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Greater Yosemite Council
4031 Technology Dr.
Modesto, CA 95356
209-545-6320

 

Greater Yosemite Council

 

Programs

If you're between the ages of 7 and 20, you might be interested in one of the Scouting programs. If you're a parent, you might be interested in volunteering to be a Scout leader. Scouting offers a time-tested set of activities that have produced fine citizens, dedicated family members, and strong community leaders for more than 95 years.

 

The Building Blocks of Scouting

Be Prepared graphic

It's more than a motto, it's a way of life. Being prepared means having the ability to deal with the many tough challenges life presents - that's what Scouting is all about. Through its time-tested program, Scouting provides young people with opportunities to mentor to their peers, build character, and enrich their faith. These activities build stronger family bonds and help youth reach their full potential by instilling values that last a lifetime.

One of the strengths of the Scouting program is the unique relationship between religious and community organizations, parents, and leaders. Working together, they are able to focus the necessary resources and leadership on the single task of serving youth. The result is children, families, and communities that are stronger and better prepared for the future.

Building BlocksgraphicLooking for a program that teaches positive values to boys your son's age? Looking for activities that build personal fitness, social skills? leadership? Scouting offers a time-tested set of activities that have produced fine citizens, family men and community leaders for 93 years.
The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America—incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916—is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.

Cub Scouts

Cub Scout Leadership graphicCub Scouting is a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of young boys and their parents. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness.

Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect.

Family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting and parents are encouraged to play an active role in the program. Through interaction between parents, leaders, and friends, boys learn citizenship, compassion, and courage. This family-and community-centered approach to learning means that Cub Scouting is truly time well spent.

Cub Scout OathFrequently Asked Questions

Q What are the requirements to join Cub Scouts?
Tiger Cubs (first grade or age 7), Cub Scouts (second or third grade, or age 8 or 9), Webelos Scouts (fourth or fifth grade, or age 10).
Q What does Cub Scouting offer my son?

Cub Scouting uses specific methods to achieve Scouting's aims of helping boys to build character, train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and develop personal fitness.

Q How does Cub Scouting develop character and values?

TC says Naturally!Character is part of everything a Cub Scout does. Character development lessons can be found in every aspect of the Cub Scout experience. In an effort to make character development an integral part of Cub Scouting, the 12 core values are integrated throughout the boy's handbooks and advancement programs.

The core values are:
  • Citizenship
  • Compassion
  • Cooperation
  • Courage
  • Faith
  • Health and Fitness
  • Honesty
  • Perseverance
  • Positive Attitude
  • Resourcefulness
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
Q What are the responsibilities of a parent?
  • Provide help and support for the den and pack.
  • Work with you son on advancement projects and activities
  • Attend pack meetings with your son and present his advancement awards to him at the pack meeting
  • Attend and assist with den outings
  • Attend Cub Scout Family campouts with your son.
Q Do Cub Scouts go camping?
Yes, but they ease into it, beginning with what we call "soft camping." They may go camping with a parent, or even with the entire family.

Q How much is it going to cost?

The national registration fee to join Cub Scouts is $10 per year. Boys Life magazine, the official publication of the Boy Scouts of America, is $9 per year. Other costs include uniforms, insignia, and handbooks. Youth members participate in fund-raising projects and pay dues to cover the cost of the events, activities, and equipment. This teaches boys to earn their own way and teaches the value of money.


Additional Cub Scout Program Resources

The Pack's First Three Months in English (7.1 Mb)
This booklet will help you get your new or reorganized
Cub Scout pack off to a great start.

The Pack's First Three Months in Spanish (3.9 Mb)
Este manual te ayudará a que el pack de Cub Scouts, nuevo o
reorganizado, tenga un comienzo exitoso.

Program ideas for your first month of den meetings in English (678 Kb)
Use this resource for your first month’s meetings if you have all
new boys in your den (they haven’t earned the Bobcat badge.)

WEBELOS to Scout Transition
Indicates how a pack and troop can work together to facilitate
the boys' transition from Webelos to Boy Scouts.

Boy Scouts

Boy Scout graphicBoy Scouts Fact Sheet

The Promise of Scouting

Most people associate Boy Scouting with outdoor adventure- and with good reason. Scouting is an outdoor program designed to develop character, citizenship, and fitness. With the Scout Oath and Law as a guide, Scouting helps a boy develop into a well-rounded young man.

Through the advancement program, a Scout can progress in rank through achievements, gaining additional knowledge and responsibilities. Earning merit badges provides opportunities for Scouts to be introduced to a lifelong hobby or a rewarding career.

