Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When does the Hornaday Weekend take place?
A: The Hornaday Award Weekends take place twice a year. Once in the Spring and once in the Fall. They are scheduled for the 3rd full weekend in April and 3rd full weekend in October. On-line registration opens a few weeks after the close of the previous session.
Q2: Can you attend as a troop?
A: Yes, troops are encouraged to attend. We do not have troop group registration, so each Scout will need to register separately. You can use the same email for each Scout, but each Scout and Scouterwill need an unique login ID.
Q3: Do the boys have to all take the same merit badges or can they choose their own schedule and take whatever they want?
A: Scouts can choose any merit badges they want provided there are openings in the class.
Q4: Will Scouts actually do a Hornaday project, or just work on merit badges?
A: During the Hornaday Weekends, only merit badges classes will be taught. This is because a typical qualifiying Hornaday project will take several months of planning, organization, and activity to complete. Scouts will have the opportunity to find out more information concerning what is involved in starting and completing Hornaday projects andthe requirements needed in earning either a Hornaday Badge, Bronze Medal, or Silver Medal.
Q5: What type of facilities are there, or is it considered primitive? Do we bring our own tents and other troop supplies?
A: The Hornaday Award Weekend is held at Lost Pines Scout Reservation, and we camp outdoors at the family campsite. Scouts / Scouters will need to provide there own tents and sleeping gear. You are allowed to drive your car and park next to your campsite. It is not primitive camping, as there is water and toilets near the campsites. All meals are provided as part of the weekend and it is recommended that Scouts bring their own cups.
Q6: Are there shower facilities? If we have co-ed leadership, are there facilities to accommodate the females?
A: Yes, there are separate shower facilities for Scouts and Scouters as well as private facilities for female Scouters.
Q7: Can troops that are registered with another council participate in the Capitol Area Council Hornaday Award Weekend?
A: Yes. We are focused and strongly committed to our mission statement you may read below.
Q8: Do adults Scouters need to pay the registration fee to attend the Hornaday Weekend?
A: Yes. Not only are all of the meals provided during a Hornaday Award Weekend but adult training is provided as well.
Q9: Do Troops need two-deep leadership?
A: Yes. This is a fundamental of youth protection within the policies of the Boy Scouts of America! When a single Scout or small number of Scouts from a troop wants to attend they be assigned to a troop that has two-deep leadership! This must be arranged by emailing the registrars at registrar@hornadaybsa.org prior to the Hornaday Award Weekend the Scout will be attending.
Q10: Does a Scout have to be First Class to attend?
A: No. It is imperative that all attendees be attentive and engaged in the interactive environment that is created by the Hornaday merit badge counselors. The feedback and recommendations that attendees have provided the best insight that have caused the Hornaday Award Weekends to be so popular!!!
Q11: Can Scouts who are almost 1st Class rank attend?
A: Yes, any troop that selects one of the bi-yearly Hornaday Award Weekends as a monthly campout may have any registered Scout attend regardless of their advancement rank as long as an adult scouter will accompany the Scout(s) to the merit badge sessions. Any individual Scout who wants to participate in the Hornaday Award Weekend will need to apply for an exemption of this requirement and will need to camp with their parent or adult guardian. Written permission is required from the Hornaday Registrar (registrar@hornadaybsa.org) to allow a Scout, Tenderfoot or Second Class Scout to participate in a Hornaday Award Weekend. Written permission is not required for Troops with enough adults to supervise Scouts, Tenderfoot, or Second Class rank Scouts.
Q12: How to I get to the LCRA/Lost Pines Scout Reservation?
A: Please see the Camp Maps page.:
Q13: Can I find out which requirements of a specific merit badge will not be completed during the Hornaday Award Weekend?
A: Yes. Click the link below and select any merit badge to find out the current requirements and which ones will not be completed during the Hornaday Award Weekend. View Merit Badges »
Q14: Are meals provided?
A: Yes. All participants have their meals prepared and served in the Lost Pines dining hall by the OA Tonkawa Lodge 99 Vigil Honor Kitchen in recognition that having fun is the most important ingredient for all participants. There is a cracker barrell provided Friday evening but no dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday in the dining hall.
Q15: Is their any information available what constitutes a qualified Hornaday conservation project?
