Outdoor Activities In Texas And The Southwest Brought To You By The Order Of The Arrow WWWHHHEEERRREEE TTTOOO GGGOOO CCCAAAMMMPPPIIINNNGGG WWWHHHEEERRREEE TTTOOO GGGOOO HHHIIIKKKIIINNNGGG DDDAAAYYY TTTRRRIIIPPPSSS LLLOOONNNGGG TTTEEERRRMMM CCCAAAMMMPPPSSS HHHIIIGGGHHH AAADDDVVVEEENNNTTTUUURRREEE BBBSSSAAA ––– PPPUUUBBBLLLIIICCC ––– PPPRRRIIIVVVAAATTTEEE LLLAAANNNDDDSSS Tonkawa Lodge 99 2005 Edition Capitol Area Council Table of Contents INTRODUCTION PAGE 3 THE SCOUT LAW P AGE 4 THE SCOUT OATH PAGE 5 THE OUTDOOR CODE PAGE 5 THE WILDERNESS PLEDGE PAGE 6 SOUTHERN REGION 2 COUNCIL ADDRESSES PAGE 6 ABOUT THIS GUIDE PAGE 7 CREDITS & DISCLAIMERS P AGE 7 WHERE TO GO….BSA PROPERTY PAGE 9 WHERE TO GO….STATE LANDS PAGE 16 WHERE TO GO….HIKING PAGE 32 WHERE TO GO….FOR HIGH ADVENTURE PAGE 41 WHERE TO GO….COUNCIL CAMPS PAGE 45 WHERE TO GO….LOCALLY PAGE 51 WHERE TO GO….OTHER PLACES PAGE 70 LEAVE NO TRACE PAGE 121 PLANNING PAGE 123 SUMMER CAMP PAGE 124 HIGH ADVENTURE CAMPING PAGE 125 FORMS PAGE 128 INDEX A – LISTING BY PLACE NAME PAGE 143 INDEX B – LISTING BY LOCATION PAGE 156 2 Tonkawa Lodge 99 2005 Edition Capitol Area Council Introduction The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is to provide service and to promote camping. Camping and the outdoor program is an important aspect of Scouting. Scouting strives to build character, citizenship, and fitness. When scouts go camping, this growth just seems to follow. Patrol and troop camping are models and a testing ground for life in society where each scout learns to accept responsibility and to exercise good judgment. Camping contributes to the interaction among fellow scouts in positive and supportive ways since Scouts who camp will soon come face to face with practical applications of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Cheerfulness, trustworthiness, courtesy, helpfulness, and all the central virtues of Scouting that are as necessary in camp as in society. Life in the open is a natural teacher of these essential survival skills. Thus, we promote camping and camping becomes a natural way of achieving the aims of Scouting. The skills and cooperation scouts learn through the outdoor program reinforce the basic ideals of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The principles of Scouting are central to any kind of successful camping experience. The Order of the Arrow was founded in a Scout camp, Scout camping is it’s core requirement for membership with camping promotion it’s central service theme. Arrowmen encourage scouts to go camping. In camp Arrowmen maintain the best traditions and the highest spirit. It is with that spirit that the Arrowmen of Tonkawa Lodge 99 present this camping guide to the units of our Council as evidence of our service to Scouting. The purpose of this camping guide is to aid area units by communicating information concerning over 600 local area camps, state-wide public camping and hiking properties, regional scout camping properties, and national high adventure camping opportunities. This document has been, in general, structured in a table summary format depending on the type of outdoor experience desired. This is to aid the reader in finding quick reference to the type and location area of their desired outdoor experience. It is with high hopes that units find a use for this document and continue the long Scouting tradition of living in the out-of-doors. 3 Tonkawa Lodge 99 2005 Edition Capitol Area Council THE SCOUT LAW A Scout is TRUSTWORTHY. A true Scout chooses to keep his promises and always tells the truth. It should become part of his conduct so people can always trust what he has to say. A Scout is LOYAL. A Scout is always loyal and true to his friends and family as well as his Scout leaders, school, nation, and world community. A Scout is HELPFUL. A Scout should strive to help as many people as possible and always keep a happy attitude. A Scout is FRIENDLY. A Scout is a friend and brother to all other scouts and should strive to understand others and make them his friend. A Scout is COURTEOUS. A Scout is polite to all scouts and to all other people he meets in his journeys. A Scout is KIND. A Scout knows the power and strength in being gentle and chooses not to harm others without reason. A Scout is OBEDIENT. A Scout obeys the laws of his country and community and follows the rules of his school, troop, and family. A Scout is CHEERFUL. A Scout is always optimistic and works cheerfully with others without complaint. A Scout is THRIFTY. A Scout is always looking towards the future and saving money for future events and emergencies. A Scout does not waste resources and carefully uses property and time. A Scout is BRAVE. A Scout faces danger even when he is afraid, and does not worry if he is laughed at or threatened. A Scout is CLEAN. A Scout keeps his mind and body clean and fit. He helps his community and home stay clean. A Scout is REVERENT. A Scout is reverent toward God and respects the beliefs of others. The Scout Oath On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country And to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, Mentally awake, and morally straight. 