Varsity

Varsity Scouting is a program for young men who are at least 14 years of age but not yet 18. It provides options for young men who are looking for rugged high adventure or challenging sporting activities and still want to be a part of a Scouting program that offers the advancement and values of the Boy Scouts of America.

Information

Program

Varsity Scouting is a program for young men who are at least 14 years of age but not yet 18. It provides options for young men who are looking for rugged high adventure or challenging sporting activities and still want to be a part of a Scouting program that offers the advancement and values of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Mission Statement of the Boy Scouts of America is as follows:

To prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

The Boy Scouts of America has, over the years, developed an effective set of guidelines and practices with which we accomplish this mission. These practices encompass aims and methods targeted at participants in each level of the program.

Aims

The aims of the Boy Scout program are simple. The three aims of Cub Scouting program are Character Development, Citizenship Training, and Mental and Physical Fitness.

Character encompasses a person's personal qualities, values and outlook. The Scouting program strives to develop character in its youth through the development of confidence, honesty, self-image and self-reliance, respect for their religion and for others, and through developing special skills and interests.

Participation in Scouting helps train youth to become good citizens by instilling the values of service to others and respect for the environment, learning about our national heritage and our social, economic and governmental systems, and promoting knowledge of and respect for cultural diversity.

Scouts learn to become and remain mentally and physically fit through participation in outdoor activities, developing healthy habits, alcohol, tobacco and drug avoidance, using good judgment and being resourceful in solving problems.

Methods

Varsity Scouting has five fields of emphasis. A youth member, called a program manager, is responsible for each of the five fields of emphasis and works with an adult member called a program adviser from the team committee to coordinate each phase of the program.

The five fields of emphasis are:

Advancement. Varsity Scouts use the same advancement program as Boy Scouts. They can also receive the recognitions offered through such programs as the Fifty-Miler Award; Mile Swim, BSA; etc.

High Adventure/Sports. This program field of emphasis includes high adventure and sports and is supported by 27 program features.

Personal Development. Varsity Scouting promotes growth through spirituality, leadership abilities, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness.

Service. The emphasis is on service, until it becomes a constant ingredient in one's daily experience. Projects are conceived, planned, managed, and carried out by individual Varsity Scouts and/or the Varsity Scout team.

Special Programs and Events. Varsity Scouts take an active part in special programs and events on district, council, regional, and national levels.
 
Advancement

In the Scouting program, recognition is gained through leadership in the unit, attending and participating in activities, living the principles of Scouting and developing a proficiency in outdoor life, useful skills and career exploration.

Measurement is done by means of skills. Skills are designed to provide Boy Scouts with a chance to achieve the three goals of Scouting: good citizenship, growth in moral strength and character and mental and physical fitness. Skills allow a Scout to grow in confidence and self-reliance and provide good wholesome fun.

Like Boy Scouts, Varsity Scout rank advancement does not depend on a Scout's age. Every new Scout starts at the same point - the Scout badge. Starting a few years after his peers does not make it impossible for a Boy Scout to earn the Eagle Scout award. The Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class badges involve learning by doing, and are focused on outdoor activities. The Star and Life badges are earned by working on Merit Badges and holding leadership positions in the team. The Eagle Scout award is Scouting's highest rank. It is a sign of distinction known the world over. The Boy Scout Merit Badge program exposes Scouts to new skills and ideas, helping them to grow in to positive contributors to society.

In addition, the Varsity letter may be earned by youth and adult members.

The youth requirements are:

1. Be a registered Varsity Scout team member.
2. While a team member, actively participate in or accomplish at least one high-adventure program or sports program to the satisfaction of your Varsity Scout Coach.
3. Have an attendance record at team meetings and practice sessions of at least 75 percent for three consecutive months.
4. Satisfy the Varsity Scout Coach that you know and live by the Scout Oath and Law.

At the completion of each sports season or ultimate adventure, each participating Varsity Scout will receive a medallion to wear on the letter.

The Denali Award is available only to a Varsity Scout team's youth members who have already earned the Varsity Scout letter. Denali is the name American Indians gave Mount McKinley, in central Alaska.

