Three Fires Council

The International Committee of the Three Fires Council views Scouting as an international brotherhood and is committed to helping Scouts in the Three Fires Council interact with Scouts from other nations around the world. We are please to offer your this newsletter with up to date offerings of International Scouting Opportunities!

• TFC International Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 1

Are You Interested in an International Opportunity?

The International Department of the Boy Scouts of America is in the process of updating their database of Scouts and leaders who are interested in participating in International Scouting opportunities as a delegate of the Boy Scouts of America. Nomination forms are available for youth  and leaders  and the International Department requests that interested parties submit their recommendations as soon as possible so that the database can be updated so that scouts and leaders may be considered for upcoming events such as the Pan-American Jamboree and the Asia-Pacific Jamboree.

Local Contact
Please contact your TFC international representatives Joe Harrington  630-707-0200 or Ken King  630-513-0494, for questions and answers about this process. Per international division requirements, these nominations must be processed by your local council International Representative. 
 

International Scouting Opportunites

Learn About the Exciting Scouting Events Being Offered World Wide!

Scouting began in England in 1907, based on the ideas of founder Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell and his book Scouting for Boys. The book and program proved to have universal appeal for boys and quickly spread worldwide. The Scouting program spread around the world until it became what it is now—the largest voluntary youth movement in the world, with a membership of more than 25 million.

As member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the Boy Scouts of America works through the BSA's International Department, to ensure that American Scouts and international Scouts are provided a common resource of programs, funding, and training that increases and enhances their experience in the brotherhood of Scouting.

 EUROPEAN CAMP STAFF PROGRAM

Through the European Camp Staff program, young leaders from the Boy Scouts of America have the opportunity to learn more about Scouting in Europe by working at a European Scout center.

The aim of the European Camp Staff program is to assist young people in developing their leadership skills and to encourage intercultural learning. This is achieved by providing the individual with a residential experience as a volunteer staff member at a Scout center in another country.

Scout centers in Europe do not operate in the same way that BSA camps do. The staff members of a typical European Scout center are usually involved in many different aspects of operating the center rather than specializing in one particular area. This is different from the situation in a BSA camp, where staff members are usually assigned to a particular activity or skill with which they work for the majority of their time at camp. In addition, Scouting in Europe normally operates on a coeducational basis, with males and females having the opportunity to be equally involved at all levels.

All participants in the European Camp Staff program must be between 18 and 30 years of age and must be volunteers registered with the Boy Scouts of America. To ensure that the experience is a worthwhile one, participants should be prepared to commit themselves to work for a minimum of six weeks.  See information at the BSA’s International Department.

Personal note from Ken King, TFC International Representative: “My summer spent working with the European Camp Staff Programme was one of the best summers of my life—in Scouting or outside of it.  This experience is highly recommended.”

   22nd World Scout Jamboree

The BSA web page with information on the next World Scout Jamboree has been recently updated.  Simply Scouting, the 2011 World Scout Jamboree, will take place on the fields of Rinkaby, not far from the town of Kristianstad, in the province of Skåne, southern Sweden. Hosted by The Swedish Guide and Scout Council, the 22nd World Scout Jamboree will run from July 27-August 7, 2011. The purpose of the event is to bring together Boy Scouts, Venturers, leaders, and staff to share international friendship and adventure for personal growth and development.
The upcoming World Scout Jamboree in Rinkaby, Sweden, promises to be one of the best ever. With 40,000 Scouts expected to attend from six continents and more than 114 countries, it’s going to be a world-class event, one you can be a part of if you start planning now.
At Rinkaby, you will get to live and learn with fellow Scouts and leaders from around the world. You’ll be housed in tents along with the BSA contingent, but you’ll soon venture out to mingle with tens of thousands for two weeks of activities and adventure. That’s right, a world fellowship exercise on an enormous scale!

Visit the 2011 World Scout Jamboree website for more information.

Historic Bid for a World Scout Jamboree

BSA International Commissioner Jim Turley has announced that the BSA will team with Scouts Canada and the Scout Association of Mexico to bring the 2019 WSJ to the United States. This will be the first time since 1967 that a world jamboree has been held in the U.S. The 160 national Scout associations around the world will vote for the final selection of a jamboree site for 2019 at the World Scout Conference in 2011. In the meantime, Scouts Canada, the Scout Association of Mexico, and the BSA will move forward to ensure the selection of the site. 

International Events Database

There are a variety of international events that BSA scouts and venturers can take part in.  The World Organization of the Scout Movement keeps a database of events taking place around the planet.  Why not make your next adventure an international one? 

• Visit the International Events Database to see what opportunities are coming up.

  Program Enrichment and Recognitions for International Scouting

International Activity Badge

The International Activity Award recognizes scouts and scouters who have taken part in a variety of international scouting experiences at through the activities of their unit, council, and world scouting international activities.  The emblem is worn as a temporary award on the right pocket of the uniform.   It is not worn in place of or alongside the World Crest emblem. A 5-inch jacket patch is also authorized for wear.

•  International Activity Award - Application

Interpreter Strips   

Youth and Adult members (Cub and Webelos Scouts, Boy and Varsity Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts, plus adult Scouters in all programs) may wear this strip if they show their knowledge of a foreign language or the sign language for the hearing impaired by:

• Carrying on a 5-minute conversation in this language.
• Translating a 2-minute speech or address.
• Writing a letter in the language (Does not apply for sign language)
• Translating 200 words or more from the written word

        Interpreter Strips are worn centered above the Boy Scouts of America Strip

  The World Conservation Award

The World Conservation Award provides an opportunity for individual Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers to "think globally" and "act locally" to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through natural resources and that we are interdependent with our world environment. Please see the Conservation Page of this site for specific requirements for each level.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge

The Citizenship in the World merit badge requires Scouts to learn about global issues and international organizations, as well as take part in an international event. The official requirements can be found in Boy Scout Requirements, No. 33215, or in the Citizenship in the World merit badge pamphlet, No. 33260.

