Challenge Course and Climbing
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.
Learn More by clicking here.
Eagle Trail Workshop
2023 Eagle Trail Workshops
Jump start your journey along the trail to Eagle with this workshop! The workshop is a unique experience where Scouts work with counselors on three Eagle required badges and the Life-to-Eagle process.
2023 Workshop Dates
July 31st- August 3rd, 2023| Register HERE
December Workshop Date (date coming late Spring of 2023)
Fall S-F Ranger Program
Come experience The Ranch in the Fall by taking part in the Fall Ranger Program, October 28-30, 2022!
This weekend will provide participants with the opportunity to explore the backcountry of S-F during a time of year that gives a whole new perspective on the scenery and wildlife that comprises this Scouting paradise. Participants will try their hand at trail cooking, black powder rifle shooting, and more, which are all activities that Scouts and Venturers can do during the week-long summer Ranger program. The program is open to youth age 14 and older.
Fishing
2023 Scout Fishing Day
April 29th
S-F Scout Ranch - Knob Lick, MO
Register Here
All Scouting youth are invited to experience fishing on Nim's Lake at S-F! Our Council Canoe Guides will be onsite to give you tips and tricks on fishing and help you have a great day.
Valid state fishing permit is required for those between the ages of 16–65 wanting to fish on Greater St. Louis Area Council properties. You can purchase permits online at:
Missouri: https://mdc-web.s3licensing.com/
Illinois: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/FishingLicensesFees.aspx
Get on board and create your own adventure!
All the fishing resources you need in one place to learn, plan, and equip for a day on the water. https://www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/fishing-resources-events/everything-you-need-to-start-fishing/
Free Learn to Fish Course!
https://learn-to-fish.igfa.org/courses/intro-to-fishing
Select a state to find fishing and boating information:
https://www.takemefishing.org/missouri/
https://www.takemefishing.org/illinois/
Complete Angler Award Service Project: This option is ONLY for Scouts who have earned all three fishing-related merit badges – fishing, fly fishing and fish and wildlife management and would like to earn the Complete Angler Award. In addition to earning all three fishing-related merit badges the Scout has to complete one of the following four service projects. Scouts registering for the Complete Angler Award Service Project will be able to complete the service project at the skill center.
Register here for the Complete Angler Award Service Project
Complete Angler Award Application
Your last step is to successfully complete one or more of the following projects:
- Teach a Fishing or Fly Fishing merit badge skill to your troop, crew or team as part of a unit program activity.
- Help instruct Cub Scouts on fishing skills or fishery management as part of a Cub Scout meeting or outing.
- Participate in a local fishing derby or tournament, either a Scouting or Community event.
- Complete a conservation project that will benefit a local fishery.
If a Scout is registering for a merit badge (fishing, fly fishing or fish and wildlife management) they CANNOT register for the Complete Angler Award Service Project.
Note: Scouts registering for the Complete Angler Award Service Project MUST bring proof they have earned fishing, fly fishing and fish and wildlife management merit badges. They can bring their blue cards (or photocopies of their blue cards) for these merit badges or a signed letter from their Scoutmaster stating the Scout applying for the Complete Angler Award has earned fishing, fly fishing and fish and wildlife merit badges. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
High Adventure Bases
Huskey Trailways is the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s preferred
transportation provider.
High adventure is active outdoor adventure requiring higher outdoor skills, beyond basic Scouting skills, that are risk appropriate for age and training level of eligible Scouts (14 years old or 13 years old and have 8th grade), Venturers, and adult leaders/advisors.
Contact Jon Jonas (j.jonas@att.net) or George Ripplinger (gripplinger@att.net) for questions.
PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH – PHILMONTSCOUTRANCH.ORG
Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America’s largest national High Adventure Base. Located in Cimarron, N.M., Philmont Scout Ranch challenges Scouts and Venturers with more than 214 square miles of rugged northern New Mexico wilderness. Backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades, and training and service programs offer young people many ways to experience this legendary country.
Interested in going to Philmont in 2021? Register now for the lottery to be part of a GSLAC’s contingent! Council contingents participate in 12-day treks and have transportation organized by the council through a local bus service. Spots are limited, so be sure to register for the lottery by March 15, 2020. A drawing will be held shortly thereafter and units will be notified of their placement via email. You can register for the lottery at https://scoutingevent.com/312-34010.
