April 12-14, 2024 - Outdoor Adventures
University of Scouting is a semi-annual supplemental training program. Sessions are led by experienced volunteers who will help leaders and parents enhance their ability to deliver a fun and exciting program to the Scouts. The spring event will focus on outdoor trainings.
Scouts in troops can take Den Chief and Troop Guide Training (an all-day course) or two merit badge classes.
Courses are being finalized; registration will open in January 2024.
Registration
There is no onsite registration. At checkout, pay with a credit card or electronic check. (Registration Instructions. Council refund policy.)
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What to Bring
About Introduction To Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
Saturday at 7:00 am to Sunday at 12:00 pm
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) is a 16-hour overnight course that gives adult leaders the practical knowledge they need to help Scouts to learn outdoor skills. The skills presented closely follow the Scout Handbook and rank advancement requirements. This is a required training course for all Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters. Working as patrols, this hands-on course provides adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. Topics covered: • Campsite Selection • Ropes – Whipping, Tying, and Lashing • Wood Tools – Knife, Camp Saw, and Ax • Fire Site Preparation and Building • Cooking • First Aid • Plant and Animal Identification • Packing and Hiking Techniques • Map and Compass • Leave No Trace. The training encompasses a weekend (16 hours of instruction).
What to Bring: In addition to the list above, bring the following: Clothes: field uniform, activity uniform (Scout t-shirt) or comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes (boots or tennis shoes), jacket, rain gear. Scouting ten essentials: pocket knife, first aid kit, extra clothes, rain gear, refillable water bottle, flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries, trail food, match and fire starters, sun protection, map and compass. Personal Gear: tent, ground cloth, camp chair, sleeping bag or blanket, sleeping pad or cot, mess kit (knife, fork, spoon, bowl/plate, coffee cup in a mesh bag), bug repellant, sunscreen, personal hygiene products (e.g., toothpaste, deodorant), note-taking materials, 3-ring binder, backpack, personal medications. Recommended: Field Book, Troop Leader Guidebook, Scout Handbook. Optional gear: sunglasses, camera, earplugs, gloves for saw and ax demonstration. The course fee includes four meals (3 on Saturday and Sunday breakfast). Eat breakfast before arriving.
About Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
Saturday at 7:00 am to Sunday at 12:00 pm
BALOO is the Cub Scout leader training required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including packing camping, overnighters and Webelos den overnighters. BALOO training is now comprised of two components – an online component, and a practical, hands-on component. Both components must be completed to qualify as a “Trained” Cub Scout outdoor leader and to receive the BALOO recognition patch. The online component contains introductory and basic information and must be completed prior to the practical component at my.scouting.org. The practical component is an overnight that takes about 16-hours to complete.
Bring: In addition to the list above, bring the following: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad or mattress, sleeping attire, soap, washcloth, towel, hat, bug spray, camp chair, mess kit (knife, fork, spoon, bowl/plate, coffee cup in a mesh bag), camp chair, note-taking materials, appropriate clothes for weather [rain gear, jacket, field uniform (Scout uniform) or activity uniform (Scouting-t-shirt) or comfortable clothes], change of clothes, closed-toed tennis shoes or boots for a short hike, and the Cub Scout six essentials (first-aid kit, refillable water bottle, flashlight with extra batteries, trail food, sun protection, whistle). Optional gear: sunglasses, camera, earplugs. The course fee includes three meals (3 on Saturday and Sunday breakfast). Eat breakfast before arriving.
About Trainer's EDGE (all-day training for youth and adult training)
Trainer's EDGE is an all-day course and is BSA's trainer development course designed to help Scouters put into practice the EDGE training model and gain self-confidence through hands-on training experiences. Trainer's EDGE brings to life the EDGE model taught in Troop Leadership Training, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training, National Youth Leadership Training, and Wood Badge.
What to Bring: copy of BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B for all Scouting events); field or activity uniform is recommended; note-taking materials; a five-minute Scouting presentation with any equipment or props; water bottle. Optional: snacks and drinks
Participants must prepare a presentation (about a five-minute duration) before the course and bring the material, equipment, and/or props they need to deliver the presentation. Participants will be given an opportunity to practice this presentation in a small group setting and receive feedback. The topic of the presentation is at the discretion of the presenter, Scouting topics/skills are always good. Additionally, participants will prepare a second presentation during the course, practice it with their small group and receive feedback.
