Council Annual Dinner
Date coming early 2023

Join us for this late-spring event, which is open to all GSLAC Scouters, highlighted by the presentation of the year’s Silver Beaver Awards. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition a Boy Scout council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader. The award is presented to those volunteers who have provided noteworthy service that impacts the lives of youth and and has made outstanding contributions to the Scouting program.

The Greater St. Louis Area Council presented its first Silver Beaver Awards in January 1932. Since then, the council has had more than 1,800 Silver Beaver recipients!

View the all-time Silver Beaver recipient list.

AQUATICS

AQUATIC ACTIVITIES

Many of the council’s properties offer a variety of activities on the water. Swimming, boating, sailing and fishing are some of the favorite activities of many Scouts. Find out what each camp has to offer by going HERE.

SAFE SWIM DEFENSE

BSA groups shall use Safe Swim Defense for all swimming activities. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must have completed Safe Swim Defense training within the previous two years. Safe Swim Defense standards apply at backyard, hotel, apartment, and public pools; at established waterfront swim areas such as beaches at state parks and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes; and at all temporary swimming areas such as a lake, river, or ocean. Safe Swim Defense does not apply to boating or water activities such as waterskiing or swamped boat drills that are covered by Safety Afloat guidelines. Safe Swim Defense applies to other nonswimming activities whenever participants enter water over knee deep or when submersion is likely, for example, when fording a stream, seining for bait, or constructing a bridge as a pioneering project. READ MORE

SAFETY AFLOAT

BSA groups shall use Safety Afloat for all boating activities. Adult leaders supervising activities afloat must have completed Safety Afloat training within the previous two years. Cub Scout activities afloat are limited to council, district, pack, or den events that do not include moving water or float trips (expeditions). Safety Afloat standards apply to the use of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, floating tubes, sailboats, motorboats (including waterskiing), and other small craft, but do not apply to transportation on large commercial vessels such as ferries and cruise ships. Parasailing (being towed airborne behind a boat using a parachute), kitesurfing (using a wakeboard towed by a kite), and recreational use of personal watercraft (small sit-on-top motorboats propelled by water jets) are not authorized BSA activities. READ MORE

*Training for Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat are available online by logging on to my.scouting.org.

Want to get trained as a Climbing or Challenge Course instructor? Click HERE for more information.

CHALLENGE COURSE

Our council has two Challenge Courses, one each at S bar F Scout Ranch and Beaumont Scout Reservation. The Challenge Course is a program for youths and adults that includes a series of outdoor challenges — beginning with basic group initiative games and progressing to more complicated low-course and high-course activities. Some of these events involve a group effort while others test individual skills and agility. Participants climb, swing, balance, jump and think through solutions to a variety of challenges. Most participants find that they can do much more than they initially thought they could.

There are eight major goals of the Challenge Course:

1. Leadership development
2. Problem solving
3. Communication
4. Self-esteem
5. Trust
6. Decision-making
7. Teamwork
8. Have FUN!

The low course consists of group initiative games and events, which help participants learn to work together using communication and trust to achieve their goals. While individual coordination and strength are helpful, participants accomplish the low-course events with the support and combined efforts of their team.

The high course is an individual exercise and builds self-esteem. It is conducted 30 feet in the trees and allows the participant to challenge him/herself to become more aware of individual strengths and limitations. Every participant on the course wears a harness connected to a safety line.

Our Challenge Courses provide an opportunity for each participant to achieve success as an individual and as a member of a patrol or team. The events are not designed to be competitive or to be races against time. The more important objectives include building confidence, developing leadership skills and attaining a sense of common cooperation among team members.

Your unit provides the trained Challenge Course Instructors for each group of 13 maximum. Two trained leaders are required to lead the group.

Helpful Forms

Challenge Course RSVP Instructions and Packing List

ROCK CLIMBING & RAPPELLING

Climbing Tower

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to climb to the top of a mountain, or rappel down a rope from the heights of treetops? The skills that you will learn here are the basics that every expert climber had to master when they first started to climb and rappel.

Climbing Towers are available to Scouts, Venturers and Explorers at Beaumont Scout Reservation and Camp Lewallen. The Beaumont tower is also lit for night climbing and is available for evening rentals. The troop, crew or post provides its own certified Climbing Instructors.

