National Camping School

Purpose of National Camping School

The purpose of National Camping School (NCS) is to provide adults with a learning experience and training related to the operation of council camp. The key staff members will, in turn, train and supervise other staff personnel in your council camping program.

Training is offered for staff members who will serve as Short-Term Camp Administrators, Day Camp Administrators, Long-term (Resident) Camp Directors, Long-term (Resident) Program Directors, Aquatics Directors, Climbing Directors, Project COPE Directors, COPE and Climbing Program Trainers, Ecology Directors, Outdoor Skills Directors, Trek Directors, and Range Activities Directors.

(Not all schools will offer all sections. Refer to the course locations below for schools, sections offered and locations)

Download the National Camping School FAQ

To be eligible to attend National Camping School all participants must:

Be registered members of the BSA
Have current Youth Protection training
Be approved by the council in which they are registered
Be at least 18 years of age by start of course
Attend all classes and sessions (Note: Attendance does not guarantee certification. Many sections are skills-based, and certificates are awarded based on successful completion of skills-based activities.)
Complete all appropriate prerequisites
Be present for the entire school
Have a complete BSA field uniform. The uniform will be worn at various times during the course.
All Short-term camp administrator (in person courses) and Day Camp participants must have a current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record with Parts A and B completed.
All Long-Term (Resident) Camp participants must have a current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record with Parts A, B, and C completed.

To be eligible for a recertification course, the participant must hold a current certification in that section or have a certification that expired no more than six months prior to the start of the course. If you need to confirm when your NCS certification expires, please email NCS@Scouting.org.

The Day Camp, Aquatics Instructor-BSA, Climbing, COPE, Resident (Long-term) Camp Director, Resident (Long-Term) Camp Program Director, and Shooting Sports sections have prerequisites listed below.

Late Registrations and Cancellations:

The fees listed on the site below are the on-time registration fees. Local councils will be billed for their registrants’ fees at the conclusion of each course.

In addition:

Long-Term (Resident) Camp Sections – Late Registrations: A registration completed fewer than 14 days prior to the start of the school will incur a $100 late charge.
Day Camp Administration – Late Registrations: A registration completed fewer than 14 days prior to the start of the school will incur a $50 late charge.
Section Registration Changes: Switching registration between sections for an existing registration made fewer than 14 days prior to the start will be charged a $100 section change fee. Please note any fee difference between section costs will also apply (as applicable).
Cancellations: Cancellations filed fewer than 14 days prior to the start of the course will incur a $100 cancellation fee. The local council will be billed for these fees. Cancellation requests must be in writing to NCS@Scouting.org.
No-Show Fee: For those registered that do not arrive on the start date of the course without prior notice of cancellation, the full course fee will be charged. The local council will be billed for these fees.

Questions about National Camping School? – Email ncs@scouting.org

National Camping School Sections

Click the tabs below to learn more about each section of National Camping School and to see pricing for 2025. Note: all fees listed are on time registration fee and these fees are subject to change. All NCS long-term (resident) camp sections are intense in nature, and as such, participants should be prepared for long days of training. The schedule begins with breakfast at 7 a.m. daily and ends with a cracker barrel each night at 9:30 p.m.

Short-Term Camp Administrator

The short-term camp administrator oversees aspects of the short-term camp with respect to the purpose of the camp, the training of the staff and the overall safety of the camp. They may also be involved in the program planning detail. The short-term camp administrator training will equip participants with the skills to oversee and support these camps. Short-Term Camp administrator national camping school training is a two-year certification.

Highlights include:

NCAP process for short-term camp
Program planning
Fiscal management
Facilities
Risk management

This training is available through a local council or online through the Outdoor Programs department of the BSA. Interested participants should contact the local council for availability. Pricing varies slightly by location.

Prerequisites: Meet all eligibility requirements listed above for National Camping School attendance and be at least 21 years old.

2025 Short-Term Camp Administrator Course fee is $65 for in person at a local council; $75 for online nationally led courses.

2025 Short-Term Camp Administrator Recertification Course fee is $65 for online nationally led online courses. Short-Term Camp Administrator Recertification is not yet available for local councils to host.

