Outdoor Webelos Leader Skills (OWL) Training
April 29-30, 2017
About the Course
Outdoor Webelos Leader Skills (OWL) is an overnight course geared towards planning and running successful (and FUN!) Webelos outdoor activities. You'll get hands-on instruction and practice in camping skills, outdoor cooking, first aid, knots, woods tools, outdoor-focused advancement adventures, program planning, and more. OWL is for any adults connected with the Cub Scout and Webelos programs.
Special deal: We've set up this OWL course so you'll also have the opportunity to complete the requirements for BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation). If your pack goes camping, at least one leader must be BALOO-trained.
Logistical Details
- April 29-30, 2017
- Camp Squanto, Plymouth (map and directions)
- Arrive between 8 and 8:15 AM on Saturday, April 29. We'll have you on your way home by noon on Sunday.
- We will have an interfaith Scouts' Own service on Sunday morning, which is our traditional way of fulfilling religious obligations on the trail.
- For more information, contact the course director, Rick Smith.
Register Online
Course fee: $20 for leaders registered in Old Colony Council; $30 for out-of-council leaders.* This fee covers the cost of Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, evening snack, and Sunday breakfast, along with training supplies.
*Old Colony Council leaders get a discount because basic leader training costs are subsidized by an activity fee that all of our Scouts pay with their annual registration.
Online registration closed on April 21, as announced. Pre-registration is required (no walk-ins allowed) because the volunteer training staff need a head count to purchase food and prepare supplies. If you missed us this time, please join us for our OWL course in the fall! Or, if you just want BALOO, sign up for our May 6 course in Wrentham.
What to Bring
Please contact the course director in advance if you have any special needs that we can help to accommodate (limited mobility; need electricity for CPAP; etc.).
Details and Suggestions
Our camping arrangements:
- We'll be divided into dens.
- Yes, we will be in tents!
- If you plan on sharing a tent with someone else who is attending the course, please tell Chris (the course director) in advance so he can assign you to the same den.
- We will have restrooms with running water.
- Our tents will be very close to the parking lot.
The equipment list (posted above):
- Bring everything on the list. It's listed there for a reason.
- You don't have to buy everything. Borrow from your friends, your kids, whoever.
- Good places if you want to buy equipment: REI; EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports); Hilton's Tent City (for those who work in Boston); CampMor (online). WalMart has simple stuff too, like mess/eating kits.
- Don't forget silverware. Some mess kits don't automatically include silverware.
- Even if it's not cold enough to need hat and gloves during the day, they can help to keep you warm at night.
Tents:
- There are many different kinds of tents. A lot comes down to your preference.
- Your body heat helps to keep the inside of your tent warm. That's why a small tent will keep you warmer than a spacious tent.
- A summer tent with a lot of mesh/screen will not keep you very warm.
- If you don't have a tent, and you're not ready to buy one, you might want to try borrowing one from your pack. (Or talk to your local Boy Scout troop.)
- You can also rent equipment from outfitters like REI and EMS.
- If you get a new tent, practice setting it up before you bring it with you. This will help you learn how it works and identify if any parts are missing.
Sleeping bags and pads:
- Sleeping bags have degree-ratings, like 30 degrees or 0 degrees. But it's a good rule of thumb not to push those numbers to the limit. In other words, a 30-degree bag might not actually keep you warm enough when the temperature is 30 degrees.
- If you don't have a cold-weather bag, you can make your existing bag warmer by using a fleece liner (relatively cheap), a silk cocoon (more expensive), or putting extra blankets inside. You can also put an extra blanket below you.
- If you bring an air mattress, make sure it's an insulated one. A cheap blow-up mattress or pool raft will cause you to lose a lot of heat.
- A foam roll-up pad will work, too.
Clothing:
- Dress for the weather. Bring a waterproof outer shell if you can, in case of rain.
- Bring plenty of warm clothes.
- Dress in layers! REI has a great resource on this topic.
- Synthetic fabrics like polypropylene will keep you warmer than cotton, especially if you get wet.
- Wear wool or synthetic socks, and bring several changes of socks.
- Wear sturdy footwear-- preferably boots.
- You might want to bring an extra pair of shoes to slip on if you need to walk to the restroom at night. But don't bring sandals or other open-toed shoes. They're a major source of injury at camp.
Handouts and Links
Our Course
Planning and Program Resources
Webelos-to-Scout Transition
Other BSA Resources
