Session Two:

Mountaintop Challenges

1
 Learning Your Knots:
Squad Relay Race

2
 The Methods of Scouting
• Ideals
• Squad method
• Outdoors
• Advancement
• Association with adults
• Personal growth
• Leadership development
• Uniform
3
 The Outdoors: “The Sizzle”
• The allure of the outdoors
• Room to roam and space to succeed
• Classroom without walls

4
 The Outdoors: A“Pop Quiz”

5
 The Outdoors:
Skills and Safety

6
 Key Resources for Developing Your
Outdoor Skills
• BSA training opportunities
• BSA outdoor-related literature
• Supportive adults
• Varsity team, led by its captain, squad leaders, and
program managers

7
 The Varsity Scout Guidebook
Checklists
• Guidelines for Climbing and Rappelling
• The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
• The BSA Safe Swim Defense
• Safety Afloat
• Coach’s Campsite Quick Checklists
• Varsity Scout Basic Essentials

8
 The Varsity Scout Guidebook
Checklists

• Clothing Checklists
• Personal Overnight Camping Gear for High-
Adventure Camping
• Group High-Adventure Camping Gear
• Guidelines for Safely Using Camp Stoves
and Lanterns

9
 Leave No Trace
• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize campfire impact.
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors.

10
 The Outdoors: Safety

11
 Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
•• Qualified supervision • Weather
Weather check
check
•• Physical
Physical fitness
fitness • Planning
Planning
•• Buddy system • Communications
Communications
•• Safe area or
or course
course • Permits
Permits and
and notices
notices
•• Equipment selection and • First-aid
First-aid resources
resources
maintenance • Applicable
Applicable laws
laws
•• Personal safety equipment • CPR
CPR resource
resource
•• Safety procedures
procedures and
and policies
policies • Discipline
Discipline
•• Skill
Skill level limits

12
 Additional Safety Resources

• Safe Swim Defense

• Safety Afloat
• Climb On Safely
• Guide to Safe Scouting

13
 The Outdoors:
A Squad Group Activity
• Winter climate
• Arid climate
• Rugged terrain
• Urban setting

14
 Reflection is a form of careful listening
and sharing that allows Scouts and
leaders to assess an experience and get
from it the greatest value it has to offer.

15
 The Four Steps to Advancement

• A Varsity Scout learns.

• A Varsity Scout is tested.
• A Varsity Scout is reviewed.
• A Varsity Scout is recognized.

16
 Role-Play Seven:
A Scout Learns

17
 Role-Play Eight:
Varsity Coach’s Conference

18
 The Board of Review
• Not a retest, but a discussion
• Atmosphere of trust and support
• Encouragement and praise

19
 A Scout Is Recognized

• Immediately by the Varsity Scout Coach

• Publicly in a court of honor

20
 Strengths of the Varsity Scout
Advancement Program
• It’s fun.
• It offers adventure.
• It allows Scouts to measure their progress.
• It provides recognition.
• It promotes development of mental and physical
fitness, character, and citizenship.
• But it’s just one of the eight methods
21 of Scouting!
You can deliver the promise of Scouting!
What will your action plan be?

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