University of Scouting Program Guide for 2023

University of Scouting

University of Scouting is a fun-filled annual event of supplemental training for adults involved in the Scouting program. It is the only time during the year where volunteers can find the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas. The University of Scouting degrees provide Scouters with a structured program in which they can advance and be rewarded for each level of achievement. Led by experienced volunteers, courses are designed to inspire and guide leaders to enhance the Scouting experience for the youth in their units. The variety of courses in the University of Scouting catalog appeal to new as well as veteran Scouters there is something for every adult leader.

Following you will find the degree requirements as well as the course offerings for this year. The course offering is also online in the registration window. I hope that you will find courses that expand your horizons and possibly, inspire some new ideas. And after the course is over, you will receive an email with a survey concerning your experience as well as a request for subsequent training that you feel is needed. Whatever that training may be, please tell us so we can continually craft a meaningful program.

I wish you all the best in the upcoming year! Never stop learning, never stop growing!!

Yours in Scouting, Bill Genes

Volunteer, University of Scouting Garden State Council | Boy Scouts of America

The Vision and Mission of University of Scouting

The vision of the Garden State Council University of Scouting is to provide you with the best possible opportunity to improve your capability and skillset as a Scout leader and improve your productivity so that you may accomplish more in less time. The motivation is our desire to provide the highest possible quality scouting experience for our youth. To accomplish our vision, our mission is to provide Scouters a distinctive educational experience including a broad array of introductory, supplemental, and advanced training for all Boy Scouts of America (BSA) adult leader positions in support of every youth program. As such, we hope to provide the most comprehensive range of training courses of any BSA training venue in the region.

Participant Responsibilities

Thank you for your dedication to Scouting. Your participation in this training event illustrates that you care about the quality of the Scouting program that you deliver for the youth whom you serve. The ability of Scouting to make a difference for our youth depends on volunteers like you who participate in training programs to seek broader knowledge and continual improvement. This event provides the broadest variety of Scouting-related course offerings at one event available for Scouters in Garden State Council.

Please enjoy your visit with us today. Absorb all that you can, and then relay what you have learned back to your units and districts. This is your primary responsibility as a University of Scouting participant. But please don't stop there. Scouting needs you to help our program be even more effective next year. There are three key ways that YOU can help. As a University of Scouting participant, we have the following requests to ask of you.

#1: Feedback is a gift. Your feedback for each course taken and for the University of Scouting as a whole helps to guide the staff to further improve the event for next year. All constructive feedback is greatly appreciated. Please use the evaluation form to let us know what you liked and what you didn't. The gift of your feedback enables us to ensure that we continue to meet your needs as a Scouting leader.

#2: Get the word out. Did you know that it takes almost the same time for the staff to prepare this event whether we draw 100 or 2,000 participants? Or that it takes our instructors the same time to prepare whether 1 or 125 participants register for the course? Therefore, the effectiveness of this event to have a positive impact on the youth in Scouting is directly proportional to the number of event participants. YOU are our best channel for promotion. We anticipate your experience with us today will be positive and rewarding. Please share that with your Scouting colleagues and encourage them to participate with you this year and next year. Bring a friend with you!

#3: Share what you know. What's the difference between a faculty member and a course participant? NOTHING! We are all Scouting volunteers. All staff members have "real" Scouting jobs just like you. Okay, maybe there IS one difference: The faculty member stepped up to share their Scouting experiences or other talents to help the rest of us be more successful. YOU could be a part of this team. There are always positions open for instructors so please consider applying to be an instructor for next year’s University of Scouting. Email uos@gardenstatescouting.org to request more information about volunteering.

All participants, staff and guests are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law, whether in person or online.

Course Evaluations

Every UoS participant will receive an evaluation form via email within 5 days of the event. Our goal is to provide a meaningful and useful training experience for all participants and your constructive feedback will help us ensure we do better next year. Please let us know your thoughts about the event. If you don’t tell us, we can’t improve.

Event Schedule

The University of Scouting will run from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm; Zoom will open before 9 to give everyone a chance to log on, adjust their settings, and share a word of welcome Courses begin at 9:00 am; most are 50 minutes in duration with 5 minutes between courses. The lunch break is from 12pm – 1pm.

