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.
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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
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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]
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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]
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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.
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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)
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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
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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……….
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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]
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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]
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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]
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