In Boy Scouting, youth take responsibility for the activities of the troop. By planning and organizing activities, they develop teamwork and learn to lead as well as follow. Through the support of parents and religious and neighborhood organizations, Scouts develop an awareness and appreciation of their role in their community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What makes Boy Scouts different from other youth organizations?
The Scouting program has a lot of unique features; the most unique is that Scout troops are boy-led and boy-run. Adults train youth members to assume leadership positions, and boys are allowed to plan the program and carry it out.
Q Can a boy be a Scout and still be active in sports and other activities?
Scouts are encouraged to be active in their community, and many do. Athletic programs are seasonal, but Scouting is year-round. The values youth learn in Scouting may help them excel in other activities.
Q Why would a parent want their son to be in Boy Scouts?Boy Scout Oath
Parents want their sons to be in an organization that teaches values. The Boy Scouts of America is a values-based organization that has its own code of conduct: the Scout Oath, Law, motto and slogan.
Q Do you have to have been a Cub Scout to become a Boy Scout?
No. Any boy between the ages of 11 and 17 may be eligible to join the Boy Scouts.
Q Isn't Scouting just about tying knots and camping?
Scouting was chartered by Congress as an educational organization. Every year, Scouts earn over 1 million merit badges, every merit badge is an educational experience. Currently, there are 120 different merit badges.
Q What is the significance of the Eagle Scout Award?
The Eagle Scout Award is the highest rank a boy can achieve in Scouting. A boy who has earned the Eagle badge will have all the fundamental outdoor skills and be proficient in camping, hiking, cooking, and first aid. He will have earned at least 21 merit badges that symbolize knowledge and achievement. He will also have held leadership positions and participated in numerous community service projects, one of which he personally planned and directed. More important, the lessons of discipline, character, and service learned in earning this highest honor last a lifetime.
Year-Round Guide to Boy Scout Recruiting
Having a year-round growth plan in place to attract new members to your Scout troop will bring energy and enthusiasm to the troop program.

Troop Open House
The Boy Scout troop open house allows a troop to swing open its doors and roll out the red carpet to welcome guests. It provides a forum to show off Scouting activities and the troop's accomplishments. It is an effective tool to reach youth who have never tried Scouting.

The Roles of the Troop Chaplain and the Chaplain Aide

Manual for Chaplains Aides and Chaplains
This manual will orient volunteers to the duties, responsibilities, and opportunities of chaplain service in Boy Scout troops.

 

Varsity Scouts

Varsity Scout Fact Sheet

varsity gifVarsity Scouting is a program for young men who are at least 14 years of age but not yet 18. It provides options for young men who are looking for rugged high adventure or challenging sporting activities and still want to be a part of a Scouting program that offers the advancement and values of the Boy Scouts of America. Organization Varsity Scouts are members of a Varsity Scout team chartered to a community organization, such as a church or service club.

Denali AwardThe Denali Award is available to Varsity Scouts who have already earned the Varsity Scout letter, and who complete the following six requirements:

  1. Be registered as a Varsity Scout.
  2. While a Varsity Scout advance one rank toward Eagle, or earn an Eagle Palm.
  3. Hold a Varsity Scout leadership position for at least six months.
  4. While a Varsity Scout serve as a leader of an activity in two of the five fields of emphasis
  5. While a Varsity Scout participate in an activity in the remaining three fields of emphasis.
  6. Satisfy to the team captain that you know and live the Varsity Scout Pledge.
  7. Complete a board of review by the team committee with a district/council representative.

 

Venturing

Venturing activitiesVenturing Fact Sheet

Venturing is for young men and young women ages 14 to 20. It includes challenging high-adventure activities, sports, and hobbies for teenagers that teach them leadership skills, provide opportunities to teach others, and give them an opportunity to learn and grow in a supporting, caring, and fun environment.

Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, to grow, to develop leadership skills, and to become good citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q Does joining Venturing require previous Scouting background?
Any young person ages 14 to 20 can join Venturing. No previous Scouting background is required.
Q Is a uniform required?
A uniform is not required in Venturing. Many Venturing crews create their own T-shirts or other way of identifying themselves as a group.
Q Does a male Venturer working on his Boy Scout advancement have to be registered as a Boy Scout?
No, he can register only as a Venturer, if preferred.
Q Can crews be all male, all female, or coed?
Yes, it is up to the chartered organization. However, one of the aspects of Venturing that makes it popular with young people is that it is coed.
Q Can a girl in the Venturing program earn Boy Scout advancement such as merit badges and the Eagle Scout Award?Venturing logo
No. Girls are able to earn only Venturing advancement.
Q Why would a parent want a son or daughter to join Venturing?
A recent survey concluded that 96 percent of Venturers made new friends, 93 percent had opportunities to go places and do things they had never experienced, 91 percent said Venturing activities helped develop more self-confidence

 

Lone Scout graphicSince its beginning days in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has been concerned with extending the Scouting program to boys in isolated areas or those who find it impossible to join a nearby Scouting unit. The Lone Scout Plan serves such boys who cannot take part in a nearby Cub Scout pack or Boy Scout troop on a regular basis because of such factors as distance, weather, time, or disability. These boys apply for membership as individual Lone Cub Scouts or Lone Boy Scouts.

Although the Lone Scout member might miss the opportunity to participate in activities in the pack or troop, the program makes it possible for such boys to become members of the Boy Scouts of America and to know the fun, values, and achievement of Scouting.

 

Hispanic Youth Leadership Council

Hispanic Youth Leadership Council Web Site

Lone Scout graphicThe Hispanic Youth Leadership Council is a collaborative effort between the Hispanic Leadership Council of Stanislaus County and the Greater Yosemite Council, Boy Scouts of America. The objective of this effort is to provide opportunities for young people to learn leadership, community awareness, and to develop confidence in their own ability. All of the high schools in Stanislaus County have HYLC Venture Crews. These young people are active in a variety of endeavors such as improvements to Tuolumne River Regional Park. In addition to these community service efforts there is time for fun, too. The month of August is slated for the HYLC High Sierra Adventure at Camp John Mensinger. This is a weekend of outdoor recreation for these hard working young people.

The organization registers about 700 youth in several Venture Crews. Each of the Crews is located in the high school to which it is registered. Schools also provide the On-Campus Advisors for the Crews. There are also Off-Campus Advisors from the membership of the Hispanic Leadership Council.


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