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CONSERVATION LEADERS ACADEMY

September 1, 2022-May 31, 2023

REGISTRATION CLOSED; EVENT CANCELLED

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

As the world continues to change, we need young leaders eager to bring people together to solve our most challenging problems. This is especially true for issues like wildfire, endangered species, and deforestation. Join us for a leadership training experience like no other! Scouts will explore topics including communication, consensus-building, project management, and collaboration as they relate to environmental conservation. Through a combination of asynchronous (passive) programming and synchronous (live) sessions, participants will learn how to be effective leaders in the twenty-first century. In addition to unlimited access to all our Virtual Merit Badge Courses, scouts will receive personal mentorship on their DCSA endeavors, access to live Zoom interviews with environmental conservation professionals, and a limited-edition gift package.

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS

  • Registered youth members of the Scouts, BSA program

  • Reside within the United States

  • Meet all technology requirements

REGISTRATION DATES

  • Opens: 12:00 AM PDT, Friday, July 1

  • Closes: 11:59 PM PDT, Friday, Aug. 26

REGISTRATION COST

  • $25.00/scout

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

  • Access to consistent internet

  • Access to a desktop or laptop computer (preferred) or smartphone with a microphone and camera

  • Access to word-processing software (Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, etc.) and ability to export documents as PDF files.

PARTICIPATION GIFTS

  • Access to all Virtual Merit Badge Courses

  • 50/50 Blend T-shirt

  • Patch

  • Completion Certificate

  • Virtual Programming

  • Discount on 2023 In-Person Programming

SUPPORT MOUNT ST. HELENS

This year, our team is continuing a charitable donation option at the time of registration to help raise funds for conservation and eco-tourism initiatives at Mount St. Helens. We understand these are difficult times for everyone, but consider making a tax-deductible donation to a worthy charitable organization when you register your scout for this year's event.

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This Year's Benefiting Organization:

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Scouts gain access to all seven (7) Virtual Merit Badge Courses (10 total merit badges).

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This course provides scouts with essential skills needed to pursue the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award. This includes project management, budgeting, public relations, networking, volunteer coordination, conservation science, and more.

ABOUT OUR CURRICULUM

Volcano Scouting utilizes a plethora of open-source curricula from trusted government agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and the Boy Scouts of America for its programming. Content in this course is arranged in a unique progressive format that takes scouts through a natural resource conflict example. Scouts will learn skills and apply them to the example. All merit badge requirement certification is conducted in accordance with the BSA's Guide to Advancement through virtual quizzes and submitted assignments.

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We will again utilize Instructure's Canvas learning management system (LMS) to deliver our instruction to scouts regardless of where they live. Each module includes supplemental readings and videos, themed live instructional and discussion sessions, and opportunities to apply new skills to an example scenario. This year, our merit badge counselors will be utilizing ScoutBook to certify merit badge requirement partial completions.

ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS

Volcano Scouting was established by a group of scouts, adult leaders, and land managers in 2016 who continue to serve our program today! Check out who will be engaging with scouts this year:

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QUENTIN COMUS

Instructor / Merit Badge Counselor / Curriculum Developer

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Quentin is a Senior at OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon majoring in Natural Resources Education. An Eagle Scout and Hornaday Silver Medal recipient, he has several years of experience advocating for and teaching environmental conservation in the Scouting program. He is also the President of Volcano Scouting. You can contact him at quentincomus@gmail.com

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RONALD COMUS

Instructor / Merit Badge Counselor

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Ron is the Scoutmaster of Troop 7520 in Newberg, Oregon. He grew up in Indiana where he was awarded his Eagle Scout rank in 1983. After moving to Oregon in 2005, he was reintroduced to scouting as a leader, when his son, Quentin, joined Cub Scout Pack 196 in Newberg. He became Scoutmaster for Troop 7520 in 2013.  Being active in scouting has given him several years of learning and teaching experience in the outdoors. You can contact him at roncomus66@gmail.com

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