Trail Life USA · South Plains Region

All-American Campout — Station Operations Guide

September 25–27, 2026 · Museum of the American G.I. · College Station, Texas

For event leaders, troop POCs, and youth officers — how each field-day station is set up, staffed, and run. Families don't need this page.

Range protocol — every station

Every shooting/throwing station runs as a live firing line under a Range Safety Officer (RSO): the RSO owns the range and calls it HOT (activity may start) and COLD (retrieval may start). Nobody crosses the line while the range is hot, and on the BB and slingshot lines ANYONE may call a cease-fire. Eye protection is provided at the stations that need it.

Spacing, areas, and batch times are approximate planning numbers — verify on site during setup and adjust as the coordinator directs.

Station staffing — Navigators & Adventurers

NavAd Employment (the EM tent on the event map): Navigators and Adventurers are required to help at stations in the morning. If a Trailman is not already assigned to a station, he reports to the EM tent to be assigned to one that needs help. After lunch, Navigators and Adventurers are dismissed to participate in the stations with their patrols. The EM table also takes sign-ups anytime for the Saturday-evening shotgun cleaning session.

Event leadership & troop POCs

Camp Director:: Charles D Galler Jr — cgaller@romeo.cc · 832-671-0347
Asst Camp Director:: Ted Hamilton — hamiltonth@verizon.net · 979-229-7426
SPR Team Lead:: David Hannahs — Sprtl@traillifeusateam.com
Event First Officer:: Luke Bales
Second Officer:: Liam Sanders
Quartermaster:: Caleb Kubacak
Chaplain:: Aden Meyers
Event H&S Lead:: Justin Austin — 409-256-5739

Troop POCs — required

›Each troop nominates a responsible Adult POC for the weekend (approved by the Troopmaster) and a youth First Officer for the event (assuming Nav/Ads attend).
›The Troopmaster completes the POC spreadsheet — link below.
›POCs join the AAC Discord group for key messages and instructions: discord.gg/7AYUCt7FAJ
›Each POC receives a radio at check-in — POCs, station leads, and camp staff only; never handed to youth. Troops bringing their own radios use a different channel than camp's.
›Officers Conference: Friday 9:00 pm at the camp flag pole — all Troop First Officers AND POCs attend. Event shirts are distributed to POCs there.
›Pre-ordered shirts and pins are distributed to the POC on Friday (at check-in if they've arrived, else at the 9:00 pm Officers Conference).
›Tug-o-war bracket (Saturday 6:30 pm, near the flags): team sign-ups will be posted in the POC file shortly.

POC spreadsheet → · AAC Discord →

Site map

Check-in

C1Fri check-in (drive-through at the ticket booths — stay in your vehicle)
C2Sat check-in (Saturday morning — top of the Blitzen Lot)

Shooting & throwing ranges

THTomahawk
BBBB Guns
ARArchery
SSSlingshots
STShotgun (trap)
M1M1 Garand ($10 · tickets at the gift shop)

Field games

9S9 Square
GGGaga Ball (open play — self-run)
ATArchery Tag
MBMonkey Bridge
WBWater Balloon Battle
ALAtlatl
TWTug-o-war (bracket — Sat 6:30 pm)

Facilities

DTDog Tag Stamp
SCSnow cones (Sat 3–5 pm · museum lot)
WRRefill (drinking water · hand-wash station near the dog tag tent)
R1Restrooms (activity field)
R2Restrooms (camping)
HWHand wash (by the camping porta-potties — hand washing only)
EMNavAd Employment (morning station assignments for Navigators & Adventurers)

Flag ceremonies

MFMuseum Flag
FPCamp Flag

Zones

Campsites — campsites are assigned at check-in — no reserved spots.
Prohibited — do not enter
Blitzen Lot parking (day visitors north · campers south)

Station positions are data — edit content/aac-map.ts on GitHub to move a marker or show/hide a pending station. Families get the zoomable version at tlusa-sp.com/aac/map; a printable QR sign for the check-in tables is at /aac/map/sign.

