Varsity Scouting was a program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It was an alternative available to boys ages fourteen to eighteen until the end of 2017. It used the basic Boy Scouting program and added high adventure, sporting, and other elements that were more appealing to older youth to accomplish the aims of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Varsity Scouts were organized into teams; separate chartered units from a Boy Scout troop.
Varsity Scouts participated in the BSA advancement system for troops but also had their own recognition. Their uniform was slightly different. Rather than using the dark green shoulder loops on the epaulets, orange loops were used and the position patches followed a sports team theme (Coach was used rather than Scoutmaster).
Ideals
The Varsity Scout ideals were those spelled out in the Scout Law, the Scout Oath, the Scout Motto and the Scout Slogan. The Varsity Scout learned to use these ideals as a measure of personal growth and continually tries to improve.
Varsity Scouting had five fields of emphasis. A well-planned Varsity Scout program included elements from all of the fields of emphasis:
Advancement Varsity Scouts used the same advancement program as Boy Scouts. They could also receive the recognition offered through such programs as the Fifty-Miler Award; Mile Swim, BSA; etc.
High Adventure and Sports. The basic framework for Varsity Scout activities revolved around high adventure and sports. Resource materials were available for 27 program features. The intent of this emphasis was to encourage a coherently planned set of activities that led to occasional "ultimate adventures" or sports seasons. Following the original model, teams were encouraged to plan a set of activities quarterly that culminate in some type of big event.
Personal Development. "Varsity Scouting promotes growth through spirituality, leadership abilities, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness." The personal development side of Varsity encouraged boys to focus on character development within the framework of their personal and religious beliefs. A particular focus on leadership skills was evident in many teams.
Service is an essential element of all Scouting, as emphasized in the Boy Scout slogan: "Do a good turn daily." An element of service should be present in all Varsity Scout activities. For example, a sports unit could include a clinic for a nearby Cub Scout pack. It was important that the boys were to be the ones that plan, manage, and conduct the service activities.
Special Programs and Events. As part of their programs, Varsity Scouts were encouraged to incorporate special programs and events on a regular basis. These could include district, council, regional, and national events as well as joint activities with neighboring teams or other groups, including activities involving girls of similar age.
Varsity Scouting shared the Aims and Methods of Scouting.
History
Origins
Varsity Scouting was the brainchild of Dr. J. D. Mortensen, a prominent thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon in Salt Lake City, Utah, and an influential member of the Boy Scouts of America. He served for 13 years on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Young Men Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA) General Board and for several years as chairman of its General Scout Committee. He wrote numerous manuals and supplements for the YMMIA. He served on the faculty at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, as advancement chairman for the Great Salt Lake Council, and as a chaplain at four national Scout jamborees, and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, Silver Antelope Award, and the Silver Beehive Award for his work in Scouting.
Program development
Dr. Mortensen formed a Task Force to develop a Scouting program for 14- to 15-year-old young men in 1975. He asked five other men to assist him in his effort, namely: Alva D. Greene, President of Area 2 in the BSA's Western Region Ross J. Taylor, Executive Director of Area 2 Boyd R. Ivie, Scout Executive of the Great Salt Lake Council Burton F. Brasher, Former member of the YMMIA General Board Verl L. Stark, Area 2 Wood Badge Coordinator