• Citizenship in the World - Merit Badge Requirements

  International Scouter’s Award

The International Scouter's Award encourages Scouters to broaden their involvement in Scouting through participation in world Scouting activities and recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting. 

• Please visit the BSA’s International Division for a list of requirements.

World Scouting and Overseas Facilities

The World Organization of the Scout Movement is a federation of more than 149 recognized national Scout organizations. The Boy Scouts of America is represented in world contacts and developments by its international commissioner. The international efforts of the BSA are supported by the International Committee, one of the operating committees of the National Executive Board, and the staff of the International Division at the national office.  Initiatives at the world level are addressed through three constituencies:

The World Scout Conference

The World Scout Conference is the general assembly of Scouting and is composed of six delegates from each of the 145 member Scout associations. The basis for recognition and membership in the WSC includes adherence to the aims and principles of world Scouting and independence from political involvement on the part of each member association. The Boy Scouts of America is a charter member and active participant. The conference meets every three years. The BSA has hosted it twice.

The World Scout Committee

The World Scout Committee is the executive body of the conference that represents the conference between regular meetings of the full conference. There are 12 members of the committee, elected without regard to nationality for a six-year term.

What is happening at the World Level of Scouting?  Please see a special message from William F. 'Rick' Cronk, BSA Scouter and current Chairman of the World Scout Committee, who presents information regarding the vision of the World Scout Committee and its relation to scouts and scouters around the world:

• Message from William F. 'Rick' Cronk
   

 The World Scout Bureau

The World Scout Bureau  (http://www.scout.org) is the secretariat that carries out the instructions of the World Scout Conference and the World Scout Committee. The World Scout Bureau office is in Geneva, Switzerland, with regional offices in six areas around the world: Africa Region (Nairobi, Kenya), Arab Region (Cairo, Egypt), Asia-Pacific Region (Manila, Philippines), European Region (Geneva, Switzerland), Inter-American Region (Santiago, Chile), and Eurasia Region (Yalta-Gurzuj, Ukraine). The small bureau staff helps associations improve and broaden their Scouting by training professionals and volunteers, establishing sound financial policies and money-raising techniques, improving community facilities and procedures, and assisting in marshaling the national resources of each country behind Scouting. The staff also helps arrange global events such as world jamborees, encourages regional events, and acts as a liaison between the Scouting movement and other international organizations. A major effort in the emerging nations is the extension of the universal Good Turn into an organization-wide effort for community development.

 World Support

The Boy Scouts of America and its International Division have created several avenues of financial support of the world Scouting movement. Included are the following:

World Friendship Fund

The World Friendship Fund of the BSA offers a practical Good Turn opportunity for BSA youth members and leaders. Cash contributions are used to assist Scouting through the World Organization of the Scout Movement and through national Scout associations in developing countries. Tax-deductible contributions can be from individuals, units, camp, and training course groups. Unit participation in the World Friendship Fund offers a unique annual service project to benefit brother Scouts around the world.

Click here to download World Friendship Fund donation form [pdf]

 United States Fund for International Scouting

The United States Fund for International Scouting (USFIS), within the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, provides the opportunity for substantial support of World Scouting by individual business, corporate, and foundation grants. This fund is administered by an appointed committee of the BSA International Committee. The National Boy Scouts of America Foundation has full tax privileges and is not a private foundation.

Provision is made for trust and endowed instruments as well as current support of special Scouting projects around the world. Grant proposals from Scout associations around the world are received and reviewed for disposition by a volunteer committee.

The Baden-Powell World Fellowship

The Baden-Powell World Fellowship is a major program of the World Scout Foundation to establish an endowment fund for ongoing support of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and the United States Fund for International Scouting. Membership is open to individual men and women throughout the world. Each member receives a special medallion, certificate, and lapel pin in recognition.

 Order of the Condor

Order of the Condor  is an endowment recognition program of the InterAmerican Scout Foundation for individuals. Income from the fund is used to help support work of the InterAmerican Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The region serves member Scouting associations of all nations in the Western Hemisphere.

Details on any of these programs are available by contacting the International Division.

 Overseas Facilities

International accommodations for Scouts are available in Switzerland and in England. All offer one-day visits also. All require advance reservations. Contact the BSA’s International Division for details.

Kandersteg International Scout Center

Kandersteg International Scout Center in the Alps of Switzerland is operated by the European Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Dormitory and campsites plus mountain climbing and ski programs are offered.
http://www.kisc.ch
http://www.scout.org/europe

Baden-Powell House

Baden-Powell House, London, England, operated by the Scout Association of the United Kingdom, offers lodging and meals.
http://www.scouts.org.uk/nationalcentres/bpactivity.html
http://www.scouts.org.uk

Gilwell Park

Gilwell Park, near London, is also operated by the Scout Association. It offers both indoor and campsite lodging facilities plus program activities.
http://www.scouts.org.uk/nationalcentres/gilwellactivity.html

 Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, England, the site of B-P’s first experimental scout camp, offers limited indoor and campsite facilities. It is operated by the National Trust.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-brownseaisland