Soccer and Scouting

Soccer and Scouting News
Updated 9/8/08

Fall Kickoffs Set – Sign ups for the Fall Soccer & Scouting season are underway! If you have a son or daughter that are in first through fifth grade, they can join the excitement! Please take a look at the sign up dates and locations below. If you miss one, you can go to the next! Or, fill out the information on this page and we will get in touch with you. We hope to see you there!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.) What is Soccer and Scouting?
A.) Soccer and Scouting is a program developed by the Boy Scouts of America and Major League Soccer Camps and was launched in August of 2004. Boys 6-10 years of age join Soccer Cub Scout Packs, with parents serving as soccer coaches and parent helpers. Soccer Cub Scouts work on the same requirements and badges as Cub Scouts in traditional Cub Scout Packs.

Q.) How does Soccer and Scouting Work?
A.) It is a 12 month Cub Scouting program divided into four seasons. Each season begins with a recruiting / organization day (Jump-Start Day), followed by 10 weeks of den and game-day activities, concluding with a tournament and graduation program. There is a one-week break between seasons and programs are provided for inclement weather situations.

Q.) What takes place at a practice or game day?
A.) A typical Midweek Practice and Game Day will look like this:

• 0:00 - 0:05 — Scout Opening Ceremony
• 0:05 - 0:30 — Soccer Skills Clinic
• 0:30 - 0:55 — Scouting Program Activity
• 0:55 - 1:00 — Rest Break
• 1:00 - 1:30 — Small-Sided Soccer Game
• 1:30 - 1:35 — Rest Break
• 1:35 - 1:45 — Core Values Reflection and Closing Ceremony

Q.) Do participants have activities to do at home?
A.) Each Soccer and Scouting participant will receive a “Family Time” poster to take home each season. This poster is full of activities for the boys to work on at home with their families. By finishing their posters, they are able to earn their badges by the end of the year.

Q.) Who can join Soccer and Scouting?
A.) All boys between the ages of 6-10 in the first through fifth grades are welcome to join.

Q.) What about my daughter? Is there a program for her?
A.) YES! Girls of the same ages are welcome to join and will become Learning for Life members rather than Cub Scouts. They will earn different awards, but will still take part in all of the same soccer activities.

Q.) How much does it cost to join Soccer and Scouting?
A.) The fee for the first season is $35. Each subsequent season is only $15.

Q.) What does the $35 registration fee cover?
A.) Each participant will receive their own soccer ball, uniform shirt, shorts, and socks, a Family Time Poster, and insurance. $10 of the cost is the annual BSA registration fee. The rest of the fee helps cover the costs of coach and team supplies (cones, whistles, nets, flags, scrimmage vests, etc.)

Q.) Are Soccer and Scouting participants required to wear shin guards and cleats?
A.) Shin guards are mandatory for all soccer activities, however cleats are optional equipment. (These items are not provided.)

Q.) Do parents get a refund if their child starts the program late or drops out early?
A.) No. The fee for the Soccer and Scouting program is a flat fee for 12 weeks, regardless of when the player joins or leaves the program.

Q.) Is there any financial assistance available?
A.) Yes, scholarship forms are available upon request.

Q.) Who runs the Soccer & Scouting program for the kids?
A.) Much like a Cub Scout Pack, volunteers will be recruited from the parents of participants, as well as from the community. Soccer and Scouting is a family activity, so family members are encouraged to volunteer and be involved alongside their children.

Q.) What positions are volunteers needed for?
A.) The Soccer and Scouting program will need volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, parent helpers, and referees.

Q.) I don’t know anything about Soccer or Scouting, can I still volunteer?
A.) YES! Training is provided for all of our volunteers. The program is very easy to run, and has many resources in place that help our volunteers. “Program Helps” outline the activities, soccer skills, Scout skills, games, etc. that take place at every Midweek Practice and Game Day. Just follow the guide and the program runs itself!

Q.) Who sponsors a Soccer and Scouting Team (Pack)?
A.) “Sponsors” (Chartering Organizations) can come from all over the community. Churches, civic clubs, fraternal organizations, and businesses from all over the area serve as chartering organizations for dozens of our current Scout Packs and Troops. Financial sponsorship of the Soccer and Scouting program can also come from any business or group to support the cost of operations.

Q.) How many participants are required to start at Team?
A.) Eight boys per grade are needed to start one team. There are multiple teams in a Pack, with BOYS and GIRLS from first through fifth grades eligible to join.

Q.) How can I sign up my son or daughter?
A.) You can sign up by attending the Jumpstart Day this fall at DeZavala Elementary. For more information, contact Celestina Bascus at 432-570-7601.

Upcoming Events
Updated 4/21/09

• Soccer & Scouting Sleep Under the Stars Tournament – May 8-9, Grande Communications Stadium – The Spring Tournament for Soccer & Scouting will have a special treat for all that participate! Come watch the new West Texas United team “Sockers” play in their first game, and participate in a clinic to learn new moves before the game, too! After the game, pitch your tent or sleep under the stars, then wake up to take place in the Spring tournament. Cost is only 6$ per person. Click here for more information.

Soccer and Scouting News

The first ever Soccer and Scouting season for the Buffalo Trail Council kicked off with a bang on April 21, 2007, at DeZavala Elementary School in Midland. The 15 boys and girls that signed up that day quickly turned into 30 boys and girls, which grew to 50, then led to a kickoff in Odessa, and ultimately ended up with 83 boys and girls between the two leagues!

Over the course of the summer, these boys and girls met and practiced weekly, having fun while learning Soccer Skills, and most important of all, learning Scouting skills. The boys and girls played on teams together and quickly learned the basics of Scouting. (Girls are members of Learning for Life, while the boys are registered in Cub Scouts.) The Cub Scout Promise, flag ceremonies, the Cub Scout Motto of “Doing your best” quickly became a regular part of every meeting!

Volunteer coaches worked diligently with the kids week in and week out. Delivering the new program was an enjoyable experience for them, as well as the kids. One coach even commented that he could see the change in many of the young kids from the beginning of the season to the end. What a difference one season of Soccer and Scouting can make!

The summer season culminated with the Futbolito Tournament on August 28th. The tournament was held at Midland Memorial Stadium so the kids would have the opportunity to play on real field turf! Referees were brought in to officiate, gourmet hot-dog cooks were recruited, and awards were piled up for the boys and girls that had worked so hard during the season. 20 Soccer and Scouting badges were presented, 16 Bobcat awards, and medals to the winners of the tournament were proudly placed on the shoulders of these excited youth!

Congratulations to the winners of the first tournament. First place went to Team USA, second place to Team Mexico, and third place to the Cowboys (see photos below).