What is Powder Horn?

Powder Horn is a course designed to introduce Scouters and thier older youth to exciting program activities and resources necessary to operate a successful outdoor adventure program limited only by their imagination and desire coupled with BSA guidelines and safety requirements. This course provides trained  leaders at all levels with the resources to help guide their youth in meeting their goals.

The Powder Horn is a comprehensive "hands on" course that goes from early morning until late in the evening. It is intended to help adult & youth leaders think out of the box in finding and how they lead their unit-level high adventure programs.

The course is designed for all adult and youth BSA leaders trained in thier positions and interestedf in high adventure programs with the goal to move their organization to the next level.

No high adventure skills are taught in this course. It is designed to have some disciplines introduced with a hands-on segment. For scuba, a Discover Scuba (PADI) session where participants get into a shallow pool and wear scuba gear. It is not scuba certification. Participants will not learn how to rock climb or shoot a skeet course, but will learn where to go to find those who can teach these skills to Scouts and Scouters.

PURPOSE

The course is designed to help trained unit-level youth and adult leaders to:

• Find the resources necessary for a high adventure program.
• Understand what is involved in different high adventure disciplines.
• Run a high adventure program safely.

REQUIREMENTS

• Be a registered youth or adult member of the BSA.Youth must be 14 years of age (or 13 1/2 years of age, completed 8th grade and a member of a Venturing Crew).
• Youth must have completed the leadership training.
• Adults must be trained for their position.
• All participants must complete appropriate Youth Protection. Additionally all must complete Hazardous Weather training, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense and Climb On Safely online prior to the course.
• Submit Annual Health & Medical Record meeting physical requirements for a backcountry environment.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this course the participants should have sufficient introductory information which will provide the following outcomes:

• Introduction to the skills necessary to operate their outdoor program and the various certifications necessary and how to obtain those certifications.
• Knowledge of how to identify local resources and consultants for high adventure activities.
• Knowledge of the health and safety requirements of the Boy Scouts of America as they apply to outdoor programs.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America as they apply to the outdoor programs.

For questions, contact Pat Weaver, neiv156@hotmail.com Course Director.