9:00 - 9:55 Course Period 1

10:00 - 10:55 Course Period 2

11:00 - 11:55 Course Period 3

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:55 Course Period 4

2:00 - 2:55 Course Period 5

3:00 - 3:55 Course Period 6

The Degree Program

The Garden State Council University of Scouting Degree Program is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge that can be gained through supplemental training to help reinforce your Scouting program. Participation in the Degree Program is voluntary and adherence to the degree requirements is totally the responsibility of the participant. The University’s Degree Program provides a structured process in which participants can advance and be rewarded with degrees for each level of achievement. They may also gain a stronger sense of self-worth and a better understanding of their increasing value to the Scouting community. The atmosphere is one of fun and fellowship, but there's also an attitude of respect for the importance of the event. Remember, every youth deserves a trained Leader. Students are encouraged to return each year, not only to earn higher degrees, but also to share their experiences with fellow students. The atmosphere of camaraderie and school spirit invigorates the students, inspiring them to return to their units and share their enthusiasm with Scouts and other adult leaders. The University of Scouting degree program is designed to provide an incentive for continued training and as a method to recognize Scouters who participate in that training.

•

•

•

Credits

A credit is designated as one instruction period out of the six instruction periods provided throughout the day.

Enrollment Procedures

All participants are automatically enrolled in the Associates Degree Program as applicable. Upon completion of the first 6 credits required for the Associates Degree, a participant will be automatically qualified to work on the Bachelor’s Degree, and so forth throughout the degree program.

ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Be a registered Scouter

2. Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.

3. Complete six (6) GSC University of Scouting courses that include:

a. Attend a minimum of three (3) courses from your home college. b. Attend three (3) elective courses from General Studies.

**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**

BACHELOR’S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Be a registered Scouter.

2. Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.

3. Hold an Associate’s Degree from GSC University of Scouting.

4. Complete basic BSA training for your registered position (Trained Patch).

5. Complete an additional/different six (6) GSC University of Scouting courses for a total of twelve (12) courses:

a. Attend a minimum of three (3) new courses from your home college. b. Attend three (3) elective courses from General Studies.

**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**

MASTER’S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Be a registered Scouter

2. Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.

3. Hold a Bachelor’s Degree from GSC University of Scouting

4. Complete six (6) additional/different GSC UoS courses for a total of eighteen (18) courses:

Garden State Council’s University of Scouting offers degrees in the following three Colleges:

Cub Scouting

Scouts BSA

Adventure Scouting

a. Attend a minimum of three (3) additional courses from your home college

b. Attend one (1) elective course from General Studies.

c. Teach one (1) course in your home college

5. Complete two position-related supplemental training courses.

a. Cub Scout

i. Safe Swim Defense ii. Safety Afloat iii. Weather Hazards iv. Trek Safely v. Climb on Safely vi. BALOO vii. Leave No Trace Awareness/Outdoor Ethics viii. Certified CPR/First Aid course ix. Any American Red Cross health and safety course b. Scouts BSA/Venturing

i. Safe Swim Defense ii. Safety Afloat iii. Weather Hazards iv. Trek Safely v. Climb on Safely vi. Merit Badge Counselor Orientation vii. Leave No Trace Awareness/Outdoor Ethics viii. Certified CPR/First Aid course ix. Any American Red Cross health and safety course.

**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**

DOCTORATE OF SCOUTING DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Be a registered Scouter.

2. Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.

3. Hold a Master’s Degree from GSC University of Scouting.

4. Complete six (6) additional/different University of Scouting courses for a total of eighteen (24) courses: a. Attend at least two (2) additional courses from your home college. b. Teach two (2) courses from your home college.

5. Earn an adult leader award for your registered position. a. Cub Scout

i. Den Leader Award ii. Unit Leader Award of Merit iii. Scout Leader’s Training Award iv. Scouter’s Key Award v. Silver Beaver Award b. Scouts BSA

i. District Award of Merit ii. Unit Leader Award of Merit

iii. Scout Leader’s Training Award

iv. Scouter’s Key Award v. Silver Beaver Award

c. Venturing

i. Venturing Advisor’s Key

ii. Venturing Training Award

iii. Venturing Leadership Award

iv. Unit Leader Award of Merit v. Silver Beaver Award

6. Show you have completed one (1) of the following:

a. 21st Century Wood Badge b. Lifeguard Certification (BSA or another professional agency) c. Powder Horn d. Trainer’s EDGE course e. Wilderness First Aid

**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**

University of Scouting Fellow Requirements:

1. Be a registered Scouter.

2. Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.

