Outdoor Activities

You've probably heard the statement "There's no Scouting without outing." If you haven't heard it in a training course, a roundtable, or some other place, you probably heard it right here on this web site. That statement not only explains why the outdoors are a criteria for the National Quality Unit Award, but it explains why this item is required for the award.

The standard this item represents, however is both low, and restrictive. It's a low standard because most of what we do in Scouting should take place outdoors, but this item only asks for six activities. For me, Scouting is a year-round activity, and my Scouting training expects that a troop have a highlight activity every month. There is, however, nothing wrong with the standard of six. If you add in the long-term camp, that takes care of seven months, leaving five months for the patrols to conduct their own activities.

Additionally, the criterion specifically mentions attending a Boy Scouts of America long-term camp. I would look for that to change in the future (if it hasn't already). Many troops with high quality programs do not attend BSA camps. Some of them plan long treks in the wilderness, canoe trips, or other "high adventure" activities that take the place of summer camp. This, then, is the one complaint I have with this item.

Obviously you should set a goal to meet the criteria for this item as far as getting outdoors as much as possible. That does not mean you need to limit your troop program to Boy Scout summer camps. Your outdoor program should be fun, exciting, and above all else, reflect what the Scouts in your troop want to do.

Now, if I had been asked I would not have made this item required. I would have made "Planned Program" required simply because a quality unit plans its program, but the outdoor program needs to fit the interests and resources of the troop. In this item the specification of a Boy Scouts of America long-term camp puts too great a restriction on the program.