Service Opportunities

FAQs

What are the service requirements for Scout advancement?

1

For every rank, except for Scout and Eagle, Scouts must participate in a service projects approved by the Scoutmaster.

8 hours of service are also required for the Citizenship in the Community merit badge. Service hours for Citizenship in the Community should be discussed with the Scout’s specific merit badge counselor for this badge, prior to the Scout beginning work on the project.

Hours used for rank advancement may not be applied to the hours required for Citizenship in the Community merit badge.

What service project are approved by the Scoutmaster?

2

Any project planned and lead by a Scout to earn their Eagle Scout, Venture Summit, or Sea Scout Quartermaster rank, whether they are in our unit or another unit is approved/

Service projects hosted by Troop 505 and Troop 506 are approved service projects.

Additionally, volunteer hours at the following organizations are pre-approved:

Houston Maritime Center and Museum,
Order of the Arrow induction and service days, and
Bovay Scout Ranch Cub Adventure Camp

How do I get approval for other service projects?

3

Scout should use the Troop 505 Service Form.

Scouts should get approval from the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster before doing a service project not coordinated by the troop.

A Scout should document their proposed service plan using this form, and obtain Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmaster signature prior to beginning the service hours.

Scout’s just obtain a signature on their service form verifying the service conducted and hours worked.

How may I get credit for service hours?

4

For Troop 505 / Troop 506 hosted events, Scouts should obtain signatures from a registered adult leader present at the event in the service log in the back of their Scout Handbook.

For OA events, Scouts may obtain verification from LodgeMaster.

For Bovay Scouts Ranch, volunteer hours should be requested prior to leaving camp for the weekend.

In all other cases, Scouts should document completed hours on the Troop 505 Service Form or on letterhead from the organization where they served.

Houston Maritime Center and Museum (HMCM)

HMCM is keen to routinely engage Scouts and Sea Scouts for a range of activities throughout the year at its new home in EaDo.

This will be a good opportunity to learn a little bit about the marine/offshore industry and one of the central pillars of Houston’s economy.

The Scouts will receive service hours for being good shipmates by offering helping hands in any of their events.

The HMCM is keen to involve Scouts on a routine basis for any number of things to build interest in the museum and the maritime industry. If you are interested in participating at the HMCM events or otherwise interested in learning about and working with the HMCM please reach out to Jason Smith (jasonesmith1973@googlemail.com) or Peter Wallace (Peter.Wallace@lr.org)

Volunteering at Bovay Scout Ranch

All Scouts BSA Scouts, and all registered leaders, are invited to volunteer at Bovay Scout Ranch / McNair Cub Adventure Camp.

Scouts under 14 years old must be accompanied by a registered leader parent who will remain on camp property the entire time the Scout is volunteering. Adults are encouraged to also volunteer if you will be staying on the property.

Scouts 14 years old and older may be dropped off on Friday night before staff development meetings and picked up on Sunday.

Benefits for the Scout:

earn service hours for rank or for National Honor Society
earn nights camped at a “designated Scouting activities or events” for Camping Merit Badge and National Outdoor Awards Program
start on the road to be a paid staffer at a Sam Houston Area Council Camp
leadership development

To learn more about Cub Scout Adventure Camp, visit Sam Houston Area Council Adventure Camps

To sign up, go to the Volunteer Registration Page for Bovay Scout Ranch.

Please request written confirmation of hours worked prior to leaving camp.

ADULTS: Friend of Scouting

Troop 505 Families: It is time for our annual Sam Houston Area Council Friends of Scouting Campaign.

Our goal this year is: $6,500

Thank you for your continued support of Friends of Scouting. For the last few years, Troop 505 has consistently met the goals set by Sam Houston Area Council for us to contribute to Friends of Scouting. As a unit, we have done our part to:

Support our council camps: Camp Strake, Tellepsen Scout Ranch, Bovay Scout Ranch, and Camp Brosig
Share Scouting in underserved neighborhoods
Keep Scouting affordable for all

Donation Page