3. Hold a Doctorate Degree from GSC University of Scouting.

4. Complete six (6) additional/different GSC UoS courses for a total of thirty (30) courses: a. Attend a minimum of three (3) additional courses from your home college. b. Teach two (2) courses from your home college.

c. Develop a syllabus for a new course and teach that course at a GSC University of Scouting.

5. Show you have completed one (1) of the following:

a. Leave No Trace Trainer b. Tread Lightly Trainer c. Lifeguard Instructor d. First Aid/CPR Instructor e. Staff for Wood Badge f. Staff for Powder Horn g. Staff for The Kodiak Challenge

h. Staff for Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (ITOLS) i. Staff for National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) j. Staff for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**

University of Scouting Distinguished Fellow Requirements:

1. Be a registered Scouter.

2. Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position

3. Hold a Fellowship from GSC University of Scouting.

4. Complete six (6) additional/different GSC UoS courses for a total of thirty-six (36) courses:

a. Attend two (2) additional courses from your home college.

b. Teach two (2) courses from your home college

c. Develop a syllabus for two (2) new courses and teach them at a GSC University of Scouting.

5. Show you have completed one (1) of the following:

a. Leave No Trace Master Educator

b. Tread Lightly Master Tread Trainer

c. Lifeguard Instructor Trainer

d. First Aid/CPR Instructor Trainer

e. Course Director for Wood Badge

f. Course Director for Powder Horn

g. Course Director for The Kodiak Challenge

h. Course Director for Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (ITOLS)

i. Course Director for National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)

j. Course Director for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**

2023 Course Offerings

COLLEGE OF CUB SCOUTING

LEVEL 100 COURSES

CUB106 Duty to Country - Citizenship and Good Turns in Cub Scouting: From saluting the flag to visiting battlefield parks and memorials, we will explore the importance of duty to country within the Cub Scout program. Learn how to incorporate patriotism and citizenship into your Cub Scout year in such a way that will allow for personal growth and discovery. In addition to understanding the link between citizenship and community service and seeing the Scouting “good turn” as a citizen’s act of patriotism, we will also consider Cub Scout service projects that enhance communities and help others in need.

CUB108 A-Hiking We Will Go – Cub Scout Hikes and Hiking: What would Cub Scouting be without hikes? Let's all go for a walk! Hikes bring adventure, challenge, exploration, discovery, and inspiration. This course will discuss the different types of hikes Cub Scouts enjoy and relate these hikes to the goals of Scouting. Hikes should be selected and led with Cub Scout ages- and- stages in mind, and safety is always the most important consideration. The course will detail how to plan and prepare for hikes, policies and procedures to follow, medical forms and consent forms, gear, training, outdoor ethics, and more.

LEVEL 200 COURSES

CUB206 A Cub Scout’s Duty to God: A Cub Scout's duty to God is the motivation and guide for his or her character development. We will consider why duty to God is a cornerstone of Scouting and discuss ways to encourage duty to God through Scouting, including use of the Religious Emblems Program.

CUB207 Outdoor Ethics for Cub Scouts: From the very beginning, the Boy Scouts of America has pledged conservation and respect for the environment as an essential component of good citizenship. Today, as more and more people enjoy the benefits of our nation’s natural resources, additional pressure and urgency is brought to bear on outdoor ethics to ensure our beautiful natural spaces remain unspoiled for current and future generations This course will cover Cub Scout outdoor ethics centered on the Outdoor Code. Front-country guidelines will be emphasized, including conservation expectations, outdoor manners, and minimizing campsite waste and trash.

LEVEL 300 COURSES

CUB305 Making Cub Scout Day Camp Count: As a leader attending Day Camp with your Cub Scouts, your task is to “make the experience count.” Many Cub Scouts look forward to the fun of Day Camp all year long; Day Camp offers them an outdoor experience geared to their ages- and- stages and a springboard to further camping participation, in pack overnighters, Cub Scout resident camp, and Webelos den camping. But for the magic to happen there are forms to fillout, gear to bring, transportation arrangements to be made, walkers to schedule… as well as Cubs to manage, adventure requirement completions to record, and camp achievements to celebrate. In this course we will discuss everything they don’t tell you about attending Day Camp, from coping with the weather to maximizing Cub Scout participation to ensuring health and safety, all while having a fun! We will address how you can use the activities at

Day Camp to bring the goals of scouting (character development, citizenship training and personal fitness) to life for your Cub Scouts.

