Resource Category: Troop Traditions

Troop 577 has adopted the use of Camping Totems, which display colored coups (beads) given to the Scout for each qualifying event.  Qualifying events are Troop campouts of at least one night, Camporee’s, Scout summer camps, National High Adventure trips like Philmont, Sea Base, and Boundary Waters; as well as hiking and canoeing trips.  The specific color of the coup represents the specific event or the prevailing weather of the event.  The coup is awarded after the event, and is worn as part of the larger Tribe  of Quivira coup thong.  Below is  a key to what each specific coup represents.

Green disk – Fair weather overnight campout
Black disk – Foul weather (significant rain) overnight campout
Brown disk – Troop activity (non overnight)
Yellow disk – Camporee (district or council)
Purple disk – Scout Sunday – for wearing a complete uniform to your place of worship during Scout week in February
Orange disk – Very hot weather (>95 F) during day with overnight campout
Clear disk – Sub-zero camping, the low temperature is below 0 F
Red disk – Summer camp
White disk – Snowy weather overnight campout
Blue disk – Cold weather (low below freezing both nights) overnight campout

Green star – Accumulate a total of 25 nights camping
Black star – Accumulate a total of 50 nights camping
Brown star – Accumulate a total of 100 nights camping
Clear star – Accumulate a total of 250 nights camping
Purple star – Accumulate a total of 500 nights camping

Orange star – Accumulate a total of 50 hours of service time
Yellow star – Accumulate a total of 100 hours of service time
Red star – Accumulate a total of 250 hours of service time
White star – Accumulate a total of 500 hours of service time
Blue star – Accumulate a total of 1000 hours of service time

Tan boot – Accumulate a total of 10 hiking miles
Black boot – Accumulate a total of 25 hiking miles
Red boot – Accumulate a total of 50 hiking miles
Gold boot – Attend Philmont Scout Ranch

Green canoe – Accumulate a total of 10 canoeing miles
Yellow canoe – Accumulate a total of 25 canoeing miles
Orange canoe – Accumulate a total of 50 canoeing miles
Gold canoe – Attend Nothern Tier

Fish bead – Any boy who catches a fish on any campout (Verified by an andult)

“Old Warrior” Program

In addition to the many activity areas, elective Scouting programs and adventure opportunities offered at Quivira Scout Ranch (QSR). Scouts and adult leaders may participate in the Tribe of Quivira (Old Warriors) program. Scouts receive a program orientation during their camp week in preparation for special tribal ceremonial activities.

The Tribe of Quivira provides continuity by encouraging year to year participation in a Quivira Council Scout camp. The program offers symbolic advancement through the Tribe until the designation of Tribal Elder is attained at the conclusion of the individual’s fifth year of summer camp at QSR and his or her sincere effort in completing the following requirements:

Trackers (1st Year Campers) – To Protect the camp by keeping it clean and free of litter.
Starting on Wednesday, first-year participants will “Protect the camp” by keeping it free from litter. Trash bags will be provided on Wednesday and Thursday to be used to pick up trash along the trails and program areas. When a bag has been filled it is to be returned to the Tribe area so the campers name can be recorded.

Hunters (2nd Year Campers) – To Preserve the camp by practicing good conservation and maintaining the camp.
During the camp week, but before Friday morning, Hunters will “Preserve the camp”, by completing a service project. There are scheduled blocks during the week for completing service projects. Campers are to meet at the Tepee to receive directions for completion of their service project and have their names recorded. In addition to completing their service project each Hunter will collect and tie two bundles of wood and bring them to the Tepee. Each Hunter will find a log approximately 2” to 3” in diameter and 18” long and will carve their Initials and Troop number into the log and bring it to the Tepee for further direction.

Braves (3rd Year Campers) – To Test yourself by carrying a rock burden, symbolic of life’s challenges.
Braves advance in the Tribe by finding, carving initials into, and carrying a rock of specific dimensions during their third year of camp. The purpose of this symbolic burden is to remind Scouts that they will have to make hard decisions and handle increasing responsibilities which they will carry with them throughout life.

Warrior (4th Year Camper) – To Dedicate yourself to the support of the Tribe of Quivira.
During the week, the Warriors must assist in Tribal activities. On Friday they are asked to assist in one of the first, second or third year ceremonies. Forth year and above campers are responsible for building and tending to the fire for Friday night’s closing campfire.

Old Warriors (Fifth year Camper) – To Give Leadership to the Tribe by guiding the growth of younger Tribesmen.

Old Warriors are encouraged to help with the tribal program throughout their camp week. They also are encouraged to sit on the review committee for all new Indian Names that are given that week.