The Chain Bridge District is pleased to announce a beta VIRTUAL edition of the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills - IOLS (S11). Although this class is a first-run in our District, full credit will be awarded to those who successfully complete all sessions. The class will be held Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15, 2020. The course will be split up over four sessions that will last between 90 minutes and three hours. Please read all information in this event description carefully; there are unique conditions in place for this program.

Outdoor skills are critical to the success of any Scouting program. Every Scout deserves a trained leader. IOLS is the required outdoor training for all Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters. The course is also ideal for Venturing Leaders because it focuses on building confidence and competence in conducting outdoor camping experiences. The IOLS course builds and expands on the concepts and themes introduced in Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training, but more importantly it ensures a leader is aware of, and possibly even proficient at, the Scout to First Class skills the Boy Scouts of America uses, and in the way the BSA uses them with Scout-age youth.

This course consists of three virtual classroom sessions held over consecutive days leading up to an overnight campout at each participants’ backyard or other independent outdoor location. A final virtual classroom session follows the next morning (Session Four). ZOOM meeting invites will be provided after registration closes. All sessions must be attended to receive credit for this course.

COST:  $15.00 - Prepaid online registration is required by November 6, 2020 and is non-refundable.

CLASS SIZE: Maximum of 20 participants, first come-first served. Registration may close early if maximum capacity is reached.

REQUIRED UNIFORM: Class A or Class B Scout Leader Uniform is required for all virtual classroom sessions.

REQUIRED CAMPING EQUIPMENT: Full camping gear for an overnight stay (tent, ground cloth, lantern/flashlight, sleeping bag and pad, sturdy shoes, change of clothes, rain gear, coat/jacket/hat, water bottle, and camp chair) and two approximately 30-inch-long pieces of rope. Camping overnight (in your backyard) is part of the course.

SUGGESTED PREVIOUS CAMPING EXPERIENCE: Participants will ideally have at least three prior overnight camping experiences; more is preferable. Participants will also benefit by having learned tenting, outdoor cooking and sanitation, and basic campership skills equivalent to a First Class Scout (see Scouts BSA Handbook).

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY: PC or MAC and a high-speed internet connection with sufficient memory and processor to handle video streaming. ZOOM client or web browser edition is required with both audio and video capability (both mic and camera must be operational and active throughout the course). 

MEALS: will not be provided. We have not yet perfected the art of passing an entire foil dinner through a wireless connection.

COURSE PREREQUISITES: All participants must complete the following online training modules BEFORE the course begins:

1. My.Scouting Learning Plan Modules (https://my.scouting.org) - My Training - Training Center (not required if the participant has already taken these modules as part of the current Scoutmaster Specific training or the S24 Classroom training courses)::

• Scouts BSA: Scoutmaster - First 30 Days section - "Patrol Method for Scouts BSA" (9 min)
• Scouts BSA: Scoutmaster - First 30 Days section - "Outdoor Programs for Scouts BSA" (9 min)
• Scouts BSA: Scoutmaster - Position Trained section - "Outdoor Ethics for Scouts BSA" (8 min)
• Expanded Learning: Program Safety section - "Hazardous Weather Training" (31 min)

2. Troop Program Resources - Campcraft Skills Videos

• https://troopresources.scouting.org/campcraft-skill-videos/
  • “Scout Me In - Outdoor Skills” (2 min)“
  • Outdoor Skills - Character and Leadership” (5 min)
• https://troopresources.scouting.org/general-campcraft-skills/
  • Basic Knots (34 min)                      Fire Building (21 min)
  • Whipping Rope (11 min)                 Tarps and Dining Flies (8 min)
  • Woods Tools (9 min)                       Navigation and Measurements (10 min)
• https://troopleader.scouting.org/program-feature-cooking/
  • Program Feature - Cooking
• https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/09/05/patrol-method/
  • A Beginner’s Guide to the Patrol Method
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01Ui_reskEU
  • Video on the Patrol Method

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Thursday, November 12:

• 6:30 PM  –  ZOOM Room opens for sign-in, gathering time
• 7:00 PM  –  Course Starts: Session 1 (virtual classroom)
• 8:30 PM – Session 1 ends

Friday, November 13:

• 6:00 PM – Session 2 begins (virtual classroom)
• 8:15 PM – Session 2 ends

Saturday, November 14:

• 6:00 PM – Session 3 begins (virtual classroom)
• 9:00 PM – Session 3 ends

Sunday, November 15:

• 7:30 AM – Session 4 begins (Interfaith Worship)
• 10:00 AM – Session 4 ends (Course Completes)

** ZOOM room will remain open after sessions for participant questions and fellowship.

Participants who successfully complete this course (by completing all of the course prerequisites and attending all four sessions) will receive an IOLS training card.