▸Tomahawk Toss

4 workers

4 Trailmen (one per board) · ≈6–8 min per batch · ≈30–35 Trailmen/hour (approx.)

Station workers: 4
Trailmen at a time: 4 Trailmen (one per board)
Batch time / throughput: ≈6–8 min per batch · ≈30–35 Trailmen/hour (approx.)
Space required: ≈30 ft wide × 40 ft deep, caution-taped, plus staging (approx.)

Setup

›Set the 4 target boards in a line, roughly 6 ft apart (approx.).
›Mark a throwing line 10–15 ft from the boards (approx.).
›Caution-tape the full perimeter: buffer behind the boards, both sides, and a staging area behind the throwing line.

How to run the station

›Treat it as a live firing line: the RSO calls the range HOT to throw and COLD to retrieve — nobody crosses the line until it's cold.
›Each Trailman throws 3 tomahawks, the range goes cold for retrieval, then he throws 3 more — 6 throws total — before the next batch rotates in.
›Retrieval rules: Fox and Hawk Trailmen NEVER retrieve their own — an adult, Navigator, or Adventurer at the station retrieves for them. Mountain Lions may retrieve their own with supervision.

Supplies

›4 target boards with stands
›12+ tomahawks (3 per lane, plus spares)
›Caution tape + stakes
›First-aid kit at the station

▸BB Gun Range

4 workers

Up to ~30 Trailmen (one per gun) · ≈20 min per batch (briefing + ~15 min shooting + rotation) · ≈90 Trailmen/hour (approx.)

Station workers: 4, plus adults encouraged to help watch their own Trailmen
Trailmen at a time: Up to ~30 Trailmen (one per gun)
Batch time / throughput: ≈20 min per batch (briefing + ~15 min shooting + rotation) · ≈90 Trailmen/hour (approx.)
Space required: ≈100 ft wide × 50 ft deep, caution-taped (approx.)

Setup

›Single firing line with ~30 BB guns, one shooting point per gun, roughly 3 ft apart (approx.).
›Target line ≈15 ft downrange (approx.) with a clear buffer beyond it.
›Caution-tape the perimeter, with a staging area behind the firing line for the next batch and helping adults.
›Every Trailman gets a paper target he takes home after shooting.

How to run the station

›Safety briefing first, for every batch — no exceptions.
›Line the Trailmen up on the firing line; adults stand behind the line and help watch their own Trailmen.
›Shooting starts only when the RSO calls it — and stops the moment ANYONE calls a cease-fire.
›About 15 minutes of shooting, then the RSO calls the range cold: targets are retrieved (and kept), guns grounded, next batch rotates in.

Supplies

›~30 BB guns + plenty of BBs
›Take-home paper targets (one per Trailman, plus spares)
›Target stands / backers
›Eye protection for every shooter — provided at the station
›Caution tape + stakes, first-aid kit

▸Archery

4 workers

Up to ~10 Trailmen (one per bow) · ≈10–12 min per batch (two quivers with retrieval between) · ≈50–60 Trailmen/hour (approx.)

Station workers: 4
Trailmen at a time: Up to ~10 Trailmen (one per bow)
Batch time / throughput: ≈10–12 min per batch (two quivers with retrieval between) · ≈50–60 Trailmen/hour (approx.)
Space required: ≈50–60 ft wide × 70–80 ft deep including the tarp line, caution-taped (approx.)

Setup

›~10 bows, one lane each, roughly 5 ft apart (approx.); targets 10–15 yards downrange (approx.).
›Rig the giant fly tarp BEHIND the target line to contain stray arrows.
›Caution-tape the perimeter with a staging area behind the shooting line.

How to run the station

›Same firing-line protocol as Tomahawk: RSO calls the range HOT to shoot and COLD to retrieve.
›Each Trailman shoots a quiver of ~5 arrows, the range goes cold for retrieval, then he shoots a second quiver — ~10 shots total — before the next batch rotates in.
›Retrieval rules match Tomahawk: Fox and Hawk Trailmen never retrieve — station helpers do. Mountain Lions may retrieve with supervision.