Councils interested in hosting Short- term Camp administrator training should visit https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/camping/short-term-camp/

To register for Short-Term camp administrator training visit the short-term camp website at https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/camping/short-term-camp/

Cub Scout/Webelos Scout Day Camp Administration

The Cub Scout Day Camp Administration section of National Camp School is for day camp directors, day camp program directors, and council day camp professional staff advisors and administrators. This is a comprehensive training course on all aspects of the day camp operation, including methods of day camping, program scheduling and resources, staff organization, recruiting and training, and health and safety practices.

To be nationally certified as a day camp director, program director or staff adviser, individuals must complete a three-part training curriculum. If you have a current Day Camp Administration certification that has not expired, you do not have to take this training. This format and curriculum is for anyone who is not yet certified.

The three part training includes:
• Part 1: Online training module
• Part 2: Council-led training module, facilitated by local council leadership
• Part 3: In-person two-day training held at locations around the country (Courses begin at 9 a.m. on Day 1 and conclude at 2 p.m. on Day 2.)

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. All three sessions, online, in-person local council session and the 1.5 days at NCS are required to be fully certified and they should be taken in that order when possible. Once individuals register for national camping school, they will receive the link for the online training course.

Prerequisites:
Participants must have completed

Cub Scout Leader Training (any Cub Scout leader position-specific training is acceptable)
Youth Protection Training available in the BSA Learn Center available through My.Scouting. A copy of the certificate(s) or training record is required.
Part 1: NCS online training module
Part 2: NCS council-led training module

2025 Course fee $305

Long-term (Resident) Camp Director

This course is designed for:

Camp directors
Reservation directors
Assistant camp directors
Business managers

Required for resident (long-term) camp leadership
Prerequisites:

Complete online “NCAP assessor training” module that can be found on the BSA learn center through my.scouting.org. CLICK HERE for instructions on how to access this training.
Complete Unlawful Harassment Prevention training

Highlights include:

NCAP
Employment management and staff training
Business practices and fiscal management
Health and wellness
Cultural competencies

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast.

2025 Course fee: $660

Long-term (Resident) Program Director

This course is designed for:

Camp program directors
Assistant camp program directors

Required for resident (long-term) camp leadership

Prerequisites:

Complete online “NCAP assessor training” module that can be found on the BSA learn center through my.scouting.org . CLICK HERE for instructions on how to access this training.
Complete Unlawful Harassment Prevention training

Highlights include:

Implementing National Camp Accreditation Program
Customer Service
BSA brand management
Diversity and Inclusion
The Leading EDGE
The Teaching EDGE
Program management and planning

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast

2025 Course fee: $660

Aquatics Instructor BSA and Recertification Students

This course is designed for:

Resident (long-term) camp aquatics directors
Pool directors
Waterfront directors

Highlights include:

The roles of the camp aquatics director operating as the lead professional lifeguard, including lifeguard management and lifeguard instruction
Lead instructor for aquatics and aquatics area manager
Safe and effective supervision of all program activities in, on, and under the water
Skills and teaching of swimming, water rescue, and paddle sports

Prerequisites for Aquatics Section Enrollment
Before acceptance into the Aquatics section on the opening day of the National Camping School, an Aquatics section participant must:

Be 18 years of age or older. Note: You must be 21 to hold the position of aquatics director in a local council camp.
Present evidence of a current lifeguard certification (BSA Lifeguard, Red Cross Lifeguard, YMCA Lifeguard, Starfish Aquatics Institute StarGuard, Ellis & Associates International Lifeguard Training Program Lifeguard Certification, or equivalent).
Present evidence of completion of Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat training.
Upon arrival at NCS
- Be able to complete the 100-yard BSA swimmers test.
- Immediately after completion of the test, swim continuously for an additional 450 yards.
- Immediately after completion of the 450-yard swim, tread water for two minutes.
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using a front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7 to 10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, surface, swim with the object 20 yards back to the starting point and exit the water within one minute and 40 seconds.

Failure to satisfy any of the above criteria will prevent acceptance of the participant into the Aquatics section.

This specifically includes failure to provide evidence of a current lifeguard certification. The Aquatics Instructor– BSA program prepares the participant to be a BSA Lifeguard Instructor. A current lifeguard certification is a prerequisite so the participant has the base level knowledge and lifeguarding experience to successfully complete the Lifeguard Instructor training.

