Varsity Scout Activity Pins
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
For the 26 Boy Scout Venture patrol ultimate activity pins see Venture Patrol Activity Pins.
The following 27 pins and requirements correspond to the Varsity Scout team high-adventure/sports program features.
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Award requirements
Youth Varsity Scout team members who participate in a "ultimate adventure" may earn a Varsity Scout Letter. Such an activity may occur every three to six months; the event is chosen by the team, planned and carried out by the high-adventure/sports program manager, and requires practice or training sessions. If the activity falls into one of the 27 Varsity Scout program features, then an activity pin may be optionally awarded. The team captain (youth team leader) determines the requirements and awards the pins at a court of honor.
Teams may schedule an ultimate adventure that is a "big event" where the other program managers plan activities in the same program feature. Related merit badges may be earned before or during the event.
Below are types of examples program managers could plan for ultimate adventures; these activities are demanding and for many you must consult the Varsity Scout Features pamphlets for information, safety and consultant needs. Since there are no set requirements for the activity pins, the team captain determines what the participation requirements are within the high-adventure/sports event:
Backpacking
Sharpen skills, make equipment, start conditioning, and conduct preplanning. A backpacking trip could be at Philmont, or a trail such as the Appalachian trail. Team members could earn the Backpacking or Hiking merit badge.
Basketball
Teams may join a league for a season (at least three months) or play other Varsity Scouts. An advancement activity could be earning the Sports merit badge.
Bowling
Bowling is a good cold-weather alternative. Join a league; earn the Engineering merit badge for advancement.
Canoe camping
Plan an extended canoe camping trip; earn the 50 Miler Award and the Canoeing merit badge.
Caving
Cover the material in the Caving program feature. Conduct a caving activity. Earn the Geology merit badge for advancement.
Cross-country skiing
Cover the material in the Cross-country skiing program feature. Organize a tour race or cross-country skiing adventure. Earn the Snow Sports merit badge.
Cycling
Plan a long-term cycling tour, including conditioning and bike inspections. There are many outside consultants that could provide expertise. Earn the Cycling merit badge.
Discovering America
This is a wild-card activity. It allows teams to brainstorm for an adventure: A hobby adventure, a trip to another country, a special citizenship project to aid a group of people, or working on a cattle ranch.
Fishing
Cover basic instruction for fishing; learn to tie fly lures. Make this the focus of a high-adventure. Earn the Fishing or Fly Fishing merit badge.
Freestyle biking
Cover the Freestyle biking program feature. Stage a freestyle biking competition.
Frontiersman
Learn about all aspects of the mountain men that explored the western frontiers in the early 19th century. Earn the Wilderness Survival merit badge.
Mechanics
Team may follow the Mechanic's program feature. Activities may require an outside consultant. Activities could include earning the Traffic Safety and the Auto Mechanics merit badges.
Operation On-target
This program is mainly for Varsity Scouts, but also includes Venturers and older Boy Scouts. Operation On-target gives the team the opportunity to learn about signaling with mirrors and exposes them to radio communications, movie-making equipment, photography, and other subjects. Supporting advancement activities could include earning the Radio or [Photography]] merit badges.
There are two pins available, a V-shaped pin for the first participation and another for each attendance thereafter.
Orienteering
Cover the material in the Orienteering program feature. Plan a challenging orienteering activity. Earn the Orienteering merit badge.
Rock climbing and rappelling
This can be one of the most challenging adventures. Teams need the help of a qualified instructor and must follow Climb On Safely procedures. Advancement activities may include earning the Climbing merit badge.
Roller hockey
Cover the material in the Roller hockey program feature. Advancement activities may include earning the Skating merit badge.
Shooting sports
Cover the material in the Shooting spots program feature; a qualified instructor is a must. Plan a high-adventure outing. Advancement activities may include earning the Shotgun Shooting, Rifle Shooting or Archery merit badges.
Snow camping
Soccer
Teams may join a league for a season (at least three months) or play other Varsity Scouts. An advancement activity could be earning the Sports merit badge.
Softball
Teams may join a league for a season (at least three months) or play other Varsity Scouts. An advancement activity could be earning the Sports merit badge.
Survival
Teams may go beyond what is learned in the Wilderness Survival merit badge. This adventure should be to work together with members of the team to solve problems and live in harmony with one another.
Swimming
This activity may include swimming skills such as earning the Swimming or Lifesaving merit badges, or include earning BSA Lifeguard but this activity focuses on the skills of competitive swimming and endurance such the Mile Swim BSA.
Tennis
Triathlon
These long-distance competitions consist of three phases, usually bicycling, swimming and running. Winter variations could consist of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing ad speed skating.
Volleyball
Waterskiing
Whitewater canoeing
Source: 2000 Varsity Scout Guidebook (34827A)
