2023 Top Fun Patrol Competitions
Afterburner (Campfire Building). Each patrol will need to assemble a campfire to burn the rope over a tray.
- First to burn wins
- Timed event
- If you want to use matches: one free match, 15 seconds for first
- match and 30 seconds per additional match added on
- You can bring your own flint and steel - no penalty for flint and
- steel - Actual flint and steel - No fire starters (lighters, etc)
Highway to the Danger Zone (Obstacle Course) Each patrol will make their way through the course at the Patrol Leaders Directions.
- Timed Event
- Blindfolded Scout will maneuver through a course one at a time
- 5 Participants will run the course per Patrol, so repeat individuals if needed
Canyon Run (Hot Isotope) Make the Miracle shot on the target as patrols work as a group to maneuver the ropes around the cup, then make their way through the canyon to the target.
- Rubber band tied in the middle and 6 ropes under it to lift the cup to move it to a specific target.
- Go through a “canyon maze” to get to the target
- Points given for amount of water left at the end- No refills.
- Points taken off for going outside the canyon, not completing certain parts
- You only get scored if you make it through the whole course
- Timed event (bonuses for efficiency)
Formation Flight (Toxic River) Patrols move across the field on provided tiles without touching the ground, completing formations as directed
- Each patrol given a set of tiles they must use to get across a designated area
- Each patrol member must stay on the tiles, not touching any of the ground
- Must use the tiles to make formations as designated by instructor
- If missing Scouts, use blank tiles to finish formation
- Points off for every restart when a scout touches the ground
- Points awarded for each complete formation, and exiting course
- Time cap of 15 minutes to make the run, maximum of 5 restarts
Pre-Flight Check (Knots) Patrols are given a series of knots and lashings to correctly identify as some are correct, some are knot!
- Timed Event
- All knots and lashings are found in the book for advancement requirements
- 20 different examples to identify, but some are incorrect, so must be identified as incorrect
- The lower rank division of patrols will receive a list of the names of knots and lashing
2023 Top Fun Troop Game
Never Leave Your Wingman! (Search and Rescue) Each troop chooses 8 Scouts of varying ranks as it will be handicapped accordingly and will go through a series of tasks along a route to search for and rescue one of their own, who is lost out in the field!
- Timed Event
- Troop will pick one person to go off with staff as the lost Wingman who was injured when he ejected from his plane and had parachute issues on landing
- The troops will proceed through 6 stations at which they will perform various first aid types of activities that may be needed when their wingman is found. (Bandages, treatments, carries, etc.) Staff will demonstrate to the troops after 10 minutes per station if not performed correctly.
- A Scout Handbook is allowed on the course
- Each troop will also be issued 1 cup of medical elixir that must remain safe until completion of the rescue, penalties assessed for missing elixir
- Each troop will start in 10-minute increments at a designated time chosen by SPL at the Friday night meeting
- Time stops when Wingman is returned safely, and Medical Elixir is used for final cure.
2023 Top Shot Shooting Competition
Each troop will select one Scout, and one adult leader to be at the Rifle Range at 4 pm to meet with our superb Shooting Sports team to participate in a shooting competition. The instructors will explain the rules and how the competition will pan out, we will award a Top Shot for both youth and adults.
2023 Aircraft Carrier Landing Competition
All Scouts and adults will be allowed to compete in this event. Each Scout will receive a piece of paper to make their perfect paper airplane. The only materials you are allowed to use are the piece of paper given, and a marker to write your name and troop on the plane. We will start from the top of the campfire arena, and you have 1 toss so see who can land on the Carrier and hit the target or be the closest to the target. The rules will be distributed on Friday night at the leader's meeting.
2023 Top Chef Cooking Competition
Each patrol is to create a dish of your choosing to present to the judges for the competition. Each dish can be made in whatever Scouting cooking style you wish, as long as the entire thing is made while you are at the camporee. It is your choice as to how you will tie it to the TOP FUN theme. Each dish will be presented in a manner to allow for at least 5 judges to taste. It can be plated or served in a cooking vessel, again, it is each patrols choice. The presentation must be unmarked, and we will have cards to pass out to the
patrols at the SPL meeting to include the dish name, a description and a story on the front, as well as any allergens present in the dish. Patrol name and troop number will be put on the back of the card so as not to be seen by judges. Again, what you cook and how it is cooked is at your discretion.
