Winter Camping Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

BSA has created updated versions of the Troop Program features for Scouts BSA. The Winter Camping program feature is available in digital format on the BSA website or can be purchased as a publication from you local Scout Shop.

The Winter Camping feature teaches Scouts to prepare for a fun and safe campout in cold weather. With the right skills, Scouts can be comfortable.. The program feature includes some general information and some more specific ideas for meetings:

• How to stay warm
• Understanding wind chill
• How to make a snow shelter such as a snow cave

Suggested troop meeting ideas are grouped by essential, challenging, or advanced. Here are a few you can see in the guide.

• Learn about the principles of wick, wind, and warmth (essential)
• Discuss different materials for clothing (challenging)
• Discuss overheating and perspiration (advanced)
• Learn how to prepare dehydrated foods (essential)
• Prepare some high calorie, simple foods (challenging)
• Prepare some Dutch oven foods (advanced)
• Learn how to make a trench shelter (essential)
• Learn how to make a snow cave (challenging)
• Learn how to make an igloo (advanced)
• Review how to treat hypothermia (essential)
• Discuss ice rescue techniques (challenging)
• Discuss avalanches (advanced)

There are also several games suggested to keep things interesting at your troop meetings

• Dress for Cold Relay
• Frozen Kitchen Taste Test
• Pitch Your Tent Challenge

The plan even provides Scoutmaster’s minutes and ceremonies for meetings.

Then there is the “Main Event”. Once again, there are suggestions for essential, challenging, or advanced. Details and planning aids can be found in the online guide.

• Have a day activity in the snow, practice building snow shelters (essential)
• Go overnight camping in winter conditions (challenging)
• Build a snow cave or igloo and spend the night in it (advanced)

Find some related helps and achievements for the Winter Camping Troop Program Feature below.

The Outdoor Code

Every Scout who is spending time outdoors should be familiar with the Outdoor Code. It is especially important for Webelos, Scouts BSA, and Venturers who are out camping regularly.

Ice Applause and Snowball Applause

A quick silly applause adds some fun to a Pack meeting. These two applauses go with a Winter Wonderland theme but they also can just add some fun to any meeting or activity.

Program Planning for Scouts BSA

The Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader work together to develop long term plans for a Scouts BSA Troop. One thing which can help with this is the BSA troop program features.

Avoiding Hypothermia During Cold Weather Activities

Avoiding hypothermia is key to a successful outdoor activity in cold weather, be it camping, hiking, skiing, ice skating, or snowman building.

Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn how to "Be Prepared" while working on the Emergency Preparedness merit badge. They learn how to deal with situations like fires, automobile crashes, natural disasters, home emergencies, water safety, and more. They learn about community readiness plans for emergencies and explore the many careers related to emergency preparedness.

Safety Merit Badge Helps and Documents

The requirements for the Safety merit badge help Scouts understand how they can prevent accidents and crime. Scouts inspect their home for hazards. They also learn how to be aware of things like fire exits and alert to dangerous situations when they are doing activities elsewhere. Scouts also investigate careers related to safety.

Wilderness Survival Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts working on the Wilderness Survival merit badge learn to anticipate and avoid the hazards involved in backcountry adventures. They put together a first aid kit and build a natural shelter. They also learn how to treat water, be aware of weather conditions, and light a fire without matches.

Camping Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Working on the requirements for the Camping merit badge help Scouts learn how to plan for a safe campout. They consider weather hazards, what to pack, and how to select a camping site. Then they put their knowledge to use by participating in multiple camping trips.

Backpacking Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While doing the requirements for the Backpacking merit badge, Scouts learn to plan and execute a safe trek in the back-country. Treating water, Leave No Trace, map and compass skills, GPS, stoves, and sanitary concerns are all covered by this badge. After preparation, Scouts demonstrate their skills by participating in several backpacking treks.

Hiking Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While working on the requirements for the Hiking merit badge, Scouts learn how to plan for a safe hike, considering their route, hazards, equipment needed, the weather conditions, and more. Then they put their knowledge to work by going out on several hikes. Afterwards they reflect on their experience.

Dutch Oven Cooking

Dutch oven cooking is one of my favorite ways to make meals and desserts at camp. Put the ingredients in, put some charcoal on the top and bottom, come back later, and voila! you have a delicious dish. Do you have a Dutch oven recipe you'd like to share? Contact me and I'll share it.

Search and Rescue Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While doing the requirements for the Search and Rescue merit badge, Scouts learn to safely participate in a SAR mission. They familiarize themselves with the terminology involved and the command structure. Scouts explore the differences between wilderness, urban, and water search and rescue missions. They investigate career opportunities related to SAR activities.

Snow Sports Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn to plan and execute winter sports activities safely while working on the Snow Sports merit badge. The requirements for this merit badge can be completed by doing alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snow boarding, or snowshoeing.

Scouts BSA Tenderfoot Camping and Outdoor Ethics Requirements Helps and Documents

Tenderfoot requirement 1 is related to camping and the outdoors. New Scouts learn to prepare for a campout and find out what should be on their packing lists. They use these skills when they camp overnight. They also learn how to be responsible citizens in the outdoors.

Skating Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts working on the Skating merit badge learn to safely move on wheels or blades. The requirements for this merit badge can be completed by doing ice skating, roller skating, or in-line skating

Scouts BSA Second Class Camping and Outdoor Ethics Requirements Helps and Documents

Second Class requirement 1 is related to camping and being outdoors. Scouts learn to select a campsite and how to have good manners in the outdoors. They put these skills to use by going on outdoor activities.

Scouts BSA First Class Camping and Outdoor Ethics Requirements Helps and Documents

First Class requirement 1 is related to camping and being outdoors. Scouts learn how to have good manners in the outdoors. They put these skills to use by going on outdoor activities.

Winter Sports Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To complete the Winter Sports elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn all about Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or ice skating.