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast

2025 Course fee: $750

Aquatics Instructor–BSA Retraining

A retraining section is available for those certified in Aquatics Instructor–BSA. Candidates for retraining must meet all the prerequisites as outlined for Aquatics section enrollment.

4-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 4 after lunch

2025 Course fee: $650

Climbing Director and Recertification Students

This course is designed for those who will be leading climbing/rappelling programs. Successful candidates may also assist in providing training for level 1 climbing instructors at the council level.

Highlights include:

Initiative games
Climbing
Bouldering
Rappelling
Anchor systems
Belaying using either natural sites or constructed facilities.

Prerequisites for Climbing Director Section Enrollment

Participants must:

Be in good physical condition as indicated on the Annual Health and Medical Record.
Climbing Level 1 Instructor OR
Have working knowledge of the council climbing program

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast

2025 Course fee: $605

Climbing Director Retraining

A retraining section is available for those currently certified as a BSA Climbing Director. Includes an update of items related to camp program administration, standards, policies, and procedures.

4-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 4 after lunch.

2025 Course fee: $490

COPE Director and Recertification Students

This course is designed for those who will be leading COPE (challenge course) programs. Successful candidates may also assist in providing training for Level 1 COPE instructors at the council level.

Highlights include:

Initiative games
Spotted challenge course elements (low COPE)
Challenge course elements using life-safety systems (high COPE)
Bouldering
Climbing/rappelling activities using constructed facilities

Prerequisites for COPE Director Section Enrollment
Participants must:

Be in good physical condition as indicated on the Annual Health and Medical Record.
COPE level 1 instructor OR
Have working knowledge of the council COPE course

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast

2025 Course fee: $605

COPE Director Retraining

A retraining section is available for those currently certified in COPE. Includes an update of items related to camp program administration, standards, policies, and procedures.

4-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 4 after lunch

2025 Course fee: $490

COPE and Climbing Program Trainer

This course is designed for those who will be instructing Level 2 COPE or Climbing Instructors to lead COPE or climbing/rappelling programs at the council level.

Highlights include:

Learning instruction methods
Working with other program trainer candidates to complete pre peer review paperwork
Demonstrating teaching skills on course, tower, and or rock with peers
Learning the most recent standards and industry practices
Being qualified to provide Peer to Peer review of another council’s program

During this course participants will be sharing information about the councils COPE or Climbing course and the participant’s training plan with the other participants receiving peer to peer feedback on the program and giving peer to peer feedback on the other participants programs.

Prerequisites:

Be in good physical condition as indicated on the Annual Health and Medical Record.
Hold current certification from National Camping School in COPE or Climbing Director training AND
Have working knowledge of your council’s COPE or Climbing Program
Have Portfolio demonstrating 50 hours of face to face COPE or Climbing instruction with participants as a NCS Director or Level I or II instructor within the last 3 years. No more than 5 hours can be in administrative activities.

This 4-day course: begins with lunch Day 4; ends Day 7.

2025 Course fee: $490

Ecology

This course is designed for those who will serve as ecology director or staff. This course is also valuable for any staff who will be administering ecology programs for weekend or year-round programs.

Highlights include:

Training in planning and developing ecology/conservation programs
Soil and water conservation
Forestry
Fish and wildlife management
Nature trail construction
Weather station operation
How to lead a staff
A model ecology area
Effective teaching skills

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast

2025 Course fee: $510

Outdoor Skills

This course is designed for those who will direct outdoor skills including first- year camper areas.

Highlights include:

An overnight experience
Knots and lashing
Fishing
Cooking
Camping
Wilderness survival
First-year camper program plan
Hands-on skills in an outdoor classroom that will meet many of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank
How to lead a staff
A model outdoor skills area
Effective teaching skills

Participants should bring personal overnight camping gear.
This course will qualify individuals to serve as first-year camper and outdoor skills directors.

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast

2025 Course fee: $510

Range Activities Director and Recertification Students

This course is designed for range activities directors for a council camp or council range & target activities committee members.

Highlights include:

USA Archery Level I
NRA Muzzleloading Rifle training
BSA merit badge instruction plan

Prerequisites for Range Activities Director Section Enrollment

NRA Basic Rifle training
NRA Basic Shotgun training
NRA Instructor Rifle training
NRA Instructor Shotgun training
NEW: All candidates MUST successfully pass the USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Certification online course prior to arriving. Once completed you will need to bring proof of completion with you to the course. For more information about this prerequisite please visit the USA Archery website.

