“Scoutmasters [and Scouts] need the capacity to enjoy the out-of-doors.”
— Baden-Powell

NEXT CAMPOUT — CAMPOREE ON MARCH 25-27, 2022 AT CAMP TREVOR REES-JONES (TRJ)

CAMPOUTS

WAR GAMES ON JAN. 24-26, 2020

Early Sunday morning at War Games…We camp every January at Mr. Alspaw’s Ranch near Iredell (a bit south of Glen Rose). This is the family ranch of Jon Alspaw, 890 Eagle # 46 (1973), also father of Cameron, 890 Eagle # 351 (2007). 2020 was our 14th y…

Early Sunday morning at War Games…

We camp every January at Mr. Alspaw’s Ranch near Iredell (a bit south of Glen Rose). This is the family ranch of Jon Alspaw, 890 Eagle # 46 (1973), also father of Cameron, 890 Eagle # 351 (2007). 2020 was our 14th year to camp at this ranch, and it was special. So special that a patch was created for it!

Thank you, Mr. Alspaw.

Thank you, Mr. Alspaw.

Capture the Flag is the signature event, although the marshmallow war in the afternoon was pretty memorable in 2020…

Landon 2020.jpg

Even before the war started, one of our Scouts got really chalked up…

Smurf.jpg

Happy Smurf was on the blue team…

4 winners 2020.jpg

The 4 “chalkiest” Scouts with unimpressed SPLs in back (we had a visiting Troop…)

Gordon 2020.jpg

Very, very, very scary

November 2019 — Olympics Campout at Noble Ranch

We did get a freeze bead, barely…

SM and SPL 2019.jpg

Allen SPL and SM

The winning Scout broomball team vs. the Dads (…the Dads won)

New bridge 2019.jpg

This is the new bridge we built for the shortcut trail to the broomball court

Gift 2019.jpg

Signature patch frame being presented to Mr. Noble for 50+ years of hosting Troop 890

FALL CAMPOUT — October 2019 — Fishing and Wilderness Survival near Athens, TX

It was really difficult to spend the weekend here…

It was really difficult to spend the weekend here…

The first fish caught on Saturday by James J

The first fish caught on Saturday by James J

Colin aka “The Fish Slayer”

Colin aka “The Fish Slayer”

Instructor Mr. Relyea rewarded for his efforts…

Instructor Mr. Relyea rewarded for his efforts…

An example of a wilderness survival shelter. Not terribly effective for keeping out rain (thankfully it didn’t rain), but extremely effective in warding off evil spirits…

An example of a wilderness survival shelter. Not terribly effective for keeping out rain (thankfully it didn’t rain), but extremely effective in warding off evil spirits…

The evil spirits stayed out of the woods where the shelters were, but the ghosts were hovering around the base of this tree. Can you see them??

The evil spirits stayed out of the woods where the shelters were, but the ghosts were hovering around the base of this tree. Can you see them??

The morning sun finally drove off the ghosts…

The morning sun finally drove off the ghosts…


Travis Ranch boys.jpg

This was our first trip to Travis Ranch in the spring of 2016. We have camped thrice at the Travis Ranch outside Athens. This is the family ranch of Bill Travis, father of Bryan, 890 Eagle # 115 (1985). (Note our former SPL (Fall 2019) on all fours, hat sideways, on the front far left…)

FALL CAMPOUT — September 2019 - Canoeing in Broken Bow, OK

At the outfitter before we headed upstream…

At the outfitter before we headed upstream…

Listen up carefully…

Listen up carefully…

Quick island break.jpg

a quick island break shortly after getting on the river

The Falls.jpg

Presbyterian Falls — here you can see some of our own who did NOT go “fast” and down “the middle” and learned how to unswamp a canoe!

Concentration is key…

Concentration is key…

Runch time!!!

Siesta.jpg

adult siesta X two

Kayak raft.jpg

a kayak “raft”

Don’t let anybody tell you they didn’t have fun!!!

Don’t let anybody tell you they didn’t have fun!!!

Campsite.jpg

campsite in a field with porta-potties

Sunrise over Lower Mt. Fork River.jpg

sunrise over the Lower Mountain Fork River with Scouts preparing breakfast


CAMPOUT — November 2018 — Olympics Campout

Our annual fall recruiting Olympics Games Campout featured perfect, perfect fall weather. Over 50 Scouts and 20 adults attended this year. In addition to many Webelos II recruits from LH area Cub Scout Packs, we were joined by the future Scouts of Troop 890 - Girls, and their leaders. Over 15 soon-to-be Scouts (girls) attended, camped out, enjoyed our feast, and enjoyed exploring the outdoors with their buddies. Sound familiar?? Oh yeah, and the Dads beat the boys (Bacon Ninjas) at Broomball!! We are indebted to Mr. Noble for his generosity every year.

Olympics sun just up.jpg

The sun was up a bit after 8 am, and it was time to start shedding layers after a sub-40 degrees Friday night.

Olympics the smoker.jpg

Get ready to eat turkey!

Olympics Goofy Cooks.jpg

High quality servers…

Olympics dinner line.jpg

Thanks to all our guests and 890 recruits for joining us!

Olympics 890 recruits.jpg

Future 890 boys and girls.

Olympics sunset.jpg

Saturday evening sunset.

Olympics Anna Lightfest.jpg

We could see the Anna Lightfest balloons.

Olympics SM and ASPLQM.jpg

I’ll be back next year…


CAMPOUT — October 2018

For our October 2018 Campout, we did something new. Despite the cancellation of the Waco Wild West 50, and thus our plans to go cheer on the Firstie riders, and despite weather forecasts that were ominous, we still braved the mud at Mr. Hickman’s ranch near Hamilton, Texas. We had a small group and got to hang out, sleep late for a change, eat at Viteks in Waco, tour stuff in Waco, and enjoy the Russell Show at the campfire. Fun fun times! And no rain bead…

DADs tent at Hickman's.jpg

DADs tent at the ranch with blue skies!

Caliche pit.jpg

The caliche pit up top with beautiful clouds.

WMNM sign round 3.jpg

Posing after visiting this cool National Monument…

DP Museum.jpg

After touring the Dr. Pepper Museum and visiting the soda fountain, we were sugared up…



OTHER CAMPOUTS

We camp 3 times in the fall and 3 times in the spring. First Years typically have 2 more 1-nighter campouts. Some campouts are “standard” and others are selected and planned by the PLC. Below are maps for some of the standard campouts.


Youngblood pond.jpg

We have camped several times at the Youngblood Ranch in Sanger, Texas. This is the family ranch of Carita Youngblood, mother of Harris, 890 Eagle # 514 (2017).


TRJ.jpg

We sometimes camp at Camp Trevor-Rees Jones, a Circle 10 Council camp, near Athens. This camp was formerly known as Camp Cherokee and also Camp Meisenbach.


Hurry up and get the canoe down to Lake Texoma…

Hurry up and get the canoe down to Lake Texoma…

We sometimes camp at Camp James Ray, a Circle 10 Council camp, near Sherman.


Sunset at the Travis Ranch.

Sunset at the Travis Ranch.