 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.

In 1913 Troop 1 was established in Wichita Falls, Texas. Troop 1 in Wichita Falls has been continuously chartered since 1916.

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

In 1914, the BSA gave local councils the power to segregate African Americans from white Scouts.[citation needed] Until 1974, some southern councils of the Boy Scouts of America were still racially segregated.

However, 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.[2] 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 Girls Scouts' Camp Texlake was dedicated in 1949.

Boy Scouts of America in Texas

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 is also located in Irving.

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.[3]

Alamo Area Council

Alamo Area Council (#583)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersSan Antonio, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
alamoareabsa.org
 Scouting portal

The Alamo Area Council, BSA, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, serves a 13 county area in Texas.

Organization

Districts
  • Texas Hills District
  • Rough Rider District
  • Diamondback District
  • Summit District
  • Memorial District
  • Longhorn District
  • Cimarron District
  • Two Rivers District
  • Armadillo District
  • Victory District

The council is composed of:

Old Districts
  • Broken Arrow District
  • Cherokee District
  • Eagle District
  • El Dorado District
  • Four Rivers District
  • Galaxy District
  • Keystone District
  • Mission Tejas District
  • Phoenix District
  • Sioux District

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

Camps

Alamo Area Council operates two camps: McGimsey Scout Park, where Cub Scout Day Camp is held during the summer, as well as other events throughout the year, and Bear Creek Scout Reservation, where Boy Scout resident camp and Webelos resident camp are held during the summer, as well as other events through the year.

Order of the Arrow

  • Aina Topa Hutsi #60[4]

Bay Area Council

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

Organization

  • Coastal District Bay Area Council
  • Cradle of Texas District
  • Thunderbird District
  • Northern Star District

Order of the Arrow

  • Wihinipa Hinsa Lodge

Buffalo Trail Council

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

The Buffalo Trail Council comprises five Districts serving West Texas.

Organization

  • 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

Caddo Area Council

Main article: Caddo Area Council

Headquartered in Texarkana, Texas, the Caddo Area Council (#584) serves Scouts in Northeast Texas and Arkansas.[5]

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

Capitol Area Council

Capitol Area Council (#564)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersAustin, Texas
CountryUnited States
Scout ExecutiveJon Yates
Website
bsacac.org
 Scouting portal

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

Organization

Camps

  • 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

  • Tonkawa #99

Circle Ten Council

Circle Ten Council (#571)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersDallas, Texas
CountryUnited States
Founded1913
Website
circle10.org
 Scouting portal
Main article: Circle Ten Council

The Circle Ten Council serves BSA units in North Texas and a portion of Oklahoma. Its service area encompasses all or parts of Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Henderson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, Rains, Rockwall and Van Zandt Counties in Texas as well as Bryan County in Oklahoma. Founded in 1913 and based in Dallas, approximately 50,000 youth and 15,000 adults participate in Scouting through the council each year.

The council has four camps - Camp Wisdom, Camp James Ray, Clements Scout Ranch / Camp Trevor Rees-Jones and Camp Constantin / Jack D. Furst Aquatics Base. The Order of the Arrow is represented by Mikanakawa Lodge.

Conquistador Council

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 currently no units actually 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

East Texas Area Council (#585)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersTyler, Texas
CountryUnited States
Founded1930
Website
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

  • Caddo District
  • Cherokee Trace District
  • Naconiche District
  • Okee Tuklo District
  • Tall Timbers District
  • Three Rivers District

Camps

  • George W. Pirtle Scout Reservation (Camp Pirtle)

Order of the Arrow

Golden Spread Council

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.

Longhorn Council

Longhorn Council (#662)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersHurst, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
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

The Council is organized into 20 districts:

Camps

  • Worth Ranch
  • Sid Richardson Scout Ranch
  • Camp Tahuaya

NeTseO Trails Council

NeTseO Trails Council (#580)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersParis, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
boyscoutsparistx580.org
 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.

Organization

  • Two Rivers District
  • Northern Star District
  • White Oak District

Camps

  • Camp Frederick H. Dierks, Wright City, Oklahoma
  • "Hogue's Landing" a.k.a. Lynwood Hogue Scout Camp, Paris, TX

Order of the Arrow

  • Loquanne Allangwh Lodge #428

Northwest Texas Council

Northwest Texas Council (#587)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersWichita Falls, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
nwtcbsa.org
 Scouting portal

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

  • Red River District
  • Greenbelt District

Camps

  • Camp Perkins - a gift from Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Perkins, is a primary campsite for the council. It is about 60 acres (240,000 m2) of camp grounds utilized by Northwest Texas Council as well as units of other councils chartering with them.

