Every Scout has the opportunity to earn their faith’s religious emblem which can be worn on their uniform as a youth or an adult. Religious emblems will fulfill Duty to God adventure requirements for Cub Scouts, Scout Spirit requirements for Scouts BSA and TRUST award for Venturing.Learn More by clicking here .

The BSA’s STEM initiative gives Scouts an opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related concepts and learn how STEM knowledge is used in everyday life and in the professional world. The aim is to expose youth to new opportunities and help build interest in the STEM-related careers that are so crucial to our future economy.Learn More by clicking here .

Aquatics

AQUATICS

AQUATIC ACTIVITIES

Many of the council’s properties offer a variety of activities on the water. Swimming, boating, sailing and fishing are some of the favorite activities of many Scouts. Find out what each camp has to offer by going HERE.

SAFE SWIM DEFENSE

BSA groups shall use Safe Swim Defense for all swimming activities. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must have completed Safe Swim Defense training within the previous two years. Safe Swim Defense standards apply at backyard, hotel, apartment, and public pools; at established waterfront swim areas such as beaches at state parks and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes; and at all temporary swimming areas such as a lake, river, or ocean. Safe Swim Defense does not apply to boating or water activities such as waterskiing or swamped boat drills that are covered by Safety Afloat guidelines. Safe Swim Defense applies to other nonswimming activities whenever participants enter water over knee deep or when submersion is likely, for example, when fording a stream, seining for bait, or constructing a bridge as a pioneering project. READ MORE

SAFETY AFLOAT

BSA groups shall use Safety Afloat for all boating activities. Adult leaders supervising activities afloat must have completed Safety Afloat training within the previous two years. Cub Scout activities afloat are limited to council, district, pack, or den events that do not include moving water or float trips (expeditions). Safety Afloat standards apply to the use of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, floating tubes, sailboats, motorboats (including waterskiing), and other small craft, but do not apply to transportation on large commercial vessels such as ferries and cruise ships. Parasailing (being towed airborne behind a boat using a parachute), kitesurfing (using a wakeboard towed by a kite), and recreational use of personal watercraft (small sit-on-top motorboats propelled by water jets) are not authorized BSA activities. READ MORE

*Training for Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat are available online by logging on to my.scouting.org.

Fall Fright Fest

Oct. 25, 2025 at Beaumont Scout Reservation

Fall Fright Fest Event Details:

Fall Fright Fest is a Halloween event for Cub Scouts. Attend just the Saturday event or camp overnight with us and enjoy the entire weekend!

Sign up for sessions from 3PM to 7PM Saturday evening! Each session is under 2 hours. Start by listening to a classic Halloween story, then hike the spooky trail, get a goody bag, play on the playgrounds, make slime and get into the Halloween spirit.

Optional camp overnight with us! The classic Fall Fright Fest event is Saturday evening, but now you can join us Friday night and Saturday for a family or pack campout. Friday night we will have a Council hosted campfire program with songs and skits! Families or packs will be responsible for their own meals. Camping space will be provided and campfire program Friday night.

Bring your costume!

A fun, age-appropriate, but scary activity to add to the Halloween Spirit! Costume's are welcomed but not a requirement. Wear trail appropriate footwear, you will be going through a wooded trail.

When? October 25th 2025
- optional chance to camp overnight with us Friday and/or Saturday night! When registering, select your timeslot for the Saturday program and then select if you want to camp overnight. It is an additional $5 fee for overnight camping per person - this includes Friday and Saturday nights (although you do not have camp both nights if you dont want) - there will be a Friday night campfire show with songs and skits! Families and packs will be on their own for meals.
Where? Beaumont Scout Reservation
What is it?
- Saturday night program: Start the event with a storyteller who sets the scene, encounter the haunted forest, walk through the pirate ship, explore the fort, and then end your walk with homemade slime and receive a goody bag full of treats!
- Sessions leave every 15-30 minutes. Guides will walk you through the event.
- Friday Night program: optional camping overnight with a campfire program with songs and skits
Event Cost: $10 per attendee (optional overnight additional $5 per person)
Who can attend? Cub Scout and sibling friendly and age appropriate.
Trading post and food concessions are available for purchase during the Saturday night program.
Worried about being spooked? We recommend attending in the afternoon, but the whole event is for Cub Scouts and is age appropriate.

