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.
Montana council requires all volunteers renew their training every year. 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.
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
Program Guide
The Montana Council’s Program Planning Guide was created for Unit Leaders to help plan their annual program. Contents include district and council calendars, training information, camp information, budgeting, insurance information, Web resources, staff contacts, a who to call list and much, much more.
Camping Guide
The Camping Guide was created to help your unit determine its council camping opportunities for the upcoming year.
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.
Uniforms and Scout Shop
Have questions about purchasing uniforms or just want to browse the shop? Visit the link below.
Unit Rechartering
Montana Council uses the online rechartering process, which you can access. This website works with Internet Explorer (IE) browser 6.0 or newer.
You will 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. (We expect access numbers will be available the first Monday in October.)
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.
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. In the coming months, look for updated information concerning Roundtable information, the Commissioner Summit, and College of Commissioner Science. For specific questions concerning commissioners in your unit or district, consult the Commissioner Roster or contact Gary Ely, Montana Council Commissioner, directly.
The next College of Commissioner Science is on March 19, 2022, in Great Falls. This is an excellent opportunity for Scouters of all walks to meet and learn about the functions of a commissioner.
For current commissioners, it provides them with up-to-date information on how to support their units better. For anyone else, it provides information on the commissioner function and how to make effective use of your commissioner to improve communications and improve your programs.
The college is available in-person or online. Time is short, so the sooner the better.
Upcoming
Commissioner Summit
- Aug. 6, 2022
- 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Note: This will be a virtual meeting. This is NOT intended to be a lecture, but an open discussion for all to participate.
This is a virtual event for all commissioners to attend. This gathering provides commissioners the opportunity to engage with other commissioners across the council and to exchange ideas on how to improve the service to our units. District members are encouraged to provide a location for locals to gather (best effort) to enhance the fellowship (contact your respective District Commissioner for details and locations as needed).
The main session provided by Jeff Green, ACC – Technology deals with volunteer burnout for both the units and ourselves. This is becoming critical after dealing with COVID-19 and the loss of folks due to the national legal issues. As a lead in to this important session, the two breakout sessions will discuss Leadership/Succession Planning and Unit Training, A Method Approach.
This is NOT intended to be a lecture, but an open discussion for all to participate. The topics are important to the success of our council and units. It is a ZOOM event vs. in-person because of the cost of travel for all but a few. Likewise, I am keeping it to a morning so as not to blow the entire day. Uniforms are strongly encouraged.
I am looking forward to “seeing” you at the Montana Council Commissioner Summit!
Gary A. Ely
Montana Council Commissioner
mt.bsacommish@gmail.com
Who: The College is open to all adults and we encourage District Members, Unit Leaders, or Unit Committee as well as current Commissioners to attend. We encourage participation in person, if possible.
What: Following curriculums will be available:
BACHELORS
Prerequisites: NONE, prefer to have Commissioner Basic Training online courses completed.
For new commissioners, but also unit leaders, unit committee members, who want to learn what commissioners do and understand how they can help units with basic level information.
MASTERS
Prerequisites: BACHELORS degree and Commissioner Basic Training online courses completed.
For inexperienced commissioners, but also unit leaders, unit committee members, who want to learn more about what commissioners do and better understand how they can help units with intermediate-level information.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Prerequisites: BACHELORS degree
For experienced commissioners, who want to continue to learn how to best support the units to which they are assigned.
DOCTORATE
Prerequisite: MASTERS degree
For veteran commissioners, who want to better aid Scouters, improve the Scouting experience for youth, and leave their mark on the Montana Council.
DOCTORATE CANDIDATES: After courses are completed, students must come up with a doctoral thesis idea that must be approved, then work with a mentor to complete the thesis. Meanwhile, returning to the College of Commissioner College to teach Bachelors, Masters, and other courses as an instructor, or provide other support in technology or record keeping as part of the College of Commission Science administration.
