Introduction to Powder Horn 

Powder Horn is a resource course designed to introduce Scouting’s adults and youth to the exciting high-adventure program possibilities for their unit. The course supports the mission of strengthening units so they can achieve the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. One common denominator of successful courses is that creativity and variety play a role in the delivery of the curriculum. Each course is somewhat different, and that is a good thing. Some courses have had participants arrive by canoe, horseback, or bike, or even on skis. Creativity is fun, too! The ultimate goal is for the participants to leave the Powder Horn course with a list of ideas to help their program, along with the contacts and resources needed to implement them. This will lead to a more exciting and robust program, which in turn should lead to increased membership and a higher retention rate in our units. 

It is important to understand that Powder Horn is not a personal development course or a team-building experience. Its purpose is to educate the youth and adult Scouting leaders about specific high-adventure skills, to connect them to resources to deliver those skills, and to get them excited about delivering those skills in an exciting, challenging way to youth. 

Purpose 

The Powder Horn course is designed to help the unit by introducing youth and adult Scouting leaders to safely conducted outdoor/high-adventure activities of a fun and challenging nature. The course provides an introduction to the resources needed to successfully lead youth through a program of outdoor adventure and is based upon giving participants an exposure to some outdoor/high-adventure activities. It is not a certification event. It is for any youth or adult interested in experiencing a unit-level, high-adventure program. The purpose of a Powder Horn course includes: 

• Safe participation in fun and challenging outdoor activities 

• An introduction to resources that can improve a unit’s program 

• Exposure to new and exciting high-adventure activities 

• Help in delivering the BSA promise at the unit level 

• Promoting youths’ and adults’ creativity when delivering high-adventure programs 

Learning Objectives 

After completing this course, the participants should have sufficient introductory information to 

• Provide a robust outdoor program using a variety of resources. 

• Identify local resources and consultants for high-adventure activities. 

• Apply the health and safety requirements of the Boy Scouts of America to outdoor programs. 

• Apply the rules and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America as they apply to outdoor programs. 

This course is not a total training program that enables the Scouting unit members (youth and adults) to become experts or even self-sufficient in any aspect of outdoor skills. Units will likely still need knowledgeable, trained, and certified individuals (consultants) to help provide a safe and correct outdoor/high-adventure program. 

Training for Youth - Powder Horn

Per https://www.scouting.org/training/youth/ 

The Powder Horn syllabus is currently undergoing a review to ensure it aligns with the current NCAP and Health and Safety standards. 

Scouting U is not accepting Powder Horn applications for 2025.

There are rumors that Powder Horn will no longer be offered to the BSA or Scouting America and that this is the last class. 

Participants brought all types of tents and shelters
These are Troop 60 tents

Bicycling Class

We discussed ways to bicycle with Scouts and Venturers
Part of our class included a ride down the the dam and back
Several of the bikes brought by participants got flats or broke down
Seems like getting ready for a bike trip in Scouting includes getting your gear ready too

Backpacking Gear Class

Ray Jardine was a Aerospace Engineer who worked as a draftsman at North American Aviation in Los Angeles, California.  He is known in the climbing and ultralight backpacking community for inventing new gear.  He has published several books and runs his Ray-Way Products make-it-yourself" gear company.

Freeze dried and dehydrated meals are great for minimizing weight in your pack

Horse Riding

Fish and Wildlife Class

We had a game warden from the Department of Fish and Wildlife give a great presentation on wildlife we might encounter in Washington State.  We also received nice good bags and learned about employment opportunities in Fish and Wildlife.

COPE Course

COPE challenges included get to know you games and team building events like blindfold minefield walks and blindfolded leaps of faith.

Orienteering

After a short talk about orienteering, we participated in several orienteering events where we used dead reconning with and without pace counts to find point in the field. 

Horsemanship

Part of horseback riding and horse adventures is caring for our 4-legged adventure partners. 

Radio Class

We had a big talk about using radios in the wilderness.  At Camp Fife, there are no phones or cell service.  Communication with the sheriff and others was all done by radio.  So in this part of the work, radio knowledge isn't a just a hobby, it's your lifeline. 

One of our instructors uses https://hamradioprep.com/ to help prepare for his Ham Radio license tests. 

Dutch Ovens

Campfire and LNT Class

Meals

Overall, the meals were excellent and filling.  There was plenty of meat and a good assortment of dishes, including lots of fruits and vegetables.  

We put on a little weight after this course. 

Range Safety Talk

Per: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss08/

[9/1/2024 Shooting Sports Program Updates

Effective September 1, 2024, Scouting’s Shooting Sports programs within all programs including Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting will be referred to as Range and Target Activities.  

Note: As a reminder, the updated Cub Scout program effective June 1, 2024 includes elective adventures versus awards for Cub Scouts. These elective adventures can still only be offered at an accredited camp program (day camp, short-term camp, long-term camp) or a council organized one day event. For information on delivering these new elective adventures, please visit the shooting sports website. 

In addition, effective September 1, 2024, the following changes will affect the range and target activities within Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting. All other current Scouting range and target activities policies as indicated in the National Shooting Sports Manual remain unchanged and must be followed. These changes will be reflected in the National Shooting Sports Manual on September 1, 2024 and will be updated periodically. Additional information regarding these changes can be found on the Shooting Sports FAQ website. 