COLLEGE OF SCOUTS B SA

LEVEL 100 COURSES

BSA105 Troop and Eagle Scout Courts of Honor: Recognition and praise are key motivators for Scouts as ranks, merit badges and special awards are earned. Special recognition must be given to Eagles in a special Eagle Scout Court of Honor. This session will show the need for quality Courts of Honor and why they are such important events in the life of a Troop.

BSA108 So You Are the New Scoutmaster: Thinking of becoming the next Scoutmaster for your Troop, or had to take on the role and would like a forum to discuss what success could look like? Join a longtime Scoutmaster as we discuss training, tools, and techniques that will help you as a new Scoutmaster. Topics will include working with SPLs, effective use of tools (websites, guides, the PLC, and ILST), efficient communication skills, and other tips that will help you have a successful youth- led Troop.

BSA112 Starting a Girl Troop – Lessons Learned: Are you starting with a Girl Troop and want to learn more about how to navigate these previously unchartered waters? Want to learn how the Scouts BSA program can support female growth and development? Want to learn how to strengthen communication, confidence, and knowledge in your Troop? You will certainly benefit from the knowledge and experiences of a “Founder” G Troop Scoutmaster. This course is must- take for anyone involved in a G Troop.

LEVEL 200 COURSES

BSA201 The Scout-Run Troop: Come hear some fresh ideas on how to successfully implement the oft- maligned phrase, "ScoutLed Troop" by using one of BP's finest creations, The Patrol Method! Gain insight into how Scouters can EDGE their Scouts into more meaningful Patrol activities, fostering and maintaining leadership development, Scout ownership of the PLC, productive TLT's, and building high performing (Patrol!) teams.

BSA202 Scouts BSA Advancement Overview : The class will be based on the latest Guide to Advancement and recent updates from National. The focus will be the nuts and bolts of the Advancement process. It starts when a youth joins a Troop through when the Scout earns Eagle Palms. Participants will leave as experts!! (Course meets over 2 periods.)

BSA203 Troop Boards of Review: There will be a discussion on the Troop's advancement committee responsibility in conducting quality rank advancement boards of review for all ranks, including the Eagle rank. Examples of the kinds of questions that might be asked will be included.

BSA206 Merit Badge Counseling: This course is the nationally approved in-person course to train you as a merit badge counselor. It covers Section 7 of the Guide to Advancement, “The Merit Badge Program.” The presentation addresses the merit badge program, its benefits to Scouting, the procedures for earning merit badges, merit badge counselor qualifications, the process of counseling, necessary additional counselor certifications, counselor limitations, and

administration of the merit badge counselor program. Completion of this course will be entered into your training profile.

BSA207 Implementing Outdoor Ethics in the Scouts BSA Program: From the very beginning, the Boy Scouts of America has pledged conservation and respect for the environment as an essential component of good citizenship. Today, as more and more people enjoy the benefits of our nation’s natural resources, additional pressure and urgency is brought to bear on outdoor ethics, to ensure our beautiful natural spaces remain unspoiled not just for the current generation, but also future generations to enjoy. This course will cover outdoor ethics for Scouts centered on the Outdoor Code, and their relationship to Scouting’s goals. Backcountry guidelines will be detailed, including conservation expectations, outdoor manners, and minimizing campsite waste and trash. TREAD Lightly! will be introduced and practical examples of how to incorporate it into your troop program will be presented. BSA’s outdoor ethics awards for Scouts BSA will also be discussed. (Class meets over 2 periods.)

BSA209 Nuts and Bolts of a Weekend Camping Trip: A successful Troop depends on having a successful outdoor program. From your Scouts' annual planning meeting to the Scoutmaster's final reimbursement request, this course will explore all those pesky details that can make or break a weekend camping trip. We will find the right balance between Scoutled tasks, and Scouter tasks. Using real examples, Scout-friendly forms, and online tools, we show little tricks to align your Troop's trip planning and execution with BSA standards to help you BE PREPARED for your next adventure!

BSA219 The Commissioner and Scouts BSA – A Partnership that Works: Too many volunteers distrust Commissioners. Often this mistrust is based on misunderstanding the role of a Commissioner. Attend this course to remove the mystery of Unit Service. Learn to leverage the people with "Silver Tabs and Silver Hair," who are not "spies from Council" but dedicated and experienced Scouters who want to help Scouts BSA leaders succeed and to help Troops go and grow.

