What is a Short-Term Camp? A short-term camp is any council-organized overnight camping program, whether one-time or continuing, that is one, two or three nights in length where the council or its agents provide the staffing and may provide program and food services, and includes camps conducted off council properties. National training courses are subject […]

Scouts and their parents expect all Boy Scouts of America activities to be conducted safely. To ensure the safety of participants, the Boy Scouts of America expects leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the Scouting program. SUPERVISION Youth are supervised by qualified and trustworthy adults who set the example for safety. […]

Applications Workbook FAQ Award Requirements Conservation & Environment Conservation Awards Introduction of the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Conservation and the Boy Scouts of America have been partners for a long time. Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of the Scouting heritage. Many of the requirements for advancement from Tenderfoot through […]

We have found that fishing seems to be a good activity that it is easy to social distance. For us on the BSA Fishing Committee, we have been capitalizing on this aspect of our favorite pastime by getting out and creating activities that you can still do while social distancing. Our first initiative was to […]

Adult Audience Only   SUMMARY Tragedy struck our Scouting family on Oct. 13, 2018, when Nolan Henderson, a 16-year-old Star Scout, was fatally injured while hiking and bouldering with his troop on Maiden Peak in the Cascade Range of central Oregon. An adult leader had started the hike with the youth. When younger youth wished […]

SUMMARY Campfires are a powerful part of the outdoor experience. They can be lively with laughter, storytelling, and fellowship. The campfire can also be a time of reflection, learning, and great peace. Safe behavior around a campfire ensures a good time can be had by all while mitigating the inherent danger of the fire. Here […]

Welcome to the brand-new Profiles in World Scouting series, where the BSA International Department and Committee will be sharing the stories of leaders in the World Scouting community to engage and inspire Scouts to get involved with the International Scouting community at large. Through this series, we hope to bridge the gap between Scouts in […]

Table of Contents Publications Branding & Marketing Crew Operations Training Advancement & Awards Council VOA National VOA Publications Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) The National Venturing SOPs contain the minimum standards of recommendation for VOA operations at the national, region, area, council, and district tiers. Download VOA Administration Guide The VOA Administration Guide includes best practices, […]

Elizabeth Ramirez-Washka, BSA’s Chief Diversity Officer & Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Scouting’s rich heritage has stood the test of time for more than 110 years. Together we have grown and evolved with changing times while always holding true to BSA’s core ideals and values such as kindness, integrity, respect, courtesy, and care for […]

The Outdoor Code captures the essence of the Scouting’s Outdoor Ethics and establishes our aspirations and commitment. As an American, I will do my best to – Be clean in my outdoor manners. Be careful with fire. Be considerate in the outdoors. Be conservation minded. The BSA first publicized the Outdoor Code in the March […]

The Leave No Trace principles might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone’s responsibility. Leave No Trace Awareness Instilling values in young […]

Courses As facilitators and trainers for this curriculum, we are charged with representing the BSA and delivering this national material. To stay consistent across the nation, the content of the training should be delivered as designed and written. Therefore, the materials on the BSA Commissioner Development CCS webpage are provided in a “Read-Only” downloadable format to support uniformity of content. This […]

Den Meeting Resources Click the image above to access the den meeting resrouces for Tiger Adventures Literature Tiger Cub Scout Handbook Your time volunteering in Cub Scouting will be rewarding and fun, and the information here will help you get off to the right start.     This brochure is designed to help new families […]

Back to: Marketing Awards 2022 Honorees The National Marketing Awards honors councils who have demonstrated marketing excellence in building and promoting the Scouting brand through: Fundraising, Membership Recruitment, Program Implementation, or Social/Digital Outreach. We celebrate the work of this year’s award-winning councils! FUNDRAISING Chattahoochee Council – Columbus, GA Circle Ten Council – Dallas, TX Gateway […]

The Leave No Trace principles might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone’s responsibility. Leave No Trace Awareness Instilling values in young […]