Order of the Arrow

  • Wichita Lodge 35

Rio Grande Council

Rio Grande Council (#775)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersHarlingen, Texas
CountryUnited States
Founded1926
PresidentAndrew Hagan
Council CommissionerHarsha Puttaguta
Scout ExecutiveErnesto Carballo Jr.
Website
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.[3] 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 southern most parts of Texas.

Organization

The Rio Grande Council has four districts:

  • Arrowhead District
  • Tip-O-Tex District
  • Arroyo District
  • Rio Bravo District
  • Soccer and Scouting District

Camps

  • Laguna Station High Adventure Sea Base[7] is located on South Padre Island. Campers can gain SCUBA certification.
  • Camp Perry[8] 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.
  • Laguna Station High Adventure Sea Base[7]

Order of the Arrow

  • Wewanoma Lodge

Sam Houston Area Council

Sam Houston Area Council (#576)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersHouston, Texas
Location2225 N Loop W, Houston, Texas 77008-1311
CountryUnited States
Founded1914
President/Scout ExecutiveTom Varnell
Deputy Scout ExecutiveChris Holt
Director of Support ServiceDavid Foil
Director of DevelopmentJim Rees
Director of Field ServiceThomas Franklin
Website
www.samhoustonbsa.org
 Scouting portal

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

Organization

Central Division

  • Aldine Pathfinder District
  • Antares District
  • Blue River District
  • Cherokee District
  • Lone Star District
  • Tejas District
  • W.L. Davis District

East Division

  • Bayshore District
  • Eagle Trail District
  • Flaming Arrow District
  • Raven District
  • Skyline District

Frontier Division

North Division

South Division

  • Aquila District
  • Brazos District
  • North Star District
  • Tatanka District
  • Thunder Wolf District
  • Twin Bayous District

West Division

Camps

  • Camp Strake was a Boy Scout Camp in Southern Montgomery County, Texas off of I-45. The park closed in December of 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.[9]
  • El Rancho Cima is a Boy Scout Camp on the Blanco Riversouth of Austin near Wimberley, Texas in the Devil's Backbone of the Texas Hill Country.
  • Camp Brosig is a weekend camp about seven miles north of Sealy Texas.
  • Camp Bovay is a weekend camping facility off SH 6 south of Navasota.

OA Lodges

International exchanges

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

South Plains Council

Main article: South Plains Council

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

South Texas Council

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

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

Organization

  • Aztec District
  • Coastal Bend North District
  • LaSalle District
  • Coastal Plains District
  • Brush District
  • Venado District

Camps

  • Camp Karankawa
  • Camp Huisache

Order of the Arrow

  • Karankawa Lodge 307

Texas Southwest Council

Texas Southwest Council (#741)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersAlbuquerque, New Mexico
CountryUnited States
Website
http://cvcbsa.org/
 Scouting portal

The Concho Valley Council was renamed to Texas Southwest Council in February 2011.[10]

Organization

  • Concho Valley District (former Amangi Trail District)
  • Amistad District
  • Permian Basin District
  • Winter Garden District

Camps

  • Camp Sol Mayer
  • Camp Fawcett
  • Baden Powell Park

Order of the Arrow

Wahinkto Lodge 199

Texas Trails Council

Texas Trails Council (#561)
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
HeadquartersAbilene, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
texastrailsbsa.org
 Scouting portal

The Texas Trails Council was formed in 2003 by the consolidation of the Chisholm Trail Council and the Comanche Trail Council.

Organization

  • Old Comanche Trail District
  • Pecan Valley District
  • Buffalo Mountain District

Camps

  • Camp Billy Gibbons
  • Camp Tonkawa

Order of the Arrow

  • Penateka Lodge

Three Rivers Council

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

Organization

  • Big Thicket District
  • Sabine District
  • Spindletop District
  • Trinity District

Camps

  • Camp Urland Scout Reservation

Order of the Arrow

  • Hasinai Lodge

Yucca Council

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

Yucca Council serves Scouts in Texas and New Mexico.

