Cub Scout Day Camps are facilitated by local councils and individuals who serve as camp director, program director or staff adviser must be nationally certified by taking the National Camping School Day Camp Administration section.
To be nationally certified as a day camp director, program director or staff adviser, individuals must complete a three-part training curriculum. This includes an online course, a council-led in person training session and then a day and a half at a National Camping School. This three-part curriculum, combined with the required pre-requisites listed below, will enable individuals to serve in a leadership role at their day camp.
Local Council Day Camp Training Materials
As part of the multi-step approach for day camp director and program certification for “Day Camp Administration”, council day camp leadership will instruct the following course to individuals in their council attending a National Camp School Session. This training should take place before they attend National Camp School.
As a reminder, participants should take the online training prior to participating in this local council facilitated training. The online training link will be sent to individuals registered for a National Camp School Day Camp Administration section and is available on my.Scouting.org e-learning center.
Please ensure that you update each person’s ScoutNet training profile with “CS63” and remind participants to bring a copy of their updated training record with them to their National Camp School course.
- 2025 In-Council NCS Day Camp Syllabus
- 2025 In-Council NCS Day Camp Learning Workbook
- 2025 In-Council NCS Training Slides
- 2025 National Camping School Registration can be found HERE.
Resources for Day Camps
We encourage local councils to use the national Cub Scout Day Camp theme where possible!
Day Camp Staff Training
- Cub Scout Day Camp Staff Training Guide (see NCAP standard SQ-402).
Day Camp Safety Moments
- Download Day Camp Related Safety Moment PPTs and Instructions
2025 National Theme “Invention Convention” Ideas and Resources
- 2025 Invention Convention Theme Resource Book – ready made program ideas to support your Day Camp program development!
Future Cub Scout Day Camp Themes
- 2026 – Dinotopia
- Learn more how you can contribute theme ideas here.
Past Day Camp Information:
- 2024 Outdoor Adventure Theme Resource Book
- 2023 Day Camp Theme Off to the Races Resource Book
- 2023 Off to the Races Trading Cards
- 2022 Cub Scout Day Camp Theme Booklet – Wild Wild West
- 2022 Wild Wild West Theme Trading Cards
- 2021 Cub Scout Day Camp Theme Booklet – Weird Science
- 2021 Weird Science Trading Cards
- 2021 Weird Science CLIPART
- 2020 Cub Scout Day Camp Theme Booklet – 2020 Resource Booklet – Down on the Farm
- 2020 Cub Scout Day Camp Down on the Farm Trading Cards
- 2020 Cub Scout Day Camp CLIPART – Down on the Farm
- 2019 Cub Scout Day Camp Theme Booklet – Beneath the Sea
- 2019 Cub Scout Day Camp Beneath the Sea Trading Cards
- 2019 Cub Scout Day Camp Beneath the Sea Clip Art
- 2016-2018 Past Day Camp Theme Resources
- 2012-2015 Past Day Camp Theme Resources
- 2011 Past Day Camp Frontier Days Resource Guide
Range and Target Activities Information
Cub Scout range and target activities may be conducted only on a district or council level. Archery, BB gun shooting, and slingshot shooting are restricted to day camps, Cub Scout long term camps, council-managed family camping programs, or council activities where there are properly trained supervisors and where all standards for Scouting America range and target activities are enforced.
All ranges in the Cub Scout program must be supervised by a qualified range master who is at least 18 years of age and meets the minimum requirements. See specific qualifications and training requirements for Cub Scout range masters in the Scouting America shooting sports manual that can be found at https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/range-activities/
