Welcome to Varsity ScoutingGet on Track - Fast!

Welcome to Varsity Scouting and congratulations on your calling. Working with VarsityScouts is the best job in the Church. The 1st Counselor in your Stake Young Men's Presidencyhas the responsibility to assist you in your calling so don't hesitate to call him for help anddirection. This introduction is designed to help get you organized, so take the time to review eachsection as it will make your job much easier and help you enjoy a great experience working withthe Varsity-aged young men. Click on Link below for an Overview of Varsity Scouting:http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=5754&orgkev=62

RegistrationThe first thing you should do is getting registered. You must be a registered leader to be coveredby Boy Scout insurance for your protection as you take these young men on outings. Obtain aregistration form from your committee chairman or Bishop's counselor. If they don't have anapplication, you may download an application at the link below. Make sure it is submitted to theGrand Canyon Council business offices. If you are not registered you will NOT be covered onyour activities by the insurance provided by the Boy Scouts of America.Link to Adult Application: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/28-501 .pdf

TrainingTraining is critical for your success so we recommend you get as much training as you can.Not only will you be a better man for the effort, but it also helps the young men and willmake your job much easier as you learn and implement the Varsity Scout program. Takesome of your training online at the link below. Varsity Scout leaders and assistants areconsidered trained when they have completed Basic Training and Varsity Scout LeaderSpecific Training. The BSA requires all Boy Scout leaders to be trained including LeaderSpecific Training. Link to Online Training Center: http://olc.scouting.org/

1. Basic Training can be accomplished online at the BSA Online Learning Center. TheBasic Training courses are as follows:

a. This is Scouting - After you set up your own account online with your emailaddress and password this will give you a general overview of Scouting.

b. Youth Protection Training - This is for your protection and teaches the dos anddon'ts for leaders and members that work with youth.

c. Fast Start for Boy Scouts must also be completed on the BSA Learning Center.

2. Varsity Leader Specific Training is held in the San Tan District twice each year usuallyin the months of April and October. It is held on two separate weekends. The firstSaturday is the indoor training. The second weekend is an overnighter on Friday nightand Saturday. Outdoor training is the fun part since we camp and cook, shoot shotguns,rappel, have a Varsity campfire, learn mountain man skills and do C.O.P.E. activities.

3. Wood Badge Training - This is the ultimate mountain top training experience forleaders in the Boy Scouts of America. This course is based on the most current leadershipmodels used in corporate America and academic circles. This course will not only helpyou in your scouting position, but also at work, at home and in the community. Learnleadership skills taught with Scouting's Values in mind.

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Welcome to Varsity ScoutingGet on Track - Fast!

Varsity Scouting is the Teachers Quorum Activity ProgramThe Varsity Scout program is the Teachers Quorum activity program of the Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints. The Teachers Quorum President is responsible for the Varsity Scoutprogram just as he is responsible for all other aspects of the quorum. He is helped with thisresponsibility by quorum advisor(s). The Teachers Quorum is to be registered as a Varsity ScoutTeam according to the Church Handbook on Scouting. See Varsity Scout Coach Start-Up Kit:http://www.lds-scouts.org/Resources/SctJVarsity.pdf

(Important Note: You will not be covered by BSA Insurance if you are not registered as aVarsity Scout Leader, or do not have a BSA Tour Permit, or participate in activities notauthorized by the Boy Scouts of America. (See Guide to Safe Scouting).

Resource and Training MaterialsThe basic Varsity Scouting resource and training materials are listed below. These should bepurchased for the adult leaders from the Ward/Branch budget. They can be purchased under thelibrary budget and administered by the library on long term check out. (Prices as of April 2007)Varsity Scout Coach Start-Up Kit in PDF: http://www.lds-scouts.org/Resources/Sct_Varsiry.pdfGuide to Safe Scouting in PDF: Download at: http://dev2.scouting.org/pdf/34416.pdfLDS Church Handbook on Scouting (free from http://www. Idscatalog. com/)LDS Handbook of Instructions - Aaronic Priesthood (free from http://www. Idscatalog. com/)Varsity Scout Leader Guide W34827A - $ 9.99Varsity Program Features, Volumes I, II, and III W34837,8,9 - $12.99 eachPassport to High Adventure W4310 $13.99Boy Scout Requirements Book (current year) - $ 4.99Varsity Play Book - The Varsity Play Book is in PDF format with instruction of how to runyour Varsity program. It is a condensed version of the Varsity Guide Book. If you follow thisprogram your job will be easier and the young men will grow and learn more.Link to Play Book: http://ldsbsa.org/pdf/resources/Varsitv%20Play%20Book.pdf

HuddleThe first Thursday of every month is Huddle (Roundtable) for every Varsity Leader. This isabout a 1 hour program of ideas, resources and activities to help the Varsity Scout Leaders. Youwill create friendships and contacts that will be life-long and ideas to help you succeed in yourprogram. We are concerned about your time away from your family so we strive to make themeeting short and the content valuable. We request that your team be represented at Huddle eachmonth by you or another Varsity leader. Address: LDS Quinn Building, 2700 E. Guadalupe,Gilbert. On north side of Guadalupe between Greenfield and Higley. Starting at 7:00pm

San Tan DistrictYour team is part of the San Tan District and you may obtain the most current copy of the SanTan District News which is handed out at Huddle each month or it can be downloaded from thedistrict website. It is a valuable resource with calendar items, specific Varsity information, andphone numbers of District leaders.District Link: http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey;=1416District Varsity Link: http://santanvarsityscouts.blogspot.com/

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Welcome to Varsity ScoutingGet on Track - Fast!

Tour PermitsThe purpose of filing a Tour Permit is to help protect you and the young men in your care. ATour Permit is required for:

1. Activities involving any overnight activity excluding Council Sponsored Camps2. Activities involving any aquatics or climbing activity3. Activities held 25 miles or more from your normal meeting location (home base).

Local Permits should be submitted two weeks prior to the planned activity, and can be doneonline. National Permits should be submitted 30 days prior to the planned activity. You cansubmit local and national tour permits electronically. This system takes just four easy steps, andit will save the transportation and training information, so leaders can easily recall it for futurepermit applications.Link to electronic Tour Permit Instructions:http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDo wnload.asp?orgkey=62&id:=52005Link to Tour Permits: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34426.pdfLink to AH Other Forms:http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink. asp?LinkKey=5757&orgkey=62

AdvancementVarsity Scouts utilize the same advancement program as Boy Scouts and may continue to work onthe requirements for rank and merit badges as they progress towards the Eagle Scout rank. Boy Scoutawards and recognitions provide Varsity Scouts and adult team leaders with visible emblems of theiraccomplishments. Varsity Scouts can also earn the Varsity letter, bars, activity pins, and the Denaliaward, reserved only for members of Varsity Scout Teams.

Awards for LeadersIt is our desire that all our Varsity Coach's and Assistants receive recognition and set an exampleto the young men they serve by also receiving awards in Scouting. Adult Leaders can receivethese awards during Scouting Courts of Honor and will receive a color certificate and also the"award knot" for their uniform. Review the requirements on the links below. It's good for ourleaders to go the extra mile to ensure our young men have a great program, and also berecognized for their superb service. Some of the awards for our Scout Leaders are:Scout Leader Training Award - Link: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34169-57.pdfCoaches Key Award - Link: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34169-57.pdfAdult On My Honor Award - Link: http://www.lds.org/pa/displav/OJ7884.8013-hQO.html

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