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Montana BSA Resources

Youth protection

Our Ongoing Commitment to keeping Scouts Safe

The safety and protection of children is the most important priority of the BSA and the Montana Council.

BSA Youth Protection Mission Statement

True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within the Boy Scouts of America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, regional, area, council, district, and unit levels.

You do not have to be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America to take Youth Protection Training. 

Report any good-faith suspicion to the Scout Executive, Jory Dellinger, immediately: (406) 370-3464. 

For questions concerning YPT requirements, contact the Council YPT Champion, Scott Hooper: mt.bsacommish@gmail.com.

Council and District positions (including anyone who is a merit badge counselor):

Charter runs from 1 July of the current year through 30 June of the next year.  Anyone who holds a position on either the district or council charter needs to have an expiration date beyond 30 June of the following year. 

Unit positions:

Charter runs from 1 Jan through 31 December each year.  Anyone with a unit position must have an expiration date beyond 31 December.

Combined District and Unit positions:

Anyone who holds both a district AND a unit position needs to follow the first example (i.e. – 1 July to 30 June) as the district YPT date will also cover the unit date.

The BSA’s mandatory reporting policy requires that all persons involved in Scouting report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that any youth participant is being, or has been, physically or sexually abused. This policy empowers all in the Scouting community to recognize, respond, and report abuse. 

In addition to the mandatory reporting policy that removes perpetrators from Scouting and reports them to law enforcement, the BSA has established a multi-layered process of safeguards, including the following, all of which help to act as barriers to abuse: 

  • Ongoing mandatory youth-protection training for all volunteers, along with educational materials for parents and Scouts that is prominently featured in handbooks and integrated into our programs; 
  • A formal leader selection process that includes criminal background checks and other screening efforts;
  • A leadership policy that always requires at least two youth-protection trained adults be present with youth, and prohibits one-on-one situations where adults would have any interactions alone with children – either in person, online, or via text; 
  • A 24/7 Scouts First Helpline (1-844-SCOUTS1 or 1-844-726-8871) and email contact address to access counseling and help needed to report any suspected abuse or inappropriate behavior; and 
  • The Volunteer Screening Database, a tool the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for all youth-serving organizations, to prevent individuals that were removed from Scouting from reregistering. 

The BSA strongly supports the following efforts to help keep children safe nationwide, including: 

  • Funding the CDC study to update the guidelines that all organizations should consider in determining how to keep children in their programs safe; 
  • Establishing and funding a national system where volunteers can register and be cleared through a common screening process applicable to all states and organizations, with an affordable process for conducting background checks and periodically renewing the clearance to reduce the risk that potential abusers can gain access to children by moving across state lines or to other youth-serving organizations; 
  • Enabling youth-serving organizations to share information about individuals who have been removed from their programs for alleged inappropriate conduct – even if the individuals have not been arrested or convicted – to keep potential abusers out of these organizations; and 
  • Strengthening mandatory reporting laws and requiring that sex abuse offenders serve full sentences.
  • Background check requirements

To take Youth Protection training go to My.Scouting.org and create an account. For more information visit the National Council Youth Protection page.

Unit Resources

12 Point Plan

Like the roots of a tree, the more we effectively connect with members throughout the local community and translate those connections to new members, the stronger the unit and the healthier the council will be.

This plan is designed to do exactly that – help units make those connections throughout their communities.

Update your Unit Beascout Pin

The Boy Scouts of America and the Montana Council drive folks to Beascout.org to find out more information on Scouting. Unit information needs to be up-to-date so that folks can connect with local scouting. The link here gives step by step instructions on how to update your Unit Pin.

Unit Rechartering

Montana Council uses the online rechartering process, which you can access.

You need the Unit Access Code that was sent with your recharter to begin the process. This number changes every year so make sure you’re using the current year’s number. If you have not yet received your packet, or your access code is missing, please contact your district executive or the council offices for help. 

