NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING

 Are You a Leader in Your Troop
or Do You Want to Be?
 
Then this program is for YOU!

"Fun," "Challenge," "Adventure," "Learning," "Excitement!" That's how Scouts describe the Silver Bars conference. Strengthen your skills, improve your knowledge, become a better leader at the Great Rivers Council Silver Bars National Youth Leadership Training Conference!

Enjoy a challenging six-day outdoor training program for key youth leaders. As past participants have said, it's a chance to "Learn Leadership," "Make New Friends," and "Gain New Skills." The conference will help you become a better leader and a better Scout.

You will experience the excitement of being a key player in a troop of top leaders. You will share ideas with other great Scouts from all over the Council. An outstanding staff will offer you the leadership and Scouting skills necessary to be a more effective leader in your troop while you are experiencing the fun and challenge of Scouting at Its Best.

Advanced Scout Craft and Outdoor Skills
You will learn advanced pioneering, specialty cooking, and many other outdoor skills. You will go on an overnight backpacking trip with your patrol. You will learn how to help make these things happen in Your Own Troop.

Exciting Meetings, Activities, and Campfires
Participate in and learn about model Troop, Patrol, and Patrol Leader Council meetings. Along with other Scouts, you will learn how to use games and contests to make Scouting more fun and learn new ways to make campfires sparkle. You'll learn ways to make Scouting exciting at every meeting.

Experience Scouting At Its Best
During the course, you will camp, work, play, and learn as part of a patrol in a model Troop. Your Patrol will be assisted by a trained youth staff member who will help you to succeed.

Learn Leadership Skills
Being a GOOD leader can be a challenge. This course will provide you special training in eleven skills of leadership. It explains what they are, how you can use them, and gives you a chance to practice them. The skills covered include:

• Communicating
• Knowing and using the Resources of the Group
• Understanding the Needs and Characteristics of the Group
• Effective Teaching
• Counseling
• Evaluating
• Planning
• Representing the Group
• Controlling the Group
• Sharing Leadership
• Setting the Example

Built on a Legacy of Training Success
Built on the legacy of past Scout training successes, the conference integrates the best of modern leadership theory with the traditional strengths of Scouting experiences. YOU will gain the skills and confidence to lead well.

When Is It?
The Silver Bars conference will begin on July 21, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. and end on July 26, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.

Where Is It?
The course will be held at Hohn Scout Reservation, near Laurie, Missouri.

Who Can Attend?
You must want to participate: to learn, to have fun, to camp, to lead, to do your best! Scouts must be at least 13 years old, or have completed the seventh grade, be First Class rank, and have two years of Boy Scout summer camp experience. This program is for youth leaders in a Troop or for Scouts who will be leaders.

What Is The Cost?
The course fee is $195.00 if the total is paid by June 25, 2008. This covers training materials, program supplies, meals, camp fees, troop and patrol equipment, two T-shirts, hat, patch, silver bars, and a certificate. Most Troops help pay all or part of the fee as an investment in their Scout leaders. Talk to your Scoutmaster since your participation will help your own Troop as well as helping you.

There is a non-refundable $50 deposit due in the Council Office to register. The balance of $145.00 is due by June 23, 2008 to avoid the late fee. The late fee is $50.00. A total fee of $245.00 is due if paid after June 23, 2008. There will be no refunds for cancellations after June 23, 2008.

How Do I Sign Up?
Complete the registration form (doc file) or (pdf file) and send it with your deposit to the Council Office. Your Scoutmaster must sign the form. Due to the training intensity of the course, the Scout must commit to the entire week at camp.

Uniforms and Equipment
Scouts will use the Scout uniform of their home Troop as well as field activity uniforms (Scouting-related T-shirts and solid colored blue, green or khaki shorts or pants-no loud colored shorts or pants and no non-Scout shirts will be permitted).

Two Silver Bars T-shirts and a hat will be provided for wear at the conference. For equipment, you should provide your own personal camping gear plus a lightweight backpacking-type tent. An equipment list will be sent after the deposit is received.

Trained Staff
We have selected and trained an outstanding youth and adult staff from the Council.

The Role of Your Scoutmaster
The conference is designed to strengthen the relationship between you and your Scoutmaster. Your Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and parents are encouraged to attend the closing feast and final ceremony on Saturday, July 26, 2008. The feast begins at 5:30 p.m. at the "Show and Do" shelter at Camp Hohn. The closing ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Fingland Shelter. Scouts will be ready to depart at 8:30 p.m.

Please Note:
While a lot of fun, Silver Bars is a highly structured training experience which does not include participation in individual rank advancement or merit badge work.

Where Can I Get More Information?
For more information, talk to your Scoutmaster or contact the Conference Scoutmaster Herb Cobb or by telephone at (573) 896-9668. The Scout Office in Columbia will have registration forms and information fact sheets at 800-726-8852.

Attention Scoutmasters!
Further information and application forms are available here.