Cub Scout Families, hitch up your wagon and wander on up to Liberty Hill for a visit to Smilin’ V Scout Ranch. Smilin’ V is one of the two Capitol Area Council camps designated primarily for Cub Scout camping. The 91 acre improved campground was originally a horse ranch and still has that Hill Country cowboy charm. The wide open spaces at Smilin’ V are perfect for flying kites, launching rockets, or enjoying stargazing into one of the darkest skies in the Council. Two wet weather ponds are available for fishing during certain times of the year. Click here watch a video about Blackland Prairie ecological history or here to view a list of species you might encounter while at the camp.
Smilin’ V Scout Ranch has eight established campgrounds that can host up to 45 campers each. Each site has it’s own fire ring and pavilion with electricity. Restrooms, showers and drinking water are available at the showerhouse near the large pavilion, with a second bathhouse available at the end of Mainstreet. The main pavilion is a large, open-air structure that has seating for 200, a serving kitchen for event use and one of the most creative uses for horse shoes this side of the Mississippi. Regardless of Council affiliation, Scouts and approved non-Scout groups can camp on the property.
Please make sure to read the check in/out procedures and camp policies in the menu on the right side of the screen and keep an eye out for a reservation confirmation email (sent within 3 days of registration from no-reply@campingreservations.com).
Thank you and we welcome you to stay at Smilin’ V Scout Ranch.
Thank you for your interest in our camp. If you have any questions about reservations at this camp or an upcoming trip, please reach out to Misty at misty.morse@scouting.org or 512-926-6363 option 2. She is available to help with any reservation or pre arrival needs M-F 8am to 5pm
Near Liberty Hill, Texas
Directions: Google
Day
08:00 AM
10:00 PM
Night
05:00 PM
12:00 PM
Camp Regulations
- Camp Health and Safety
- All Scouting America Units and community organizations using Council camp resources are to comply with Scouting America policies as outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
- Minor medical issues should be handled at the unit level. However, for any serious accident, illness, fire, lost person, severe weather or unauthorized visitors, please contact the ranger. If emergency services have been called, please make sure to inform the ranger of the need and location so they can promptly assist officials when they arrive.
- As per Scouting America policy, each unit should have a completed medical form for every individual coming to camp.
- Vehicles and Speed Limits:
- The camp speed limit at all camps is 10 MPH.
- Please ensure that all vehicles, including bikes, adhere to this speed limit for the safety of all campers.
- Riding outside of the appropriate vehicle seating, such as in truck beds or on trailers, is prohibited.
- Parking and Trailers
- Lost Pines: Each unit is allowed one vehicle at their campsite entrance. This vehicle is usually pulls a troop trailer, but units without trailers are still allowed a vehicle. Once parked at the campsite, this vehicle must not move for the duration of the campout. All other vehicles must remain in the main parking lot.
- Smilin V: All vehicles must remain in the main parking lot. It’s a good idea to bring wagons to haul gear.
- Tom Wooten: All vehicles must remain in the designated parking area. Vehicles may unload their gear in front of Austin campsite, but must then move them to the parking lot.
- Green Dickson, Alma McHenry, Griffith League, Roy D. Rivers. Vehicles are not allowed in the campsites, but may be parked at site entrances, along roads, or in designated parking areas where applicable.
- If unit needs consideration for a handicapped tagged vehicle, please contact the Ranger prior to the campout for assistance and accommodations.
- No tractors, mowers, Mules, Gators, Rhinos, 4-wheelers or ATV’s are approved for use on CAC camps outside of the Ranger or Campmasters.
- Only main camp roads are to be used for vehicular travel. Service roads are for Ranger, Campmaster or Council Staff use only.
- Hammocks:
- Hammocks are not allowed in camp. Please make alternative sleeping arrangements for your group.
- Campfires, Cooking and Burn Ban Notice:
- Current Burn Ban information by campsite can be found using the links below
- Lost Pines Scout Reservation - https://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/page/em.outdoor_burning
- Camp Tom Wooten - https://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/page/em.outdoor_burning
- Griffith League Scout Ranch - https://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/page/em.outdoor_burning
- Smilin V Scout Ranch - https://www.wilcotx.gov/902/Burn-Ban-Status
- Camp Alma McHenry - https://www.co.lee.tx.us/
- Green Dickson Scout Camp - https://www.co.gonzales.tx.us/page/Gonzales.Burn.Ban.Status
- Camp Roy D Rivers - https://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/page/em.outdoor_burning
- When the Camp is under a fire ban, campfires and ground cooking is prohibited. However, charcoal grilling is allowed in a raised and covered grill/container.
- Camp fires may only be built in designated fire rings. Ground fires are prohibited on all Council properties.
- All used charcoal must be disposed of properly. (buried, or placed in a trash bag and thrown away.
