The Trail to Adventure VO L U ME

1,

I S S UE

I I I

JUNE 2015

PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL OUTDOOR PROGRAMS

Parrish leads National Adventures group National Executive Board member Doyle Parrish of Raleigh North Carolina is the new Vice President of National Adventures for the Boy Scouts of America.

SUPPORT COMMITTEE

Earlier this year, reorganization took place among key national committees. Formerly, the Outdoor Programs Support Committee and its Program Task Forces were part of the Outdoor Adventures group, chaired by National Executive Board member Brad Haddock of Wichita Kansas. Brad has assumed the role as our National Chairman of ScoutingU.

OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Leadership Comments

2

Region Updates

3,4

Council Aquatics Committees

5

Interactive Merit Badges

5

Sea Scouting Independence

6

Shared Services

7

COPE /Climbing Management

8,9

Camping Task Force

10

Outdoor Award Update

10

Aquatics, Shooting Task Forces

11

Key Leader Contact

12

Doyle Parrish

Brad Haddock

Outdoor Adventures in now National Adventures to reflect the focus of offering adventure and excitement to youth nationwide and providing all councils with the tools to deliver Scouting’s promise to its youth. Recently, Doyle had chaired the National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP) and guided it from concept to reality. Today, Scouting, local councils and our youth are beginning to see the many positive results of the NCAP efforts. Doyle is a member of the Occoneechee Council in Raleigh and is a former member of the Southern Region Executive Board. In addition, he’s a member of the University Of North Carolina Board Of Governors and is the CEO of the Summit Hospitality Group.

Sea Scouting Becomes an Independent BSA Program!! Details on Page 6.

PAGE

2

National Leadership Comments Prime Time for Outdoor Adventure! Spring is in the air, and summer won’t be far behind. Television networks are finalizing their prime-time lineups for the summer and fall seasons. In the BSA, our own best season for outdoor adventure is fast approaching – are you and the units you serve participating?

Mark Stinnett, National Outdoor Programs Support

We know from the numbers that units with active outdoor programs grow members, and those with yearly participation in day camps and summer camps keep them. Summer opportunities are still open at council camps around the country and at our four BSA high adventure bases. Nature is going to be at its glorious best – we should be, too!

Chairman

Let’s spread the word in our local councils and districts that it’s not too late to get that pack, troop, crew, team or ship geared up for summer fun and adventure. For too many units, summer is down time – it needs to be our prime time.

Yours in Scouting, Mark Stinnett, Chairman National Outdoor Programs Support Committee

Keith Christopher, Outdoor Programs and Properties Department

Keith Christopher, Department Manager BSA Outdoor Programs/Properties Department

Manager

THE

TRAIL

TO

ADVENTURE

VOLUME

1,

ISSUE

III

PAGE

Central Region Update Jim Kern, Chairman Our committee led a successful Outdoor Adventure conference on January 23 in Channahon IL. Special thanks to everyone who led sessions and attended. Watch this fall for the date of the 2017 conference. Our region welcomes Todd Cook as its representative to the National Shooting Sports Task Force and Mike Brand as its representative to the National Fishing Task Force. Mike and Todd plan to engage the areas in our region with more information from the national level. We also wish to thank Connie Elliott (Shooting Sports) and Bill Pepito (Fishing) as our outgoing representatives. They both did a great job and we wish them well. Our committee plans to support a major Outdoor Program event this fall when the Michigan Crossroads Council of Flint MI and the Pathways to Adventure Council of Chicago IL plan to offer a joint conference. Go to the respective council websites for more information. Lastly, if you wish to receive our region newsletter, The Promise, feel free to contact me at : [email protected].

Northeast Region News Mike Abrahamson, Chairman Contact me at the email below to get the latest news and events happening in the Northeast Region.

Watch for details about our Outdoor Program Conference at Camp Alpine October 14-16, 2016!

[email protected]

3

PAGE

4

Southern Region Notes Dr. James Flatt, Chairman The Southern Region Outdoor Programs Support Committee met at the recent Regional Board meeting and discussed new strategies for reaching councils that need assistance. Bolstering our communication channels and properly structuring our resources for councils will be a priority for 2016. Dr. James Flatt has accepted the role of Regional Outdoor Programs Support Chairman. Dr. Flatt recently completed a term as Regional Order of the Arrow Chairman. His Scouting history includes serving as Council Vice President for Camping in 2 councils and was a Resident Camp Program Director at Camp Buck Toms in the Great Smoky Mountain Council. He is currently a member of the Greater Alabama Council.

