RESOURCES

NCS RESOURCES

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, 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 latest NCS brochure. As additional opportunities are added, the brochure will be updated, so make sure you have the latest here. 2021-NCS-brochure-9-1-2020  (updated 9-1-2020) 

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 

2020 Resident Camping Schools (UPDATED: 8-14-2020)

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 MailTo icon  

Register HERE for remaining 2020 schools

Click the button below to register for 2020 National Camping School. NOTE: when you submit your registration your Scout Executive will receive an email to confirm your attendance.

Participant Registration

Every Participant at National Camping School needs the following:

  • BSA Medical form – download here – Bring to NCS

Hosted by:  Greater New York Councils

Location: Alpine, NJ

Local Council Liaison: Chris Guarniere

Sections Offered: COPE and Climbing Program Trainer

Hosted by: Mecklenburg County Council

Location: MIdland, NC

Local Council Liaison: Alan Keiger 

Sections Offered: COPE and Climbing Program Trainer

Prerequisites for Resident Camping School

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

  • 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.
  • Be in good physical condition as indicated on the Annual Health and Medical Record
  • COPE Level 1 Instructor
  • Be in good physical condition as indicated on the Annual Health and Medical Record
  • Climbing Level 1 Instructor
  • Complete online NCAP training module – Information on the link is found in your confirmation email
  • Complete Unlawful Harassment training 

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
  • 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 MailTo icon  

Every Participant at National Camping School needs the following:

  • BSA Medical form – download here – Bring to NCS

Hosted by:  National Council BSA

Location: Islamorada, FL

Course Director: Alan Sanders

Local Council Liaison: Tim Stanfill

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director, Aquatics

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Greater New York Councils

Location: Alpine, NJ

Course Director: Rick Shrurbier

Local Council Liaison: Wayne Holmes

Sections Offered: Camp Director, Program Director

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: National Council BSA

Location: Cimarron, NM

Course Director: Dave Whitner

Local Council Liaison: Nick Hutchinson

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

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: National Council BSA

Location: Glen Jean, WV

Course Director: Greg Leitch

Local Council Liaison: Larry Boggs

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

Welcome letter: 

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: 

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: 

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, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports, Trek

Welcome letter: 

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, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Shooting Sports

Welcome letter: 

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: 

Hosted by: Samoset Council

Location: Rhinelander, Wi

Course Director: Scott Domino

Local Council Liaison: Troy Seehafer

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

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Old Hickory Council

Location: Mount Airy, NC

Course Director: Tim Harper

Local Council Liaison: Keith Bobbitt

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

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Greater Los Angeles Area Council

Location: Cedar Glen, CA

Course Director: 

Local Council Liaison: Charlie Wilson

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

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: National Capital Area Council

Location: Goshen, VA

Course Director: Jeff Doty

Local Council Liaison: Philip Barbash

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

Welcome letter: 

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: 

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: 

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: 

Hosted by: National Council BSA

Location: Cimarron, NM

Course Director: Matt Conlon

Local Council Liaison: Nick Hutchinson

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

Welcome letter: 

Cub Scout Day Camp

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

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.

2020 Day Camp Administration School Dates: (Updated 7-27-20)

2020 Modified NCS-Day Camp Administration Certification Process


Step 1: Register here  

Step 2: Take the online training “Foundations of Cub Scout Day Camp”. The link to this training is included in your registration confirmation email. 

Step 3: Contact your local council to make arrangements to take part in the council-led portion of the curriculum.

Step 4: After you register and are approved by your council, you will receive your NCS kit materials by mail. This kit includes the day camp administration guide, NCS workbook, NCAP standards and other resources.

Step 5: After you receive your NCS kit materials by mail, please email NCS@Scouting.org and you will then be sent the final training video link to watch as well as a verification form where you will indicate that you have completed:

·       BSA Youth Protection Training

·       Cub Scout Leader Specifics (any type is acceptable, den leader, committee etc)

·       NCS Part 1: Online “Foundations of Cub Scout Day Camp” (link is sent at time of registration)

·       NCS Part 2: Council-Led

·       NCS Part 3: Recorded Video of condensed “On-Site” NCS

Step 6:  Upon completion of the above trainings, submit your signed NCS Training verification form to NCS@Scouting.org. Upon receipt, individuals will be emailed an NCS Day Camp Administration certification card. All cards will expire on 12/31/2020.


2021 Day Camp Administration School Dates:

Hosted by:  Circle Ten

Location: Pottsboro, TX

Course Director: 

Local Council Liaison: 

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by:  Central Florida Council

Location:Paisley, FL

Course Director: Charlene Neuterman

Local Council Liaison: MIke Evano

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by:  Illowa Council

Location: Illinois City, IL

Course Director:Jay Oakman

Local Council Liaison: Eric Smith

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Sam Houston Area Council

Location: Coldspring, TX

Course Director: Jennifer MIkes

Local Council Liaison: Vincent Manning

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by:  Marion County Education (Not a council)

Location: Petaluma, CA

Course Director: Toni Welch

Local Council Liaison: Pat Dannenberg

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by:  not a council

Location: Greensboro, NC

Course Director: 

Local Council Liaison: Jennifer Evans

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by:  Michigan Crossroads Council

Location: Clare, MI

Course Director/Local Council Liaison:: Dianna Marsh

 Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: National Capital Area Council

Location: Haymarket, VA

Course Director: Chip Smith

Local Council Liaison: Philip Barbash

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: National Council BSA

Location: Cimarron, NM

Course Director: Dennis Kampa

Local Council Liaison:Nick Hutchinson

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Not a council

Location: Black Mountain, NC

Course Director: Wendy Henderson

Local Council Liaison: 

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Greater St Louis Area Council

Location: High Ridge, MO

Course Director: LaDonna Hudson

Local Council Liaison: Suzie Voss

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Atlanta Area Council

Location: Covington, GA

Course Director: Stephanie Daniels

Local Council Liaison: Charity Drabik

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Middle Tennessee Council

Location: Spencer, TN

Course Director: Linda Goff

Local Council Liaison: Ron Turpin

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Northern Lights Council

Location: Hotel

Course Director: Sheryl Oakman

Local Council Liaison: Tom Barry

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Heart Of America Council

Location: Kansas City, KS

Course Director: Jeff Tyler

Local Council Liaison: Jenna Bentrop

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Quapaw Area Council

Location: Damascus, AR

Course Director: Jamie Green

Local Council Liaison: Butch Walker

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Spirit of Adventure Council

Location: Boston, MA

Course Director: Angela Rzeszut

Local Council Liaison: Darrin Johnson

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Pacific Harbors Council

Location: Olympia, WA

Course Director: Cheri Pepka

Local Council Liaison: Andrew Garate

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Greater Los Angeles Area Council

Location: Cedar Glen, CA

Course Director:Debbie Spohn

Local Council Liaison: Charlie Wilson

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Laurel Highland Council

Location: Sharpsburg, PA

Course Director: Bill Hendrick

Local Council Liaison: Tim Elder

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Southwest Florida Council

Location: Bradenton, FL

Course Director/Local Council Liaison: Bruce Hassy

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Crossroads of the West Council

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Course Director: Linda Vaughn

Local Council Liaison:

Welcome letter: 

Hosted by: Greater New York Councils

Location: Alpine, NJ

Course Director: Dan Albert

Local Council Liaison: Wayne Holmes

Welcome letter: 

Short-Term Camp Administrator Training

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/

National Camping School Staff Resources Page – password protected

 

Select your National Camping School Branded Gear HERE.

NOTE: To place an order for any of the products above, please email NDCSupply.Orders@scouting.org