A: Yes. Scouts have the opportunity to register to attend a Hornaday conservation project orientation session. Scouts will learn about all of the key elements necessary to understand and begin a qualified Hornaday Conservation Project.
Q16: Is there any adult training if I chooseto become a Hornaday advisor?
A: Yes. We encourage adult Scouters who are qualified to volunteer to become a Hornaday advisor. The Hornaday Award committee will provide training to all adults who volunteer for the important and prestigious position.
Q17: Who is my Hornaday advisor?
A: If you are registered in the Capitol Area Council, your Hornaday advisor will be assigned to you upon written request to the Hornaday Award Weekend committee. If you are a Scout registered in any other council you should contact your council office or District Director for guidance and advice.
Q18: What is a Blue Card?
A: Blue Cards are a record of a Scout's progress in the pursuit of completing a specific merit badge. It is vitally important that each Scout hold onto their blue cards as it is the ONLY record of merit badge completion they will have during their Hornaday Award Weekend sessions.
Q19: What do I do with my merit badge blue cards?
A: The blue cards should be turned into the merit badge coordinator or Scoutmaster of your Troop for proper recordation of your achievements during the Hornaday Award Weekend.
Q20: What if my son did not get his blue card signed during Hornaday Award Weekend? Is there anyway I can get it signed off by the counselor?
A: It is unfortunate that his blue card was not signed off during the merit badge session. We do not keep records of Scouts' attendance at Merit Badge classes and as a policy do not give out the counselors' contact information as they are all volunteers. Most are professionals in their respective fields, and we have promised them that they would not be asked to "follow up" after their weekend stint as most have jobs and careers to attend to and doing so would put an undue burden upon them.
In addition, part of being a Scout is learning the take responsibility for their own advancement and records. This is one reason why we feel that Scouts over the rank of 1st Class should only attend the Hornaday Award Weekends. As an alternative, you can contact your Troop's Merit Badge counselor and go over the materials and notes and perhaps they can sign the card.
Q21: Is there wireless high speed internet service available for internet and email access during the Hornaday Award Weekend?
A: Yes. High speed wireless internet access is available at the “A” building across the parade ground from the dining hall.
Q1: When does the Hornaday Weekend take place?
A: The Hornaday Award Weekends take place twice a year. Once in the Spring and once in the Fall. They are scheduled for the 3rd full weekend in April and 3rd full weekend in October. On-line registration opens a few weeks after the close of the previous session.
Q2: Can you attend as a troop?
A: Yes, troops are encouraged to attend. We do not have troop group registration, so each Scout will need to register separately. You can use the same email for each Scout, but each Scout and Scouterwill need an unique login ID.
Q3: Do the boys have to all take the same merit badges or can they choose their own schedule and take whatever they want?
A: Scouts can choose any merit badges they want provided there are openings in the class.
Q4: Will Scouts actually do a Hornaday project, or just work on merit badges?
A: During the Hornaday Weekends, only merit badges classes will be taught. This is because a typical qualifiying Hornaday project will take several months of planning, organization, and activity to complete. Scouts will have the opportunity to find out more information concerning what is involved in starting and completing Hornaday projects andthe requirements needed in earning either a Hornaday Badge, Bronze Medal, or Silver Medal.
Q5: What type of facilities are there, or is it considered primitive? Do we bring our own tents and other troop supplies?
A: The Hornaday Award Weekend is held at Lost Pines Scout Reservation, and we camp outdoors at the family campsite. Scouts / Scouters will need to provide there own tents and sleeping gear. You are allowed to drive your car and park next to your campsite. It is not primitive camping, as there is water and toilets near the campsites. All meals are provided as part of the weekend and it is recommended that Scouts bring their own cups.
Q6: Are there shower facilities? If we have co-ed leadership, are there facilities to accommodate the females?
A: Yes, there are separate shower facilities for Scouts and Scouters as well as private facilities for female Scouters.
Q7: Can troops that are registered with another council participate in the Capitol Area Council Hornaday Award Weekend?
A: Yes. We are focused and strongly committed to our mission statement you may read below.
Q8: Do adults Scouters need to pay the registration fee to attend the Hornaday Weekend?
A: Yes. Not only are all of the meals provided during a Hornaday Award Weekend but adult training is provided as well.
Q9: Do Troops need two-deep leadership?
