Texas Trails Council

Counselors | Who may register | Insignia and Uniform | Activities | Former Lone Scouts

Since its beginning days in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has been concerned with extending the Scouting program to boys in isolated areas or those who find it impossible to join a nearby Scouting unit. The Lone Scout plan serves such boys who cannot take part in a nearby Cub Scout pack or Boy Scout troop on a regular basis because of such factors as distance, weather, time, or disability. These boys apply for membership as individual Lone Cub Scouts for Lone Boy Scouts.

Although the Lone Scout member might miss the opportunity to participate in activities in the pack or troop, the program makes it possible for such boys to become members of the Boy Scouts of America and to know the fun, values, and achievement of Scouting.

The Home Scout program is Texas Trails Council’s companion to the Lone Scout program. Home Scouts are affiliated with a Pack or Troop, typically meet with the unit once a month, and may participate in monthly campouts as well as camporees, district events, council events, and summer camp with their Troop or Pack.

Every boy registering as a Lone Scout must have an adult, 21 years or older who meets adult membership requirements and agrees to serve as the boy’s Lone Scout friend and counselor. This counselor is usually the boy’s own parent but might also be his guardian, minister, teacher, 4-H Club leader, or an experienced Scouter who lives nearby.

The counselor encouraged, instructs, examines, and reviews the boy on all steps toward Scouting advancement. This person also helps the Lone Scout take part in local council activities. For more information on the role of the Lone Scout friend and counselor, consult the Home Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook, No. 23-0420.

Home Scouts will be mentored by a Texas Trails District Commissioner and the Scout’s Scoutmaster or Cubmaster. If the Home Scout or his family wishes to enlist the services of a counselor as outlined above they may, in which case the counselor will work with a Unit Commissioner and Scoutmaster or Cubmaster.

Provided the membership requirements are met, there are certain situations in which a boy’s needs and interests might best be served by the Home/Lone Scout plan because he cannot readily join or attend meeting of packs and troops.

Boys who are eligible to become Hone/Lone Scouts include:

• Boys with disabilities that might prevent them from attending regular meetings of packs or troops
• Boys in rural communities who live far from a Scouting unit
• Sons of migrant farm workers
• Boys who attend special schools, night schools, or boarding schools
• Boys who have jobs that conflict with troop meetings
• Boys whose alternate living arrangements with parents who live in different communities
• Boys whose parents believe their child might be endangered by getting to Scout unit meetings
• Boys being home schooled

All boys registering as Home/Lone Cub Scouts and Home/Lone Boy Scouts can do so through the Texas Trails Council, BSA.

Boys who have completed the first grade or who are 8, 9, or 10 years old may join as Home/Lone Cub Scouts. Boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award, or have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11 years old may join as Home/Lone Boy Scouts and remain active until age 18.

Home/Lone Cub Scouts and Home/Lone Boys Scouts are encouraged to purchase and wear a uniform as do other Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. The wearing of the uniform at appropriate times may have more significance for a Lone Scout than for boys belonging to packs and troops. It can help to give the boys a feeling of belonging and support.

Lone Scouts are entitled to wear the Lone Scout Emblem, No. 00352A, below the council shoulder patch on the left sleeve. They can also wear any other badge and insignia appropriate to Cub Scout and Boy Scouts. Lone Scouts also have their own neckerchief, No. 00703A.

Although a Lone Scout carries on many activities at home and in his community, he also may participate in local district and council activities along with boys from local Scouting units. The activities may be camporees, Scout Shows, and service projects as well as Cub Scout day camp and Cub Scout or Boy Scout resident camp. A lone Scout may be invited to special meetings of a pack or troop. Home Scouts will be able to participate in the same activities but with his chosen Troop or Pack.

The Home/Lone Scout follows the same basic program as other Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, but he carries out the program through independent action and self-reliance, special skills suitable to his situation, and communication (by letter, radio, e-mail, fax, etc.) with other Scouts.

Home/Lone Cub Scouts and Home/Lone Boy Scouts may advance in rank in the same manner as do Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in packs and troops. The only difference is that reference to packs, dens, troops, and patrols may be modified.

Hundreds of thousands of boys have belonged to the Boy Scouts of America as Lone Scouts. A significant number of people have experienced the fun, the satisfaction, and the values of the Scouting program through the Lone Scout plan.

Many of the Lone Scout alumni are currently registered with local councils and give unselfishly of their time and efforts. Many are Friends of Scouting, contributing funds toward the wellbeing of the local council. Others have joined the Lone Scout Foundation to maintain the fellowship of Lone Scouting. The Lone Scout Foundation is publisher of Memory Lodge Journal, 7 Confederate Way, Stafford, VA 22554-5175.

Contact the Texas Trails Scout office at 67-SCOUT (677-2688) or send an e-mail to scouts@texastrailsbsa.org for more information about the Lone Scout / Home Scout program.

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