The BSA requires criminal background checks for all Scouting leaders. The background checks are administered by a nationally recognized third party that also provides this service to many local, state and federal governments; educational institutions; and other nonprofits.

Details

We are looking for 100% of units to charter. Issues that usually interfere with this goal are:

1. Youth Protection Training – if a unit knows that someone won’t be continuing, please have them removed from the charter to clear any training issues.

2. Signatures – Plan on getting the Institutional Head’s signature processed early on (BTW, the charter organization fee also saw an increase this year, so get them ready as well)

3. Money – Ensure that the unit has sufficient funds to process the charter this year.

Along with the charter, Commissioners will be working through the new Journey To Excellence (COVID edition) with units.  Contact your unit commissioner to set up an appointment to walk through the form.
 
Have further questions? Contact Scott Hooper, Council Commissioner 

Commissioner Resources

The Montana Council and our commissioners believe that training is critical for council success as well as the success of units/districts. This space provides information to Scouters as to what the Council Commissioner Service Team is all about. For specific questions concerning commissioners in your unit or district, consult the Commissioner Roster or contact Scott Hooper, Montana Council Commissioner, directly.

College of Commissioner Science

  • TBA

Zoom connections in locations to be determined by District Commissioners. Virtual participants are encouraged to meet in person in their local Districts, if possible.  All degrees and curriculums will be co-instructed.

For current commissioners, the College of Commissioner Science provides up-to-date information on how to support their units better.  For anyone else, it provides information on the commissioner’s function and how to make effective use of your commissioner to improve communications and improve your programs.

For specific questions concerning commissioners in your unit or district, consult the Commissioner Roster or contact Scott Hooper, Montana Council Commissioner, directly

  • 9:30 am – 9:50 am:  Welcome with Registration and Fellowship
  • 10:00 am – 10:20 am:  Opening Ceremony with Dean’s Orientation
  • 10:30am – 11:20am:  Session 1
  • 11:30 am – 12:20 pm:  Session 2
  • 12:30 pm – 12:50 pm:  Working Lunch with Safety Moment, Council Tidbits, and Council Executive and/or President’s Remarks
  • 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm:  Session 3
  • 2:00 pm – 2:50 pm:  Session 4
  • 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm:  Recognition and Graduation with Council Commissioner’s Closing Remarks.

 

BACHELORS

  • BCS 101—Core Concepts of Unit Service
  • BCS 103—Linking District Resources
  • BCS 104—Contacting Units
  • BCS 105—Resolving Common Unit Issues
Instructor: Ryan Lee and Mary Westover
 
MASTERS
  • MCS 303—Managing Unit Service at the District Level
  • MCS 304—Service to Units at Risk
  • MCS 305—Resolving Critical Unit Issues
  • MCS 306—Mentoring Skills

Instructor: Julie Hillie and Dennie Stephenson

 CONTINUING EDUCATION
(SILVER LEVEL – Intermediate to Roundtable Science)

  • CED 751 – Role of the Adminsistrative Commissioner in the Roundtable Program
  • MCS 353 – The Cub Scout Roundtable Breakout
  • MCS 354 – TheScouts BSA Roundtable Breakout
  • MCS 357 – Managing Long Distrance Roundtables

Instructor: Jesse Fulbright and Travor Wilkerson

 DOCTORATE

  • DCS 503—Developing Your Project or Thesis
  • DCS 506—Coaching Commissioners
  • DCS 509—Legacy of Servant Leadership

Instructor: Paul Gritz and Randl Ockey

No fee for education or recognition certificates. Optional Patch ($10) or Badge ($25) will be available to purchase at the in-person event.

For current commissioners, the College of Commissioner Science provides up-to-date information on how to support their units better.  For anyone else, it provides information on the commissioner’s function and how to make effective use of your commissioner to improve communications and improve your programs.

