National Camping School

RESOURCES

NCS RESOURCES

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, Ecology Directors, Outdoor Skills Directors, First-Year Camper Directors, Trek Directors, and Shooting Sports Directors.

(not all schools will offer all sections. Refer to the Brochure for a list of schools, sections offered and locations)

2021 Brochure

Use this link to download the NCS brochure. Use the brochure for general information and prerequisites. As NCS courses in 2021 continue to evolve the list below on this page will be updated, but the brochure may not reflect the most current changes of locations and offerings. Please use the information on this page for the most up to date information related to sites and offerings. 2021-NCS-brochure (Updated 3-26-2021).

NCS Certification extension request form – Use this form to request a one season extension for an expired NCS certification.

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

Prerequisites for Resident Camping School

In addition to all requirements to attend National Camping School the following are additionally required:

Aquatics Director and Retraining Students

Hold a current lifeguard certification
Complete BSA Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat training.
Upon arrival at NCS
- Be able to complete the 100-yard swimmers test.
- Immediately after completion of the swimmers 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.

COPE Directors and Retraining Students

Be in good physical condition as indicated on the Annual Health and Medical Record
COPE Level 1 Instructor

Climbing Directors and Retraining Students

Be in good physical condition as indicated on the Annual Health and Medical Record
Climbing Level 1 Instructor

Resident Camp Director and Program Director Students

Complete online NCAP training module – Information on the link is found in your confirmation email
Complete Unlawful Harassment training

Shooting Sports Director Students

Shooting Sports BASIC Track –

Basic knowledge of shooting sports
This course is an NRA course and certification is valid for 2 years only

Shooting Sports Director –

NRA Basic Rifle Training
NRA Basic Shotgun Training
NRA Instructor Rifle Training
NRA Instructor Shotgun Training

For information about BSA/NRA courses or to register for a course visit https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/shooting-sports/

Shooting Sports Director Retraining

Score 80% or higher on open book written test (test will be sent by section director)
NRA Rifle Instructor Training
NRA Shotgun Instructor Training
NRA Muzzleloading Rifle Training
USA archery Level 1

COPE and Climbing Program Trainer Students

Be in good physical condition as indicated on the Annual Health and Medical Record
Have a working knowledge of council’s COPE or Climbing program
Current Certification in NCS COPE or Climbing
Provide portfolio demonstrating 50 hours of face to face COPE or Climbing instruction with participants as a NCS Director or Level 1 or Level 2 instructor within the last 3 years. Not more than 5 hours can be in administrative activities.

2021 Resident (Long-Term) Camping Schools

Resident Camp Schools will begin on SATURDAY unless noted. Recertification sections will also be offered for the following sessions when the Full-Week session is offered: Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Shooting Sports. NOTE: In 2021 there is a new syllabus for Camp Directors and Program directors and there is no recertification course offered. If you have further questions about the school, please contact your School Director or email ncs@scouting.org

Register for National Camping School

Local councils will register participants for National Camping School – To help in this process, fill out this personal information sheet – NCS Worksheet – fillable and return it to your council to be registered to attend.

ALL PARTICIPANTS CLICK HERE FIRST

Every Participant at National Camping School needs the following:

BSA Medical form – download here – Bring to NCS

Personal Resource Questionnaire NCS – Bring to NCS

Equipment Needed – 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
Self assess using Model Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist (COVID -19 version) – 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. Payment will be collected at the time of registration when the council approves the registration. In addition:
- A registration completed fewer than 14 days prior to the start of the school will incur a $50 late charge.
- Cancellations filed more than 14 days in advance of the course will incur a $50 processing fee per registrant. All other paid fees will be refunded. Refund requests must be in writing to NCS@Scouting.org.
- Late Cancellation: No-shows and cancellations filed fewer than 14 days prior to the start will incur a $100 no-show/ cancellation fee. Refund requests must be in writing to NCS@Scouting.org.

