Conservation Weekend Fequently 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 before the opening of the next session.

Q2: Can you attend as a Troop?
A: Yes, Troops are encouraged to attend and camp together. 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 Scouter will need an unique login ID.

Q3: Do the Scouts 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 qualifying 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 and the 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 campsites. Scouts / Scouters will need to provide their own tents and sleeping gear. Cars must be parked at the parking lot next to the front gate. Lost Pines Scout Reservation is a “pack-in” camp. As such, cars, trailers or other vehicles will not be permitted beyond the main parking lot. Scouts are expected to pack their gear from the parking lot to the campsite (0.19-0.5 miles). If you need assistance, please contact Jessica Snider in advance. There are water, toilets, and shower facilities near each campsite. 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 Scouts and 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 creating a dramatic and permanent impact on our natural resources through the collective results of thousands of Scouts performing Hornaday conservation projects.

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!  All Troops must have at least two registered adults with current Youth Protection Training certificates with them when checking in. When a single Scout or small number of Scouts from a Troop want to attend, they need to arrange in advance to camp with another Troop that has two-deep leadership. In the event that a single Scout is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, two-deep leadership does not apply.

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. Any individual Scout who wants to participate in the Hornaday Award Weekend will need to camp with their parent or adult guardian.

Q12: How do 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 All Vigil Kitchen (AVK) in recognition that having fun is the most important ingredient for all participants. There is a cracker barrel provided Friday evening but no dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday in the dining hall. (See sample menu under Food Allergies)

Q15: Is there any information available what constitutes a qualified Hornaday conservation project? 
A: Yes. Scouters 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 choose to become a Hornaday adviser?
A: Yes. We encourage adult Scouters who are qualified to volunteer to become a Hornaday adviser. 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 adviser 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 an Electronic Completion Report?
A: The reports are a record of a Scout's progress in the pursuit of completing a specific merit badge. We are trying out the DoubleKnot online blue cards. The instructor will call roll at the beginning of class. After the class, the instructor will turn in the class list and requirements completed. The information will be entered and stored in the Council's Doubleknot database. A copy of the report information will be sent to the email associated with each Scout's registration. Please note that since Scouts register individually, a comprehensive report is not sent to Troops.

Q19: What do I do with my merit badge electronic completion reports? 
A: The electronic completion report should be turned into the merit badge coordinator or Scoutmaster of your Troop for proper recording of your achievements during the Hornaday Award Weekend.

Q20: What if my son missed the instructor's role call and did not get his Electronic Completion Report entered into DoubleKnot? Is there any way I can get it signed off by the counselor?
A: No. As a policy, we 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. 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, but we strongly encourage participants to “disconnect” for the weekend and enjoy their time at camp.

Q22: Are BSA medical forms required?
A: Yes. BSA medical forms were revised in 2019 and can be found here. Forms A, B1, and B2 are required for all Scouting activities less than 72 hours in duration. All attendees must bring copies of their forms for review by medical staff at check-in. As each attendee is reviewed individually, please do not have all medical forms in a binder as this slows down the check-in process. Have each attendee in possession of his or her own forms. Attendees without the required forms will have the opportunity to fill out a form at camp but will not be allowed to check in or participate until the forms have been submitted. All medical forms will be collected my medical staff at check-in and will be available for pick up at the end of the weekend. All medical forms not picked up will be destroyed by medical staff.

Q23: Is Youth Protection Training (YPT) required for all adults at camp?
A: Yes, all adults regardless of their role must have their current YPT certificate with them at check-in. Adults without proof of current YPT will not be allowed to remain at camp.

Q24: What if it rains? Do we get a refund?
A: Hornaday Weekend is an all-weather event. We do not cancel the event for rain. As Scouts, we embrace our Motto “Be Prepared.”

Q25:  What about food allergies?
Due to the use of a single facility for the preparation of all meals, we cannot guarantee that any meal is 100% free of any potential allergen. Scouts and adults can note during check in if they need food that is gluten-free, lactose-free or vegetarian.  

For all other food allergies, participants are welcome to bring substitute food items with them; however, a reduction in the participation fee will not be available for those who choose to bring their own meals. There is a refrigerator and a microwave in the back room of the dining hall for Scouts and adults who need to bring their own food. Please check in with the event staff if you need to use these.

Our cooking crew is an all-volunteer group of Scouters, and we are truly grateful for their contribution over the years.   We will have a menu available closer to the event date.

We want your experience at Hornaday to be a great one. We hope this information is helpful, but call or e-mail Jessica Snider, jessica.snider@scouting.org if you have questions.