Boy Scout Outdoor
Program
Outdoor
adventure is the promise made
to boys when they join
Scouting. Boys yearn for
outdoor programs that stir
their imagination and
interest. In the outdoors,
boys have opportunities to
acquire skills that make them
more self-reliant. They can
explore canoe and hiking
trails and complete challenges
they first thought were beyond
their ability. Attributes of
good character become part of
a boy as he learns to
cooperate to meet outdoor
challenges that may include
extreme weather, difficult
trails and portages, and
dealing with nature's
unexpected circumstances.
Scouts
plan and carry out activities
with thoughtful guidance from
their Scoutmaster and other
adult leaders. Good youth
leadership, communication, and
teamwork enable them to
achieve goals they have set
for themselves, their patrol
or squad, and their troop or
team. Learning by doing is a
hallmark of outdoor education.
Unit
meetings offer information and
knowledge used on outdoor
adventures each month
throughout the year. A leader
may describe and demonstrate a
Scouting skill at a meeting,
but the way Scouts truly learn
outdoor skills is to do it
themselves on a troop outing.
Scouting
uses the patrol method to
teach skills and values.
Scouts elect their own patrol
leader and they learn quickly
that by working together and
sharing duties, the patrol can
accomplish far more than any
of its members could do alone.
The patrol succeeds when every
member of the patrol succeeds
and Scouts learn that good
teamwork is the key to
success.
Exercise
and fitness is part of the
outdoor experience. As Scouts
hike, paddle, climb, bike, or
ride, their muscles become
toned and their aerobic
capacity increases. When they
work as a patrol to plan menus
for their outings, they learn
to purchase cost-effective
ingredients to prepare
flavorful and nutritious
meals.
Service
to others and good citizenship
is learned through such
outdoor activities as
conservation projects,
collecting food, building
trails and shelters, and
conducting community service
projects that promote healthy
living. Through helping other
people, Scouts learn to
appreciate how they can share
themselves and their blessings
to those in need. By giving
service to benefit others,
Scouts
gain a sense of personal
satisfaction.
Types
of Outdoor Activities
What
are typical Scout outdoor
activities? For younger
Scouts, less-rugged activities
are more appropriate as they
begin to acquire outdoor
knowledge and skills. These
may include:
Day
hikes—Reasonably
short hikes (3 to 10 miles) in
terrain without a lot of
elevation gain or loss.
Service projects—Daylong
projects that may be related
to conservation, food
collection, building shelter,
or healthy living activities.
Patrol
activities—A Boy Scout
patrol or Varsity Scout squad
may hike or camp with other
patrols or squads in the unit
or, with the permission of
their Scoutmaster and parents
or guardians, may hike or camp
on their own.
Weekend
overnights—Troops
that plan and carry out
outings once a month attract
and retain boys at a much
higher level than those that
have fewer outings during the
year.
Camporees—Councils
and districts plan camporees
and other outings during the
year that give Scouts an
opportunity to test their
knowledge and skills in
competitive events with other
troops and patrols.
Summer
camp—Summer
camp is what many Scouts enjoy
most. Camp programs provide
numerous opportunities for
Scouts to earn merit badges
along their advancement trail.
Resident Scout camping
includes at least five nights
and six days of fun outdoor
activities.
Jamborees—Every
four or five years, the Boy
Scouts of America hosts a
national Scout jamboree. More
than 40,000 Scouts and leaders
from across the country
participate in this 10-day
event filled with the most
popular and highest quality
outdoor activities Scouts
enjoy. To participate, a Scout
must be at least 12 years of
age by July 1 of the jamboree
year and be a First Class
Scout.
Council
high adventure—A
high-adventure experience
includes at least five nights
and six days of trekking in
wilderness and other rugged,
remote locations. Trekking may
include backpacking, canoeing,
mountain biking, horse
packing, mountain climbing,
ski touring, rafting,
kayaking, or a host of other
outdoor adventures.
Participants must be at least
13 years old by January 1 of
the year they
participate.
National
high adventure—The
BSA operates national
high-adventure bases and
programs. With two locations
in the Florida Keys, the
Florida National High
Adventure Sea Base offers a
variety of aquatic and boating
programs. The Northern Tier
National High Adventure
Program, based in northern
Minnesota with two satellite
bases in Canada, provides a
variety of canoe treks and
programs. Philmont Scout Ranch
and the Double H Ranch in the
mountains of New Mexico
provide excellent backpacking
treks. Age requirements for
these programs vary, but most
programs are rugged and
designed for older Scouts.
Unit
high adventure—The
highest level of challenge for
a troop or team is to plan and
carry out its own
high-adventure experience.
These activities for more
experienced Scouts are planned
and implemented by youth
members with coaching from
their adult leaders.