THE SUMMIT BECHTEL RESERVE – SUMMITBSA.ORG
The Summit Bechtel Reserve, is a 15,000-acre property in southern West Virginia that is home to the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base and new permanent home of the National Scout Jamboree. The 2013 National Scout Jamboree was the grand opening of the Summit and 2014 marks the first time high adventure programming will be available to Scouts and Venturers.
FLORIDA SEA BASE – BSASEABASE.ORG
The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base is a unique Scouting program that offers aquatics programs found nowhere else. Whether your interests lie in sailing, scuba diving, rustic camping on an undeveloped barrier island, fishing or a combination of all, this is the place for your troop or crew.
NORTHERN TIER HIGH ADVENTURE PROGRAM – NTIER.ORG
Northern Tier is the Boy Scouts of America’s gateway to adventure in the Great Northwoods. In the Summer, scouts from Northern Tier’s three wilderness canoe bases explore millions of acres of pristine lakes, meandering rivers, dense forests and wetlands in Northern Minnesota, Northwest Ontario and Northeast Manitoba. In the winter, Northern Tier is home to the OKPIK Cold-Weather Camping program, the BSA’s premier winter high adventure program. Fall programming is also available.
Horses
From September until May, several opportunities exist with the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s herd of horses. Come out and enjoy a trail ride, horse camp, or a tractor-drawn hayride!
To reserve a spot for tractor-drawn hayrides, visit our online portal: Online Reservations
TRAIL RIDES
Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Explorers can hit the trail, beginning and ending at Nagel Base located on Beaumont Scout Reservation. There is a 5-horse minimum and maximum of 12 horses. There must be two Unit Leaders per ride. Trail Rides are available for 1 and 1/12 hour, 3 hour, 6 hour of an overnight trail ride. We have horses that handle for your experience level.
All Trail Rides are available Saturday and/or Sunday during the months of September thru May.
• For March Trial Rides are only available on Sunday.
• Overnight rides are only available during the months of April, May, September, October.
All rides begin and end at Nagel Base Camp located at Beaumont Scout Reservation.
All rides are weather permitting (i.e. rain, snow, severe cold, extreme heat).
Again, a minimum of five and a maximum of 12 horses can be reserved for trail rides. There must be two Unit Leaders per ride.
Trail Ride Recommendations – All riders must be a minimum of Scouts BSA age 11 or older.
1 1/2 hour and 3 hour rides are for Scouts/Venturers 11 and older.
6 hour and overnight rides are recommended for Scouts/Venturers.
For safety reasons no one can ride who is over the maximum weight limit of 230 pounds. Weight will be checked at camp. Rangers and/or trail guides have the authority to restrict any person from taking part in a horse-related activity who may pose, in their opinion, a safety risk to themselves, others, or the horses.
Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance at a Greater St. Louis Area Council office or by clicking here.
HORSEMANSHIP MERIT BADGE SKILL CENTER
The Horsemanship merit badge skills center will provide Scouts with the knowledge of how to care for, groom, and ride a horse. In addition to the riding, Scouts who take this merit badge will gain an understanding of horse instincts and behaviors to better their horsemanship.
2024 DATES
We are excited to offer a Horsemanship Merit Badge skill center this March! The skill center consists of an online orientation and 3 sessions of in-person instruction.
Orientation: March 7 via zoom meeting
Session 1: Saturday, Mar. 9
Session 2: Saturday, Mar. 16
Session 3: Saturday, Mar. 23
Registration Coming Soon!
HAY RIDES
Come down to Nagel for a tractor-drawn hayride! This is a great outdoor activity for Scouting units of all ages. There is one wagon available and each hayride wagon holds a maximum of 20 people. A minimum of two adults for the wagon is required. Hayrides can be reserved in one-hour blocks and come with the use of a picnic area.
- March 1 through May 15 & Sept. 1 through October 31
- Saturday: 5-6 p.m., 6-7 p.m., 7-8 p.m.
- Sunday: 5-6 p.m., 6-7 p.m., 7-8 p.m.
