B.S.A. Climbing Instructor Class

Who should attend: Persons interested in being "Climbing" Merit Badge Counselors, Camp Staff, and all Scouters that want to teach scouts how to climb and rappel at the Unit, District or Council level. All persons interested must be mature, capable of instructing, safety conscious, able to exercise good judgment, be dependable, relate well to youth and adults, and be proficient in the techniques of climbing, rappelling, belaying, and spotting. Scouters who work with troops and teach climbing are required to be "Qualified Instructors" prior to teaching any climbing/rappelling activities.

This course will cover B.S.A.'s current National Policies associated with all climbing/rappelling activities, both on the Unit and Council/District levels; as outlined in the pamphlet entitled "Climb On Safely".

Particulars:

¨ B.S.A. Climbing Instructor Qualification Certification is good for 2 years upon successful completion of this class.

¨ Instructors: Only Climbing Directors are empowered to train instructors.

¨ Course size: Is limited to 6-12 students. Pre-registration requested.

¨ Duration: Six meetings consisting of 13.5 hours of classroom and 18 hours of practical instruction on rock.

¨ Entrance Exam: Potential students will be given a short exam to determine their knowledge level of climbing and rappelling.

¨ Fee: $40 per person (textbook included).

¨ Textbook: B.S.A. publication entitled “Topping Out: A B.S.A. Climbing/Rappelling Manual”

¨ Location: Cushman-Watts Scout Center and an outdoor rock climbing location to be announced.

¨ Schedule: Orientation Tue., March 23, 2010, from 7:00p.m. – 10:00p.m. at Cushman-Watts Scout Headquarters.

¨ Classroom lecture(s) Sat, April 03, 2010, from 8:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. at Cushman-Watts Headquarters.

Sat, April 17, 2010, from 8:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. at Cushman-Watts Headquarters.

First outdoor session Sun, April 18, 2010, from 8:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. at Stoney Point.

Exam night Tue., April 27, 2010, from 7:00p.m. – 10:00p.m. at Cushman-Watts Scout Headquarters

Second outdoor session – to be determined by the class.

¨ Contacts: To register for the class, contact: The L.A.A.C. Camping Department at (213) 413-4400 ext 344

For more information, contact: Stephen Dodson at h-(818) 894-3200, c- (818) 967-1323 or at sedodson1@roadrunner.com

Pre-requisites for participation in course:

¨ Current registration with Boy Scouts of America.

¨ Current successful completion of B.S.A.'s "Youth Protection Guidelines" training.

¨ Current B.S.A. Personal Health and Medical Record.

Gear - Each participant must provide themselves a:

¨ Harness,

¨ Helmet,

¨ A rescue type figure-8 rappelling device,

¨ An ATC belaying device,

¨ Three – Four locking-gate carabineers,

¨ One 24” pre-sewn runner and one 48” pre-sewn runner or one 24” pre-sewn runner and a commercially made leash (personal anchor),

¨ Two pieces of 5-6 mm accessory cord, one piece 72” long and the other 96” long.

¨ Climbing shoes (optional),

¨ All other gear will be provided by the Directors (ropes, anchors, carabineers, etc.).

All personal gear will be inspected prior to use.

Help keep climbing/rappelling as part of Scouting's activities by becoming a certified BSA Climbing Instructor for your Unit, District, or Council.