Austin, Texas · Troop 505
The Adventures Are Epic,
and the Epic Becomes the Norm.
A Scout-led, adult-guided troop with monthly campouts, canoeing treks, backpacking trips, and high adventure expeditions.
Who we are
A Troop Built on
Real Responsibility
In Troop 505, boys do not just attend meetings. They plan adventures, lead patrols, learn outdoor skills, and take ownership of their experience. From monthly campouts to canoeing treks, backpacking trips, and high adventure expeditions, the adventures are epic, and the epic becomes the norm.
Troop 505 is a Scouting America troop for boys in Austin, founded in 2001 and sponsored by Oak Hill United Methodist Church. The troop is Scout-led with adult guidance, built on the Patrol Method — younger Scouts learn, older Scouts mentor, and leadership grows through real responsibility. If your Scout is looking for fun, growth, and meaningful adventure where effort matters, Troop 505 just might be the troop for you.
gallery
Troop 505 Adventures
Campouts, treks, and everyday moments from the troop calendar.
The Scoutmaster, by Norman Rockwell, 1956
Words of Wisdom
A Message from the Scoutmaster
One of the things I love about Scouting is helping boys grow into young men in ways they and their parents did not expect. A simple example is the square knot. Yes, it is useful because it connects two ropes when a Scout needs a longer line, but that is not the most important part. The most important part is what happens the first time a Scout ties it correctly: he learns a skill, and that success builds self-confidence.
That confidence becomes a foundation. It helps a Scout take on the next skill, then the next challenge, and eventually the kinds of responsibilities and adventures he might have avoided before. Troop 505 is built around those moments of growth, using the Patrol Method and the Scout Oath and Law to develop teamwork, service, and character.
Troop Patrol Award
Strong Patrols Build a Strong Troop
Troop 505 created the Troop Patrol Award to recognize the everyday teamwork that can get overlooked, but is foundational for Scout growth. Each quarter, the award goes to the patrol that best demonstrates participation, responsibility, Scout spirit, and cooperation, based on points earned throughout the season.
The goal is simple: help Scouts see that success is not just individual. It comes from showing up prepared, supporting each other, and taking pride in the patrol. Strong patrols create a strong troop, and strong Scouts.
texans
142
rangers
142
mustache brigade
142
trash pandas
142
rebels
142
From the Blog
Scoutmaster's Minute
A Scoutmaster’s Minute is a brief reflection shared by the Scoutmaster at the close of meetings, events, and campouts. In Troop 505, it connects everyday experiences to Scouting values, often through the Scout Oath and Law.Not every message resonates with every Scout each time, but over time the lessons stick and help shape character, responsibility, service, and leadership. Below is a collection of Scoutmaster’s Minutes from current and past Scoutmasters of Troop 505, including both timely reflections and evergreen messages.