National Camping School

RESOURCES

NCS RESOURCES

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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 Camp Directors, 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)

2020 Brochure

Click HERE to download the 2020 NCS brochure (updated 1-22-2020). We will continue to make updates as we add additional sections and locations. Please make sure to download the latest brochure.

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

Register HERE

Click the button below to register for National Camping School. NOTE: when you submit your registration your Scout Executive will receive an email to confirm your attendance.

2020 Resident Camping School Dates:

Please note in 2020 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: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Shooting Sports. If you have further questions about the school, please contact your School Director or email ncs@scouting.org

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 2020 – Bring to NCS

Equipment Needed 2020– List of recommended items for your section

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

Download the Scouter Code of Conduct

Feb 8-14, Florida National High Adventure Sea Base - Islamorda, FL

Hosted by: National Council BSA

Location: Islamorda, FL

Course Director: Matt Ragan

Local Council Liaison: Tim Stanfill

Welcome letter: Welcome Letter FL Sea Base

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director Aquatics

Feb 29-Mar 6 Alpine Scout Camp - Alpine, NJ

Hosted by: Greater New York Councils

Location: Alpine, NJ

Course Director: John Bickel

Local Council Liaison: Chris Guarniere

Welcome letter: Alpine NCS Resident Camp Participant Welcome Letter 2020

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director

Mar 29-Ap 4 (Sunday Start) Philmont Scout Ranch - Cimarron, NM

Hosted by: National Council

Location: Cimarron, NM

Course Director: Dave Whitner

Local Council Liaison: Nick Hutchinson

Welcome letter: 2020 NCS Philmont Welcome Letter – March

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

Ap 18-24 Summit Bechel Reserve - Glen Jean, WV

Hosted by: National Council

Location:Glen Jean, WV

Course Director: Thomas Barrington

Local Council Liaison: Larry Boggs

Welcome letter: NCS Welcome Packet – SBR April

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

Ap 24-26 and May 1-3 (two Weekends) June Norcross Webster - Ashford, CT

Hosted by: Connecticut Rivers Council

Location: Ashford, CT

Course Director: Rick Poirier

Local Council Liaison: Michael Brown

Welcome letter: 2020 Welcome Resident Camp Participant Letter – Webster

Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics, COPE, Climbing, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports, Chaplain

May 9-15 Summit Bechtel Reserve - Glen Jean, WV

Hosted by: National Council

Location: Glen Jean, WV

Course Director: Greg Leitch

Local Council Liaison:Larry Boggs

Welcome letter: 2020 NCS Welcome Packet – SBR Early May

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

May 16-22 H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservaton - Osceloa, MO

