COLD WEATHER TRAINING

"Only the Bold Camp in the Cold!"

Queen of Heaven School - West Seneca

Sat. December 14th, 2024 - 8:30am to 3:30pm

$20 per person

Scouting America defines “Cold Weather” camping as any extended outdoor activity that occurs when the forecasted high temperature of the day is not expected to exceed 50oF. Is your Unit properly prepared with the necessary knowledge, skills, and equipment to run an enjoyable and safe program in these conditions?

Using the curricula developed by BSA, NOLS, LNT, AMC and the GFSC Cold Weather Training Team our experienced instructors offer basic and advanced programs to assist you in developing a year- round outdoor program for your Troop or Crew.

COLD-WEATHER ORIENTATION
This is an introductory-level course in the basics of cold-weather camping and activities. The presentations are delivered in a classroom setting by trained & experienced instructors. Topics covered include:

• Clothing
• Nutrition & cooking
• Shelter selection & use
• Sleeping systems
• Recreational activities & integrating them in your unit program
• Equipment
• Health & safety topics, including first-aid

Cold Weather Training is delivered annually as a one-day program open to Scouting-registered youth & adults.

Open to all Scouts BSA youth, Venturers & Adult Leaders. This training is required for the OKPIK course.

Your KEYS to camping in the COLD:

C - Stay CLEAN

O - Avoid OVERHEATING

L - Dress in LAYERS

D - Stay DRY

OKPIK
OKPIK, the Inuit word for Snowy Owl, is BSA’s High-Adventure Cold-weather training program. OKPIK builds on the basic information presented in the Cold Weather Training program. Through additional classroom sessions and real winter camping experience, participants strengthen their  knowledge base and develop skills through hands-on activities.
Trained and experienced instructors deliver the classroom program and serve as guides during the field. OKPIK is delivered annually and includes an evening classroom session followed by a weekend field practical.

The GFSC OKPIK Program is open to:

• All BSA-registered adults
• BSA-registered Scouts (<18) and Venturers (<21) providing that the unit or individual provide either:
  • 2-deep unit leadership as per BSA standards, OR
  • A chaperone by parent/guardian who is BSA registered and participating in the course.
• In all cases participants are required to have the appropriate training, experience, and maturity to conduct and care for themselves in a high-adventure setting.
• The Cold-weather Training Team recommends a minimum age of 14 and earned First Class for all course participants. Please consult the Course Director if you have additional questions or concerns.
• COLD-WEATHER TRAINING is a pre-requisite to attending OKPIK.

OKPIK has two aims. One is to train the individual to be able to enjoy the outdoors and a camping experience in cold weather (and let’s face it, it’s not always warm and dry when Scouters camp).

The second aim is to “train the trainer”. We want to train Scout leaders and experienced Scouts in the unique skills of cold weather camping so that they can take the knowledge and skills they have learned on the course and bring them back to their units. We want to see all Scout units extend their camping season to all 12 months of the year.

Becoming OKPIK-trained is more than just taking a course; graduation carries with it the responsibility of taking the training back to your unit.

After registration you will receive a conformation email. If you don't please check your spam folder. Look for an email from no-reply@247scouting.org