Each year brings a complete range of notable activities. There are several that are appropriate to most Scouts’ activities and others which involve a selection process. The ACCS conducts “Puff-Up” which is a day long set of activities for Cub Scouts on the first Saturday of October each year at Bovay Scout Ranch near Navasota, Texas. The program, activities, and games offered are unique for Cub Scouts, but are prepared in such a way as to keep Our Lord Jesus Christ in the center of these activities. The day concludes with a Mass in the late afternoon.
For Scouts BSA and Venturers, the Catholic Scout Retreat also occurs during the first weekend of October, and is a three-day, two-night camp-out at Bovay Scout Ranch. The programming is both spiritual and fun featuring religious reflections, exercises, and contests. The Retreat opens on Friday night with check-in and camp set up. The main events are on Saturday with morning discussion sessions and afternoon group activities. Confessions and counseling are offered as well. The Retreat program concludes with Mass, and an evening campfire for those staying overnight. Scouts are expected to be in camp by 8 p.m. on Friday and leave by 10 a.m. on Sunday. All meals are provide at a low cost.
Scout Sunday activities are always a big part of Scouting in our Archdiocese. Each year, a special Scout Sunday Awards and Recognition Ceremony occurs either on the first or second Sunday in February. Scouts who completed work on religious emblems are invited. A bishop, or our chaplain for Scouting, conducts a brief prayer liturgy. After the service, all Scouts who completed the Ad Altare Dei or Pope Pius XII religious emblem programs are honored and awarded their emblems. In addition, the Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting recognizes the troop, post, and pack that have achieved the most outstanding success in the past year by awarding a Bishop’s Trophy to each.
Finally, an Adult Awards Brunch is held in early May to honor adults receiving religious emblems or recognition as determined by an awards subcommittee. The brunch is held on a Saturday morning and is a great time to meet and get acquainted with fellow adult leaders.