Hosted by: Heart of America Council

Location: Osceola, MO

Course Director: Nick Rose
Local Council Liaison: David Riker

Welcome letter: H. Roe Bartle NCS Welcome Letter 2020

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

May 16-22 Lost Pines Scout Camp - Bastrop, TX

Hosted by: Capitol Area Council

Location: Bastrop, TX

Course Director: Linda Dieguez

Local Council Liaison: Teresa Northcutt

Welcome letter: 2020 Participant Welcome Lost Pines

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

May 16-22 Bert Adams Scout Camp - Covington, GA

Hosted by: Atlanta Area Council

Location: Covington, GA

Course Director: Jeremy Palazolo

Local Council Liaison: Charity Drabik

Welcome letter: 2020 Welcome Resident Camp Participant Letter – Bert Adams

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

May 23-29 Tesomas Scout Camp - Rhinelander, WI

Hosted by: Samoset Council

Location: Rhinelander, WI

Course Director: Scott Domino

Local Council Liaison: Troy Seehafer

Welcome letter: Welcome Letter Camp Tesomas 2020

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

May 15-17 Camp Matatuck Plymouth, CT

Hosted by: Connecticut Rivers Council

Location: Plymouth, CT

Local Council Liaison: Michael Brown

Sections Offered: COPE/Climbing Program Trainer

May 23-29 Camp Raven Knob - Mt Airy, NC

Hosted by: Old Hickory Council

Location: Mount Airy, NC

Course Director/Local Council Liaison: Keith Bobbitt

Welcome letter: NCS Welcome letter Raven Knob 2020

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

May 23-29 Hubet Eaton Scout Reservation - Cedar Glen, CA

Hosted by: Los Angeles Area Council

Location: Cedar Glen, CA

Course Director: Michael Oehmke

Local Council Liaison: Charlie Wilson

Welcome letter: 2020 NCS Welcome Resident Camp Participant Letter Hubert Eaton

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

May 30-June 5 Summit Bechtel Reserve - Glen Jean, WV

Hosted by: National Council

Location: Glen Jean, WV

Course Director: Eric Smith

Local Council Liaison: Larry Boggs

Welcome letter: 2020 NCS Welcome Packet – SBR May 30th

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

Jun 6-12 Fire Mountain Scout Camp Mt. Vernon, WA

Hosted by: Mount Baker Council

Location: Mt. Vernon, WA

Course Director: Jim Hill

Local Council Liaison: Eric Buher

Welcome letter: 2020 NCS Welcome Letter Fire Mountain

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

Jun 6-12 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

Welcome letter: 2020-Ten-Mile-River-Welcome-Resident-Camp-Participant-Letter

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

Jun 13-19 Massawepie Scout Camps - Tupper Lake, NY

Hosted by: Seneca Waterways Council

Location: Tupper Lake, NY

Course Director: Gary Decker

Local Council Liaison: Aaron Vikemyr

Welcome letter: 2020-Massawepie-Camp-School-Welcome-Letter-

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

Sept 20-16 (Sunday Start) Philmont Scout Ranch - Cimarron, NM

Hosted by: National Council

Location: Cimarron, NM

Course Director: Matt Conlon

Local Council Liaison: Nick Hutchinson

Welcome letter:2020 NCS Philmont Welcome Letter – Sept

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

Oct 9-11 Alpine Scout Camp - Alpine, NJ

Hosted by: Greater New York Councils

Location: Alpine, NJ

Local Council Liaison: Chris Guarniere

Sections Offered: COPE and Climbing Program Trainer

Prerequisites for Resident Camp School

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

Aquatics Directors 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

COPE Level 1 Instructor

Climbing Directors and Retraining Students

Climbing Level 1 Instructor

Resident Camp Director and Program Director (and Retraining Students)

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

Shooting Sports Director

NRA Basic Rifle training
NRA Basic Shotgun training
NRA Instructor Rifle training
NRA Instructor Shotgun training

Shooting Sports Retraining Students

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

NRA Rifle and Shotgun Instructor Courses

NRA Instructor Course Pre-Requisites: All BSA shooting sports candidates MUST take a basic student class in their discipline before attending the instructor class. Therefore, before you can attend and be certified as a NRA Rifle and Shotgun instructor, you MUST already have taken and passed NRA Basic Rifle and Shotgun classes. The BSA and NRA offer these courses at discounted prices across the country or you can attend any commercial NRA Basic Rifle and Shotgun classes. To find a Basic Rifle and/or Shotgun course in your area, please visit: www.nrainstructors.org . If you have any questions, please email shootingsports@Scouting.org .

Prior to attending National Camping School participants must complete:

NRA basic class (in each discipline (Rifle and Shotgun)
NRA instructor class in each discipline (Rifle and Shotgun) – For a list of NRA Rifle and Shotgun Instructor courses for the BSA click 2020 NRA Course Dates 1-17-2020 (updated 1-17-2020)
To register for these courses visit https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/shooting-sports/ and look for the NRA Marksmanship button.

Cub Scout Day Camp

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

Cub /Webelos Scout Day Camp Administration

Beginning in 2019, 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 card that has not expired, you do not have to take this training. This new National Camp School 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.

2020 Day Camp Administration School Dates:

ALL PARTICIPANTS CLICK HERE FIRST