- $50 per wagon
Hayrides are not offered on Saturday nights during heavy camporee weekends.
A maximum of 20 people are allowed on a hayride wagon.
Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance at a Greater St. Louis Area Council office or online by clicking here.
HORSE CAMP July 23-29, 2023
Spend a week at an intermediate riding camp cantering around the property and learning more about horses. There are many trails to be ridden, competitions/games to be played on horseback in the riding ring, and other activities to further your horsemanship along with a chance to show off your advanced skills in a Cavalcade at the end of the week. Other activities while at Horse Camp are swimming, skeet shooting, climbing tower, ropes course, campfires, and much more.
All youth participants must be Venturing age, 13 and out of the eighth grade.
Registration is now open for this year’s Horse Camp.
Maximum number of participants is 24. The Greater St. Louis Area Council Trail Guide Committee provides adult leadership for Horse Camp.
You can sign up for Horse Camp here.
Custom Horse Programs
Are you planning a camporee, birthday party, Unit Court of Honor, wedding, or something else out at Beaumont and would you like to use the horses? Please call the Camping Department for availability and pricing.
Last Scouts Standing
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
Memorial Day Good Turn at Jefferson Barracks
Jefferson Barracks Memorial Day Good Turn
Scouts of all ages are invited to participate in the Memorial Day Good Turn on May 28, 2023. Check-in for Jefferson Barracks Good Turn, hosted by Gravois Trail District. Registration will be from 10:30 am until 11:30 am in front of Beasley Elementary School at the south side of the cemetery. The procession from Beasley Elementary to the cemetery will begin at 11:30 am. Upon check-in, the unit leader or designated adult will receive a map and participation ribbon. A Memorial Day Good Turn patch is available for $4.00, and segment patches are $1.00.
Participants will attend the Flag Ceremony before proceeding to the flag boxes. No one will be allowed to begin placing flags until after the ceremony has been dismissed.
Register Here
About Memorial Day Good Turn
For more than seven decades, approximately 5,000 Scouts have gathered at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery before Memorial Day to decorate each of the approximately 280,000 graves with an American Flag. In its 74th year (2023), the tradition is one of the longest-running Memorial Day events within the BSA.
The public is welcome to attend the event. Scouts from across the Council assemble at Beasley Elementary School and march into the Cemetery, where they proceed to the main flagpole for assembly and ceremony honoring our fallen soldiers. A flag presentation marks the opening of our ceremony, proceeded by a guest speaker who will address the crowd. The ceremony will close with the retrieving of the flags, Taps, and Amazing Grace by the Bagpipers. Everyone will be dismissed to begin placing the flags on each grave.
It takes approximately 2 hours to complete the Good Turn, and Scouts will have placed over 200,000 flags placed on each grave.
In 1866, Jefferson Barracks was established as a National Cemetery, and today is one of the oldest interment sites of the National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
Memorial Day Good Turns for Jewish War Veterans
Jewish Committee on Scouting Good Turn
Sponsored by the Jewish Committee on Scouting
The Jewish Committee on Scouting is also proud to assist Jewish War Veterans Post 644 by placing over 8,000 American flags on the graves of veterans at eight local Jewish cemeteries. For more information on this good turn please CLICK HERE.
2023 National Jamboree
2023 National Jamboree
July 19 – 28, 2023
Summit Bechtel Reserve
Glen Jean, West Virginia
Face the Challenge! The 2023 National Jamboree will be here soon! Scouting’s flagship event is one-of-a-kind. Join 40,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia to experience everything from one of the longest zip lines in North America, a world-class skate park, all-terrain vehicles, treetop canopy tours, rock climbing, patch trading, stadium shows, and much more! Held every four years, the Jamboree is an amazing opportunity for everyone to experience the best of Scouting, all in one place.
COST
$2,315
Early Bird Discount - $2,100 if registered for the Jamboree on or before October 31st, 2022.
To register for the 2023 Jamboree, click here.
Pioneer Kit
Pioneering refers to the knowledge of ropes, knots, and splices along with the ability to build rustic structures by lashing together poles and spars. It was one of the original 57 merit badges issued by the Boy Scouts of America in 1911 making it one of the oldest Scouting skills.
The Pioneering Kit contains everything a Troop needs to make basic structures all the way up to bridges and towers.