Rock Climbing

Ready for something more advanced? Come experience the thrill of peering over the edge of cliffs at S bar F Scout Ranch or Pine Ridge Scout Camp. Climbing equipment is available for units with trained rock climbing instructors.

Units can choose from Freedom, Ranger Falls, Collarbone or Baby Snake cliffs at S bar F or the dramatic sculped cliffs of Giant City State Park near Pine Ridge. Camping sites are even available on top of the cliffs along the Little St. Francis River or near Castle Rock at S bar F.

Helpful Forms

Climbing RSVP Instructions and Packing List

Pere Marquette Climbing Information

Seat Harness Set Up

Games Resources

Group Activities

‘Like’ Challenge and Climbing on Facebook

Join the Challenge and Climbing Yahoo Group

Cub Launch Activities

October 7th, 2023

Spend a day at camp with the whole family doing all the things Cub Scouts love to do!

BB gun shooting, Archery, Hike the Bobcat Trail (learn what you need to know to get your Bobcat badge!), and STEM demonstrations and activities are just a few of the exciting things available.

Click here to learn more and find the location nearest you!

Barnes-Jewish Hospital: Attend a free class called “Stop the Bleed.” This one-hour class is designed to teach non-medical people how to control emergency bleeding. The program goes over how to apply pressure to bleeding wounds, how to do emergency packing, and how to apply a tourniquet. If interested in taking the class, contact Billy Kollmar at william.kollmar@bjc.org.

Farmers & Merchants Bank (Eureka, MO): Sign your Pack up for an interactive and age-appropriate lesson on Financial Responsibility or make plans to take a field trip. Farmers & Merchants Bank offers Packs a tour of the teller line, vault, and the different tools used at the bank. Call 636-938-7878 for more details.

Federal Aviation Administration: The FAA encourages Scouts and their families who may travel by aircraft not to pack hazardous materials in their checked and/or carry-on luggage. View their brochure or visit faa.gov/Go/PackSafe for helpful resources to share with your units.

Gateway Arch: NPS Rangers facilitate audience-centered programs that feature role playing, decision making, multiple perspectives, analytical thinking and many hands-on activities. Programs are hosted at the Old Courthouse or the new Museum at the Gateway Arch. They are presented year-round, free of charge.

• Lewis and Clark: Explore the cultures, landscapes and animals encountered by the Corps of Discovery as they traveled and mapped the newly purchase Louisiana Territory.
• Trappers and Traders: Bold and audacious, join these adventurers as they learn about the resources of unknown territories, barter and live among American Indians, and contribute to the economy of the American frontier.
• American Indians of the Great Plains: Compare and contrast your life with that of traditional Plains Indians tribes during the 1800s. Learn how the land shaped their traditional tribal customs and how westward expansion changed their way of life.
• Heading West? Supply yourself in St. Louis before heading west. Confront some of the same choices early pioneers did while traveling west across prairies, rivers and mountains to Oregon and California.
• St. Louis: How It All Began: In 1764 French fur traders founded St. Louis at what is now the base of the Gateway Arch. Explore how this small yet diverse settlement grew into a thriving river town.
• General Museum Tour: Meet the people and hear the stories of those who lived, settled and worked in the early 18th- and 19th-century “west.” The program will include information and activities related to Lewis and Clark, the fur trade, Plains Indians and pioneers on the trail.
• Mock Trials: Ranger-led mock trials give students the opportunity to read scripts, argue facts and decide a verdict as they re-enact one of several historic trials that took place at the Old Courthouse including Dred Scott and Virginia Minor cases, and Williams v. Bellefontaine.

Reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance. Maximum group size is 30 youth (one adult for every 10 youth). Please allow 50 minutes for each program.

To make a reservation, visit  www.nps.gov/jeff or www.gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.

Missouri Botanical Garden: visit mobot.org/scouts for details.

• Meet Me Outdoors in St. Louis Festival, April 6-7
• Scout Night at Missouri Botanical Gardens, April 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

River Radio (Cape Girardeau): River Radio in Cape Girardeau (324 Broadway) offers free tours of its radio station to Scout groups. Scouts get an up close and personal view of radio broadcasting and learn how radio stations operate. To schedule your Scout group, contact Kirby Ray at kirbyq@riverradio.net or 1-800-289-5103 ext. 577.

Shaw Nature Reserve: Cub Scouts, enjoy a weekend at Shaw Nature Reserve! Enjoy a variety of activities including water ecology, night hikes, themed crafts, star gazing, and a campfire with s’mores and plenty of hot chocolate! Accommodations provided in the Dana Brown Overnight Center’s delightful historic cabins and new shower facilities.

