Scouting's Adventures for Older Boy Scouts
Older Scouts (those who are at least 13 years old or have completed the seventh grade) seek challenge and variety. How does Scouting capture their interest? Through diverse high-adventure and outdoor opportunities. Scouting not only provides adventure but also emphasizes values through ideals that reinforce God, country, and personal growth.
Both Varsity and Venture Scouts work on advancement. They also participate in high adventure, team sports, and other special outdoor activities.
Older Scouts plan and run their own meetings and activities with minimal adult guidance. They participate in exciting outdoor programs like climbing and council and national high-adventure programs including Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier, and the Florida Sea Base.
These resources can help you deliver the promise to your older Scouts.
Opportunities for High Adventure
Take the High-Adventure Challenge
Passport to High Adventure describes fifty exciting programs—such as sailing and whitewater rafting—in local councils throughout the country. This guidebook for youth and adult leaders contains all of the information and forms required for a high-adventure experience, including where to call for more details and to make reservations. No. 4310.
You Name It, the Fieldbook Has It
The Fieldbook is the most comprehensive reference for Boy Scouts, Venturers, unit leaders, trainers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Includes sections on leadership and trek preparation, Leave No Trace principles, trek adventures, and appreciating our environment. 600-plus pages, 34 chapters, 500 color photographs, and 200 illustrations. Fourth edition. No. 33104
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Leave No Trace Awareness
Leave No Trace reminds us to respect other users of the outdoors including future generations. Appreciation for our natural environment and a knowledge of the interrelationships of nature bolster our respect for and reverence of the environment and nature. Leave No Trace is an awareness and an attitude rather than a set of rules. The principles of Leave No Trace apply in your backyard or local park as much as in the backcountry. Scouts and Scouters who complete the Leave No Trace requirements are entitled to wear the Leave No Trace temporary patch (No. 8630). No. 21-105.
Climb to New Horizons
Climb With Confidence
The job of climbing is hard to top. Watching an experienced climber fluidly move from one hold to the next with skill and confidence inspires others. Topping Out describes recommended techniques for setting up and carrying out a top-roping program that is appropriate for most BSA youth and units. It applies to climbing facilities such as towers, vertical and horizontal walls as well as to natural features such as cliffs and rock faces. No. 3207.
Climb On Safely
Designed to train BSA leaders to safely manage climbing and rappelling programs and where to find qualified climbing instructors. Climb On Safely is the climbing and rappelling equivalent to the BSA's Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat guidelines for aquatic activities. The eight points of Climb On Safely detailed in this publication are designed to assure that BSA climbing activities are done safely. Adult leaders who complete training in Climb On Safely are entitled to wear the Climb On Safely temporary patch (No. 8631). No. 3206.
Climb High with an Updated Merit Badge
The new Climbing merit badge introduces older Scouts to all types of climbing activities—rock faces, climbing towers, climbing gyms, walls, etc. Acquiring climbing skills builds self-esteem in young people as well as a sense of accomplishment. No. 35001A.
Take the Project COPE Challenge
Prepared for Project COPE directors, instructors, and inspectors, the Project COPE guidebook describes plans for all approved Project COPE elements and gives tips on how to safely lead groups through Project COPE activities. New information has been added regarding how to make COPE courses universally accessible to people with varied abilities and disabilities. More information on how to inspect Project COPE facilities has also been added. No. 34371A.
More Outdoor Adventures
Service to America Through Conservation
The Conservation Handbook shows units how to select, plan, and carry out a variety of conservation projects at home and in the field. Well-conceived and well-done conservation projects provide a worthwhile service to others and become a source of enduring pride. No. 33570.
Training Opportunities of a Lifetime for Young Leaders
Order of the Arrow Points the Way
The Order of the Arrow is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. Its purpose is to recognize those campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit, promote year-round and long-term resident camping, and cheerful service to others.
Where to Find These Resources
All these materials, resources, and programs are available through your BSA local council service center.