Ap 23-25 and Ap 30-May 2 (FRIDAY Start) June Norcross Webster - Ashford, CT

Hosted by: Connecticut Rivers Council

Location: Ashford, CT

Course Director: Rick Poirier

Local Council Liaison: Michael Brown

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – Webster

May 8-14 Camp Crooked Creek - Shepherdsville, KY

Hosted by: Lincoln Heritage Council

Location: Shepherdsville, KY

Course Director: Thomas Barrington

Local Council Liaison:Sarah Flowers

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – Crooked Creek

May 10-12 Philmont Scout Ranch - Cimarron, NM

Hosted by: National Council BSA

Location: Cimarron, NM

Local Council Liaison: David O’Neill

Sections Offered: COPE and Climbing Program Trainer

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Philmont Welcome Letter – CCPT Course

Camping HQ Map: Philmont Camping Headquarters Map

May 15-21 H.Roe Bartle - Osceola, MO

Hosted by: Heart of America Council

Location: Osceola, MO

Course Director: Clifford Crismore

Local Council Liaison: David Riker

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, COPE and Climbing Program Trainer, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports, Trek

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – H. Roe Bartle

May 15-21 Lost Pines Scout Reservation - Bastrop, TX

Hosted by: Capitol Area Council

Location: Bastrop, TX

Course Director: Linda Dieguez

Local Council Liaison: Teresa Northcutt

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, COPE and Climbing Program Trainer, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – Lost Pines

May 15-21 Bert Adams Scout Camp - Covington, GA

Hosted by: Atlanta Area Council

Location: Covington, GA

Course Director: Jeremy Palazolo

Local Council Liaison: Charity Drabik

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, COPE and Climbing Program Trainer, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – Bert Adams

COVID Specific Guidance: Bert Adams NCS COVID Plans

May 22-28 Tesomas Scout Camp - Rhinelander, WI

Hosted by: Samoset Council

Location: Rhinelander, Wi

Course Director: Scott Domino

Local Council Liaison: Michael Vangelov

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports, Trek

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – Camp Tesomas

May 22-28 Camp Raven Knob - Mount Airy, NC

Hosted by: Old Hickory Council

Location: Mount Airy, NC

Course Director: Tim Harper

Local Council Liaison: Hunter Day

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports, Trek

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – Raven Knob

May 29-June 4 Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center - Orange, CA - LOCATION CHANGE 4-26-21

Hosted by: Orange County Council

Location: Orange, CA

Course Director: Matt Bear

Local Council Liaison: Michael Oehmke

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports, Trek

Welcome letter: Being Updated

COVID safety Guidance – Being updated

May 29-June 4 Goshen Scout Reservation - Goshen, VA

Hosted by: National Capital Area Council

Location: Goshen, VA

Course Director: Rob Stone

Local Council Liaison: Philip Barbash

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports, Trek

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – Goshen Scout Camp

Jun 5-11 Fire Mountain Scout Camp - Mount Vernon, WA

Hosted by: Mount Baker Council

Location: Mount Vernon, WA

Course Director: Todd McDonald

Local Council Liaison: Eric Buher

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter Fire Mountain

Jun 11-13 Fire Mountain CCPT - Mount Vernon, WA

Hosted by: Mount Baker Council

Location: Mount Vernon, WA

Local Council Liaison: Eric Buher

Jun 5-11 Ten Mile River Scout Camps - Narrowsburg, NY

Hosted by: Greater New York Councils

Location: Narrowsburg, NY

Course Director: Jay Garee

Local Council Liaison: Wayne Holmes

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Welcome Letter – Ten Mile River

Jun 12-18 Massawepie Scout Camps - Tupper Lake, NY

Hosted by: Seneca Waterways Council

Location: Tupper Lake, NY

Course Director: Gary Decker

Local Council Liaison: Aaron Vikemyr

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports, Trek

Welcome letter:

Sept 19-25 Philmont Scout Ranch - Cimarron, NM

Hosted by: National Council BSA

Location: Cimarron, NM

Course Director: Jeff Doty

Local Council Liaison:

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports

Welcome letter: 2021 NCS Philmont Welcome Letter – Sept

Cub Scout Day Camp

For Cub Scout resources and information about Cub Scout Day Camp – click HERE

Register for In Person National Camping School

Cub /Webelos Scout Day Camp Administration

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. 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. 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 camp school, they will receive the link for the online training course.

Prerequisites:
Participants must have completed Cub Scout Leader Training and Youth Protection Training available in the BSA Learn Center available through My.Scouting. A copy of the certificate(s) or training record is required.

Cancellation and late registration:

The fees listed on the registration site are the on-time registration fees. Payment will be collected at the time of registration when the council approves the registration. In addition:

A registration completed fewer than 14 days prior to the start of the school will incur a $50 late charge.

Cancellations filed more than 14 days in advance of the course will incur a $50 processing fee per registrant. All other paid fees will be refunded. Refund requests must be in writing to NCS@Scouting.org.

Late Cancellation: No-shows and cancellations filed fewer than 14 days prior to the start will incur a $100 no-show/ cancellation fee. Refund requests must be in writing to NCS@Scouting.org.