Certified Angling Instructor Course
A National BSA Fish Camp School Program

According to a recent Boy’s Life survey, fishing is the 4th most popular activity among scouts with 61% participating.  As such, we want to strengthen the level of fishing instruction and programs offered here in the BSA Central Region, Area 7, and specifically the Pathways to Adventure & Three Fires Councils.  We are thrilled to have this special opportunity to host this workshop and hope that you will join us for a special week-end Training Event.

The goal of this BSA Train the Trainer course is to improve a Council’s, District, and Unit’s overall fishing program; thru training of Scouters in the official BSA approach to Fishing and Fly Fishing Angler Education.

Think of this training as the fishing equivalent of Shooting Sports, Aquatics, or Climbing Instructor training.  Yes…you know how to fish, but do you know how to teach others effectively how to fish in an Age and Skill based manner?    

Course Director will be Michael Brand

Michael loves to teach fishing and pass along his thrill for the sport to anglers of all ages and levels of skill whether beginner or advanced.  A highly sought after national speaker, we are especially privileged to have him on our faculty because he brings energy, experience, and optimism to “Delivering on the Promise” across the entire BSA Scouting spectrum every day. Drawing on years of experience and a gift for coaching adult Scouters, his style in the classroom is engaging, interactive, fun, and rewarding. Michael is the recipient of the 2016 Aquatic Resources Education Association (AREA) Steve Campbell Outdoor Educator of the Year Award. He is an active member on the BSA National Fishing Committee; BSA Central Region Outdoor Programs Support Team; and Aquatic Resources Education Association. He holds memberships or affiliations in the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA), Fly Fishers International, Trout Unlimited Gateway Chapter, Ozark Fly Fishers, and Fly Fishers at the Crossing and is a Discover Nature Fishing Counselor for the MDC. Do not miss this chance to bask in his angling knowledge and get inspired to FISH ON!

Who should attend?

Participants should include Unit / District Volunteer Scouters, Council Camp Staffers, Merit Badge Counselors, Cub Day Camp Staff, Cub Scout, Scout BSA, and Venturing Leaders

Participants should be committed to instructing Scouts in fishing and fly fishing either at Boy Scout summer camp, Cub Day Camp or teaching one or both of these merit badges in your unit or district.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to earn the BSA Certified Angler Instructor recognition and will be provided the “Tackle” in the “Tackle Box” to run highly valued fishing programs with in BSA Outdoor Programs.  Note: Graduates make excellent Fishing and Fly Fishing merit badges counselors, if approved by Council. 

Course Date:  May 15 – 17, 2020

Space will be limited to 30 participants.

Cost:  $85

All participants MUST bring a completed BSA medical form (Parts A&B)

Please bring your own tent, sleeping gear, etc.

The Event Details:

Meals:                      
Friday Cracker Barrel
Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Cracker Barrel
Sunday Breakfast

Location:                    
Camp Big Timber. 37W955 Big Timber Rd. Elgin, IL 60124.

Daily Schedule:         

Friday:                         
6:00   p.m. Registration
7:00   p.m. Indoor Training Program
9:30   p.m. Cracker Barrel
11:00 p.m. Taps

Saturday:                     
7:30    a.m. Breakfast
8:00    a.m. Indoor / Outdoor Training Program
12:00  p.m. Lunch
1:00    p.m. Indoor / Outdoor Training Program
5:30    p.m. Dinner
6:30    p.m. Indoor / Outdoor Training Program
9:30    p.m. Cracker Barrel
11:00  p.m. Taps

Sunday:                       
7:30    a.m. Breakfast
8:00    a.m. Indoor / Outdoor Training Program
10:00  a.m. CAI Examination / SMART GOAL Development
11:30  a.m. Graduation