Supplies

›~10 bows — full-size plus some mini bows for the smaller Trailmen
›60+ arrows with target tips (a quiver per lane, plus spares)
›Targets with stands
›Giant fly tarp + rigging (poles / frame / line)
›Caution tape + stakes, first-aid kit

▸Slingshots

3 workers

Up to ~20 Trailmen (one per slingshot) · ≈12–15 min per batch (~10 min shooting + rotation) · ≈80–100 Trailmen/hour (approx.)

Station workers: 3
Trailmen at a time: Up to ~20 Trailmen (one per slingshot)
Batch time / throughput: ≈12–15 min per batch (~10 min shooting + rotation) · ≈80–100 Trailmen/hour (approx.)
Space required: ≈60 ft wide × 40 ft deep, caution-taped (approx.)

Setup

›~20 slingshots on a firing line, roughly 3 ft apart (approx.), targets downrange — same layout logic as the BB range.
›Caution-tape the perimeter with staging behind the line.

How to run the station

›Same protocol as BB guns: safety briefing, RSO calls commence, ANYONE may call a cease-fire, retrieval only on a cold range.
›About 10 minutes of shooting, then switch batches.
›Ammo is dog-food kibble — cheap, safe, and the critters clean the range overnight.

Supplies

›~20 slingshots
›Dog-food kibble (the ammo — bring a big bag)
›Targets — tin pie pans and the like
›Eye protection — provided at the station
›Caution tape + stakes, first-aid kit

▸Atlatl

TBD workers

A few throwers at a time, one per lane · ≈5 min per batch — a few throws each, then retrieve (approx.)

Station workers: TBD — confirm at coordinator review
Trailmen at a time: A few throwers at a time, one per lane
Batch time / throughput: ≈5 min per batch — a few throws each, then retrieve (approx.)
Space required: Deep throwing lanes — darts carry farther than tomahawks; generous downrange buffer, caution-taped (approx.)

Setup

›Set up throwing lanes with targets downrange and a clearly marked throwing line.
›Caution-tape the full perimeter with a deep buffer beyond the targets — atlatl darts fly with real speed and distance.

How to run the station

›Same firing-line protocol as Tomahawk: the RSO calls the range HOT to throw and COLD to retrieve.
›Quick technique demo first — the atlatl acts as a lever extending the throwing arm; the dart is thrown with the upper arm and wrist.
›Each Trailman gets a few throws, range goes cold, darts are retrieved by station helpers (Fox/Hawk never retrieve), next batch rotates in.

Supplies

›Atlatls + darts (plus spares)
›Targets
›Caution tape + stakes
›First-aid kit at the station

▸Archery Tag

4 workers

12 playing (6v6) + 12 staged on deck · 10-minute cycle: two 3-minute matches per group · 72 Trailmen/hour

Station workers: 4 — Marshal/Timer, Deck Lead, Line & Retrieval, plus a fourth to float and relieve
Trailmen at a time: 12 playing (6v6) + 12 staged on deck
Batch time / throughput: 10-minute cycle: two 3-minute matches per group · 72 Trailmen/hour
Space required: Course ≈30 × 60 ft plus taped buffer, deck, and queue (approx. — verify)

Setup

›Spray-paint the field lines: course boundaries, center line, end lines, and BOTH shrink lines — pre-painted so the 2:00 shrink is just a cone slide to the marked line.
›Caution-tape the full perimeter to keep bypassers out of arrow range, leaving ONE taped entry/exit gate beside the deck.
›Paint 12 deck dots in two rows of 6 beside the course entry — use two colors so teams are pre-sorted on deck. The dots self-cap the deck at exactly 12: “find a dot” is the whole instruction.
›Push queue rods into the ground (tape between them optional) to form the waiting line, feeding straight onto the deck dots.
›Two pop-up canopies: one over the marshal/gear table, one shading the deck and queue head.