Register

October 25, 2025 | Beaumont Scout Reservation | Register Here

Flyer for Fall Fright Fest | Fright Fest haunted house flyer

Flyer for Fall Festival @ Nagel Equestrian Base | Fall Festival @ Nagel Equestrian Base

Hiking Trails

The Greater St. Louis Area Council sponsors hiking trails throughout Missouri from a 4-mile trail over the rolling hills of Beaumont Scout Reservation to the rugged, two-day 20-mile hike across Taum Sauk Mountain in the Ozarks. There are also historic trails such as the Gateway West in downtown St. Louis and the Les Petites Cotes in St. Charles.

These hiking trails are maintained by the Council Hiking Committee, which is made up of dedicated trail coordinators. If you or your unit are interested in adopting a trail and helping maintain it for all to enjoy, please contact the Greater St. Louis Area Council Camping Department at camping@stlbsa.org.

Check out the list below to find your unit’s next outdoor adventure!

HOW TO REGISTER FOR TRAIL HIKES

Reservations for hiking any of these trails must be made in advance. To make a reservation for a trail not on a GSLAC Property, click here.

Cub Scouts may hike the Shippey Color Trails (2-9 miles) at Beaumont. There is a recognition patch.
Webelos may hike these 10-mile hikes: Gateway West, 1904 World’s Fair and Les Petites Cotes.
Any Scout may hike any trail except the School Craft, Daniel Boone, Taum Sauk and Lost Creek. Scouts hiking these four trails must have hiking experience.

There must be two adult leaders for every 10 Scouts who hike, and one leader for each additional 10 Scouts. Patches for most trails are available at gatewaytraders.org

You can file a hiking report here.

GSLAC TRAILS

Anpetu-We Trail
This is a 10-mile trail (5 miles up and 5 miles back) that winds up Mount Logan at Camp Lewallen. Anpetu-We Trail is a perfect backpack trail to get ready for Philmont because it offers a chance to do a hike with a dry campsite — meaning you have to carry your own water in. The one and only campsite is located near the top of Mount Logan. It is also possible to do this hike in one day.

Anpetu-We Trail

John J. Audubon Trail
Located in the Mark Twain National Forest just west of Ste. Genevieve, this 12-mile trail is a wonderful trail hike to do as a one- or two-day trek. This trail is currently the only council-sponsored trail that has a GPS geo-cache located on a section of the trial (this would be a good trail to teach with GPS). Hikers will encounter approximately 3,000 vertical feet of ups and downs, so consider this terrain as rugged.

John J. Audubon Trail Map

Daniel Boone Trail
This one-way 20-mile trail in St. Charles and Warren Counties follows the Katy Trail for 15 miles of its length. It starts in Defiance and takes scenic back roads to Matson, where it joins the Katy Trail. Augusta is a good halfway point. The Boone Trail leaves the Katy Trail a little past Dutzow to end at the Daniel Boone Monument. Troops can use the trail for the one-day, 20-mile requirement of Hiking Merit Badge, or they can bike the Katy Trail straight from Defiance to Dutzow and then the Boone Monument for the 15-mile requirement of Cycling Merit Badge.

Daniel Boone Trail Map

Carondelet-Jefferson Barracks Trail
This 12-mile closed-loop city hike is located in the Carondelet-Jefferson Barracks area of south St. Louis and south St. Louis County. This trail covers many historic buildings and sites, along with two scenic overlooks of the Mississippi River. Bring a camera, as this trail can offer the Scout a chance to work on the Photography merit badge.

Carondelet-Jefferson Barracks Trail

Gateway West Historical Trail
This is a circular 10-mile city hike that begins and ends at Eads Bridge in downtown St. Louis. It is a question-and-answer trail over many of the historical sites in downtown and south St. Louis. Many of the historical sites also offer tours of their facilities, so plan ahead and visit some of these sites while you hike and learn about the city of St. Louis.

Gateway West Trail Map

Gateway West Historical Trail Information - Updated 2024

Green-Rock Trail
The hike starts at the Rockwood Range Tract, travels through the Greensfelder County Park, and finishes its one way 14-mile hike at Rockwoods Reservations where the museum and wildlife displays are available for nature and wildlife education. This trail can also be hiked backwards to complete the trail as a 20-mile hike and fulfill one of the requirements for the Hiking merit badge. This trail is 99 percent in the woods, and it is also a perfect opportunity to work on individual advancement with the use of map and compass.

Green Rock Trail Map

Henry School Craft Trail
This map and compass trail can be divided into north and south loops located in the Mark Twain National Forest southwest of Potosi, Mo. The south loop is approximately 9 miles long, while the north loop is approximately 5 miles. Many hiking options are available, such as individual day hikes of the two loops, combinations of the two loops and backpacking. This trail also can be used with GPS navigation equipment.

