Boy Scouts of America

COPE and Climbing

COPE and Climbing Resources

Belay On Manual – The Belay On manual is a reference for challenge course and climbing programs operated within the BSA. Belay On is available online in PDF format at no cost to BSA members, who are free to use it in BSA programs for non-commercial purposes. The publication will not be available in printed form from BSA Supply Group. Councils are free to reproduce Belay On as needed for their local training programs. 

Climb On Safely is the Boy Scouts of America’s procedure for organizing BSA climbing/rappelling activities at a natural site or a specifically designed facility such as a climbing wall or tower.

Cave Safely Cave Softly – Learn before you go.  Caving can be an exciting unit activity, but requires knowledge and preparation.  This guide can help. For more information refer to the NSS Guide to Responsible Caving. 

Canyoneering Safely – Another exciting adventure for units prepared with the right knowledge and equipment.  This guide will help in that preparation and keep Scouts and leaders safe.

Climbing Merit Badge
Climbing is not a sport that requires tremendous muscular strength, it demands mental toughness and the willingness to practice hard to master a set of skills. The adventure of climbing can also provide a new way to enjoy the outdoors.

Local COPE and Climbing Committee Resources

 

COPE and Climbing Staff Training Syllabi

The links below are to key items that support your council’s COPE and climbing program. These PDFs were updated in February 2015. Updates to the website will be made periodically. PDFs are official training documents. Word documents may be customized. Please share these with others who are involved in COPE and climbing programs.

Foundation (common to COPE and climbing)

  • COPE and Climbing Foundation Level I pdf | doc
  • COPE and Climbing Foundation Level II pdf | doc

Climbing Specific

COPE Specific

Activity Consent Form

If non-Scout groups use COPE or climbing facilities, all participants need to have an Activity Consent Form and Approval by Parents or Legal Guardian completed. In the event the council’s legal team does not have one specific to the council, the BSA’s Activity Consent Form can be used for this purpose.

ACCT Membership

The Boy Scouts of America has negotiated an ACCT membership discount for councils and volunteers. ACCT is the world’s leading advocate, educator and standards developer for the Challenge Course industry and a crucial partner of the Boy Scouts of America. ACCT standards are the foundation of our COPE training and facility management. NCAP standards PS-206, SQ-409 and FA-715 reference ACCT standards for COPE programs, including requiring ACCT membership. Refer to the document below for details on how to qualify and apply for this discounted membership. Questions? Email outdoorprograms@scouting.org.

COPE and Climbing Training Course Codes/Cards

Documents for COPE and Climbing Professional Inspections

Risk Management Resources

Advisory on OSHA Regulations for Challenge Course Worker Safety pdf

Contacts

For additional support, please reach out to the COPE or Climbing representative in your National Service Territory listed below. For a map of National Service Territories click HERE

National COPE and Climbing Subcommittee

 

 

NSTNameHome CouncilEmail
1Joseph DavisCascade Pacificjoseph_davis@mentor.com
3Steve DodsonGreater Los Angeles Areasedodson1@roadrunner.com
4John WinterWinnebago   winterjohnl@icloud.com
5Sherry DavisOzark Trailssherrydavis1988@gmail.com
6Andy PriceGlacier’s Edgebaprice68@gmail.com 
7Lynn JohnsonAlamo Arealmjohnson57@gmail.com
8Andy MillerQuapawamiller@mce.us.com
9Matt KuntzTecumseh mdk12@sbcglobal.net
10Bill ScanlanTheodore RooseveltRockawaybill@gmail.com
12Jerry ClarkWestmoreland-Fayettejclark15461@verizon.net
13Austin Van NeilPine Treeavanniel310@gmail.com
14Randy HinckleyFlint Riverrjhinckley@bellsouth.net
15Sasha TimkovichMecklenburg Countytimkovich@gmail.com
16Kevin MurphySouthwest Floridakevin3eagle@gmail.com

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.