Organization

  • Chamizal District no longer exists
  • Geronimo District
  • Mescalero District
  • Polaris District
  • Sunshine District
  • Wapaha District
  • White Sands District
  • Mission Trails District no longer exists

Camps

  • Black Range Cavalcade
  • Camp Dale Resler

Order of the Arrow

  • Gila Lodge

Other scouting associations for boys in Texas

  • In 1997, the leaders of a Scout troop in Fort Worth, Texas contacted the Baden-Powell Scout Association in the United Kingdom to inquire about a possible affiliation. The Chief Commissioner of the Baden-Powell Scouts in England issued a Branch Warrant to the Fort Worth group in 1998. The unit operated under a dual status from 1998 until January 2002, at which time the troop divided, and the 1st Tarrant Group was officially established solely as a Baden-Powell Scout Association unit.[11]

Girl Scouts of the USA in Texas

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

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

Girl Scouts of Central Texas now 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 2007, the Girl Scouts of Central Texas served 20,000 girls, ages 5–17 years, and nearly 12,000 adult volunteers. The council runs three residential camps. These are: Camp Texlake, Camp Wood Lake and Camp Kachina. It also runs three primitive camps: Camp Dixie Allison, Camp Howdy and Camp Happy Hollow.

Camps

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 Wood Lake is on the shores of Lake Brownwood.

Camp Kachina is on the shores of Lake Belton. It covers a total of 344 acres (1.39 km2). Facilities include an equestrian center and an archery course.

Although nationally the Girl Scouts of the USA does not have a relationship with Planned Parenthood, some Girl Scout councils may choose to have connections to Planned Parenthood. In 2004 in Waco, Texas, the former Bluebonnet Council had endorsed a Planned Parenthood education event, but did not provide money nor send Girl Scouts to it. This was criticized by some pro-life movement supporters and social conservatives. The Bluebonnet Council subsequently removed their endorsement.[12]

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

Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest – Southern New Mexico & West Texas
HeadquartersEl Paso, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
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

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

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

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

Headquarters: North Little Rock, Arkansas

Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas

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

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

Organization

Council Offices:

Program Centers:

Camps

  • Camp Bayview is 18 acres (73,000 m2) near Bayview, TX along the Resaca de los Cuates.[13] 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

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
HeadquartersDallas, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
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.

Camps

  • 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

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
HeadquartersHouston, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
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

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.[14] The entrance canopy of the Program Place was designed and built by University of Houston graduate architecture students.[15] The pavilion was represents a Girl Scout sash.[16]

Camps

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.[17]

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.[18] 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.[19] 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[20] 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.[21]

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas
HeadquartersSally Cheever Girl Leadership Center
LocationSan Antonio, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
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

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

  • 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.[22] 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

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains
HeadquartersFort Worth, Texas
CountryUnited States
Website
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

Regional Offices:

Service Centers:

Camps

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

Scouting museums in Texas

Further reading

  • 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.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scouting in Texas.

References

  1. ^ a b Block, Nelson R. "BOY SCOUTS". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  2. ^ "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. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d Hook, James; Franck, Dave; Austin, Steve (1982). An Aid to Collecting Selected Council Shoulder Patches with Valuation.
  4. ^ http://www.ath60.org
  5. ^ caddobsa.org
  6. ^ soccerandscouting.org
  7. ^ a b "Laguna Station". Riograndecouncil.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  8. ^ "Camp Perry - Summer Camp". Riograndecouncil.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  9. ^ http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/camp-strake
  10. ^ cvcbsa.org
  11. ^ "1st Tarrant Baden-Powell Scouts Home". Web.archive.org. February 6, 2012. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ USA Today article
  13. ^ "RESACA DE LOS CUATES," Handbook of Texas Online <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rbr35>, accessed December 31, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
  14. ^ "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. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Girl Scouts Opens Program Place for Girls". Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  16. ^ "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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "SouthEast Texas Girl Scouts Camping". Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  18. ^ "Nature Center Opens At Girl Scout Camp". Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. May 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  19. ^ "Girl Scouts Recognized by Texas Forestry Association". Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. November 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  20. ^ "Camp Casa Mare". Camp Channel, Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  21. ^ Spaeth, Bob (November–December 2008). "Around Camp" (PDF). The Golden Link. 34 (6). Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  22. ^ Camp La Jita and Mira Sol (PDF). Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.
  23. ^ Dustin Mitchell. "Fred Poppe Museum". Eightyscouts.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  24. ^ "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. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  25. ^ [1] Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
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