Varsity Leader TrainingSt. Louis South Stake

Mike Griffin – Varsity Coach – Team 6960

• Understand the Varsity Program

• Know Leadership Responsibilities

• Understand Financial Needs

• Know the Team Organization

• Know How to Plan a yearly program

Learning Objectives

Resources

• Varsity Scout Guidebook

• The Insignia Guide

• Varsity Scout Program FeaturesVols. I & II

• Varsity Coach Startup Guide

What is Varsity?

What is Varsity?Varsity Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for youth ages 14 through 17. It was developed as a way to keep older boys challenged physically and mentally.

What is Varsity?Varsity Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for youth ages 14 through 17. It was developed as a way to keep older boys challenged physically and mentally.

Varsity Scouting is now a time-honored program chosen by many chartered organizations for youths who are ready for new experiences and responsibilities.

What is Varsity?Varsity Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for youth ages 14 through 17. It was developed as a way to keep older boys challenged physically and mentally.

Varsity Scouting is now a time-honored program chosen by many chartered organizations for youths who are ready for new experiences and responsibilities.

Varsity Scouting forms a bond between Scouting principles and the values and objectives of individual chartered organizations. It is the Activity Arm of the Teacher’s Quorum.

What is Varsity?Varsity Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for youth ages 14 through 17. It was developed as a way to keep older boys challenged physically and mentally.

Varsity Scouting is now a time-honored program chosen by many chartered organizations for youths who are ready for new experiences and responsibilities.

Varsity Scouting forms a bond between Scouting principles and the values and objectives of individual chartered organizations.

The Varsity Scout team focuses on five program fields of emphasis.

Fields of Emphasis

• Advancement

• High Adventure / Sports Activities

• Service

• Personal Development

• Special Programs and Events

Advancement

• Merit badge program – A scout continues earning merit badges throughout Varsity.

• Rank Advancement

• Leadership Roles

• Special Awards – Denali Award, Varsity Letter and Activity Pins

Varsity Advancement AwardsVarsity Letter - By participating actively in all phases of

the Varsity program you are entitled to receive the official Varsity Letter, and wear it on the Scout jacket and/or Merit badge sash. Requirements for earning the Letter follow:

• Be a registered Varsity Scout Team member.• While a Team member, actively participate in or

accomplish at   least one recognized Varsity Sport (to the satisfaction of your  Team Coach or Asst Coach).

• Have an attendance record at team meetings and practice sessions of at least 75 percent for 3 consecutive months.

• Demonstrate to your Coach or Asst Coach that you know and  live by the Scout Oath and Law.

Varsity Advancement AwardsActivity Pins

After you complete each Varsity Sport, you are eligible to wear a medallion attached to your letter that represents your completion of that activity. Medallions earned in a Venture activity may also be worn on this letter.

Currently, the following activities are recognized in the Varsity Sports and Venture "Ultimate Adventure" Program, and have pins available:

Freestyle Biking – Soccer – Basketball – Frontiersman –

Softball – Bowling – Mechanics – Survival - Canoe Camping –

Orienteering – Swimming – Caving - Rock Climbing and

Rappelling – Tennis - Cross-Country Skiing – Triathlon –

Cycling - Roller Hockey – Volleyball - Discovering Adventure

Shooting Sports – Waterskiing – Fishing - Snow Camping

Whitewater Canoeing – Backpacking

Denali Award - The Denali Award is available to Varsity Scouts who have already earned the Varsity Scout letter, and who complete the following six requirements:

1. Be registered as a Varsity Scout.

2. While a Varsity Scout advance one rank toward Eagle, or earn an Eagle Palm.

3.  Hold a Varsity Scout leadership position.

4. (a) While a Varsity Scout serve as a leader of an activity in two of the five fields of emphasis.(b) While a Varsity Scout participate in an activity in the remaining three fields of emphasis.

5. Satisfy to the team captain that you know the Varsity Scout Pledge.

6. Complete a team board of review with a district/council representative.

Varsity Advancement Awards

High Adventure and Sports

• Plan an Annual High Adventure Outing of an Interesting Nature.

• Plan Local Adventures

• Plan Sporting Events such as Triathlon and Varsity Games

• Go as a Group to Local Sports Events.

Service

• Plan Service Projects Based Upon The Program Themes

• Help in the Community

• Have your Program Director Make a List of Opportunities

Personal Development

• Spiritual Development

• Leadership

• Citizenship

• Social and Cultural Attributes

• Physical Fitness

Include these into your program. Look for opportunities to provide your program manager with in your local area.

Special Programs and Events

• District and Council Events

• Rendezvous

• Varsity Games

• Order of the Arrow

• Conservation Programs

• Jamborees

• Ranger Program – Camp Staff

Varsity Program FeatureExample

Sports/HighAdventure

Advance-ment

Service Personal Develop-ment

Special Program

CanoeCamp-ing

Cover material in the Canoe Camping Program Feature. Plan a Canoe Camping Trip. Endurance is needed for several Days of Paddling and Portages. A Physical conditioning program is vital before starting!

Canoeing Merit Badge.Check the needs of each scout.

Plan a conservation project to be done on the trip.

Visit an Outdoor Sports Equipment Facility to learn about associated careers.

Plan scripture study for the trip

Build a Canoe from Natural Materials

Varsity Organization

• Team Coach and Assistant Coach

• Team Captain

• Co-Captain

• Program Managers

• Squad Leaders

• Squad Members

Varsity Team Organization25 Boys or Larger

Team Leadership for Large Team

S q u ad L ead er5 - 7 B oys

S q u ad L ead er5 - 7 B oys

S q u ad L ead er5 - 7 B oys

C o-C ap ta in

S q u ad L ead er5 - 7 B oys

S q u ad L ead er5 - 7 B oys

S q u ad L ead er5 - 7 B oys

C o-C ap ta in

P rog ram M an ag erA d van cem en t

P rog ram M an ag erH ig h A d ven tu re

S p orts

P rog ram M an ag erP erson a l D eve lop m en t

P rog ram M an ag erS ervice

P rog ram M an ag erS p ec ia l P rog ram s

A n d E ven ts

C ap ta in

C oach A ss t. C oach

Small Team

• Coach

• Captain

• Squad Leaders

• Squad Members – Provide Managers for Programs

Varsity Team OrganizationFewer than 15 Boys

Team Leadership for Sm all Team

P rog ram M an ag erA d van cem en t an d

S ervice

P rog ram M an ag erP erson a l D eve lop m en t

S q u ad L ead er5 - 7 B oys

P rog ram M an ag erS p ec ia l P rog ram s

an d E ven ts

P rog ram M an ag erH ig h A d ven tu re

an d S p orts

S q u ad L ead er5 - 7 B oys

C ap ta in

C oach A ss t. C oach

Other Positions

• Scribe

• Librarian

• Historian

• Quartermaster

• Instructor

• OA Representative

• Chaplain Aid

Who Runs the Team?

Who Runs The Team?

• The Team Captain runs the team! Not the Coach!

• Coaches Support and “Coach the Boys”

• You can have Program Advisors who will assist the boys assigned to Program Management. Usually parents.

Uniforms

• Class A – Scout Shirts and Pants to be worn the same as a troop member. The Varsity strip is worn above the “BSA” strip over the right pocket.

• Class B – Scout shirt picked out by the Team that clearly identifies their team name and number.

Finance

$$$

Summary

• Boy Led Organization

• 5 Fields of Emphasis

• Financial Concerns

• Recognition

• Team Organization

• Have FUN!