• Scout Day at Shaw Nature Reserve, May 18 from 8 a.m.-noon

St. Louis Astronomical Society: The SLAS Library Telescope Program seeks to foster scientific literacy, stimulate an interest in astronomy, and provide people who have never looked through a telescope the chance to experience the excitement that comes from discovery. If you are interested in gaining an introduction to astronomy or would like to help SLAS with its new Library Telescope Program, email librarytelescope@slasonline.org. View the Library Telescope Locations.

St. Louis Blues Hockey: Scouts can take advantage of discounted tickets for the game on March 21. Visit nhl.com/blues/tickets/scout-offers for tickets. Use promo code BSCOUT at checkout.

Saint Louis Chess Club is hosting a Scouts BSA chess merit badge event just for girls! The free workshop is Feb. 3 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Click here for more details and to register.

SIUe Basketball Game/Sleepover: Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are invited to attend the SIUe basketball game on Jan. 19 and then stay for a sleepover in the arena. Your $15 ticket includes admission to the game, movie, popcorn and breakfast the next day. For more info or to reserve tickets, contact Paul Dodson at 618-650-3695 or pdodson@siue.edu.

Tower Grove Park: Tower Grove Park has free birding kits available! Kits are geared towards students in grades 4-8 and each kit includes binoculars and flash cards. View the flyer or contact Tricia Scalise at tscalise@towergrovepark.org.

Every Scout has the opportunity to earn their faith’s religious emblem which can be worn on their uniform as a youth or an adult. Religious emblems will fulfill Duty to God adventure requirements for Cub Scouts, Scout Spirit requirements for Scouts BSA and TRUST award for Venturing.

Learn More by clicking here.

Fall Fright Fest Event Details:

• When? October 15th, 2022
• Where? Beaumont Scout Reservation
• What is it? Start the event with a storyteller who sets the scene, encounter the haunted forest, walk through the pirate ship, explore the fort, and then end your walk with homemade slime and receive a goody bag full of treats!
  • Sessions leave every 15-30 minutes. Guides will walk you through the event.

• Event Cost: $10 per attendee
• Who can attend? Cub Scout and sibling friendly and age appropriate.
• Trading post and food concessions are available for purchase!
• Worried about being spooked? We recommend attending in the afternoon, but the whole event is for Cub Scouts and is age appropriate.

Register HERE

Event Details!

Haunted Hayrides is a spooky good time for children and adults of all ages!

Held over two weekends in October at Camp Warren Levis, this event is open to all Scout units, Scout families and the general public. Each hayride ride lasts about 20 minutes, showing the spookier, scarier side of Camp Warren Levis. Keep an eye out for the goblins and ghouls, and be careful about that noise in the woods…Come early or stay after your ride for time around the bonfire, and enjoy some chili and hot chocolate from the concessions stand.

2022 Dates

October 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th

Register HERE

Want To Do The Haunting?

Is your Troop or Crew interested in helping put on the event? If so, click HERE to register to help.

The Greater St. Louis Area Council sponsors hiking trails throughout Missouri from a 4-mile trail over the rolling hills of Beaumont Scout Reservation to the rugged, two-day 20-mile hike across Taum Sauk Mountain in the Ozarks. There are also historic trails such as the Gateway West in downtown St. Louis and the Les Petites Cotes in St. Charles.

These hiking trails are maintained by the Council Hiking Committee, which is made up of dedicated trail coordinators. If you are interested in volunteering with this group, please contact the Greater St. Louis Area Council Camping Department at camping@stlbsa.org.

Check out the list below to find your unit’s next outdoor adventure!

HOW TO REGISTER FOR TRAIL HIKES

Applications to hike all trails must be filed at least two weeks in advance at the Camping Department, which will issue a permit.

• Cub Scouts may hike the Shippey Color Trails (2-9 miles) at Beaumont.  There is a recognition patch.
• Webelos may hike these 10-mile hikes: Gateway West, 1904 World’s Fair and Les Petites Cotes.
• Any Scout may hike any trail except the School Craft, Daniel Boone, Taum Sauk and Lost Creek. Scouts hiking these four trails must have hiking experience.