LEVEL 300 COURSES

BSA305 Little Known Scouting Awards: Scouting BSA is m ore than just rank advancement and merit badges. It is the time to try new things, provide service to others, build self- confidence, and reinforce ethical standards. While the advancement trail is designed to provide a base range of skills to develop a scout into a model young adult, there are other programs and awards that a scout may work on and earn that will keep the youth interested in the scouting programs and explore more than the basic set of skills. We will cover some awards that not all scout leaders of aware of and how to use these awards to create a scouting experience that is tailored to scouts interests.

BSA307 Using Social Media for Recruitment and Engagement: Think social media is just for millennials? Think again! Social media is used by professionals and companies to do business everywhere. Learn how your unit can make use of the most popular platforms to recruit Scouts and parents; raise awareness of Scouting in your community; communicate your unit's schedules and activities; and share your unit's successes. We'll help you pick the platform(s) to be on, show you how to manage your social media pages using your phone, and share secrets for writing effective posts and increasing your reach. This course will also teach you how to use social media and comply with YPT guidelines.

BSA310 Co-Ed Summer Camp – Scoutmaster Lessons: Scouts BSA Troops of girls and Troops of boys now attend summer camp together. How do you handle sleeping arrangements? Showers and restroom usage, personal space, and the buddy system? What about leadership requirements? Learn the updated guidelines that will ensure your Scouts have fun safely while they earn merit badges, make new friends, and create lasting memories.

LEVEL 400 COURSES

BSA404 How to Recruit and Keep Volunteers: All units depend on adult volunteers. Where do they come from? How can we recruit more? How can we keep them? This course will give tips on how to charm even the busiest parents into volunteering in their units.

BSA408 Order of the Arrow Unit Representative Program: The OA Unit Representative Program exists as the bridge between the OA Chapters and Scouting Units. Come learn about how to create and maintain an active OA Unit Representative Program in your unit and how that can benefit your unit.

COLLEGE OF GENERAL STUDIES

LEVEL 100 COURSES

GEN101 Supporting Scouts with Disabilities: This course will provide Scout leaders with suggestions for working with Scouts with disabilities. The course will focus on the specific needs of Scouts with attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, Asperger's Syndrome, emotional disabilities, other mental impairments, hearing impairment and blindness. Leaders of special Scouting units will share first- hand knowledge. Activities, resources and alternative requirements for rank advancement will be discussed. Information will also be available on the greatly revised requirements for the Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge. (This course spans 2 periods.)

GEN105 Risk Management in Scouting: This course includes a discussion about an adult leader's legal duty of care toward Scouts, also introducing outdoor risk management principles and their relationship to Scouting's outdoor program. In particular it covers how such principles relate to BSA's policies and procedures, with an emphasis on identifying the range of risks to be addressed, and how adult leaders can best prepare themselves to address risks in order to meet their duty of care. This course is particularly relevant to those participating in high adventure or backcountry activities and will include interactive discussions regarding actual outdoor scenarios that raise risk management issues commonly confronted by adult leaders.

LEVEL 700 COURSES

GEN701 Online Safety for Scout Meetings and Events: The need for virtual meetings continues. The move to video conferencing presents new challenges for youth protection. In this course you'll learn about BSA and Council guidelines to create a safe environment using standard tools that are readily available. Issues related to best practices as well as policy compliance are covered. This course is well- suited for units, districts, and council and addresses multiple scenarios including large events, individual advancement, and unit meetings.

COLLEGE OF ADVENTURE SCOUTING

CAS106 Scouts BSA and Venturing: A Powerful Partnership: Venturing for many is a natural progression of the youth Scouting experience. For others with no prior Scouting, Venturing is an all- new experience. Venturing Crews and Scout Troops can both provide the other with useful resources, increased numbers of participants for fun events, mentoring between programs, and more. Join us for a session of Best Practices on how Troops and Crews can strengthen and complement each other, united in Scouting!

CAS207 Dutch Oven Cooking: Learn secrets of Dutch Oven cooking for those good eating times when you are not backpacking

CAS208 Beyond Dutch Oven – Eco Friendly Meals: You have a great program planned; don't let the food be the disappointment. Scouts love Dutch Oven meals and desserts but there are other cooking methods that produce delicious meals, yet are much faster, and therefore easier to integrate with a busy program. Learn how lessons from physics can be applied to cook mouth-watering meals using less fuel/energy and less effort leaving more time for fun. These methods work great on the trail and ashore but are also well- suited for yacht cruisers afloat.