Evidence of these trainings MUST be presented before participants will be allowed to enroll in NCS (may be presented on-site). Participants without proper credentials will not be allowed to participate in NCS or will be enrolled in the NRA track.

For information about these courses, please visit www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/range-activities

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast

2025 Course fee: $695

For dates and locations of NRA Rifle and NRA Shotgun instructor training courses, please visit the Scouting America Range & Target Activities website at www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/shooting-sports/

Range Activities Director Recertification

A recertification course is available for those currently certified as range activities directors. Course includes an update of items related to shooting techniques, range management, policies, and procedures.

Prerequisites for Range Activities Director Retraining:

Score of 80% or higher on open book written test
Current certifications in NRA Rifle, NRA Shotgun, NRA Muzzleloading Rifle, and USA Archery Level 1.

Failure to pass the written test will require participation in the full-week course.

4-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 4 after lunch

2025 Course fee: $590

Trek Leader

This course is designed for the person who will serve as or train staff guides for trek programs.

Highlights include:

Training in emergency procedures
Environmental ethics
Interpersonal relationships
Managing risk

7-day course: begins with lunch Day 1; ends Day 7 after breakfast

2025 Course fee: $575

Long-term (Resident) Camp Director and Program Director Recertification

The National Camping School Camp Director and Program Director recertification courses were sunset in 2020. Individuals who wish to recertify as a long-term camp director or long-term program director can either attend National Camping School when their NCS certification expires (within 6 months of expiration) or can choose to participate in our Continuing Education Certification pathway.

The NCS Continuing Education Certification (CEC) pathway has been developed to help experienced camp directors and program directors learn new skills, improve their camp programs and operations and support the larger camp goals of their local council. Certification from a National Camping School for Long-term (Resident) Camp Director or Long-term (Resident) Program Director (2021 or later) is required prior to exercising the CEC option. CEC is not a requirement; individuals can still choose to attend National Camping School every five seasons. CEC will become available after October 1st in the 2025 season for those who attended NCS in 2021. Those who certified at National Camping School in 2021 can continue the requirements towards this recertification option in 2022 and so on. CEC will be valid for 5 seasons from the approval date.

Download the Camp Director and Program Director Continuing Education Process and Application.

Download the Camp Director and Program Director Continuing Education Continuing Education Application only.

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2025 Long-term (Resident) Camping Schools

Long-term National Camping Schools will begin on SATURDAY unless noted below. Recertification sections will also be offered for the following sessions when the Full-Week session is offered: Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Shooting Sports. NOTE: If you would like to recertify as a Camp Director and Program Director, please review the Continuing Education Recertification information above. If you have further questions about the school, please contact your Course Director or email ncs@scouting.org

You can utilize this NCS Registration Worksheet to gather the information required during the registration process. (DOWNLOAD WORKSHEET HERE)

If you are looking to attend NRA Track (not an NCS Certification), registration and dates can be found on the Range & Target Activities webpage.

National Supply will not have a trading post on-site at National Camping School. If you are interested in purchasing National Camping School branded items you may view them at: NCS Trading Post Items. All items purchased online will be shipped to your home.

ALL PARTICIPANTS: PLEASE CLICK HERE FIRST

Every Participant at National Camping School needs the following:

Scouting America Annual Health & Medical Record Form (Medical Form) – Must bring to NCS

NCS Packing List – List of recommended items for your section

Download the “Age Appropriate Guidelines” (opens new site)

Download the Scouter Code of Conduct
Self assess using the Pre-event Medical Screening Checklist NOTE: the local council or host location may have additional medical screening protocols. Please contact the host council for additional information not listed below.
The fees listed on the registration site are the on-time registration fees.