How to run the station

›Cycle clock, repeating every 10 minutes: :00 Match 1 (3 min, course shrinks at 2:00) → :03 quick reset (sweep arrows, same teams) → :04 Match 2 (instant redemption round, shrink at 2:00) → :07 full turnover (all 12 exit and de-mask; the decked 12 step in off their dots, gear hands off) → :10 next cycle begins.
›Teams: 6v6 elimination. The Marshal fills teams to 6 from the front of the line — no waiting to group with friends. Teams stay together for both matches.
›Hits: hit anywhere = out. Catch an arrow in the air = the shooter is out. Most matches end early on elimination; the 2:00 shrink forces a finish in the rest.
›Safety: masks on before entering the course and until fully off it. No shots inside a 15-ft no-shoot bubble. The Marshal's whistle stops ALL play instantly.
›Once-through policy: each Trailman goes through once — repeat runs only in the afternoon if the line allows.
›The deck system protects the clock: while a group plays, the Deck Lead fills the 12 dots and masks the next batch during Match 2, so the :07 turnover is a straight walk-on. The turnover window is where the day is won or lost.

Supplies

›12 bows (foam-tip / archery-tag set)
›Foam-tip arrows + spares
›Masks for 12 — plus a second deck set of 12 if available (eliminates the mask-swap delay at turnover)
›Marking spray paint (2 colors)
›Caution tape + perimeter stakes, queue rods
›2 pop-up canopies, cones for the shrink slides
›Whistle, wall clock or large timer visible to the Marshal
›First-aid kit

Notes

›A Trailman joining the line can count heads ahead ÷ 12 to know his wait to the minute — each 12 ahead is 10 minutes.

▸Monkey Bridge

TBD workers

A few Trailmen crossing at a time, spotted · Continuous flow during open-station hours

Station workers: TBD — confirm at coordinator review
Trailmen at a time: A few Trailmen crossing at a time, spotted
Batch time / throughput: Continuous flow during open-station hours
Space required: Slung between two trees spaced ≈50 ft apart, with clear ground beneath and room to queue

Setup

›Pick two solid trees ≈50 ft apart with clear, level ground between them.
›Rig the rope bridge (foot rope + hand ropes) under proper tension, and check anchors and tension through the day.

How to run the station

›Spot each Trailman across; keep the line back from the ropes while someone is crossing.
›Re-check tension periodically — ropes stretch as the day goes on.

Supplies

›Monkey bridge rope set (foot rope, hand ropes, lashings/hardware)
›Rope pads for the trees
›Caution tape if a queue lane is needed

▸Water Balloon Battle

TBD workers

2 teams of 10 (20 Trailmen per round) · Short rounds — rotate teams as each battle ends (approx.)

Station workers: TBD — confirm at coordinator review
Trailmen at a time: 2 teams of 10 (20 Trailmen per round)
Batch time / throughput: Short rounds — rotate teams as each battle ends (approx.)
Space required: Course ≈100 ft long × 30 ft wide, with a base at each end

Setup

›Lay out the course ≈100 ft × 30 ft with a clearly marked base at each end — one per team.
›Pre-fill and stage water balloons at each base (filling is the bottleneck — stay ahead of the battles).

How to run the station

›Two teams of 10, one defending each base — battle until the round is called, then rotate the next 20 Trailmen in.
›Expect everyone to get wet; keep the sidelines clear so waiting Trailmen stay dry-ish.
›Police balloon fragments between rounds — they're litter the moment they pop.

Supplies

›LOTS of water balloons (pre-filled + filling station with water source)
›Base markers / cones
›Trash bags for balloon fragments

▸9 Square

0 workers

9 players in the grid + a rotating line · Continuous — players rotate in every elimination

Station workers: 0 — runs itself (no station monitors needed)
Trailmen at a time: 9 players in the grid + a rotating line
Batch time / throughput: Continuous — players rotate in every elimination
Space required: ≈20 ft × 20 ft

Setup

›A partner troop brings the 9-square set and sets it up — nothing for event staff to build.
›Place it on level ground with a little room around the frame for the waiting line.