About Den Chief and Troop Guide Training (all-day training for Scouts in troops)
Den Chief Training is basic training for Scouts in troops interested in becoming den chiefs for a Cub Scout den.
Troop Guide Training provides tips and tools for being a successful troop guide.
What to Bring: copy of BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B for all Scouting events); field or activity uniform is recommended; closed-toed shoes; note-taking materials; water bottle. Optional: snacks and drinks
About Merit Badge Classes (for Scouts in troops)
Merit Badge Class (select 2)
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*Class sizes are limited. Classes that are full will not show in the registration system. Find additional merit badge classes. |
What to Bring for Merit Badge Classes: • BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & B for all Scouting events); bring a copy not the original • For each merit badge class, bring ⇒ Merit badge book (available from the Scout Shop; read before the class) ⇒ Proof of completed prerequisites and any items noted to bring⇒ Documentation of any requirements that will not be covered is optional, but highly recommended. • Note-taking materials and writing utensils • Field uniform (Scout uniform) or activity uniform (Scout t-shirt) is encouraged • Eat breakfast before arriving • Water bottle • Drinks and healthy snacks, optional
Partials and Completions: Attending a merit badge class does not guarantee that a Scout will complete the merit badge, but it is an opportunity for Scouts to meet with qualified counselors to help them work on the requirements needed to complete a merit badge. Scouts should arrive prepared to participate. The counselor's job is to encourage self-discovery and then check that each Scout has the minimum knowledge and does the requirements. Scouts should be ready to take notes and come prepared with notetaking materials and writing utensils. Remember, one goal of the merit badge advancement system is to develop individual growth and initiative.
Prerequisites: For all classes, the Scout must read the merit badge book prior to the event. Merit Badge books can be purchased at an area Scout Shop. Scouts are to be prepared to answer the questions to each of the requirements before the merit badge fair. Scouts can utilize the worksheets at http://usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/worksheets/list.asp to help them prepare. Some merit badges require additional prerequisites to be completed before the merit badge fair.
Requirements not covered: Some of the requirements cannot be completed during the class. The Scout should bring documentation of requirements not covered. If the Scout does not complete the requirements not covered and bring documentation to the class, the Scout will receive a partial completion of the merit badge.
Partials: If the Scout does not complete the requirements not covered and bring documentation to the class, the Scout will receive a partial completion of the merit badge. The partial completion will be noted; Scouts must complete the badge with a registered merit badge counselor approved for that particular badge. Merit badge counselors are not usually available to serve as a counselor after merit badge fair ends unless arrangements are made. Find a list of merit badge counselors by logging into http://scoutbook.scouting.org with your my.scouting userID and password, click on My Dashboard, Administration, your unit, and scroll down the page. Remember that a youth member must not meet one-on-one with an adult. Sessions with counselors must occur where others can view the interaction, or the Scout must have a buddy: a friend, parent, guardian, brother, sister, or other relatives—or better yet, another Scout working on the same badge.
Advancements Completed: Bring with you an Application for Merit Badges(blue card); this serves as the Scout's primary record. Scouts will also receive a list of requirements completed before leaving the event.
General Rules: Scouts need to be prepared for each of the requirements of the merit badge class, including reading the merit badge pamphlet before the class. Scouts are expected to participate fully during the class to receive full credit for the requirements completed onsite. Scouts that do not behave appropriately in class will be asked to leave.
Registration Instructions
How to Register
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How to Print Class Schedule or Modify a Registration
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Click on the Register button
Step 1: Select Schedule for (participant)
Step 2: Choose activity (day)
Step 3: Pick a class (click “+” add)
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each day of classes
Continue steps 1, 2 and 3 for additional participants
Step 4: Click continue and the bottom of the page
Step 5: Checkout
Step 6: Payment
Classes that are full will not show up.
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To change your class selections after initially registering:
• Go to https://samhoustonbsa.doubleknot.com/signon/2559
• Logging in will bring you to the Summary tab showing your current registrations.
• Click on the desired action button to update the registration. Please note that some classes might be full.
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Contacts