Allow others a sense of discovery by leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts, and any other objects as you found them. Leave what you find involves many aspects of outdoor use. The following information addresses a variety of ways to respect natural settings. Minimize Site Alterations Leave areas as you found them. Do not dig trenches […]

Fires versus Stoves The use of campfires, once a necessity for cooking and warmth, is steeped in history and tradition. Some people would not think of camping without a campfire. Campfire building is also an important skill for every camper. Yet, the natural appearance of many areas has been degraded by the overuse of fires […]

Special Considerations for Bear Country Most wildlife can adapt to consistent patterns of human activity, but it’s best to learn about wildlife through quiet observation.  Do not approach or follow wildlife for a “better look.” Carry binoculars, a spotting scope, or a telephoto lens to view and photograph wildlife from observation areas and trails. Observe […]

  Activity Plan 2 for Plan Ahead and Prepare—Exploring Meal Planning Download Event and Solution Travel Cards (.PDF file) Exploring Pretrip Planning This activity will take approximately 65 minutes. What Your Group Will Learn After participating in this activity plan, which is designed to help participants learn about backcountry travel, they will be able to […]

Quick Concept for Dispose of Waste Properly Activity Plan 2 for Dispose of Waste Properly – Exploring Disposal of Human Waste Exploring Trash Disposal This activity should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. What Your Group Will Learn After participating in this activity plan, which is designed to help participants learn about trash disposal in […]

Quick Concept for Dispose of Waste Properly Activity Plan 1 for Dispose of Waste Properly – Exploring Trash Disposal Information Sheet: “Catholes: Proper Disposal of Human Waste” Exploring Disposal of Human Waste This activity should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. What Your Group Will Learn After participating in this activity plan, which is designed […]

The principles of Leave No Trace might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone’s responsibility. 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare Proper trip […]

In recent years, representatives of several national chartered organizations have inquired about the development of a recognition that could be given to registered adult leaders in units chartered to community organizations, similar to the adult religious awards presented by various denominations and faith groups. After study and evaluation, the BSA National Court of Honor approved […]

Suite of Commissioner Information/Technology Tools Commissioner Tools Commissioner Tools is a suite of tools that enables both Unit and Administrative Commissioners to collaboratively work with units to solve unit issues, strengthen unit programs, and increase membership in the unit.  Commissioner Tools provides the following major features: Organization Dashboard – provides two views. Council/District View – […]

https://youtu.be/e6_GevK680w Adult Audience Only   SUMMARY With an increasing number of youth taking prescribed medications, leaders need some basic tools and guidance for helping youth use their prescriptions safely. The BSA understands that leaders, no matter how diligent, might not know or understand every health-related issue of the youth members in their unit. Proper use […]

What is wilderness first aid?   Wilderness first aid, or “WFA”, is a generic term that commonly refers to any training course that focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. This is defined […]

Messengers of Peace Distinguished Project Award recognizes outstanding Scouting service to Local Communities [January 18, 2024] – The BSA International Committee is pleased to announce that Daniel Thomas (Eagle Scout, Troop 1905, Longhorn Council) and Mason Schlafer (Eagle Scout, Troop 1053, Michigan Crossroads Council) were chosen to receive the new Messengers of Peace Distinguished Project […]

Cub Scout Position-Specific Training Facilitated Learning Materials (for use by Council/District Training Staff) Instructor SyllabusSpanish Instructor Syllabus  Leaders who complete either the online or facilitated training are considered trained for their position.   Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) This one-and-a-half day course is designed as an introduction to the Cub Scout outdoor program for […]

Supplemental training is designed to provide orientation beyond the basic training offered in leader-specific training. Fundamentals of Training The course introduces teaching techniques and skills to new Scout trainers but is also designed to help all Scouters, regardless of their experience, present effective training. Intended for both youth and adult trainers, the course will help […]

The Boy Scouts of America is committed to creating safe environments for Scouts and leaders. Child abuse is an uncomfortable topic but an important one for us to cover to ensure the safety and well-being of our Scouts. The Boy Scouts of America has partnered with subject-matter experts from the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation […]