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WHAT IS VARSITY SCOUTING?

Organization

Varsity Scouts are members of a Varsity Scout team that is led by a youth Varsity Scout team captain. A Varsity Scout Coach serves as the adult leader.

The team, the heart of Varsity Scouting's organization, may be divided into squads. There are youth squad leaders and youth program managers for each of the program fields of emphasis. The adult Coach is supported by an adult committee, including parents and members of the chartered organization.

Program

Varsity Scouting has five program fields of emphasis:

Advancement. Varsity Scouts utilize 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 crews 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

The Scout Oath will be used by Varsity Scouts.

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 waterskiing.

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.

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. This 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 Huddle Planning Guide. The Varsity Scout Huddle Planning Guide supports the programs outlined in the activity pamphlets.

Varsity Scout Coach Start-Up. This literature is designed to help a new Coach get a team off to a good start.

Much of the information on this page is reused from the official Boy Scouts of America National Web Site, at http://www.bsa.scouting.org.