- Propane cooking is allowed for food preparation.
- Current Burn Ban information by campsite can be found using the links below
- Increment Weather
- In general, weather issues are handled as a unit.
- If severe weather comes in, please contact the ranger if they have not already contacted the unit. In certain cases, the ranger may move groups to covered areas during severe weather.
- Bicycles
- Riding with a helmet on camp roads is permitted. No camp has established bike trails.
- Fireworks, Alcohol and/or Smoking
- Fireworks, alcohol and/or smoking/vaping are not permitted on the premises. Violators will be asked to leave site immediately
- Use of the Property for District or Council Events
- Please see the Activity Planning Guide at TBA
- Contacts
- Lead Ranger – PJ Brown 979-417-6564
- LPSR and Camp Tom Wooten Ranger – Charlie Frentz 806-928-8920
- Director of Support Services – Ron Settele 972-822-0984
- When in doubt, follow the Scout Oath, Scout Law and the Outdoor Code
Program Area Specific Regulations
- Shooting Sports
- All Shooting Sports activities require a reservation, paperwork (see b below) and pick up of equipment from the ranger (see c below)
- All units participating in Shoot Sports at a camp can see our Standard Operating Procedures at https://www.capitolareascouting.org/activities/shooting/
- If your group is registered to use any of the Shoot Sports Ranges listed below, the following requirements must be met:
- Cub Scout Archery
- Current Range Master Certification for Range Master overseeing the range. Click here for more information.
- Proof of this certification will be required at check-in with the ranger.
- Cub Scout BB
- Current Range Master Certification for Range Master overseeing the range. Click here for more information.
- Proof of this certification will be required at check-in with the ranger.
- Cub Scout Slingshot
- Current Range Master Certification for Range Master overseeing the range. Click here for more information.
- Proof of this certification will be required at check in with the ranger.
- Cub Scout Archery
- Cub Scout Shooting Sports equipment check-in/check-out
- BBs and targets must be provided by the units
- All BB guns and archery equipment must be checkout out at Hagn Lodge no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time slot
- All required certifications and a roster of participants shooting are due to the ranger at time of check-in
- Please ensure all targets are collected and properly disposed of after use.
- Equipment needs to be returned to Hagn no less than 15 minutes prior to the start of the next time slot.
- Check-In Location: For Smilin’ V
- Please notify the ranger of your expected arrival time.
- Upon arrival, the ranger or campmaster will meet you in the parking lot to collect your roster and show you to your site.
- Paper Work and Roster: For All Camps with a Ranger present (includes Lost Pines Scout Reservation, Camp Tom Wooten and Smilin’ V
- Have a current roster of all attendees (youth and adults) ready, including those not staying the entire weekend.
- Adult Requirements:
- All adult leaders must have current Youth Protection Training (YPT) on file and be registered with Scouting America*. For more information on this point, please see https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss01/
- * Cub Scout parents are allowed to camp with their youth without being registered.
- Vehicle Access: For Smilin’ V
- All vehicles must remain in the parking lot. It’s a good idea to bring wagons to haul gear.
- Contact the Ranger for handicap access
- Camp Weekend Schedule:
- All camps open at 5:00pm Friday
- All Camps close no later than 12:00pm Sunday
- All camps are closed to camping on the following holiday weekends
- New Years
- Easter
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Camping Location: For All Camps with defined campsites or camping areas (including Lost Pines Scout Reservation, Camp Tom Wooten, Smilin’ V Scout Ranch, Green Dickson Scout Camp and Griffith League Scout Ranch)
- Camp only in the assigned campsite.
- Please stay within the camp boundaries at all times.
- Check-Out Location: For All Camps with a Ranger present (includes Lost Pines Scout Reservation, Camp Tom Wooten and Smilin’ V)
- Notify the Ranger or Campmaster on duty of your estimated Departure time during check in.
- Remove all trash from campsite. Plan to transport your trash out of the camp – only Lost Pines and Camp Tom Wooten have Dumpsters for weekend camper use.
- Make sure all personal camping items are removed. Capitol Area Council assumes no responsibility for lost or forgotten gear.
- Put out any fires. Firepit must be cool to the touch at the time of check out.
- Clean the assigned restrooms
- Remove garbage and take with you for disposal. Do not leave for the Ranger or Campmaster to pick up. Please flip trash can upside down.
- Flush toilets. Plunge if necessary.
- Wipe down surfaces. Each bathhouse has a cleaning closet with supplies. Units will be given the code to the supply closet upon check in.
- Sweep or scrub with water and a deck brush and squeegee dry as necessary.
- Turn off lights.
- Notify Ranger or Campmaster of any issues.
- Please contact the ranger or campmaster and remain at the campsite for them to arrive for inspection. After the ranger or campmaster has inspected and approved the campsite and bathhouse, the unit is welcome to depart the camp.
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