Frequently Asked Questions

Who is qualified to attend?

Bear Claw NYLT will focus on training the youth leader(s) in the troop.  Participants do not have to be serving currently in a leadership role, but should have the skills and abilities to do so in the future.  Each participant must be at least 13 years of age and a First Class Scout by June 1 of the year the participant attends the course. .  His troop Scoutmaster must first approve the Scout’s application.

Initially, only one Scout will be accepted for each Troop for each course. This will help provide every unit in the Council the opportunity to have a trained leader. However, if there are spaces open after the May 1 registration deadline, additional applicants will be considered.

A Scout only lacks one requirement for First Class rank. Can he still register?
 No, because of the intensity of this course it is imperative that scouts have reached all requirements for First Class before attending Bear Claw.

What are the course objectives?

The course gives participants:

  • The confidence and knowledge to run the troop program

  • A working knowledge of the skills needed for leadership and help the scouts relate these skills in their troop responsibility.

  • The opportunity to share ideas and experiences with Scouts from other troops

  • The creation of an atmosphere where Scouts will experience Scouting at its best

  • The enhancement of the relationship between the participant and his Scoutmaster

  • The opportunity to have fun.

How do Scouts register?

Please fill out the application form, the personal resource questionnaires (one by the Scout and one by his Scoutmaster),  and mail it to the Theodore Roosevelt Council Service Center with an $100 deposit per individual application.  Until May 1,  no more than one Scout per troop will be admitted into each course. Deposits and full Payments are transferable but not refundable except for waitlisted applicants. All checks please place 1-6801-047-20 Bear Claw in the memo field. 

The fee includes T-shirts, training materials, food, loads of challenges and lots of fun. Additional information will be mailed directly to each Scout and Scoutmaster in May.  Incomplete applications and questionnaires will be returned for completion and resubmission. 

  • Please make sure the applicant who will be the primary applicant for the course has the application marked "primary applicant" in the upper right hand corner of the application. 

  • The Scoutmaster's evaluation of the applicant should not be reviewed by the applicant.  Please submit in a sealed envelope, or direct the application packet through the Scoutmaster.

  • The primary point of contact for the troop is the Scoutmaster for all pre-course and post-course inquiries.  The Scoutmaster will determine who the primary applicant will be, will screen applicants for qualifications, will receive updates on course development, will monitor and coach participants who complete the course and work on their Bear Claw ticket, and will be contacted if participants have to be removed from the course.

What is the course size?

Each course will have patrols of 6 scouts.   Participants from the same home troop will be in different patrols.  Until May 1 no more than one Scout per troop will be admitted into each course.  After May 1,  additional Scouts by troop will be admitted in order of the receipt of a complete application (see notes on incomplete applications).  No more than 3 Scouts per troop will be admitted into each course after the May 1 registration deadline.  

How is the course organized?

  • In order to accomplish the objectives, the participants on arrival, are placed in a patrol composed of 6 Scouts.  Troop instructors help guide this learning.  The conference guidelines and rules are the same for those found in the Scout Oath and Law, the Outdoor Code, and other national and council practices and procedures.

  • A Troop Guide is assigned to each patrol to advice and to be a resource to the participants throughout the learning process. 

  • The troop setting provides an opportunity for Scouts to practice newly learned skills providing the home troop with improved effectiveness and enthusiasm of its youth leaders. 

What are the Uniform Expectations for Daily Course Activity?

Each Scout will be issued a Bear Claw hat, neckerchief, and 3 T-shirts upon arrival at camp. Scouts will be expected to be in complete uniform during the course unless told otherwise for specific events.

The only uniform which will pass the daily inspection is the BSA Official Summer uniform (official short-sleeved shirt with all regular troop insignia properly placed, official shorts (including the new Scout cargo shorts), official knee socks pulled up, and official belt (old metal and new plastic); this is the "Class A, or Field" uniform.

Specific activities will require the T-shirt, official shorts, official belt, and knee socks; this is the "Class B, or Activity" uniform. 

Each patrol will be evaluated on how its members wear their uniforms. Two uniforms are suggested, so the Scout has a change of clothes. Scouts are expected to be in proper uniform upon arrival

What are the course fees?

$ 300 for 2008

Fees cover meals, patrol and troop equipment, binder, T-shirts, program supplies and secondary insurance. Fees to be paid in full by June 1.

A $100.00 deposit holds your position for the designated course; deposits are due by April 1. Checks should be made to Theodore Roosevelt Council BSA; all checks please place 1-6801-047-20 Bear Claw in the memo field. 

Registration will be taken no earlier that February 1 at the Council Service Center.

  • Each troop can register one participant for the program from February through May 1 for each course.

  • After May 1 until June 1, additional Scouts from troops with registered participants will be considered in the order in which their application was received. 

  • No more than 3 participants from a troop can attend the course at each site.

Refund Policy: The $100.00 deposit is nonrefundable after June 1. No deposit refunds given for NO SHOWS at the course site.

What do I do next?

Complete the application found on the NYLT home page in the Course Forms section, secure all the required signatures and send it with your $100 deposit to the Council Service Center.  An information packet that includes a bulletin on uniforming, equipment needs, parental permission and health forms are available at the pre-course briefing.  

Payment of the deposit and the balance should be paid directly to the Council Service Center - no payments will be accepted at the pre-course briefing. 

What about medical forms?
A SIGNED Modified Class 3 MEDICAL FORM IS REQUIRED BY STATE, COUNCIL & NATIONAL POLICIES! A Scout cannot stay at the camp without the medical form. Bear Claw will not allow a Scout on course unless a Doctor signed medical form has been submitted. Go to the Health and Safety Page to download the required forms - Class 3 form, Medication Authorization Form, and releases.

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