Back In-Person in 2024!
University of Scouting is a fun-filled annual event of supplemental training for adults involved in the Scouting program. It is the only time during the year when volunteers can find the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas. The University of Scouting degrees provide Scouters with a structured program in which they can advance and be rewarded for each level of achievement. Led by experienced volunteers, courses are designed to inspire and guide leaders to enhance the Scouting experience for the youth in their units. The variety of courses in the University of Scouting catalog appeal to new as well as veteran Scouters — there is something for every adult leader.
Returning in 2024: The Venturing College is just for Venturing Youth! Take the rank-required classes Goal Setting and Time Management and Project Management from VOA Youth Leaders!
This event is free to attend for Garden State Council members and their families, as part of your annual Council program fee. Out-of-Council participants are welcome and will be charged $5. Lunch will be provided for all participants and faculty. Pre-registration is required.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024
Location: Rowan College of South Jersey
2024 Course Options and Info
The Degree Program
The Garden State Council University of Scouting Degree Program is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge that can be gained through supplemental training to help reinforce your Scouting program. Participation in the Degree Program is voluntary and adherence to the degree requirements is totally the responsibility of the participant. The University’s Degree Program provides a structured process in which participants can advance and be rewarded with degrees for each level of achievement. They may also gain a stronger sense of self-worth and a better understanding of their increasing value to the Scouting community. The atmosphere is one of fun and fellowship, but there’s also an attitude of respect for the importance of the event. Remember, every youth deserves a trained Leader. Students are encouraged to return each year, not only to earn higher degrees, but also to share their experiences with fellow students. The atmosphere of camaraderie and school spirit invigorates the students, inspiring them to return to their units and share their enthusiasm with Scouts and other adult leaders. The University of Scouting degree program is designed to provide an incentive for continued training and as a method to recognize Scouters who participate in that training.
Garden State Council’s University of Scouting offers degrees in the following programs:
- Cub Scouting
- Scouts BSA
- Adventure Scouting
- Be a registered Scouter.
- Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.
- Complete six (6) GSC University of Scouting courses that include:
- Attend a minimum of three (3) courses from your home college.
- Attend three (3) elective courses from General Studies.
**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**
- Be a registered Scouter.
- Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.
- Hold an Associates Degree from GSC University of Scouting.
- Complete basic BSA training for your registered position (Trained Patch).
- Complete an additional/different six (6) GSC University of Scouting courses for a total of twelve (12) courses:
- Attend a minimum of three (3) new courses from your home college.
- Attend three (3) elective courses from General Studies.
**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**
- Be a registered Scouter.
- Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.
- Hold a Bachelors Degree from GSC University of Scouting.
- Complete six (6) additional/different GSC UoS courses for a total of eighteen (18) courses:
- Attend a minimum of three (3) additional courses from your home college.
- Attend one (1) elective course from General Studies.
- Teach one (1) course in your home college.
- Complete two position-related supplemental training courses.
- Cub Scout
- Safe Swim Defense
- Safety Afloat
- Cub Scout
- Weather Hazards
- Climb on Safely
- BALOO
- Leave No Trace Awareness/Outdoor Ethics
- Certified CPR/First Aid course
- Any American Red Cross health and safety course
- Scouts BSA/Venturing
- Safe Swim Defense
- Safety Afloat
- Weather Hazards
- Climb on Safely
- Merit Badge Counselor Orientation
- Leave No Trace Awareness/Outdoor Ethics
- Certified CPR/First Aid course
- Any American Red Cross health and safety course.
**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**
- Be a registered Scouter.
- Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.
- Hold a Masters Degree from GSC University of Scouting.
- Complete six (6) additional/different University of Scouting courses for a total of eighteen (24) courses:
- Attend at least two (2) additional courses from your home college.
- Teach two (2) courses from your home college.
- Earn an adult leader award for your registered position.
- Cub Scout
- Den Leader Award
- Unit Leader Award of Merit
- Cub Scout
- Scout Leader’s Training Award
- Scouter’s Key Award
- Silver Beaver Award
- Scouts BSA
- District Award of Merit
- Unit Leader Award of Merit
- Scout Leader’s Training Award
- Scouter’s Key Award
- Silver Beaver Award
- Venturing
- Venturing Advisor’s Key
- Venturing Training Award
- Venturing Leadership Award
- Unit Leader Award of Merit
- Silver Beaver Award
- Show you have completed one (1) of the following:
- 21st Century Wood Badge
- Lifeguard Certification (BSA or another professional agency)
- Powder Horn
- Trainer’s EDGE course
- Wilderness First Aid
**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**
- Be a registered Scouter.
- Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.
- Hold a Doctorate Degree from GSC University of Scouting.
- Complete six (6) additional/different GSC UoS courses for a total of thirty (30) courses:
- Attend a minimum of three (3) additional courses from your home college.
- Teach two (2) courses from your home college.
- Develop a syllabus for a new course and teach that course at a GSC University of Scouting.
- Show you have completed one (1) of the following:
- Leave No Trace Trainer
- Tread Lightly Trainer
- Lifeguard Instructor
- First Aid/CPR Instructor
- Staff for Wood Badge
- Staff for Powder Horn
- Staff for The Kodiak Challenge
- Staff for Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (ITOLS)
- Staff for National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
- Staff for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**
- Be a registered Scouter.
- Have current Youth Protection Training for your registered position.
- Hold a Fellowship from GSC University of Scouting.
- Complete six (6) additional/different GSC UoS courses for a total of thirty-six (36) courses:
- Attend two (2) additional courses from your home college.
- Teach two (2) courses from your home college.
- Develop a syllabus for two (2) new courses and teach them at a GSC University of Scouting.
- Show you have completed one (1) of the following:
- Leave No Trace Master Educator
- Tread Lightly Master Tread Trainer
- Lifeguard Instructor Trainer
- First Aid/CPR Instructor Trainer
- Course Director for Wood Badge
- Course Director for Powder Horn
- Course Director for The Kodiak Challenge
- Course Director for Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (ITOLS)
- Course Director for National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
- Course Director for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
**Serving as instructor for a course may be substituted for one course credit for each unique course**