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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

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GOLDEN ARROW DISTRICT

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MEETINGS     HISTORY     ACTIVITIES     LEADERSHIP

Meetings

     Boy Scout Troop 1197 meets in the Fellowship Hall, pictured here, at Westminster United Methodist Church, 5801 San Felipe at Bering. The church is right across the street from T.H. Rogers Middle School and next to the 40-story Chase Bank Building. Click the picture for a MapQuest map.

     In order to leave the weeknights free for homework and other school-related activities, we meet on Sundays from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. We do not meet when there is a campout on that weekend, so we suggest you consult our calendar before visiting. Sometimes we hold a Court of Honor in the church parlor, and occasionally we may skip a meeting just to do something fun, like bowling or a movie, especially in summer.

    The Fellowship Hall has its own kitchen, a stage, and an indoor basketball goal. The versatility of this room makes it possible to include the kinds of active games in our meetings that Scouting is known for.

MEETINGS     HISTORY     ACTIVITIES     LEADERSHIP     BACK TO TOP

History of Troop 1197

     Boy Scout Troop 1197 was born in December of 1980, sponsored by a small church near the corner of Fondren and Richmond. Our current Scoutmaster, Mike Kelley, was recruited to lead the unit in March of 1981. The troop had 9 boys of various colors. 

     Less than a year later, when the building became unavailable and the church could not provide storage for the equipment, the parents realized the troop needed a new home. Relieving the church from its sponsorship responsibilities, we met in the committee chairman's apartment for nearly a year. The troop was adopted by Westminster Methodist Church in January, 1982, where it has prospered since.

     Troop 1197 was proud to accept its first Spanish-speaking boys in 1984, years before the Boy Scouts of America developed Spanish literature. Many new immigrants were settling into the apartments of the Gulfton area, and they made good Scouts. The troop continued to structure itself to meet the needs of these boys, including aggressive fundraising plans and providing pickup and drop-off service to the activities.

     What had been dubbed a "ragtag" troop proved itself over the following decade. In 1993, the troop set a council record for nights spent in tents---an incredible 58 nights in a single year! Scoutmaster Kelley was presented the Siempre Listo Award for service to Hispanic youths, and the first-ever Pathfinder Award for the troop's willingness to serve youths left behind by wealthier Scout units. We awarded our first Eagle Award to Luis Gonzales in 1994. The troop hosted two successful Camporees for Golden Arrow District: the Hickory Camporee in 1996 and the RedCedar Camporee in 1997. The success of these events led to the presentation of the District Award of Merit to our Scoutmaster.

     Not only has Troop 1197 continued its mission to serve boys in so-called "at risk" areas, but has taken these boys on unique high-adventure outings all across the country, from Connecticut to Oregon, and everywhere in between. 

    Troop 1197 continues its mission of service. Projects include: Signs for the esplanades in Shenandoah subdivision, Sharpstown Clean-up days, helping build the Science cabin at Kolter Elementary School, preparing the garden at Sutton Elementary School, repairing the Scout hut at Parker Elementary School, planting trees for the city of Bellaire, as well as participating in many projects with our sponsor church, Westminster. We even built a new chapel in a Boy Scout camp in 1996! Three of our Scouts have saved a life. One of these, our second Eagle Scout Max Lopez, received the Medal of Merit for life saving.

    In 2004, the third Eagle award was presented to Paul Turk, who designed and constructed the landscaping you see in the parking lot islands at Westminster. In 2006 we completed a three-week high-adventure trip--our 17th such adventure. Our presentation at the council's High-Adventure Rally sparked a lot of interest in high-adventure road trips.

MEETINGS     HISTORY     ACTIVITIES     LEADERSHIP     BACK TO TOP

Activities

CAMPING:

     Our Boy Scout Troop offers many types of camping. On most campouts, we leave Friday evening and return Sunday afternoon, spending two nights out. Usually we can pull the trailer right up to the camp area, so the patrols can use patrol kitchens, chairs, large tents, dining flies, and other such amenities. The Scouts eat by patrols, sharing a menu planned by that patrol. You are expected to bring the food fee to the Troop Meeting prior to the campout, which is given to the Scout selected to purchase and pack the food.

     Several times a year the troop will go backpacking. We will leave the trailer and walk 2-5 miles to the camp area, carrying all of the gear, food, and water in backpacks. The patrols plan lightweight foods that don’t require refrigeration, and cooking is done on propane stoves. Scouts need to bring their own utensils for this type of camping trip.

