New Outdoor Awards Unveiled
Written by Keith Christopher, Outdoor Adventures
Two new awards have been developed to promote “outdoorism” for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts.
Please share this information with your volunteers and staff and publish the links on your Web site and in your council newsletter.
National Outdoor Challenge Award
The National Outdoor Challenge is a unit award that recognizes troops/teams that maintain or increase the amount of outdoor activity when compared to the previous year. The application is available here, http://www.scouting
National Outdoor Achievement Award
The National Outdoor Achievement Award recognizes Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts who excel in outdoor participation. The award has five areas of emphasis (camping, aquatics, hiking, riding, and adventure) with rigorous requirements to earn each segment.
For Scouts looking for an extra challenge, there’s the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement. This challenging award requires earning at least three of the National Outdoor Achievement segments, planning and leading a trek, earning Wilderness First Aid certification, and becoming a Leave No Trace Trainer, as well as fulfilling several other requirements. The application is available at the following link: http://www.scouting
The PDF forms can also be found on our Council Webpage at http://www.cflscout
Jerry Brady
Program Director
Central Florida Council
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Wayne Densch Boy Scout Service Center
1951 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Apopka, Florida 32703-7747
407.703.0266 • Office
407.435.8634 • Cell
407.889.4406 • Fax
To: Local Council
Attention: Council Camping Committee
Our patrol leaders’ council reports that our troop has met the BSA National Outdoor Challenge by achieving the following.
1. The troop developed an annual plan for the current year.
2a. Our troop conducted 10 outdoor trips or activities with at least 50 percent of the registered youth participating.
¨ Yes ¨ No
OR
2b. Our troop increased the number of outdoor trip or activities compared to the previous year.
Previous year ________
Current year _________
¨ Yes ¨ No
3. Our troop attended long-term resident camp or a local/national high-adventure experience of at least
six days/five nights.
¨ Yes ¨ No
4. The troop conducted at least one outing with a Webelos Scout den.
¨ Yes ¨ No
5. The troop earned at least one outdoors-related* merit badge per Scout.
Number of registered Scouts _____
Total outdoor* merit badges earned ______
¨ Yes ¨ No
6. The troop conducted at least one Leave No Trace program during the calendar year for a minimum of 50 percent
of the members.
¨ Yes ¨ No
1. Earn the First Class rank.
2. Earn the National Outdoor Badge for Camping with a silver device.
3. Earn any two additional National Outdoor badges, each with two
gold devices.
1st badge: ________________; 2nd badge: ________________
4. Earn the following merit badges: Backpacking, Emergency
Preparedness, Nature, and Wilderness Survival.
5. Complete a 16-hour course in Wilderness First Aid from the American
Red Cross, Wilderness Medical Institute, or other recognized provider.
6. Become a Leave No Trace Trainer by completing the 16-hour training
course from a recognized Leave No Trace Master Educator.
7. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an outing for your
troop, team, patrol, or squad in two of the following activity areas:
hiking and backpacking, aquatic activities, or riding. Include in each
outing a service element addressing recreational impacts resulting
from that type of activity. With the approval of your unit leader, you
may plan and lead the outings for another Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout
troop, Varsity Scout team, Sea Scout ship, or Venturing crew.
8. Complete at least one of the following:
a. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an adventure
activity identified in the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure
for your troop, team, patrol, or squad.
b. Successfully complete a season on a council summer camp
staff in an outdoor area, such as aquatics, Scoutcraft,
nature/environment, climbing, or COPE.
Jul 20th by Bo Terry
