Scouting and Guiding in Texas
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.
Early history (1910-1950)
By 1918, unofficial Wolf Cub packs appeared in Paris, Texas.
Until 1948, some southern councils of the Boy Scouts of America were racially segregated. Colored Troops, as they were officially known, were given little support from Districts and Councils. Some Scouting executives and leaders believed that Colored Scouts and Leaders would be less able to live up to the ideals of the Boy Scouts. The National Office began a program of integrating local councils in 1940, which was largely complete in 1948.
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, Texas in 1922.
Recent history (1950-1990)
On January 1, 2003, Chisholm Trail Council and Comanche Trail Council combined to form the Texas Trails Council.
Boy Scouting in Texas
The National Scout Museum has now been relocated to the National BSA Headquarters in Irving, Texas.
There are eighteen Boy Scouts of America local councils in Texas. All of Texas lies within Southern Region, except for El Paso, Hudspeth and Parmer counties, as part of Western Region.
- Alamo Area Council
- Bay Area Council
- Buffalo Trail Council
- Caddo Area Council
- Capitol Area Council
- Circle Ten Council
- Concho Valley Council
- East Texas Area Council
- Golden Spread Council
- Longhorn Council
- NeTSeO Trails Council
- Rio Grande Council
- Sam Houston Area Council
- South Plains Council
- South Texas Council
- Texas Trails Council
- Three Rivers Council
- Yucca Council
Other Scout associations 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 of 2002, at which time the troop divided, and the 1st Tarrant Group was officially established solely as a Baden-Powell Scout Association unit.
Girl Scouting in Texas
Prior to 2007, there were 19 Girl Scout councils in Texas. However the councils have been merged and rearranged to leave a total of 7.
- Girl Scouts of Central Texas Council
- Planned Texas North Central Council
- Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
- Girl Scouts of The San Antonio Area
- Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
- Girl Scouts Greater South Texas Council
- Planned Texas West/New Mexico South Council
Scouting museums in Texas
- Fred H. Poppe Museum, Amarillo, Texas http://members.tripod.com/Troop80/museum.htm
- National Scouting Museum Irving, Texas, http://www.bsamuseum.org
- Worth Ranch Museum, Palo Pinto, Texas http://www.worthranch.com/tour/museum.htm
See also
- Asociación de Scouts de México, A.C.
- West Texas Scouting History http://www.westtexasscoutinghistory.net/
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