For specific questions concerning commissioners in your unit or district, consult the Commissioner Roster or contact Gary Ely, Montana Council Commissioner, directly

CCS Thesis

The purpose of this paper is to present a plan of operation for the Montana Council College of Commissioner Science for the use of the Dean of the College. It can be used as is or as a jumping-off point for the Dean to modify to suit the then-current circumstances.

A Dean’s Manual Of Operation.pdf

 

Scouting needs to better mitigate and manage the risk of loss, limit dependence on exemption laws, and maximize the benefits of insurance protection

Of Insurance And Scouting.pdf

Scouting needs to better mitigate and manage the risk of loss, limit dependence on exemption laws, and maximize the benefits of insurance protection

Of Insurance And Scouting.pdf

Camp Staff

To apply

An application is required for both paid and volunteer positions. For paid staff positions, preference is given to full-summer availability.

Camp Employment Dates: 

  • K-M: June 29 – Aug 5
  • Melita: June 29 – Aug 12
  • K-M & Melita Aquatics Staff: June 25 start date
  • MOHAB: June 8 – July 22
General Staff Interviews
  • December 2023/January 2024
  • Additional Interviews by Appointment
Administration:
  • Camp Director (age 21+)
  • Program Director (age 21+)
  • Business Manager (age 21+)
Support Staff:
  • Assistant Ranger (18+)
  • Commissioner (18+)
  • Assistant Commissioner (18+)
  • Trading Post Staff
  • Camp Health Officer (18+)
  • Assistant Medic (18+)
Program Staff:
  • Scoutcraft Director (18+)
  • Scoutcraft Staff
  • Nature Director (18+)
  • Nature Staff
  • Fine Arts Director (18+)
  • Fine Arts Staff
  • Shooting Sports Director (21+)
  • Shooting Sports Instructor (21+)
  • Shooting Sports Staff
  • Archery Director (18+)
  • Archery Staff
  • Climbing Director (21+)
  • Climbing Staff (18+)
  • Aquatics Director (21+)
  • Lifeguard (16+)
  • ATV Instructor (21+)
  • Mountain Biking Staff
  • STEM Director (18+)
  • STEM Staff
  • First Year Camper Director (18+)
  • First Year Camper Staff
  • Counselor In Training (age 14)
Administration:
  • Camp Director (age 21+)
  • Program Director (age 21+)
  • Business Manager (age 21+)
Support Staff:
  • Assistant Ranger
  • Assistant Commissioner (age 18+)
  • Trading Post Staff
  • Camp Health Officer (age 18+)
  • Volunteer Sailors (age 21+)
  • Harbor Master (age 21+)
  • Boat Driver (age 18+)
Program Staff:
  • Fishing Instructor (18+)
  • STEM Director (age 18+)
  • Outdoor Skills Director (age 18+)
  • Outdoor Skills Staff
  • Fine Arts Director (age 18+)
  • Fine Arts Staff
  • Archery Director (age 18+)
  • Archery Staff
  • ACE Director (age 21+)
  • Aquatics Director/Swimming (age 21+)
  • Aquatics Director/Boating (age 21+)
  • Lifeguard (age 16+)
  • STEM Staff
  • Counselor in Training (age 14)

Questions?

Contact Montana Council Service Center
406-761-6000 | mtcouncil@montanabsa.org

Camps

Order of the arrow

Order of the Arrow’s Apoxky-Aio Lodge 300 is located within Montana Council! We are currently part of Section W2N, one of the larger sections in the nation. The Apoxky-Aio Lodge holds two Ordeals, one Fall Fellowship, and one Spring Training annually and assists the Montana Council in the operation of council-wide events.

The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.

Scoutbook

From the first knot tied to the final hours of service performed, the Scouting experience is a journey like none other. And Scoutbook is your go-to tool to ensure not a moment is missed – tracking advancement, milestone achievements, and all the fun along the way.

If your pack, troop, crew, or ship is already using Scoutbook, log in to get started. If not, find out how to set up a unit in Scoutbook.

Annual Reports

2022 Annual Report

Team 315: 2022 Year In Review

volunteer Opportunities

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