Boy Scouts of America® Istrouma Area Council

Training Events

National Leadership Seminor/Youth Development Leadership Conference

September 6-8

Join us in Houston at Camp Strake on September 6-8, 2024 for the National Leadership Seminar/Developing Youth Leadership Conference.

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BSA Chainsaw Safety Course

September 21-22

ASR will be conducting an In-Council Chainsaw Safety Course for use of chainsaws on Istrouma Area Council properties.

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BALOO/IOLS

September 28-29

Hands-on program gives adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the outdoors.

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Program Events

Northshore District Roundtable

September 19

*Rescheduled* Monthly program offered by Northshore District that gives leaders hands-on experience and provides a forum for leaders to offer and receive help from their fellow Scouters.

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Central, Southern, and Western District Roundtable

September 19

Monthly program offered by Central, Southern and Western District that gives leaders hands-on experience and provides a forum for leaders to offer and receive help from their fellow Scouters.

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Show N Sell Popcorn Distribution - Northshore District

September 19

orthshore District Popcorn Kernels will show up at the distribution location to pick up the Show N Sell popcorn ordered by your unit.

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Show N Sell Popcorn Distribution

September 20

Show up at the distribution center to pick up the Show N Sell popcorn ordered by your unit.

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STEM Club

September 21

ALL Scouts (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Sea Scouting/ Venturing programs) along with NOVA Counselors are welcome to join us monthly, as you can.

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Fundraising Events

Nicholls State @ LSU

September 7

This fundraising opportunity is open to all Scouts BSA, Venturers, Explorers and their leaders and parents.

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Over the Edge Fundraising

September 18

Do you or your organization want to be a supporter of Over The Edge with the Istrouma Area Council, Boy Scouts of America? Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event that takes fundraising to new heights!

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UCLA @ LSU

September 21

This fundraising opportunity is open to all Scouts BSA, Venturers, Explorers and their leaders and parents.

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South Alabama @ LSU

September 28

This fundraising opportunity is open to all Scouts BSA, Venturers, Explorers and their leaders and parents.

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September Planning Items

Other Notable Activities

• LSU vs Southern California (Las Vegas) - September 1
• National Day of Service and Remembrance - Louisiana National Cemetery - September 11
• LSU @ SOUTH CAROLINA - September 14
• 2024 OA DUES AND ANNUAL PASS, OA DUES AND ANNUAL PASS - September 15

September is Training Season

Every Scout deserves a trained leader and every leader deserves the chance to be trained. The Istrouoma Area Council offers a wide variety of training courses for all levels of leaders in all Scouting programs. You may attend training at the Council, District, or Unit level and many courses are available online at my.scouting.org. Join us for BALOO/IOLS Training, Cub Scout Position Specific Training, and Scouts BSA Position Specific Training. Additionally, University of Scouting is scheduled annually in the February timeframe. It provides many classes that will help you become a well trained leader.

Updates to the Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs

Recently, there are additional resources to Scouting America's Barriers to Abuse. These additional resources address accommodations, the buddy system, and participation by parents/legal guardians.

• Can buddy pairs be co-ed in any of Scouting's programs?  No, buddy pairs of 2 cannot be mixed gender. However, a third youth/participant may be added to allow for a mixed gender buddy group of 3.
• Can a leader bring their Scouts BSA son or daughter to an opposite gender troop activity?  Yes, as long as both troops’ leadership and both chartering organizations approve. Only one set of two-deep leadership from the hosting troop, with a registered female leader over the age of 21 if girls are present, is required provided all other Barriers to Abuse are met, including the buddy or truddy system. Please see the Barriers to Abuse for buddy system updates. 
• Can any Scouts BSA member attend camp on their own?  Yes, as part of a provisional unit at camp. Contact your local council for availability.
• Can Scouts BSA girl and boy troops share a campsite?   Yes. Campsites must be arranged to separate genders adequately.  This separation could be achieved through natural barriers, physical distance, or by the campsite being divided, so long as the separation achieves privacy for both adults and youth, as well as by gender.  Adult leaders are responsible for establishing the barriers and reminding Scouts that members of one gender must not enter the tent/housing of another.
• Our Scouts BSA boy troop and our Scouts BSA girl troop are linked and would like to host a joint outing or activity. Only one girl or only one boy can attend from their specific troop. Is this ok?  Yes, as long as both troops’ leadership and the chartering organization(s) approves. Only one set of two-deep leadership from the hosting troop, with a registered female leader over the age of 21 if girls are present, is required provided all other Barriers to Abuse are met, including the buddy or truddy system. Please see the Barriers to Abuse for buddy system updates.

Youth Protection Training

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders the online, video, and print resources for the Cub Scout, Scouts BSA and Venturing programs. Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required for all leaders to be registered with the BSA, and must be retaken every two years. Scouting.org/YouthProtection

Doing Den Activities - a Guide for Parents and Leaders

Dens are definitely getting organized now, and parents may wonder?  What’s a Den Meeting look like?  How do I help? How do we create some order and structure? Well, see this page for a quick intro to Doing Den Activities (and meetings) and the attachments for a deeper dive into what your den can do! You can leverage the Atlanta Area Council Den Activities page.

Bobcat and First Meeting Plans

As you get dens organized, we have some great plans that prompt parents to share the lead and succeed. Plus many games. These are great for “getting started” meetings and activities with your Den – and empowering parents. See Bobcat Adventure Ideas for Den Activities and Parent Participation

Cub Scouting Fun

You’re going to have plenty of opportunity for more detailed Advancement Adventure meetings, but you can ease into your Den and Pack year with fun*simple*easy activities that your parents can do with their Scouts. Then you’ll have more momentum for a full fun year. See some ideas in the links by Parish below.

Volunteer for Camping Volunteer Corps

Camping Volunteer Corps is a program for Scouts BSA Troops and Venturing Crews to provide service at Cub Family Camping Weekends throughout the year (like Spring Family Camping and Cub Haunted). Scouts receive free camping. Plus, all hours count toward service requirements for ranks and school obligations!