[email protected]

Western Region Report Steve Bradley, Chairman The Region Jamboree Committee continues 2017 recruiting for staff at the base camp and sub camps. Reports indicate they are around 85% of capacity. The region Order of the Arrow Committee is poised to start the NLS/NLATS trainings for 2017 on April 1-3 in Southern California. An estimated 100 Arrowmen will be trained. All task forces are working to support National Camping Schools this year. Our region has 4 Cub Scout and 7 Boy Scout Resident Camp Schools this year. Also, our Shooting Sports Task Force will offer an NRA Training Councilor Workshop and our Outdoor Ethics team will have a conference; both are planned for this fall. Our region NCAP team members are deep into planning the 2016 season and conducted some training at the Region Winter Meetings in February. [email protected]

THE

TRAIL

TO

ADVENTURE

VOLUME

1,

ISSUE

III

PAGE

Local Councils successful with year-round Aquatics activities For the past ten years, the Stonewall Jackson Area Council in Virginia (www.bsa-sjac.org) has delivered a winter swim program with the goal of keeping scouts in swimming shape and promoting year round aquatics training and activities. During the program, Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges are offered, along with aquatic requirements for Second and First Class Ranks, SCUBA BSA and Cub Scout Aquatics belt loop, Sports pin and Aquanaut.

The National Capital Area Council of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia (www.ncacbsa.org/aquatics) has had an active and productive Aquatics Committee since 2008.The committee goals include not only supporting their five resident camp Aquatics programs but also providing a year round aquatics program menu. Committee connections in the community provide opportunities like Scuba Jam and Scout Canoe Races. The committee’s web page allows online registration for events and provides a ready source of information for its members. The committee also presents regularly at district roundtables, University of Scouting and Cub Scout leader Pow Wow.

Interactive Digital Merit Badges Released in 2015, More in 2016 In 2015, Scouting completed the first release of interactive digital merit badge pamphlets for purchase and use by all scouters. Initially, all Eagle Scout required merit badges were released to bring the merit badge experience to life, providing richer and more experiential content. Features include: links to videos, search capabilities, simulations, animations, interactive Q&A, pop up information and slide shows with additional graphics. The interactive digital merit badge pamphlets are compatible with PC’s, MAC’s, tablets and smartphones (IPhone and Android). Inkling software will be uploaded to provide access as part of the purchase and there is an Inkling App that is free for smartphones. For more information in FAQ format you can go to www.scoutstuff.org/retail/faqs/idmbp-faq.

To access purchase of digital interactive merit badges go to www.scoutstuff.org and go to the “literature” tab at the top, then select “interactive digital”. Look for more interactive digital merit badges to be released for 2016.

5

PAGE

6

Sea Scouting Becomes an Independent BSA Program The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America has approved a resolution establishing Sea Scouts, BSA as an independent program of the Boy Scouts of America--in full company with the other BSA programs: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturing. Likewise, the Board made corresponding amendments to the BSA Charter and Bylaws on February 10, 2016 While the changes in the text of these documents are modest, mostly the inclusion of the Sea Scout program in several clauses and paragraphs, the changes will be significant; providing Sea Scouting with access to the full range of attention and support at the National Council and throughout the BSA organization. This is a significant milestone for Sea Scouts, BSA. The National Sea Scout Support Committee, the National Director, and the National Commodore are already working to use this new status to improve and expand Sea Scouting. Plans for 2016 include emphasis on membership growth, providing additional resources to support existing ships and help increase the number of Sea Scout Ships (units) throughout the country. Another emphasis area for 2016 will be improved communications and enhanced use of electronic media. Check out the new Sea Scout website at: www.SeaScoutBeta.org.