January 25-31, 2025 - Florida Sea Base - Islamorada, FL

Hosted by: National Council

Location: Islamorada, FL

Course Director: Gary Decker

Council Liaison: Natalie Rembisz

Sections offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics Director, Aquatics Director Recertification, Trek Leader

Course start dates by section:
Camp Director (Full Course) – January 25
Program Director (Full Course) – January 25
Aquatics Director (Full Course) – January 25
Aquatics Director (Recertification) – January 25
Trek Leader (Full Course) – January 25

Welcome Letter: CLICK HERE to download
Sea Base Camp Map: CLICK HERE to download
Sea Base Dietary Form: CLICK HERE to download

February 15-21, 2025 - Alpine Scout Camp - Alpine, NJ

Hosted by: Greater New York Councils

Location: Alpine, NJ

Course Director: Michael Wilson

Council Liaison: Jim Castro

Sections offered: Camp Director, Program Director

Course start dates by section:
Camp Director (Full Course) – February 15
Program Director (Full Course) – February 15

Welcome Letter: CLICK HERE to download
Alpine Scout Camp Map: CLICK HERE to download

March 22-28, 2025 - Philmont Scout Ranch - Cimarron, NM

Hosted by: National Council

Location: Cimarron, NM

Course Director: Russell Etzenhouser

Council Liaison: Maddy Houk

Sections offered: Camp Director, Program Director, COPE Director, COPE Director Recertification, Climbing Director, Climbing Director Recertification, CCPT, Range Activities Director, Range Activities Director Recertification, Trek Leader

Course start dates by section:
Camp Director (Full Course) – March 22
Program Director (Full Course) – March 22
COPE Director (Full Course) – March 22
COPE Director (Recertification) – March 22
Climbing Director (Full Course) – March 22
Climbing Director (Recertification) – March 22
CCPT (Full Course) – March 25
Range Activities Director (Full Course) – March 22
Range Activities Director (Recertification) – March 22
Trek Leader (Full Course) – March 22

Welcome Letter: CLICK HERE to download

April 25-27, 2025 & May 2-5, 2025 - J. N. Webster Scout Reservation - Ashford, CT

Hosted by: Connecticut Rivers Council

Location: Ashford, CT

Course Director: Pat Boyd

Council Liaison: Michele Soboslai

Sections offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics Director, Aquatics Director Recertification, COPE Director, COPE Director Recertification, Climbing Director, Climbing Director Recertification, Ecology Director, Outdoor Skills Director, Range Activities Director, Range Activities Director Recertification

Course start dates by section:
Camp Director (Full Course) – April 25
Program Director (Full Course) – April 25
Aquatics Director (Full Course) – April 25
Aquatics Director (Recertification) – April 25
COPE Director (Full Course) – April 25
COPE Director (Recertification) – April 25
Climbing Director (Full Course) – April 25
Climbing Director (Recertification) – April 25
Ecology Director (Full Course) – April 25
Outdoor Skills Director (Full Course) – April 25
Range Activities Director (Full Course) – April 25
Range Activities Director (Recertification) – April 25

Welcome letter: CLICK HERE to download

April 26-May 2, 2025 - Summit Bechtel Reserve - Glen Jean, WV

Hosted by: National Council

Location: Glen Jean, WV

Course Director: Jay Garee

Council Liaison: Braxton Rhodes

Course start dates by section:
Camp Director (Full Course) – April 26
Program Director (Full Course) – April 26
COPE Director (Full Course) – April 26
COPE Director (Recertification) – April 26
Climbing Director (Full Course) – April 26
Climbing Director (Recertification) – April 26
CCPT (Full Course) – April 29
Range Activities Director (Full Course) – April 26
Range Activities Director (Recertification) – April 26
Trek Leader (Full Course) – April 26

Welcome letter: CLICK HERE to download

May 10-16, 2025 - Camp Buck Toms - Rockwood, TN

Hosted by: Great Smoky Mountains Council

Location: Rockwood, TN

Course Director: Mic Mullins

Council Liaison: April McMillan

Course start dates by section:
Camp Director (Full Course) – May 10
Program Director (Full Course) – May 10
Aquatics Director (Full Course) – May 10
Aquatics Director (Recertification) – May 10
COPE Director (Full Course) – May 10
COPE Director (Recertification) – May 10
Climbing Director (Full Course) – May 10
Climbing Director (Recertification) – May 10
Ecology Director (Full Course) – May 10
Outdoor Skills Director (Full Course) – May 10
Range Activities Director (Full Course) – May 10
Range Activities Director (Recertification) – May 10

Welcome letter: CLICK HERE to download

May 10-16, 2025 - S Bar F Scout Ranch - Farmington, MO

Hosted by: Greater St. Louis Area Council

Location: Farmington, MO

Course Director: Dianna Marsh

Council Liaison: Tony Fouts