2023 Top Fun Campsite Inspection
Campsite:
|
Scores (0-5)
|
| Gateway |
US and Troop Flag properly displayed, Troop number evident, Skills of building demonstrated with properly tied knots and lashings |
| Layout |
The layout is proper and practical, avoids ground slopes, insects, poison ivy, rain run-off. Patrol areas clearly distinguishable, and youth sites clearly distinguished from adult sites (Only youth will be judged) |
| Tents |
Pitched correctly and ground tarps not visible. Tents properly staked and anchored. Individual patrol sites defined. |
| Cleanliness |
The campsite is clean with no litter (subtract 1 point for each piece found) |
| First Aid Kit |
Visible/ known location and accessible. Organized and complete. |
| Axe Yard |
Safe location, properly marked, tools stored safely, safety equipment available. No green wood evident in use. |
| Fire Extinguishers |
Visible and available in campsite, fire buckets/ sand buckets are acceptable |
| Fire Ring |
Being used safely and properly, fire bucket/ fire preventative present. 20-point deduction for unattended fire. |
Patrols:
|
|
| Duty Roster |
Posted and chores completed |
| Menu |
Posted and demonstrates my plate for each meal |
| Food |
Storage food stored properly and at correct temperatures |
| Garbage |
Store efficiently and effectively. |
| Patrol Boxes |
Clean and stored correctly, protected from possible inclement weather. |
| Cleaning Station |
Proper cleaning and sanitized methods of dishes evident |
| Handwashing |
Soap available to wash hands at hand washing site(bathrooms) |
Theme:
|
|
| Troop |
TOP FUN theme evident in camp |
| Patrols |
Every patrol demonstrates the theme |
| Gateway |
Theme is tied into the troop gateway |
| Creativity |
Theme is demonstrated with creativity and originality |
| Bonus: |
Judges award points on extra items/ gadgets assembled correctly demonstrating the Scouts skill, creativity, camp organization, and cleanliness. |
Patrol Scoring
Patrols will be broken down into three categories:
- Patrols with Scouts between 1- 2 years of experience
- Patrols with Scouts between 2-3 years of experience
- Mixed patrol and patrols with 3 + years of experience
Each patrol will rotate to all events and compete. Each event coordinator will judge the events and awards points based time, skill performed correctly, team dynamics, and Scout Spirit. All scores will be tallied and a final score will be calculated. The top patrols in each category will be honored. Each event will have an event coordinator that will oversee the event. The event coordinator will make all rulings and judgments to the best of his/her ability. If there is a dispute that needs to be settled, it will be brought to the camporee chair. The chair will make the final decision after hearing from both sides.
Top Fun Patrol Roster
Patrol will have their Scouts ranks averaged out for the patrol, and the patrols average score will determine what level they are competing against.
Scout rank = 1 point
Tenderfoot = 2 points
Second class = 3 points
First class = 4 points
Star = 5 points
Life = 6 points
Eagle Scout = 7 points
There will be two levels of patrol competions. The more advanced patrol with more knowledge will be competing in the Jets Division, while the newer to Scouting patrols will be competing in the Propellor Division. The median point will determine the division. Patrols divisions will be prior to comptetions beginning on Saturday morning. Please have this sheet filled out and brought to the spl meeting on Friday nght.
2023 Honor Troop Scoring
| |
Camporee Patrol |
|
|
| 1 |
Competition 1 |
6% |
Top 3 of each level |
| 2 |
Competition 2 |
6% |
Top 3 of each level |
| 3 |
Competition 3 |
6% |
Top 3 of each level |
| 4 |
Competition 4 |
6% |
Top 3 of each level |
| 5 |
Competition 5 |
6% |
Top 3 of each level |
| 6 |
Troop Relay |
10% |
Top 3 of each level |
| 7 |
Cooking Competition |
3% |
Participation |
| 8 |
Skit Participant |
3% |
Participation |
| 9 |
Troop Campsite Inspection |
5% |
Top 5 receive points |
| 10 |
Shooting Competition |
3% |
Participation |
| 11 |
Aircraft Carrier Landing |
3% |
Participation |
| 12 |
Spirit / Flag |
3% |
|
Campfire
Each troop is encouraged to participate in the closing campfire by performing a song, skit or dance. Multiple entries from the same troop are acceptable but cuts could be made due to time constraints. All entries will need prior approval from the camporee staff. Campfire entries are due to the camporee staff by the start of the cooking competition.
About Camp Strake
Camp Strake is a first-class, state-of-the-art camp at a rural site near the Sam Houston National Forest, close to the community of Evergreen.
Camp Strake is surrounded on three sides by the Sam Houston National Forest and has the Lone Star Hiking Trail close to one corner of the property.
Google Map Map Camp Policies
Camp Strake has 20 campsites with pavilions; modern restrooms and shower houses; climbing and repelling tower; zipline; an aquatics center with a swimming pool, lake, canoes, and kayaks; a shooting sports complex with rifle, shotgun, and archery range, including a sporting arrows course; and more.
About Camp Strake
Camp Strake is located on 2,816 acres between New Waverly and Coldspring near the community of Evergreen, Tx. Lake Livingston is 10 miles east of the property. The camp is a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Houston and close to I-45 and the Grand Parkway. Camp Strake is located at 2020 Camp Strake Rd., Coldspring, TX 77331(latitude and longitude: 30.608901, -95.230270)
|
Directions from Houston:
- Take I-45N to exit 94 (FM 1097) toward Willis
- Turn right onto Montgomery St. (.7 mi)
- Turn left onto Danville St. (360 ft)
- Turn right onto FM 1097 / Stewart St (9.6 mi.)
- Turn right onto TX-150E (8.8 mi)
- Turn left onto FM 945N (3.6 mi)
- Turn left into Camp Strake at the sign.
|
Order of the Arrow
The George Strake Chapter of the Order of the Arrow will conduct a call out ceremony for Scouts and Scouters that have been elected into the Order of the Arrow. The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America. For over 100 years, the Order of the Arrow has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. The Order of the Arrow provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.
Learn More About the OA
Photographs
Notice! Please be advised that promotional videotaping/photography may be in progress at any time at an event. Your entrance constitutes your agreement that the district has the right to reproduce your likeness in videography/photography for promotion (e.g., publications, internet, newspaper).
Scouting Safely
The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them.
BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow Youth Protection Guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:
- Two-deep leadership on all outings required.
- One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited.
- The buddy system should be used at all times.
- Discipline must be constructive.
Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.
Youth Protection Guidelines Guide to Safe Scouting Sweet Sixteen Enterprise Risk Management
Contacts
For questions, please contact Scott Gentes at sgentes@hotmail.com or the district program chair.