All Boy Scouts, Explorers, Venturers and Scouters hiking trails should be in uniform.  There must be two adult leaders for every 10 Scouts who hike, and one leader for each additional 10 Scouts.  A fee of $3.00 per hiker covers cost of awards.  This fee is payable after the trail has been hiked and should accompany the Trail Hike Report.

GSLAC TRAILS

Anpetu-We Trail
This is a 10-mile trail (5 miles up and 5 miles back) that winds up Mount Logan at Camp Lewallen. Anpetu-We Trail is a perfect backpack trail to get ready for Philmont because it offers a chance to do a hike with a dry campsite — meaning you have to carry your own water in. The one and only campsite is located near the top of Mount Logan. It is also possible to do this hike in one day.

John J. Audubon Trail
Located in the Mark Twain National Forest just west of Ste. Genevieve, this 12-mile trail is a wonderful trail hike to do as a one- or two-day trek. This trail is currently the only council-sponsored trail that has a GPS geo-cache located on a section of the trial (this would be a good trail to teach with GPS). Hikers will encounter approximately 3,000 vertical feet of ups and downs, so consider this terrain as rugged.

John J. Audubon Trail Map​

Daniel Boone Trail
This one-way 20-mile trail in St. Charles and Warren Counties follows the Katy Trail for 15 miles of its length. It starts in Defiance and takes scenic back roads to Matson, where it joins the Katy Trail. Augusta is a good halfway point. The Boone Trail leaves the Katy Trail a little past Dutzow to end at the Daniel Boone Monument. Troops can use the trail for the one-day, 20-mile requirement of Hiking Merit Badge, or they can bike the Katy Trail straight from Defiance to Dutzow and then the Boone Monument for the 15-mile requirement of Cycling Merit Badge.

Daniel Boone Trail Map

Carondelet-Jefferson Barracks Trail
This 12-mile closed-loop city hike is located in the Carondelet-Jefferson Barracks area of south St. Louis and south St. Louis County. This trail covers many historic buildings and sites, along with two scenic overlooks of the Mississippi River. Bring a camera, as this trail can offer the Scout a chance to work on the Photography merit badge.

Carondelet-Jefferson Barracks Trail​

Gateway West Historical Trail
This is a circular 10-mile city hike that begins and ends at Eads Bridge in downtown St. Louis. It is a question-and-answer trail over many of the historical sites in downtown and south St. Louis. Many of the historical sites also offer tours of their facilities, so plan ahead and visit some of these sites while you hike and learn about the city of St. Louis.

Gateway West Historical Trail Map

Green-Rock Trail
The hike starts at the Rockwood Range Tract, travels through the Greensfelder County Park, and finishes its one way 14-mile hike at Rockwoods Reservations where the museum and wildlife displays are available for nature and wildlife education. This trail can also be hiked backwards to complete the trail as a 20-mile hike and fulfill one of the requirements for the Hiking merit badge. This trail is 99 percent in the woods, and it is also a perfect opportunity to work on individual advancement with the use of map and compass.

Green Rock Trail Map​

Henry School Craft Trail
This map and compass trail can be divided into north and south loops located in the Mark Twain National Forest southwest of Potosi, Mo. The south loop is approximately 9 miles long, while the north loop is approximately 5 miles. Many hiking options are available, such as individual day hikes of the two loops, combinations of the two loops and backpacking. This trail also can be used with GPS navigation equipment.

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft Trail Map

Les Petites Cotes Trail
A circular 10-mile urban hike located in historic St. Charles, the first capitol of Missouri. This is a question-and-answer trail over many of the historical sites in downtown St. Charles. Many of the historical sites offer tours of their facilities, so plan ahead and visit some of these sites while you hike and learn about the city of St. Charles.

Les Petites Cotes Trail Map​

Lost Creek Trail
This is a 20-mile circular hiking and bicycling trail located in Warren County, Mo. The entire trail is over county and state roads. The trail starts in Pendleton. The trail can be used to cover some of the requirements for the Hiking and Cycling merit badges.

Lost Creek Trail Map

Moses Austin Trail
The 14.5-mile wilderness trail is in a rugged section of the Clark National Forest in Washington County, northwest of Potosi, Mo. This is a wonderful trail to work on the Backpacking merit badge.

Moses Austin Trail Map

Pioneer Trace
This rugged 17-mile circular trail around the perimeter of the Beaumont Scout Reservation is ideal for overnight backpacking programs. Groups planning high-adventure treks will find the trail to be a challenging shake down. It is a great trail to work on the Backpacking merit badge.

