Powder Horn

The Powder Horn course is designed to introduce and expose Venturing and Boy Scouting adult unit leaders to the activities and resources necessary to operate a successful outdoor/high adventure unit-level program. It is based on the eight core and eighteen electives found in the Venturing Ranger program. It is intended to help adult leaders get out of the box in finding and using resources and in the way they lead their unit-level high adventure programs. No high adventure skills are taught in this course. It is designed to have some disciplines introduced with a hands-on segment. Example: For scuba if a pool is available, it is suggested to do 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 Boy Scouts and Venturers.

Purpose

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

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

Learning Objectives

  1. Learn what resources are available to support a high adventure program.
  2. Learn where to find the resources.
  3. Learn how to use the resources.
  4. Learn how to safely do a high adventure program.
  5. Learn what is involved with different high adventure disciplines.

Requirements

  1. Be a registered BSA adult.
  2. Have a current BSA Class III physical
  3. Have Scout Executive approval

How A Council Hosts A Course

  1. Council leadership commits to hosting a course and applies to their region in writing asking for approval to host a course. (Click here to download a request )
  2. Decide on a 7-day or weekend course.
  3. In the application to their region, include the name of your course director.
  4. Course director must have previously been to a Powder Horn course and be capable of providing course leadership and direction.
  5. Set the course fee and dates.
  6. Assign a staff advisor.
  7. Request course syllabus (version 3) from your region.
  8. Best to set dates at least a year out, two even better.

For more information call Bill Evans, Associate Director, Venturing Division at 972-580-2427 or bevans@netbsa.org.