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft Trail Map

Les Petites Cotes Trail
A circular 10-mile urban hike located in historic St. Charles, the first capitol of Missouri. This is a question-and-answer trail over many of the historical sites in downtown St. Charles. Many of the historical sites offer tours of their facilities, so plan ahead and visit some of these sites while you hike and learn about the city of St. Charles.

Les Petites Cotes Trail Map

Lost Creek Trail
This is a 20-mile circular hiking and bicycling trail located in Warren County, Mo. The entire trail is over county and state roads. The trail starts in Pendleton. The trail can be used to cover some of the requirements for the Hiking and Cycling merit badges.

Lost Creek Trail Map

Moses Austin Trail
The 14.5-mile wilderness trail is in a rugged section of the Clark National Forest in Washington County, northwest of Potosi, Mo. This is a wonderful trail to work on the Backpacking merit badge.

Moses Austin Trail Map

Pioneer Trace
This rugged 17-mile circular trail around the perimeter of the Beaumont Scout Reservation is ideal for overnight backpacking programs. Groups planning high-adventure treks will find the trail to be a challenging shake down. It is a great trail to work on the Backpacking merit badge.

Pioneer Trace Trail Map

Shawnee Trail
The Shawnee Trail, named after one of the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s Order of the Arrow lodges, was developed to be a 20-mile hiking trail in the woods at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The trail follows a number of the other hiking trails located at Beaumont. It is all 10 percent or less in slope.

Shawnee Trail Map

Shippey Color Trail System
There are four different short trails at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The Red Trail is 5.2 miles long, the Green Trail is 4.4 miles long, the Yellow Trail is 2.5 miles long and the Blue Trail is 9 miles long. Each color trail goes into a different part of Beaumont and offers a different view of what Beaumont has to offer.

Shippey Trail Map

Taum Sauk Trail
The Taum Sauk Trail is now part of the Ozark Trail. Please go to www.ozarktrail.com to get map and information about hiking the Taum Sauk Trail portion of the Ozark Trail. Scout camping is available at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.

The Taum Sauk Trail was made possible through the efforts of the late J.L. “Pop” Connelly, and was formally dedicated on April 12, 1958. Many scouts and scouters have been able to experience the natural beauty of the Ozarks thanks to his efforts. Below is a link to a news article detailing some of the history of the trail and the dedication of a memorial to “Pop” Connelly. Also listed is a program from the trail dedication in 1958.

Mountain Echo
Taum Sauk Trail Dedication Program

Three Notch Trail
This trail is a 21-mile, two 10-mile loops joined by a 1-mile connector, at the S bar F Scout Ranch. You will hike through many of the wilderness areas not normally seen by Scouts at summer camp. The hike can be done in separate loops and it is great for backpacking with the West Loop rated at moderate and the East Loop rated difficult.

Three Notch Trail Map
Three Notch Preparation

Tomahawk Trail
The 12-mile circular forest trail lies entirely within Beaumont Scout Reservation. Much of this trail follows scenic ridge tops and up or down at 10 percent or less grade in most places. This trail qualifies as one of the five 10-mile trails required for the Hiking merit badge. There are several places to camp on the trail, which makes this a great backpacking hike also.

Tomahawk Trail Map

1904 World’s Fair Trail
This 10-mile trail goes all around Forest Park and part of the Washington University campus. This trail helps tell the story of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis in 1904. There are many places to visit in addition to hiking the trail, such as the St. Louis Zoo, History Museum, Art Museum and the World’s Fair Pavilion.

1904 Worlds Fair Trail

Horses

Scout and Horse

From September until May, several opportunities exist with the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s herd of horses. Come out and enjoy a trail ride, horse camp, or a tractor-drawn hayride!

Come check out our "Christmas at the Barn" event on December 20th.

Click HERE to see a flyer of the event.

If you would like to attend the event please register HERE.

Horseback Trail Ride Flyer

To reserve a spot for tractor-drawn hayrides, visit our online portal: Online Reservations

TRAIL RIDES

Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Explorers can hit the trail, beginning and ending at Nagel Base located on Beaumont Scout Reservation. There is a 5-horse minimum and maximum of 12 horses. There must be two registered Unit Leaders per ride. Trail Rides are available for 1 and 1/2 hour, 3 hour, 6 hour and overnight trail rides. We have horses for your experience level.

