Clements Scout Ranch

Equine Program • Athens, Texas

for Scouts BSA Troops and Venturing Crews

Experience the Scenic Pine Forests and Clear Lakes of Clements Scout Ranch from Horseback.

Guided Trail Rides, Horsemanship Merit Badge, and Beyond the Badge classes are available for Scouts BSA Troops and Venturing Crews through the lush pine and hardwood forests of East Texas. Ravines, creeks and meadow views along with occasional glimpses of deer, raccoon, rabbits, squirrels and other forest life are some of the features along the trails.

Overnight camping sites at Clements Scout Ranch are available at this time, camping protocols and guidlines can be found at: https://campreservation.com/571.  This may change as we move forward.

General Information

1. No previous riding experience is necessary. 

2. Trail Rides (youth/adult), Horsemanship MB (youth only), and Beyond the Badge (youth/adult) are for Scouts BSA Troops and Venturing Crews only. 

3. Number of youth riders must exceed number of adult riders.

4. Trail Rides usually last approximately one (1) hour, depending on weather, and will not be conducted during rain or other inclement weather. 

 Horsemanship Merit Badge requires a full day commitment (8:30 am - 4:00 pm). 

Beyond the Badge requires a full day commitment.  (8:30 am - 4:00 pm).   **Completion of the Horsemanship Merit Badge is a requirement for taking this course.  Youth participants MUST bring printed proof of completion of the Horsemanship Merit Badge with them.**

The Beyond the Badge program is an intense, advanced riding course.  Anyone who struggled to complete the Horsemanship Merit Badge, or any other equine activity, due to fear, or lack of interest should NOT participate in this class!  This program focuses on riders gaining confidence in the saddle.  You will walk, trot, lope, learn your leads, and how to conduct yourself from the saddle.  You will learn how to be a partner with your horse and together will accomplish tasks that would be seen on any working ranch across the country. 

**Lunch is not provided for these events.  Each participant will need to bring a sack lunch and a refillable water bottle.**

5. A brief horse handling and safety lecture is required before each group leaves for a Trail Ride.

6. All riders and campers at Clements Scout Ranch are subject to the Boy Scouts of America as well as Circle Ten Council rules, regulations and policies for outdoor activities.

7.  All riders/participants must have a registration.  NO WALK-INS are permitted.  

Reservations and Rider Count

1. For Trail Ride reservations, each time slot is limited to 12 riders. Each Trail Ride day will have 4 time slots.

2. For Horsemanship Merit Badge dates there are 24 rider positions (youth only). Multiple Troops/Venturing Crews can register for a Horsemanship Merit Badge on the same date. All Scoutmasters and Venturing Crew Advisors MUST be accurate when registering the number of rider headcount.  No additional riders will be added on the day of the Horsemanship Merit Badge beyond the maximum 24 rider positions.

3. A waitlist system will not be used for Trail Rides, the Horsemanship MB, and Beyond the Badge. If your preferred date or time is full, please check back online periodically to see if any space has opened up.

4. If a Troop or Venturing Crew has been selected for a Cavalcade (Philmont or Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch) and is interested in an equipment and horse shakedown please contact Clark Allen at 214-886-9992 and/or clark_allen@sbcglobal.net.

Rules & Regulations for all programs

1. Riders must wear long pants and closed toed shoes (crocs are not permitted).

2. Riders MAY NOT wear backpacks, waist/belt-packs, canteens, baggy clothing or other items that hang loosely around the neck, waist, arms or legs that may snag during the trail ride.

3. Riding helmets are furnished and must be worn in the corral and on Trail Rides.

4. Riders must be healthy enough for outdoor activities, subject to the discretion of the Head Wrangler. 

5. Maximum weight for any rider is 220 pounds unless waived by the Head Wrangler.  No refunds will be issued for any rider who shows up to the event and is denied permission to ride due to exceeding the weight limit.  

6. Riders must be currently registered youth or adult members of a Boy Scouts of America Venturing Crew or Scouts BSA Troop.

7. Riders must have a current BSA medical form on file with the unit scheduling the Trail Ride. Medical form copies must be available for inspection if requested by the Head Wrangler.

8. All riders must follow the directions given by the horse wranglers at all times and all decisions of the Head Wrangler are final. 

9. Printed proof of completion of the Horsemanship Merit Badge is required for all youth participants registered for Beyond the Badge.  Participation in this course will require you to listen to and follow all directions given by the instructors REGARDLESS OF YOUR SKILL LEVEL AND/OR PAST EXPERIENCE.  Failure to follow all directions will result in your expulsion from the course.   

Payment, Cancellation & Other Policies

1.  Payment is required at the time reservations are made

• Trail Rides: $55 per rider (In-Council) and $65 per rider (Out-of-Council) 
• Horsemanship Merit Badge: $85 per rider (In-Council) and $95 per rider (Out-of-Council)
• Beyond the Badge: $100 per rider (In-Council) and $110 per rider (Out-of-Council)

2.  Fees are refundable if request is made to a Circle Ten Council Scouting Center more than 10 days prior to the event start date less a 10% (minimum of $5.00) administrative charge. Please see the Circle Ten Council Cancellation & Refund Policy for full details (under "Attachments"). No refunds for no-shows or cancellations received within 10 days of your event start date.  No refunds will be issued for youth participants signed up for the Beyond the Badge program who have not completed the Horsemanship Merit Badge. 

3.  All refund requests must be submitted in writing by e-mail to 571.refundrequest@scouting.org.