How to run the station

›Self-running: the player in the center square serves; hit the ball out of the top of your square into another; one hit per player; eliminated players leave and the line rotates in toward the center.
›Nearby adults just keep an eye out — no dedicated monitors.

Supplies

›9-square frame + balls (provided and set up by the partner troop)

▸Trap Shooting

4 workers

Batches of 10 shooters — ONE shooter firing at a time · ≈45–60 min per batch of 10 (25 rounds each, ~250 rounds total) (approx.)

Station workers: 4 (including certified range staff)
Trailmen at a time: Batches of 10 shooters — ONE shooter firing at a time
Batch time / throughput: ≈45–60 min per batch of 10 (25 rounds each, ~250 rounds total) (approx.)
Space required: ≈40 ft firing line (10 stalls) + blocked-off downrange shot-fall zone of roughly 300 yards (approx.) — the established range area

Setup

›10 shooting stalls on the firing line.
›Two electric throwers downrange, launching clays nearly straight down the field, away from the shooters: the LEFT thrower serves stalls 1–5, the RIGHT thrower serves stalls 6–10.
›Block off the entire downrange area — nobody enters the shot-fall zone while the range operates.

How to run the station

›Registered, paid shooters only, in their assigned time slot. Each shooter declared his gauge (12 or 20) at registration so the right ammunition was purchased — no personal firearms or ammunition, period.
›Safety briefing, then eye and ear protection on for shooters and line staff.
›One shooter at a time: the shooter calls “PULL” when ready and fires 2 shots, then play passes to the next stall — cycling continuously until every shooter has spent all 25 rounds.
›Left five stalls shoot at the left thrower; right five shoot at the right thrower.
›Top Navigator and top Adventurer take home a prize.

Supplies

›~16 shotguns provided by the venue (mix of 12 and 20 gauge)
›Shells: 25 per shooter in his declared gauge, plus spares
›Clay targets + 2 electric throwers (with power/batteries)
›Stall markers, barriers / caution tape
›Eye AND ear protection for shooters and line staff
›Gun-cleaning kits (for the evening session)
›First-aid kit

Notes

›Shotgun cleaning (Saturday 8:30 pm at the range, during the movie): volunteer-only but HIGHLY encouraged — we need about 20 Navigators or Adventurers who want to learn how to clean a shotgun. Sign-ups are taken anytime at the NavAd Employment table (EM).
›Brief the cleaning session at the firing line during the day: shooters aren't obligated to return, but coming back to help police clays and shells and clean the guns is strongly encouraged.

▸Dog Tag Stamping

2 workers

Open flow — a few Trailmen per stamping kit · Self-paced · open station all weekend

Station workers: 2
Trailmen at a time: Open flow — a few Trailmen per stamping kit
Batch time / throughput: Self-paced · open station all weekend
Space required: The stamping tent — 24 stamping stations this year (up from 6)

Setup

›In the stamping tent, set out the 24 square wooden stations that hold the stamping kits (letter/number punches, design stamps, hammers), with room to swing a hammer safely at each.
›Keep the kits complete and organized — every punch has a place.

How to run the station

›Every Trailman receives a blank dog tag at check-in (Friday drive-through for campers, C2 on Saturday for day visitors).
›Trailmen are welcome to come stamp their tags at ANY time during the weekend — it's an open station.
›One stamp out at a time, and back in its slot before taking the next — that's how the next Trailman finds the letter he needs.
›Adults are encouraged to help so Foxes and Hawks can punch their own tags (lining up the punch, steadying the tag, supervising the hammer).
›Station workers help Trailmen who are struggling with the punches and keep all supplies organized.

Supplies

›Dog tag blanks (one per Trailman, plus spares)
›24 square wooden stamping stations with complete punch kits (letters/numbers + designs)
›Hammers
›Tables (and shade if possible)