The requirements for the award are:

1. Be a registered Varsity Scout team member.
2. Advance one rank toward Eagle. If you are already an Eagle Scout, earn a Palm.
3. Hold leadership positions in a Varsity Scout team for at least six months.
4. a) While serving as team captain or a program manager, act as primary leader on at least two activities. Program managers should choose activities in their field of emphasis. Team captains may be primary leaders of activities in any of the five fields of emphasis.
5. b) While serving as a program manager or team captain, demonstrate shared leadership skills by participating in supportive roles in activities in each of the three remaining fields of emphasis.
6. Satisfy the team captain that you know and live by the Varsity Scout Pledge.
7. Complete a progress review.

Uniforms

Varsity Scouts wear the traditional Boy Scout uniform with a "Varsity" identification strip above the right pocket and with blaze shoulder loops is worn for formal occasions. Many teams design their own T-shirt for outdoor activities.

The following parts are worn with the uniform:

• Pants and shirt - Official Boy Scout olive trousers or shorts and official Boy Scout tan long- or short-sleeve shirt with blaze shoulder loops are worn.
• Socks - Official olive socks (with red tops).
• Neckerchief and slide - Each team decides on neckerchief and slide to wear
• Belt - Official Boy Scout olive web belt with metal Boy Scout buckle.

The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. There are many reasons for this. One reason stands out above all the rest. We wear the uniform because it is a means of identifying ourselves openly with the principles to which we are committed-character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness.

The fact that youth and adult members of Scouting wear a uniform doesn't mean that we're all alike. We come from different ethnic and racial backgrounds. We have our own religious beliefs and political views. We are each individuals with our own family traditions and loyalties. So the uniform is not intended to hide our individuality. But it is a way we give each other strength and support. It is a bond that ties us together in spite of our differences. It is a way of making visible our commitment to a belief in God, loyalty to country, and to helping other people.

The Scouting movement is built on positive values. As we wear the uniform, we are openly identifying ourselves with those values where everyone can see us. We stand together, not alone, in encouraging others to live by those same principles. Boys and adults alike should take pride in belonging to such a movement and wear the uniform as it is intended.

FAQ

Q: Is a uniform required for my son to participate in Scouting?

A: Uniforms are not mandatory, but are strongly encouraged. Uniforms provide the youth with a sense of belonging and bolsters their pride and self-image. Many teams design their own t-shirts for outdoor activities.

Q. How much does a uniform cost?

A: The cost for a new uniform, complete with all the required insignia, is approximately $90.00. Some uniform items may be supplied by the unit. Many units maintain a clothing exchange where you can pick up an "experienced" uniform at minimal cost.

Q: How much does it cost to sign up my son for Varsity Scouts?

A: The national registration fee is $10 per year. Boy' Life magazine subscription is optional at about $14.00 per year. Boys' Life magazine will enhance your young Scout's experience and provide him with reading materials and entertainment that pertain to the program. Other costs may come into play during the year (admission to events, camping fees, etc.). Some units will collect an annual program fee from each Scout to cover these costs up front.

When you sign up at school night, the national registration fee is pro-rated to cover your registration through to the following December; for example, if you sign up at School night in September 2005, your registration fee will be pro-rated to cover your membership through December 2006. This puts everyone on the same schedule for re-registration each year.

Leader Resources

Team Organization

Varsity Scouts are members of a Varsity Scout team that is led by a youth Varsity Scout team captain. A Varsity Scout Coach serves as the adult leader.

The team, the heart of Varsity Scouting's organization, may be divided into squads. There are youth squad leaders and youth program managers for each of the program fields of emphasis (advancement, high adventure/sports, personal development, service, and special programs and events). The adult Coach is supported by an adult committee, including parents and members of the chartered organization.

Teams are associated with Chartered Organizations, which often provide a meeting space and other assistance. The Chartered Organization Representative is the liaison handling the relations between a team's committee and its chartered organization.

FAQ

Q: How do I know when the team meetings will be held?

A: Most troops meet weekly at the same time and place.

Q: Who determines what activities we will cover in the meetings?

A. The youth leaders of the team plan all team activities with the help of the adult leaders in the team.

Training

Overview

"Every Boy Deserves A Trained Leader." We stand behind this statement. Trained leaders provide a better program for the boys and operate their programs in an informed compliance with BSA policy and safety guidelines. Units with trained leaders retain boys longer than units whose leaders are not trained.