Photo Credit: Ship 5 - Gloucester, MA (Schooner Festival)

THE

TRAIL

TO

ADVENTURE

VOLUME

1,

ISSUE

III

PAGE

7

New Shared Service Team Strengthens the Outdoor Experience, Providing Aid through Council Camps The BSA’s overarching goal is to provide excellence in the camping experience for all Scouting youth. Over the longterm, as top-quality programs at local council camps become a reality, the financial stability of those camps will be strengthened, eventually making possible additional or expanded program offerings. In this way, each camp can steadily work toward realizing its full potential and benefitting from higher attendance, membership retention, and financial stability. The ultimate result: creating camping operations – and councils – that are stable and sustainable for years to come. While conducting multiple camp assessments in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, it became apparent there are five key performance indicators that drive increased usage, improved occupancy and camper satisfaction.

These five Quality Indicators have been identified as: Staff Program depth Program equipment Facilities helping delivery of the program Financial sustainability

Any one indicator cannot be successfully prolonged without the other 4 which is why they are collectively named Quality Indicators. With a great staff, delivering a solid program, with first-class equipment, in a well thought-through and designed program area, the financial sustainability and growth in membership and camper attendance should be realized. In an effort to help increase the quality and quantity of outdoor programs and activities on local council properties, a Shared Services team has been added to the Outdoor Programs/Properties Department. In addition to the existing planning, engineering and architectural services already being offered, the Shared Services team has partnered with strategic vendors to provide preferred and/or discounted pricing on programs, products, and services that are essential to offering a high quality outdoor experience. Lower prices will allow councils to redirect additional resources to the quality indicators listed above. In addition, the Outdoor Programs/Properties team expects to save councils a total of over $2,000,000 in fee abatement in 2016 from using their planning, engineering and architectural services. Under the leadership of Keith Christopher, Department Manager for Outdoor Programs/Properties, the team can be reached at 972-580-2292. Information about services that the Outdoor Programs/Properties can offer can be found at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/Properties.aspx

PAGE

8

COPE/Climbing Training Management Courses available The COPE and Climbing program provides flexibility for local councils to train instructors for their own programs. There continues to be several opportunities at National Camping Schools through the country that offer training and retraining for COPE/Climbing Directors. There is also an option for the local council to train local program supervisors, known as Level II Instructors. Local training programs must be approved by a Training Program Evaluators (TPE), who is assigned by the regional COPE/Climbing chairman to evaluate and advise the council plan and program. In order for a local council or a group of councils who collaborate to obtain approval for their Level II Instructor Training Program, 3 steps must be met: Appoint a COPE/Climbing Program Manager for the local training program. This person must complete National Camping School COPE/Climbing Program Manager training (CCPM). CCPM courses provide in-depth instruction on program and organization management, risk assessment and management, staff training and BSA and industry standards that apply to COPE/Climbing programs. 2 are offered in each region annually. See the listing of 2016 opportunities at www.ncsbsa.org. Develop a training syllabus and assessment plan and submit both to the assigned TPE. Recommended syllabi and additional resources can be found at: www.scouting.org/outdoorprograms. Schedule a training session with the assigned TPE and arrange to have them attend the session to evaluate and provide input. Following approvals of the above, a council training program is good up to 5 years.

Continued next page……….

THE

TRAIL

TO

ADVENTURE

VOLUME

1,

ISSUE

III

PAGE

COPE/Climbing Training Management Continued……. Like the rest of the challenge course and climbing industry, the Level II instructor training is good for 3 years and only provides instructors to supervise programs in the local council that they are approved for. When this training expires, instructor skills must be re-evaluated according to the assessment process approved previously by the TPE. This provides flexibility for local councils to offer staff training specifically tailored to meet the needs of their local programs. National Camping School COPE/Climbing Director training is valid for 5 camping seasons, consistent with director positions in other program areas. COPE/Climbing Directors and Program Managers may also recertify using the Continuing Education process. For additional information, see www.scouting.org/outdoorprograms for contact information for the National COPE and Climbing Task Force and the Regional COPE and Climbing Chairs.

John Winter, National Task Force Chairman [email protected]

9

PAGE

10

Camping Task Force Update

Jim Blair

The National Camping Task Force published an update to the Camping and Outdoor Program Committee Guide in the fall 2015. The new version is called the Outdoor Programs Committee (OPC) Guide. The OPC provides a Council Executive Board an overall governance process that engages ALL Program Committees to communicate and deliver best programs that meet the increasingly diverse marketplace of youth. The ultimate goal is to optimize the offering of meaningful programs through the most effective use of Council properties, assets and volunteer resources. The Guide can be found at: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/Camping.aspx. The OPC concept has been actively deployed in the North East and Central Regions, with some significant success. Camp resources are being holistically deployed to provide programs to Scouts and other Youth Serving Organizations. Questions can be forwarded to the National Camping Task Force via Rob Kolb [email protected] or Jim Blair at [email protected].