Pricing for BSA Group In & Out of Council:

1.5 Hour Ride - $35/person
3 Hour Ride - $45/person
6 Hour Ride - $55/person
Overnight Ride - $100/person

Pricing for Non-BSA Groups

1 1/2 hour ride - $45/person
3 hour ride - $55/person
6 hour ride - $70/person
Overnight Rides - $110/person

Trail Rides are available Saturday and/or Sunday during the months of September, October, and January - May.

For March, Trail Rides are only available on Sunday.

Overnight rides are only available during the months of April, May, September, and October.

All rides begin and end at Nagel Base Camp located at Beaumont Scout Reservation.

All rides are weather permitting (i.e. rain, snow, severe cold, extreme heat).

Again, a minimum of five and a maximum of 12 horses can be reserved for trail rides. There must be two registered Unit Leaders per ride.

Trail Ride Recommendations – All riders must be a minimum of Scouts BSA age 11 or older.

1 1/2 hour and 3 hour rides are for Scouts BSA/Venturers 11 and older.

6 hour and overnight rides are recommended for Scouts BSA/Venturers.

For safety reasons no one can ride who is over the maximum weight limit of 230 pounds. Weight will be checked at camp. Rangers and/or trail guides have the authority to restrict any person from taking part in a horse-related activity who may pose, in their opinion, a safety risk to themselves, others, or the horses.

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance at a Greater St. Louis Area Council office or by clicking here.

HORSEMANSHIP MERIT BADGE SKILL CENTER

The Horsemanship merit badge skills center will provide Scouts with the knowledge of how to care for, groom, and ride a horse. In addition to the riding, Scouts who take this merit badge will gain an understanding of horse instincts and behaviors to better their horsemanship.

2025 DATES

We are excited to offer a Horsemanship Merit Badge skill center this March! The skill center consists of an online orientation and 3 sessions of in-person instruction.

Orientation: March 13 via zoom meeting

Session 1: Saturday, Mar. 15

Session 2: Saturday, Mar. 22

Session 3: Saturday, Mar. 29

HAY RIDES
Come down to Nagel for a tractor-drawn hayride! This is a great outdoor activity for Scouting units of all ages. There is one wagon available and each hayride wagon holds a maximum of 20 people. A minimum of two adults for the wagon is required. Hayrides can be reserved in one-hour blocks and come with the use of a picnic area.

March 1 through May 15 & Sept. 1 through October 31
Saturday: 5-6 p.m., 6-7 p.m., 7-8 p.m.
Sunday: 5-6 p.m., 6-7 p.m., 7-8 p.m.
$75 per wagon

Hayrides are not offered on Saturday nights during heavy camporee weekends.

A maximum of 20 people are allowed on a hayride wagon.

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance at a Greater St. Louis Area Council office or online by clicking here.

SUMMER HORSE PROGRAMS

HORSE CAMP July 27 - August 2, 2025

Spend a week at an intermediate riding camp cantering around the property and learning more about horses. There are many trails to be ridden, competitions/games to be played on horseback in the riding ring, and other activities to further your horsemanship along with a chance to show off your advanced skills in a Cavalcade at the end of the week. Other activities while at Horse Camp are swimming, skeet shooting, climbing tower, ropes course, campfires, and much more.

All youth participants must be 14.

Registration is now open for this year’s Horse Camp.

Maximum number of participants is 20. The Greater St. Louis Area Council Trail Guide Committee provides adult leadership for Horse Camp.

You can sign up for Horse Camp here.

Little Buckeroo's Camp

This program is meant to help Cub Scouts learn how to behave around horses, horse behaviors, how to lead a horse, discuss parts of a saddle, how to sit properly on a horse, and to become more comfortable while horseback. On Thursday they youth will have the chance to show parents what they have learned. Parents are not required to stay. A snack is included.

Age: 8 - 10 years old

When: June 16 - 19, 2025

OR

June 23 - 26, 2025

Time: 8am - 12pm

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Junior Wrangler Camp

This program is to help youth become more comfortable with everything horses! Learn about horse behaviors, equipment, and of course riding! Parents are welcome to watch skills their child has learned during a horse show on September 24th from 6:30pm - 8pm. Parents are not required to stay. All activities depend on youths riding skills.

AGE: 11 - 13 year olds

When: September 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th

Time: 5:30pm to 8pm

Price: $250 per youth (weight limit is 200lbs)

Special needs or requests must be disclosed at the time of sign up. You must bring a Health forms A, B, and C with you to camp. It is an attachment on your registration page.

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Custom Horse Programs

Are you planning a camporee, birthday party, Unit Court of Honor, wedding, or something else out at Beaumont and would you like to use the horses? Please call the Camping Department for availability and pricing.