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.

Organization

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.

Program

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 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 the activity pamphlets for Venture patrols and Varsity teams.

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.

Varsity Scout Letter

The Varsity letter may be earned by youth and adult members. The youth requirements are:

1. Be a registered Varsity Scout team member.
2. 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.
3. Have an attendance record at team meetings and practice sessions of at least 75 percent for three consecutive months.
4. 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.

Uniforms

Scout shorts and a tan knit shirt may be worn as an optional activities uniform. The traditional Boy Scout uniform with a "Varsity" identification strip above the right pocket, and blaze loops are worn for formal occasions.

Scout Oath

Varsity Scouts will use the Scout Oath.

Resources

Activity Pamphlets

Activity pamphlets support the high-adventure/sports  program field of emphasis.  The pamphlets contain resource materials and meeting plans that prepare a team for an ultimate adventure or sports season. These pamphlets are the same size as merit badge pamphlets. 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 pamphlet contains approximately three months of program.

The sports pamphlets contain basic rules, techniques, and strategies for basketball, bowling, cross-country skiing, roller hockey, shooting sports, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, and water skiing.

Varsity Scout Game Plan

The Varsity Scout Game Plan contains different program  features, most of which work in conjunction with the activity pamphlets; Coach's Corners and ceremonies are included.

Boy Scout Handbook

The Boy Scout Handbook contains information devoted to Varsity Scouts and supporting the Varsity Scout program.

Varsity Scout Leader Guidebook

The Varsity Scout Leader Guidebook is used by adult leaders in Varsity Scouting.

For more information on the Varsity program or to start a unit, contact or email Buckskin Council - information@buckskin.org.