Scouts from Blanco Troop 497 celebrated New Year’s at Lost Pines Scout Winter Camp. Ten Scouts and two adult Leaders braved the weather and slept in tents for four nights.
During the day they went their separate ways to work on Merit Badges they had signed up to earn. Two of the Scouts were able to take ATV, which should have been called “mudding.” One Scout took climbing and rappelled from a 30-foot drop. A few of the other Merit Badges were Shotgun, Rifle, Railroading, Environmental Science, Wilderness Survival, Camping, Chess, Woodcarving, and Cycling.
The choice of Merit Badges is lengthy, with 21 being required for Eagle Scout and many more that are optional. There are approximately 130 different Merit Badges to choose from so Scouts may pick something that interests them. The attitude that prevails is, “Yes, I can.” Some of the Merit Badges require more time than Camp allows and the Scouts will have to continue working on them after they return home. For instance, Camping requires a total of at least 20 nights camping out and that may take several months. Personal Management takes a minimum of 90 days to finish.
Troop 497 meets weekly on Monday nights at the Blanco United Methodist Church, and has a campout once a month. In addition to monthly campouts the Scouts also have available week-long Summer Camps and Winter Camps.
The Scouts are elected to leadership positions once or twice a year and work on their leadership skills and progress up the ranks from Tenderfoot to Eagle. There are requirements for each rank including Service Hours and holding leadership positions for certain lengths of time.
As the Scouts become older and grow in rank, there are High Adventure Treks they can go on such as Sea Base; that might be a Tall Ship or sailing or using Polynesian War Canoes in the Florida Keys. There are several Backpacking and Climbing High Adventure Treks. Again, it is what appeals to the Scout.
There are many opportunities for Scouts to have fun and to provide service to their community.
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