The Brownsea program is designed to give the first-year camper a great Scouting experience. This well-rounded program will provide a firm foundation for his future Scouting activities. It will also give him a jump-start in completing selected requirements toward his Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.  The name of the game is FUN, but with a purpose. Each participant will get a real “hands on” program, in order to enhance his outdoor skills. This program is designed for skills instruction; it is the responsibility of the unit to sign the Scout’s handbook.

Brownsea will run in the morning block Monday through Thursday (Block 1).  During the Monday-Tuesday afternoon block (Block 3), the aquatics area will offer Swimming merit badge and offer instructional swim for basic swimming skills and T-2-1 rank requirements.  The Wednesday-Thursday afternoon block (Block 5), will see the Outdoor Skills area offering First Aid merit badge and an Instructional First-Aid class to cover T-2-1 rank requirements.  If a Scout elects to participate in all these activities, they will fill all day Monday through Thursday.  On Friday mornings, we will hold the “Are You Smarter than a Tenderfoot” contest.  Adult leaders will be pitted against one another Jeopardy-style with Brownsea participants providing assistance. Brownsea participants not wishing to participate in the contest are encouraged to sign up for any of the other offerings on Fridays.  Brownsea Scouts will also participate in an outpost. Scouts will want to bring a sleeping bag, backpack, and a small backpacking tent.  The Brownsea outpost will be Tuesday night.

Scouts and units should review the Brownsea Schedule and are free to pick and choose which program elements they wish to participate in.  The Brownsea program is optional and first-year campers do not have to participate. The Brownsea program will not be beneficial for those first-year campers who have completed a majority of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.

Please register Scouts for the Block 1 Brownsea program and the Block 3 and 6 Swimming/Instructional-Swim and First-Aid/Brownsea First-Aid sessions as separate registrations.  If you have Scouts participating in this program, we ask that one leader from your troop attend each day with your Scouts.  We will also need adult leaders to participate in the outpost session.