Outdoor Awards Update from the Camping Task Force The Paul Bunyan Woodsman Award is being updated with a focus on incorporating best practices from the U.S. Forrest Service and the BSA Health and Safety, Outdoor Ethics and Conservation groups. The Paul Bunyan Award will enhance the experiences of First Class Scouts with an ambitious outdoor adventure that incorporates skills learned from Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. While in development, the proposed (Draft) Requirements include: 1. Earn the Totin’ Chit 2. Earn the Firem’n Chit 3. Complete existing Paul Bunyan Award requirements* 4. Instruct others in proper and safe use of Woodsman tools 5. Qualify for the Outdoor Ethics Elements 6. Demonstrate the safe use of woods tools 7. Use wood tools to perform an approved conversation project. Please contact Jim Erwin, Subgroup Chair, at [email protected]

THE

TRAIL

TO

ADVENTURE

VOLUME

1,

ISSUE

PAGE

III

Aquatics Task Force Update

11

Pat Noack

Changes to American Red Cross Training Agreement announced An updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been issued between the American Red Cross and the BSA that strengthens and expands our existing relationship. As a result, additional services are now available to councils and units, including discounts on full service training agreements as well as the more traditional authorized provider agreements with scouters who are ARC instructors or wish to become one. The new MOU also offers: 20% discount for full service training classes 47% discount for authorized provider courses. To take advantage of this, councils with an existing relationship can contact their sales representative. All councils or units without an agreement need to sign an authorized provider or full service agreement to participate. Please contact the Training Support Center at 800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767) for the following services: Option training and certifications Option for classes and certifications Option for group training. Existing training agreements between the Red Cross and individual councils, units or instructors will be updated on renewal with existing pricing changes handled via normal ARC processes (30 days from notification). Resources include: www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Training.aspx www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Healthand Safety/amredcross.aspx.

NEW Shooting Sports Program Resources Mark Pluff and Rob Kolb For the last year you have heard about several new Shooting Sports programs being piloted and tested. All were a huge success for local councils and resident camps using them and a big hit with the Scouts. Your council can now try one or more of these new programs. The information for each program; Cowboy Action Shooting, Chalk Ball, Multi-gun Airsoft, Action Archery and the Scouting Safety Pistol and Marksman programs are available at: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/ShootingSports.aspx Additionally, you can find the requirements and associated materials for the new Cub Scout Shooting Sports Award at the same location. Finally, since many changes have happened in BSA Shooting Sports, a supplement to the National Shooting Sports Manual with some updates and corrections can also be found on the Shooting Sports webpage. Download it today!

Your National Outdoor Programs Support Committee Mark Stinnett, Chairman

719 - 999 - 5121

[email protected]

Keith Christopher, Department Manager

972 - 580 - 7810

[email protected]

Pat Noack, Aquatics Task Force

212 - 872 - 6086

[email protected]

Ben Jelsema, Fishing Task Force

407 - 505 - 3927

[email protected]

Dave O Leary, Outdoor Ethics Task Force

301 - 580 - 8673

[email protected]

John Winter, Project COPE & Climbing

319 - 885 - 6496

[email protected]

Mark Rey, Conservation Task Force

202 - 669 - 9902

[email protected]

Mark Pluff, Shooting Sports Task Force

314 - 679 - 5010

[email protected]

Jim Blair, Camping Task Force

303 - 795 - 9754

[email protected]

Mike Abrahamson, Northeast Region Chair

203 - 395 - 2402

[email protected]

Jim Kern, Central Region Chair

740 - 974 - 3634

[email protected]

Dr. James Flatt, Southern Region Chair

256 - 882– 2605

[email protected]

Steve Bradley, Western Region Chair

951 - 688 - 7667

[email protected]

Dennis Kampa, Cub Scout Camping

719 - 545 - 1768

[email protected]

Sal Ciampo, Strategic Analysis/Facilities Mgt.

917 - 807 - 6084

[email protected]

Eric Hiser, Website Design

602 - 622 - 6885

[email protected]

Sign Up Today!!!

www.summitbsa.org/event/jamboree