Backcountry Outdoor Leader Skills - Part 1

If your unit is planning a Do-It-Yourself Ultimate Adventure, then BCOLS is for you.  

This course is aimed at all adults working with older youth regardless of program (Venture Patrol, Varsity Scout, Venturing Crew, or Explorer Post). 

The target audience are leaders planning High Adventure treks at backcountry venues not supported by BSA infrastructure; however, units planning to attend High Adventure bases supported by BSA will find this course useful, inasmuch as unit shakedowns will, most likely, take place in venues not supported by BSA infrastructure.

Back Country Outdoor Leader Skills is offered by the Council Training Committee as an optional follow-on to the basic course, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. 

The course is in two parts: one 6-hour classroom session followed by a two-day weekend outdoor session.

Part 1 — Sat. 10/24 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Kings Landing Park, MD — Addresses ways to effectively work with older youth. Covers the detailed preparation and planning that must be done before you go out including risk management. Summarizes the personal and crew equipment used for lightweight camping. Plans the weekend overnight session.

Part 2 — Sat. 11/7, 7:30 AM thru Sun. 11/8, 12:30 PM at Kings Landing Park, MD —  Participants will practice core leader skills for the outdoor program — Leave No Trace, navigation (map & compass plus GPS), terrain awareness, expedition menu planning and food preparation, stove and stove maintenance, wilderness first aid issues, expedition health and hygiene, team building.

Scouters planning to accompany a crew to any of the BSA-sponsored High Adventure Camps should also attend the High Adventure Training provided by the Council's High Adventure Committee.

Participant Qualifications:
1) Must be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America over age 21.
2) Must have completed Venturing Leader Specific Training (for Venturing adults), Scoutmaster Specific Training (for Boy Scouting adults), or Varsity Specific Training (for Varsity leaders) prior to attending this course.
3) Must be able to meet physical requirements of BSA Annual Health and Medical Record Part B physical.

Cost: $40.   Make checks to BSA
Class size limited to 38

 Click the "Register" button below to begin

Download and fill out the Registration Form.

MAIL REGISTRATIONS TO:
   BCOLS, Boy Scouts of America,
   9190 Rockville Pike
   Bethesda, MD 20814-3897
   NCAC fax # 301 564-3648

Note: Registration Deadline is Oct. 21, 2009.

If you have any questions, contact Dominick Caridi at dscaridi@aol.com.