4 Tonkawa Lodge 99 2005 Edition Capitol Area Council The Outdoor Code As an American, I will do my best to: BE CLEAN IN MY OUTDOOR MANNERS – I will treat the outdoors as a heritage to be improved for our greater enjoyment. I will keep my trash and garbage out of America’s waters, fields, woods and roadways. BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE – I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fire in a safe place and be sure it is out before I leave. BE CONSIDERATE IN THE OUTDOORS – I will treat public and private property with respect. I will remember that use of the outdoors is a privilege I can lose by abuse. BE CONSERVATION MINDED – I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, and wildlife; and I will urge others to do the same. I will use sportsmanlike methods in all my outdoor activities. The Wilderness Pedge Through good camping and hiking practices, I pledge myself to preserve the beauty and splendor of America’s wilderness, primitive and backcountry areas, I commit myself to: • Set a personal example in following the Outdoor Code (see previous page); • Those I lead in the skills and attitudes needed to protect and preserve wilderness for future generations; • Assure that parties of which I am a part observe the hiking and camping standards that will “leave no trace” of our passing. 5 Tonkawa Lodge 99 2005 Edition Capitol Area Council Southern Region 2 Council Addresses Capitol Area Council 7540 Ed Bluestein Blvd 512-926-6363 www.bsacac.org Austin, TX 78723-5917 Fax 512-926-6870 Alamo Area Council 2226 N.W. Military Hwy 210-341-8611 www.alamoarea-boyscouts.org San Antonio, TX 78213-1894 Fax 210-341-7641 Bay Area Council 3020 53rd Street 409-744-5206 www.bacbsa.org Galveston, TX 77551-5917 Fax 409-744-7850 Buffalo Trails Council 1101 W. Texas Avenue 432-570-7601 www.btcbsa.org Midland, TX 79701 Fax 432-570-7611 Concho Valley Council 104 W. River Drive 325-655-7107 www.cvcbsa.org San Angelo, TX 76902-1584 Fax 325-657-0130 Calcasieu Area Council Evangeline Area Council 2266 S. College Road 337-235-8551 www.evangeline212bsa.org Lafeyette, LA 70598-0115 Fax 337-235-8556 Longhorn Council 4917 Briarhaven Road 817-624-5500 www.longhorncouncil.org Fort Worth, TX 76109 Fax 817-738-7162 Rio Grande Council Sam Houston Council 2225 N. Loop W 713-659-8111 www.samhoustonbsa.org Houston, TX 77008-1311 Fax 713-659-6729 South Plains Council 30 Briercroft Office Park 806-747-2631 www.southplainscouncil.org Lubbock, TX 79412 Fax 806-747-4942 South Texas Council 700 everhart Terrace Bldg. A 361-814-4300 www.gulfcc.org Corpus Christi, TX 78411-1939 Texas Trails Council 1208 N. 5th 915-677-2688 www.texastrailsbsa.org Abilene, TX 79601 Fax 915-677-2923 Three Rivers Council www.3riversbsa.org 6 Tonkawa Lodge 99 2005 Edition Capitol Area Council About This Guide The intended purpose of this guide is to inform, to pass on as much information about places in our area, in our State, and (in some cases) in surrounding States where you can take your unit camping, hiking, or just to an outdoor adventure. Due to the limited financial resources inherent with any non-profit organization, we also intended to give you as much information in as limited a number of pages as possible. So, this guide is mainly structured like an information spreadsheet. Each of the sections on “WHERE TO….” are presented in table format with mainly key pertinent information provided. The information provided is to give the reader enough information to know that the location will generally fit the needs of his or her unit. It is anticipated that once this guide has been utilized to narrow down the unit’s choices, the unit will then further inquire for more details. In all sections we have provided contact information so that this process is easier on the unit. Phone numbers, e-mail addresses, physical addresses, and any stated fees were, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of the final editing of this document. However, as we all know, most of this information can change at any time. Credits & Disclaimer Tonkawa Lodge would like to thank these organizations and individuals for their help in providing ideas and information to include in this camping guide: • The Lower Colorado River Authority and their many informative brochures; • The Texas Department of Transportation and their maps, booklets, and brochures; • The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and their maps, booklets, and brochures; • The American Hiking Society and their booklets and brochures; • Laurence Parent and his series of books on places to hike; • Joe “Big Foot” Connelly and Ken “The Stork” Patrick of the National Outdoor Leadership School for their suggestions, enthusiasm, and crazy ideas around the campfire; • The many Scouts and Scouters of Tonkawa Lodge who provided endless input and time; Disclaimer: The information put forth in this guide is just that, information.