Each year brings a complete range of activities. There are several that are appropriate to most Scouts and others which involve a selection process. The DCCS conducts “Puff-Up” which is a day long set of activities for Tiger Cubs and Cub Scouts on the first Saturday of October each year at Cub World at Camp Strake near Conroe, Texas. The programs, 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 an outdoor Mass at sunset.
For Boy Scouts and Venturers, the Catholic Scout Retreat occurs during the first full weekend of October, and is a three-day, two-night camp-out at Camp Strake. The programing is both spiritual and fun featuring tests in Scouting skills and religious reflections. Confessions and counseling are offered anytime during the retreat. The retreat opens on Friday night with a campfire. The main events are on Saturday, concluding at night with Mass and a campfire. Scouts are expected to be in camp by 8 pm on Friday and generally can leave by 11 am 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 will occur either on the first or second Sunday in February. Scouts who have completed work on religious emblems are invited and rewarded. The Bishop of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese conducts a prayer liturgy. After the service, all of the Scouts completing the Ad Altare Dei or Pope Pius XII religious emblem programs are honored and awarded their emblems. In addition, the Archdiocese recognizes the troop, post, and/or pack that has achieved outstanding success in the past year by awarding one or more Bishop’s Trophies.
Finally, a dinner is held in mid February to honor the adults receiving religious emblems or recognitions as determined by the awards committee. The dinner is usually held on Sunday afternoon and is a great time to meet and get acquainted with fellow youth leaders.