     Once or twice a year, the troop attends Resident Camp. These camps are owned and operated by Boy Scout councils. The main focus is advancement, and counselors are provided for many merit badges. Food is prepared by the camp staff and served in a dining hall facility. These one-week camps are an excellent value for your money, and make your trail toward Eagle move faster.

     Occasionally our troop offers a High Adventure trip, sometimes lasting as long as three weeks. Although hiking, backpacking, or winter skills comprise the major purposes of such a trip, a lot of other fun can be had as well. You may get to see places that few people ever go. You may visit places like Yellowstone that you’ll never visit otherwise.

COURTS OF HONOR:

     The Court of Honor is held about four times per year. Parents are encouraged to attend and see the awards the Scouts have earned formally presented to them. Slides from recent camping trips will be shown at the Court of Honor, and there may be other entertainment or refreshments. Guests are welcome, and this is a good time to visit if you're interested in joining.

CAMPOREE:

     Once a year, we participate in the Golden Arrow District’s Camporee, which is generally held on private property. Scout patrols will compete at skills for plaques or other recognition. About 60 patrols normally participate.

SCOUT FAIR:

     Each spring, the Sam Houston Area Council asks the troops to participate in the Scout Fair at the (formerly) Astrohall. The troop sets up a booth related to Scouting for the benefit of other Scouters and the general public. Ticket sales are a source of income for the council, and they offer commissions to encourage Scouts to sell tickets.

FIRST AID MEET:

     In winter, the district holds a First Aid Meet, at which 20 or more patrols vie for a chance to move on to the council meet. They compete in 10 different "scenarios" where their ability to render appropriate first aid is scored.

SCOUT SUNDAY:

     In February, Scout Sunday is celebrated across America. It coincides both with Lord Baden-Powell’s birthday and the founding of Scouting in America. Scouts attend church in uniform on Scout Sunday. They may also take part in the service itself.  After the service, the troop generally serves the congregation dinner, where we raise money for our program.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

     State parks, Summer Camps, and High-Adventure trips cost money. Most Scouts who join our troop don’t play golf with Bill Gates, so we raise money so the Scouts can participate. It is the troop’s goal to provide opportunities for a boy to pay his own way, without dipping so far into the family budget. To that end, many events are for the purpose of raising money:

Church dinners and breakfasts, where the Scouts sell advance tickets. Scouts, leaders, and parents prepare the food, serve the guests, and clean up.

Car washes, where the Scouts wash cars in the church parking lot on a Saturday.

Flea Markets, where the Scouts rent parking lot spaces to people to have their own little garage sale as part of a bigger event.

Rummage Sales, where the Scouts collect donations of unwanted items and sell them for a profit in a sale at the church.

Distributing door hangers for businesses.

                    Sales of popcorn and Scout Fair tickets, a joint effort between the troop

                    and Sam Houston Area Council

SERVICE PROJECTS:

MEETINGS     HISTORY     ACTIVITIES     LEADERSHIP     BACK TO TOP

Leadership

     Scoutmaster Mike Kelley has served Boy Scout Troop 1197 since it was three months old. He was a Scout himself in Troop 394 of Denver, Colorado, and in a very large Troop 160 of Midland, Texas. He completed Woodbadge training in 1982. For service to what they now call “at risk” youth, the Boy Scouts have bestowed upon him the Pathfinder Award, the Siempre Listo Award, and the Award of Merit. In 2006 he published his first novel, Violent Night, under the pen name Byron C. Justice. His second book, Haunted Camps: The Campfire Stories of Scoutmaster B.C. Justice made its debut in September of 2007. When not writing, Mr. Kelley is the last of a dying breed of folks who repair stereo equipment. His business, "Obsolete Stereo," repairs record players, 8-tracks, and other nostalgic equipment.

     Mr. Kelley’s sister, Jennifer Kelley, has been working with the Troop since 1992. She has also completed Woodbadge, and is certified Lifeguard B.S.A. She is also our unit Health and Safety Coordinator. She is completing her teacher certification at Houston Community College, and supports that with her job at the Stafford Centre, a venue for plays and concerts.

     Last year Wesley Sheffer became our newest assistant Scoutmaster. Wes and his wife, Cherie, are active church members and are very helpful to our troop.