Registration and Fellowship
8:30am – 9:00am
Opening Ceremony and Dean’s Orientation
9:00am – 9:20am
Session 1
9:30am – 10:20am
Session 2
10:30am – 11:20am
Session 3
11:30am – 12:20pm
Lunch with Council Executive Remarks
12:30pm – 12:50pm
Session 4
1:00pm – 1:50pm
Session 5
2:00pm – 2:50pm
Session 6
3:00pm – 3:50pm
Session 7
4:00pm – 4:50pm
Graduation and Council Commissioner Closing Remarks
5:00pm – 5:30pm
There is NO cost to attend the College of Commissioner Science and take courses. If desired, attendees can purchase the following items to proudly display on their uniforms:
$10 for Montana Council Commissioner Science Patch and Degree Rocker (Bachelors, Masters, Continuing Education, or Doctorate)
$25 for Degree Badge (Bachelors with bronze wreath, Masters with gold wreath, or Doctorate with silver wreath)
CONTINUING EDUCATION is available in Bronze, Gold, and Silver levels with basic, intermediate, and advanced courses that do not have to be taken in order. Take what is available now, come back later for more!
Camp Staff
To apply
For the 2022 K-M Scout Ranch season, we are implementing an interview process. Each staff member must complete an application. Once applications are received, you will sign up for an interview slot. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom. Those interested in being part of the camp leadership team should apply by the camp leadership application deadline. Staff who apply by the priority deadline will have job position priority. All staff should be available for the duration of the camp season.
Camp Dates: June 19-August 10
Camp Leadership Application
(area director, commissioner, admin, etc.)
- Deadline: October 31, 2021
- Interview Date: November 6, 2021
Priority Staff Application
(priority job assignments)
- Deadline: December 1
- Interview Date: December 4 or 5
Final Staff Application
- Deadline: March 15
- Interview Date: April 2 or 3
Administration:
Program Director (age 21)Business Manager (age 21)
Support Staff:
Assistant RangerCook (age 21)- Kitchen Staff
Commissioner (age 18)Assistant Commissioner- Trading Post Staff (age 18)
- Chaplain
- Camp Health Officer (age 18)
- Assistant Medic (age 18)
Program Staff:
Scoutcraft Director (age 18)- Scoutcraft Staff
Nature Director (age 18)- Nature Staff
- Fine Arts Director (age 18)
- Fine Arts Staff
Shooting Sports Director (age 21)Shooting Sports Instructor- Shooting Sports Staff
Archery Director (age 18)- Archery Staff
COPE/Climbing Director (age 21)- Climbing Staff
Aquatics Director (age 21)- Lifeguard (age 16)
ATV Instructor (age 21)- Mountain Biking Staff
STEM Director- STEM Staff
- Trail to Eagle Staff
Trek Director (age 21)- Trek Staff (age 18)
- Counselor In Training (age 14)
Administration:
Program Director (age >21)Business Manager (age >21)
Support Staff:
- Assistant Ranger
Cook (age >21)- Kitchen Staff
- Assistant Commissioner (age >18)
- Trading Post Staff (age >21)
- Chaplain
- Camp Health Officer (age>18)
- Assistant Medic (>18)
- Volunteer Sailors (age >21)
Harbor Master (age >21)- Boat Driver (age >21)
Program Staff:
Outdoor Skills Director (age >18)- Outdoor Skills Staff
Nature Director (age >18)- Nature Staff
Fine Arts Director (age >18)Fine Arts StaffFirst Aid Director (age >18)First Aid Staff- Archery Director age >18
- Archery Staff
ACE Director (age >21)- ACE Staff (age >18)
Aquatics Director/Swimming (age >21)- Aquatics Director/Boating (age >21)
- Lifeguard (age >16)
Sailing Director (age >18)Science/Technology Director (age >18)- Sci/Tech Staff
Trail to First Class Director (age >18)TTFC Staff- Counselor in Training (age >14)
Online applications are preferred. If you need to use a mail-in application, please use the following two (2) PDFs: CAMP STAFF PDF APPLICATION & CIT APPLICATION
Scout Book
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 nd all the fun along the way.
download the free app. With Scoutbook I can: Track advancements, upload photos, send messages to leaders, Scouts and Parents, plan events and track activities.