A: Yes. This is a fundamental of youth protection within the policies of the Boy Scouts of America! When a single Scout or small number of Scouts from a troop wants to attend they be assigned to a troop that has two-deep leadership! This must be arranged by emailing the registrars at registrar@hornadaybsa.org prior to the Hornaday Award Weekend the Scout will be attending.
Q10: Does a Scout have to be First Class to attend?
A: No. It is imperative that all attendees be attentive and engaged in the interactive environment that is created by the Hornaday merit badge counselors. The feedback and recommendations that attendees have provided the best insight that have caused the Hornaday Award Weekends to be so popular!!!
Q11: Can Scouts who are almost 1st Class rank attend?
A: Yes, any troop that selects one of the bi-yearly Hornaday Award Weekends as a monthly campout may have any registered Scout attend regardless of their advancement rank as long as an adult scouter will accompany the Scout(s) to the merit badge sessions. Any individual Scout who wants to participate in the Hornaday Award Weekend will need to apply for an exemption of this requirement and will need to camp with their parent or adult guardian. Written permission is required from the Hornaday Registrar (registrar@hornadaybsa.org) to allow a Scout, Tenderfoot or Second Class Scout to participate in a Hornaday Award Weekend. Written permission is not required for Troops with enough adults to supervise Scouts, Tenderfoot, or Second Class rank Scouts.
Q12: How to I get to the LCRA/Lost Pines Scout Reservation?
A: Please see the Camp Maps page.:
Q13: Can I find out which requirements of a specific merit badge will not be completed during the Hornaday Award Weekend?
A: Yes. Click the link below and select any merit badge to find out the current requirements and which ones will not be completed during the Hornaday Award Weekend. View Merit Badges »
Q14: Are meals provided?
A: Yes. All participants have their meals prepared and served in the Lost Pines dining hall by the OA Tonkawa Lodge 99 Vigil Honor Kitchen in recognition that having fun is the most important ingredient for all participants. There is a cracker barrell provided Friday evening but no dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday in the dining hall.
Q15: Is their any information available what constitutes a qualified Hornaday conservation project?
A: Yes. Scouts have the opportunity to register to attend a Hornaday conservation project orientation session. Scouts will learn about all of the key elements necessary to understand and begin a qualified Hornaday Conservation Project.
Q16: Is there any adult training if I chooseto become a Hornaday advisor?
A: Yes. We encourage adult Scouters who are qualified to volunteer to become a Hornaday advisor. The Hornaday Award committee will provide training to all adults who volunteer for the important and prestigious position.
Q17: Who is my Hornaday advisor?
A: If you are registered in the Capitol Area Council, your Hornaday advisor will be assigned to you upon written request to the Hornaday Award Weekend committee. If you are a Scout registered in any other council you should contact your council office or District Director for guidance and advice.
Q18: What is a Blue Card?
A: Blue Cards are a record of a Scout's progress in the pursuit of completing a specific merit badge. It is vitally important that each Scout hold onto their blue cards as it is the ONLY record of merit badge completion they will have during their Hornaday Award Weekend sessions.
Q19: What do I do with my merit badge blue cards?
A: The blue cards should be turned into the merit badge coordinator or Scoutmaster of your Troop for proper recordation of your achievements during the Hornaday Award Weekend.
Q20: What if my son did not get his blue card signed during Hornaday Award Weekend? Is there anyway I can get it signed off by the counselor?
A: It is unfortunate that his blue card was not signed off during the merit badge session. We do not keep records of Scouts' attendance at Merit Badge classes and as a policy do not give out the counselors' contact information as they are all volunteers. Most are professionals in their respective fields, and we have promised them that they would not be asked to "follow up" after their weekend stint as most have jobs and careers to attend to and doing so would put an undue burden upon them.
In addition, part of being a Scout is learning the take responsibility for their own advancement and records. This is one reason why we feel that Scouts over the rank of 1st Class should only attend the Hornaday Award Weekends. As an alternative, you can contact your Troop's Merit Badge counselor and go over the materials and notes and perhaps they can sign the card.
Q21: Is there wireless high speed internet service available for internet and email access during the Hornaday Award Weekend?
A: Yes. High speed wireless internet access is available at the “A” building across the parade ground from the dining hall.