For more information on the Pioneering Kit email camping@stlbsa.org.
Scouting For Food
Scouting for Food
America's largest one-day food drive!Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Scouts were able to make a big impact in 2020. Over $50,000 dollars was raised which equals approximately 200,000 meals provided to local families in need. We were also able to collect and donate over 145,000 food items to local pantries. And in 2021, we were able to resume traditional food collection practices and collected 1.98 million items.
Click Here to check out the 2022 drive details!
Thank you to our 2022 Sponsors:
Scouts BSA Voyageur Workshop
What is it?
Calling all Scouts BSA! We have an action-packed event that is designed to help our first-year Scouts along their advancement trail and enjoy some of the fun activities available at our camps. The workshop runs from 9:00am to 4:30pm.
Join us for Map and Compass, Fire Building, First Aid, and Knots and Lashing instruction. Scouts will also get to try their hand at shooting sports! Don’t miss this chance to have an awesome day at camp while fulfilling many Scout through First Class rank requirements!
Event Dates
May 20th| Beaumont Scout Reservation
Register HERE
Shooting Sports
Interested in becoming a merit badge counselor or taking your unit youth on a shooting outing? Get trained to meet National and Council guidelines. These formal NRA courses are available to Scouters at reduced prices.
Learn More by clicking here.
Shoot-O-Ree
March 18, 2023 - Beaumont Scout Reservation
Registration Here!
The Shoot-O-Ree is open to registered Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturers. Scout-age siblings may participate too. Cub Scouts and Cub Scout-age siblings should have an adult partner present throughout the day.
All activities run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Scouts and Venturers - stop by at any time and stay for as long as they like.
Cub Scouts: BB gun shooting, archery, sling shots, water balloons, rubber band shooters, marshmallow shooters, and more!
Scouts BSA and Venturers: Tomahawk throwing, handguns, catapult launching, shotguns, rifles and archery - Scouts BSA and Venturers will get to enjoy a wider variety of shooting at the rifle range.
All registered and paid participants will receive a wristband and punch card for access to Shoot-O-Ree activities. Shooting activities include BB gun shooting, archery, sling shots, and more.
Just a few reminders and details regarding the event:
- This event is not a drop off/ pick up event, meaning parents/guardians/unit leaders must attend with the scouts.
- Don't forget to bring water bottles and closed toe shoes. While rain is not in the forecast, the event will occur rain or shine.
Note: Shooting activities require instruction and a safety briefing. Safety around firearms is a key lesson to learn in life.
STEM University Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 is on!
What is STEM University?
STEM University is a full day event for Cub Scouts (Wolf, Bear, Webelos, & AOL) and Scouts BSA, focused on earning STEM-based advancements and NOVA awards.
Scouts will get to visit a University, work with STEM experts, and participate in fun, hands-on educational activities. See below for locations and dates.
Upcoming Events - registration links will be coming!
STEM U UMSL - December 10, 2022
STEM U SEMO - January 7, 2023
STEM U SIUC - February 25, 2023
Cub Scout College >>> enroll HERE
Scouts BSA College >>> enroll HERE
STEM College - Lake Land College - March 18, 2023
Cub Scout College >>> enroll HERE
Scouts BSA College >>> enroll HERE
Council Pinewood Derby
World Wide Technology Raceway
April 29, 2023 9:00 AM to 2:00 pm
Inaugural Council Pinewood Derby - Celebrating 70 years of pinewood car racing!
Join us on the morning of Saturday, April 29 at World Wide Technology Raceway for a council wide competition and other fun. Sponsored by the generosity of WWT Raceway Gives.
For all Cub Scouts, and a league for Scouts BSA and Venturing to compete! Don't miss this grand time!
The Pinewood Derby is one of the highlights of a Cub Scout's year and great memories for older Scouts. This event will bring Scouts from across the council to have some fun as they race their cars to see who has the fastest one.
This event is open to ALL Cub Scouts in the Council, regardless of a Scout's placement at their home Pack's or District race.
Fee is only $5 per car to enter, all spectators are free. Please register by April 22. Youth under 18 must be in the care of an adult.
Click here for more information to to register: https://buff.ly/3TRKFlx