Varsity Scouting
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.
Varsity Scouts are members of a Varsity
Scout team chartered to a community organization, such as a
church or service club. It is led by a youth Varsity Scout team
captain and an adult leader called a Varsity Scout Coach. The
Coach is supported by an adult committee, made up of parents and
members of the chartered organization. It is a stand-alone unit,
chartered independently of a Scout troop, but the chartering
procedure is essentially the same.
The team may be divided into squads, and
each squad elects a youth squad leader.
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.
The Varsity letter may be earned by youth
and adult members. The youth requirements are:
- Be a registered Varsity Scout team
member.
- 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.
- Have an attendance record at team
meetings and practice sessions of at least 75 percent for
three consecutive months.
- 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:
- Be a registered Varsity Scout team
member.
- Advance one rank toward Eagle. If
you are already an Eagle Scout, earn a Palm.
- Hold leadership positions in a
Varsity Scout team for at least six months.
- 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.
- 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.
- Satisfy the team captain that you
know and live by the Varsity Scout Pledge.
- Complete a progress review.
The traditional Boy Scout uniform with a
"Varsity" identification strip above the right pocket, and blaze
loops are worn for formal occasions. Many teams design their own
T-shirt for outdoor activities.
Varsity Scouts will use the
Scout Oath.
Program Features.
Three volumes of program features support the
high-adventure/sports program field of emphasis.
Each program feature contains
resource materials that will prepare a team for an ultimate
adventure or sports season. Ý The high-adventure subjects
are backpacking, canoe camping, caving, cycling, discover
America, fishing, freestyle biking, frontiersman, mechanics,
orienteering, rock climbing and rappelling, snow camping,
survival, and whitewater canoeing. Each feature contains
approximately three months of program.
The sports program features contain
basic rules, techniques, and strategies for basketball,
bowling, cross-country skiing, roller hockey, shooting
sports, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, triathlon,
volleyball, and waterskiing.
Varsity Scout Guidebook.
The Varsity Scout Guidebook is used by adult leaders and
youth in Varsity Scouting.
Boy Scout Handbook.
The Boy Scout Handbook contains information devoted to
Varsity Scouts and supporting the Varsity Scout program.
Troop/Team Record Book.
The Troop/Team Record Book is used to record member
information, rank advancement, and financial record keeping.
Varsity Scout Leader Fast
Start. The Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start video
supports the orientation of new Varsity Scout leaders.
Varsity Scout Leader
Fundamentals. This is a three-part training program
for training adult Varsity Scout leaders.
Varsity Scout Roundtable
Planning Guide. The Varsity Scout Roundtable
Planning Guide supports the programs outlined in the program
features.
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