• Firearm programs may only take place on a nationally authorized camp property’s range(s) or at a commercial firearm range. This does not apply to district or council programs that utilize BB devices*, but applies to pellet rifles, airsoft (any type), rifles, pistols, shotguns, and muzzle loading rifles and shotguns.  

• The use of personal firearms and personal ammunition is prohibited in all Scouting programs at nationally authorized camp properties. Personal firearms and personal ammunition may be used at a commercial firearm range, subject to restrictions regarding caliber, gauge, and action as described in the National Shooting Sports Manual and herein. 

• At a minimum, all Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships who provide unit-level sponsored/planned range and target activities must have at least one registered unit leader 21+ years of age take the Range Activity SAFEty online training. This trained adult leader must be present at the range. The training is recommended for all unit leaders in Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting. Note this training does not replace the requirements for certified NRA firearms instructors and range safety officers. This training will be available beginning 9/1/2024. 

Additional Scouts BSA Range & Target Activities Program Change: 

• The Scouting Pistol Safety and Marksmanship program is retired effective September 1, 2024.  

• Effective September 1, 2024, Scouts BSA older Scouts** pistol program is the NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation.  

• Scouts BSA older Scouts** can only participate in the NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation at an accredited camp program (day camp, short-term camp, long-term camp) or a council organized one day event. Note there is no change to the use of pistols within Cowboy Action Programs. 

 Additional Venturing and Sea Scouting Range & Target Activity Program Changes 

• Venturing and Sea Scouting rifle use is limited to the following types. (All other rifle or caliber types are prohibited.) 

• .177 caliber air rifle, min 2.5 lbs. trigger pull (open, scope or dot sights);  

• air, CO2, or precharged pneumatic rifle,  

• .22 caliber rimfire^ long rifle or short rifle (breech-loading, single shot, bolt action or repeater bolt action with box magazine), min 3 lbs. trigger pull.  

• Muzzle loading rifle; 

• Lever action rifles as part of an approved Cowboy Action Program at an accredited camp program (day camp, short-term camp, long-term camp) or a council organized one day event. 

• Hunting is no longer part of the Venturing program. Venturing youth may continue to take part in Hunters Education courses. 

• Unit-level sponsored/planned Venturing and Sea Scouting pistol programs are prohibited.  

• Effective September 1, 2024, the Venturing and Sea Scouting pistol program is the NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation.  

• Venturers and Sea Scouts can only participate in the NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation at an accredited camp program (day camp, short-term camp, long-term camp) or a council organized one day event. Note there is no change to the use of pistols within Cowboy Action Programs. 

• Venturing and Sea Scouting may no longer use muzzle loading pistols anywhere within Scouting. 

  *Some states, counties, or other jurisdictions may regulate BB guns as firearms depending on their design and capabilities. Councils must review and follow any local regulations before conducting programs.  

**Older Scouts BSA youth are age 13 and have completed eighth grade or 14 years old and up.   

^Tubular not allowed and higher capacity magazines may not be loaded with more than 5 rounds. 

End updated section effective 9/1/2024]

Archery

Throwing Sports

Fishing

Wilderness First Aid and STOP the Bleed

Our Wilderness Medicine instructor was a Special Forces Medic and Physician Assistant.  As you would expect, the instruction was excellent and focused a bit on war time trauma and how to deal with it in a remote setting. 

Shooting Range

We were sad to hear that many of the firearms used today would no longer be available to use at Scouting and Venturing events after 1 September 2024.  Getting exposure to, and the experience of handling these devices with expert supervision was priceless and will be missed. 

We had over a dozen certified shooting sports instructors at this event, to include many of the participants.  We received one-on-one instruction on a wide variety of rifles and pistols. 

We shot several pistols to include:
Lever Action, Breach Action, Bolt Action on Bipod
Revolvers: Single action, side loading 6-shooter, double action 6-shooter, double action 8-shooter

We fired an assortment of rifles to include:
Bolt action, pump action, Breach .22 with 410 shotgun, AR style semi-automatic 

Muzzle loading rifles are always exciting to shoot

SCUBA and Snorkeling 

We talked about SCUBA and Snorkeling activities with Scouts and Venturers.  Having qualified adults and the right equipment was a big part of these adventures. 

This class was taught by a Navy Diver so we learned a lot about the challenges of diving and how to deal with and avoid problems associated with diving. 

Cowboy Camping

These photos don't serve this event justice.  We slept on a tarp, out in the open, under the stars.  The view was incredible.  There were SO Many stars in the sky, plus so many satellites, and shooting stars from the Perseid meteor shower.  

We spent the evening staring off into the heavens until we drifted off to sleep.  

We awoke to the rising sun, clean air and and open field.  Our bags were a little moist from condensation, but quickly dried off while we ate breakfast.

This would be a great activity to try with our Scouts...after checking the weather report. 

Paddle Sports

These old poly canoes get a bad rap.  The are heavy, floppy and warp in the sun.  That said, they are really inexpensive compared to other canoes and relatively Scout-proof.  They will take beating after beating and still stay afloat.