The Brownsea Program

Sections

What is Brownsea?

The Brownsea program is designed for scouts who have just joined a troop of have just transitioned
from Webelos. This is a transitional program to help the boys understand the patrol method, learn
basic Scouting skills, and experience many of the programs available at Camp Falling Rock. Boys will
be divided into patrols, with members from the same troop kept together in patrols. The boys will
operate just as a patrol would in their home troops, complete with a patrol flag and yell. During
their time at Brownsea, boys will work on Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank
advancement, as well as first aid merit badge. Boys participating in the Brownsea program are
expected to attend every day from 9:00 to 12:00 and 3:00 to 5:00 (2:00-5:00 on Thursday). The 2:00
to 3:00 hour is left open on all days except for Thursday (due to outpost) so boys may participate
in instructional swim or earn extra merit badges.

Because of the nature of the program, Brownsea is not recommended for boys who have already earned
Second Class or are on their way towards doing so. Brownsea is geared toward boys who have not yet
earned their Tenderfoot or have only just done so. At Brownsea from 2:00 to 3:00 every day, we will
hold an instructional period for boys not participating in Brownsea but not yet First class.

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Outpost

The highlight of the Brownsea experience is the Thursday night outpost. This is a five-mile hike to
Lake Pee Wee where the scouts will spend the night cooking their own dinner, playing games, and
sleeping out under the stars. It is recommended that each boy participating in Brownsea bring to
camp a tarp and sleeping bag for use on the outpost. It is also important that the boy bring a
backpack he can carry, as he will need to hike his gear back up from the outpost.

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Program Goals

1. To provide a well organized program, based upon the Patrol Method lead by qualified instructors.
2. To maintain a low instructor to boy ratio.
3. To teach the basic skills necessary to succeed in Scouting and the outdoor program.
4. To instill in the boys a respect for the Scouting methods and ideals found in the Outdoor Code and Scout Law.
5. To provide an exciting and memorable summer camp experience

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The History of Brownsea

Upon his return from South Africa in 1903, Lord Robert Baden-Powell created the foundation for what
would soon become the world's largest youth movement: the Boy Scouts. Baden-Powell decided to train
boys as "peace" scouts: ready at all times to help others. He discussed his ideas with many people,
found a site on Brownsea Island off the coast of England, and there he pitched his camp on the 25th
of July, 1907. The Boy's Brigade helped him to collect a mixed party of boys. They did not, of
course, wear uniforms; some wore trouser and others shorts with shirts and ties. For shoulder-knots,
they had long twists of colored wool hanging almost down to the elbow. Brownsea was not an ideal
campsite, but there was plenty of woodland on the island for scouting games. The following is Baden-
Powell's report on the camp:

"The troop of boys was divided up into 'Patrols' of five, the senior boy in each being Patrol
Leader. This organization was the secret of our success. Each Patrol Leader was given full
responsibility for the behavior of his patrol at all times, in camp and in the filed. The patrol was
the unit of work or play, and each patrol was camped in a separate spot. The boys were put 'on their
honor' to carry out orders. Responsibility and competitive rivalry were thus at once established;
and a good standard of development was encouraged throughout the troops from day to day. The troop
was trained progressively in the subjects of Scouting."

At Brownsea Island, Baden-Powell used innovative teaching techniques to engage the boys and enhance
their learning experience. According to Baden-Powell, the best way to instruct boys was to teach in
"short installments with ample illustrative examples when sitting around the campfire and with
demonstrations." Making friends along the way is key to a scout's success at Brownsea. Although the
activities conducted at Brownsea are based on the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks,
the objective of the program will be to assist the scouts in mastering the skills they will use for
the rest of their lives and in the Boy Scout program.

In the spirit of the original Brownsea Island Camp, we at Camp Falling Rock have created Brownsea.
This program is designed for new scouts: those coming to summer camp for the very first time and
working on their Tenderfoot through First Class ranks. In this program, Scouts will form a patrol,
elect a patrol leader, and operate as a patrol. Each patrol will be assigned a Troop Guide from the
Staff. The Troop Guide's main duty will be to teach the Patrol Method, provide a strong foundation
of scout skills, and ensure that the boys have both an exciting and memorable experience at Camp
Falling Rock. Patrol Leader election will take place every morning, giving the opportunity for
different scouts to help lead their patrol.

The Brownsea Adventure will be a hands-on experience where verbal instruction is kept to a minimum
and the scouts spend the majority of their time practicing what they have learned. This practice
will come in the form of games, interpatrol competitions, and projects. Fun is the key word for this
program. We want your scouts to enjoy what Scouting has to offer and return to Camp Falling Rock
next year! A strong partnership between your troop's leadership and our staff can make these goals
happen.

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Equipment

For each scout to get the most out of the Brownsea program, it is important that he be prepared.
Every scout participating in the Brownsea program must bring the following items with him to camp:

• Water bottle: all Brownsea scouts must carry a water bottle with him during program times to
  stay properly hydrated.
• Scout Handbook
• Sleeping Bag: for use on Thursday night outpost.
• Backpack: a backpack that the scout can carry himself, for use on outpost. It should be large
  enough to accommodate all equipment the scout must bring on outpost.
• Personal First Aid Kit: bringing this kit is a pre-requisite for the First Aid merit badge.

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Brownsea Open Program

The 2:00 to 3:00 hour is open every day to scouts who are not yet first class, but are not
participating in the Brownsea program. It is highly recommended that scouts participating in the
open program time arrive at 2:00 and stay as long as necessary to complete the requirements they
need. Each dayÍs hour will focus on a different area of scout skills, as shown below.

Monday: Knots
Tuesday: Nature (identifying plants and animals)
Wednesday: Lashings (square, shear, and diagonal)
Wednesday Evening: Firem'n Chip of Totin' Chit
Thursday: 5-mile hike
Friday: Map and Compoass (map symbols, use of map and compass)

On Thursday, any scouts in need of the requirement may accompany the Brownsea scouts on the 5-mile
hike to outpost. The hike will take longer than one hour, and the group will leave promptly. Scouts
arriving late will be unable to participate.

Please note that Falling Rock staff members will not sign off in a scout's handbook. Scouts
participating in this open program time will receive a note for the scoutmaster or SPL indicating
what requirements they have completed to the satisfaction of the Brownsea Troop Guide.

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