The standard complement of training that is recommended for new leaders consists of Fast Start training, which is a short online presentation, Basic Leader Training, which consists of two parts:  New Leader Essentials and Position-Specific training, and Youth Protection. Basic Leader Training is presented in a classroom environment and each course is a half-day in length. BSA Youth Protection is an online course. Supplemental training is held continuously throughout the year. Some offerings are online courses, others are instructor-led classes, and the monthly Boy Scout Roundtable is a place for leaders to gather and share ideas, experiences and develop new skills.

Fast Start

"Fast Start" training is available via videotape to provide a quick orientation to help you get ready for your first Varsity Scout meeting. Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start, AV-02V004, is used when recruiting and getting a new Varsity Scout leader off to a fast start. Varsity Scout Coach Start-Up, No. 18-997, serves as a guide for the Coach's first few meetings with team members.

Basic Leader Training

Basic Leader Training consists of two half-day courses, generally presented back-to-back so you can become trained in one day, but you can attend the two sessions separately if your schedule does not permit a whole day. The first session, New Leader Essentials, describes all BSA programs and provides insight into how the programs work and tie together. The second session, Position-Specific Training, goes into greater detail about the specific job you will be doing, whether that be Team Coach or Troop Committee Member. Each position has specific responsibilities, and a trained leader knows what is expected of them and how to make their program a success. Ask any Scout Leader and they will tell you, Every Boy Deserves A Trained Leader. We maintain a training bulletin board to assist you in finding a training course that you need at a time when you can attend. Central Florida Council openly encourages its Districts to open training to all leaders, not just members of their own District. If training is being held, regardless of its location, you are welcome to attend. Find the bulletin board by following this link: http://training.cfcbsa.org/bulletin_board.html.

New Leader Essentials

New Leader Essentials is an introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. It addresses how these aims and methods are reached in an age-appropriate style within Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforcement are presented during the 90-minute training session. Ideally, all unit-based volunteers—Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders—take this session at the same time, so they understand that they are all striving for the same results with the youth they serve. Each leader completes New Leader Essentials training only once.

Position Specific Training

Position Specific Training takes you beyond the general overview of the Scouting program and delves into the nuts and bolts of your leadership position. In Position-Specific training, you will learn how to conduct meetings, uniform guidelines, how to deal with youth, parents, and other leaders, safety issues, where to get help, and how to earn the training award for your position. Being grouped with other new leaders being trained for the same position, you will benefit from others' questions as much as from the experience of the instructors.

Youth Protection

Paramount to all Scouting activities is the safety of the youth. All Scout leaders, regardless of their position, should be trained in BSA Youth Protection Guidelines. Non-registered parents are encouraged to take the training as well. BSA has established strict guidelines to ensure that no Scout is put into a compromising position and that privacy matters are held in the highest regard. This training is available online in both English and Spanish, takes about 45 minutes to complete, and is available here: http://training.cfcbsa.org/. Classroom-based Youth Protection training is also offered periodically throughout the year for those leaders without computer access. ALL registered leaders, regardless of position or responsibilities, should complete this training.

Supplemental Training

Numerous training opportunities exist throughout the year to further enhance your knowledge of the Scouting program beyond the basic leader training. Courses such as Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills are offered throughout the year. Each month, the District holds a Roundtable for all leaders - this is a monthly gathering of all leaders. You can find information about the monthly theme that is coming up, practice a skill, learn a skit or song, and brainstorm with other leaders that have your same role. This interaction is invaluable, particular for new leaders just learning the ropes.

FAQ

Q: Is it mandatory for me to be trained?

A: Mandatory? No, BUT Every Boy Deserves A Trained Leader. It would be difficult to make a case for not needing to be trained as a leader. Even if you took training several years ago, it would be beneficial to you to take the current course so you can come up to speed on recent program changes. Remember, the Scouting program is constantly evolving to adapt to today's world.

The Adult Leader recognition awards (knots) all have a training component - to qualify for the award, you must be trained in your position. Some units require this commitment to becoming trained as a condition of being accepted as a leader.

Q: I work on Saturdays. If training is on a Saturday, how can I get trained?

A: Each District sets its own training schedules. All Districts training sessions are open to all leaders, regardless of their home District. If your District does not offer training at a time that is convenient, you are welcome to attend training in another District.

Q: How much does training cost?

A: That depends on the District that hosts the training and your unit. Some units cover the cost of training their leaders. Most training is provided for a nominal fee, usually just enough to offset the costs of printing and duplication of the handouts and materials that are provided.