Shawnee Trail
The Shawnee Trail, named after one of the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s Order of the Arrow lodges, was developed to be a 20-mile hiking trail in the woods at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The trail follows a number of the other hiking trails located at Beaumont.  It is all 10 percent or less in slope.

Shippey Color Trail System
There are four different short trails at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The Red Trail is 5.2 miles long, the Green Trail is 4.4 miles long, the Yellow Trail is 2.5 miles long and the Blue Trail is 9 miles long. Each color trail goes into a different part of Beaumont and offers a different view of what Beaumont has to offer.

Taum Sauk Trail
The Taum Sauk Trail is now part of the Ozark Trail.  Please go to www.ozarktrail.com to get map and information about hiking the Taum Sauk Trail portion of the Ozark Trail. Scout camping is available at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.

The Taum Sauk Trail was made possible through the efforts of the late J.L. “Pop” Connelly, and was formally dedicated on April 12, 1958. Many scouts and scouters have been able to experience the natural beauty of the Ozarks thanks to his efforts. Below is a link to a news article detailing some of the history of the trail and the dedication of a memorial to “Pop” Connelly. Also listed is a program from the trail dedication in 1958.

Mountain Echo
Taum Sauk Trail Dedication Program

Three Notch Trail
This trail is a 21-mile, two 10-mile loops joined by a 1-mile connector, at the S bar F Scout Ranch. You will hike through many of the wilderness areas not normally seen by Scouts at summer camp. The hike can be done in separate loops and it is great for backpacking with the West Loop rated at moderate and the East Loop rated difficult.

Three Notch Trail Map
Three Notch Preparation

Tomahawk Trail
The 12-mile circular forest trail lies entirely within Beaumont Scout Reservation. Much of this trail follows scenic ridge tops and up or down at 10 percent or less grade in most places. This trail qualifies as one of the five 10-mile trails required for the Hiking merit badge.  There are several places to camp on the trail, which makes this a great backpacking hike also.

Tomahawk Trail Map

1904 World’s Fair Trail
This 10-mile trail goes all around Forest Park and part of the Washington University campus. This trail helps tell the story of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis in 1904. There are many places to visit in addition to hiking the trail, such as the St. Louis Zoo, History Museum, Art Museum and the World’s Fair Pavilion.

1904 Worlds Fair Trail

What is it?

This is a multi-day skills and endurance backpacking race with four person teams and multiple checkpoint challenges, scored by overall time. Register as a four person team or individually. Individuals will be placed into a team.

Teams will be hiking over 20 miles during the course. At LSS, you will be tested​ ​physically and mentally. Participants should have good map reading skills.

October 21-23, 2023
S-F Scout Ranch | Register Here

The Map & Compass Committee supports a variety of programs focused on these important skills. These programs include:

• Scouts BSA First Class Orienteering Event - This event is designed to fulfill the orienteering requirement for the First Class Scouts BSA rank. Pre-registration is required and must be by troop.  There is no individual registration. Scouts must be under the supervision of their unit leaders. Scouts should show up prepared for the event. No instruction/training in orientation can be provided at the event. Register here.

  Date: April 1, 2023
  Location: Emerson Porch – Beaumont
  Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

• Map & Compass Training - For leaders 18 years and older. This training prepares leaders to take their troops through the map and compass program at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The program is a progressive learning experience incorporating games, fun, map reading and compass skills. Learn More by clicking here. Date: February 25, 2023
  Location: Sverdrup Lodge – Beaumont
  Time: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
• Scout Orienteering Festival - This annual event at Beaumont Scout Reservation allows Scouts to put their skills to the test and enjoy a fun Orienteering course competition.Date: March 11, 2023
  Location: Emerson Porch and Parade Ground - Beaumont
  Time: 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Where

Camp Warren Levis
Godfrey, IL

Details

SAVE THE DATE! September 22-24th 2023  (registration will open this summer!)

Mom & Me is a weekend camp for Cub Scouts and their moms (or guardians), packed with activities and outdoor adventure. Enjoy camp favorites like archery, BB guns, hiking, arts and crafts, games, and more!  Every year has a unique and fun theme that ties into the event shirts, crafts, and games.

Not an expert camper, mom?  No worries, we provide all the meals and programs. You just need a tent, a sleeping bag, and an overnight bag with any weekend-away essentials.