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European Camp Staff Program printer friendly version Through the European Camp Staff program, young leaders from the Boy Scouts of America have the opportunity to learn more about Scouting in Europe by working at a European Scout center. The European Camp Staff program is operated by the European Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Members of the Boy Scouts of America, ages 18 through 30, are given opportunity to serve as counselors in European Region Scout camps and training centers. The counselor pays for personal roundtrip air transportation (the European region will refund 50%). Room and board are provided at camp in addition to accident and illness insurance. Aim The aim of the European Camp Staff program is to assist young people in developing their leadership skills and to encourage intercultural learning. This is achieved by providing the individual with a residential experience as a volunteer staff member at a Scout center in another country. Framework of the Typical European Scout Center Scout centers in Europe do not operate in the same way that BSA camps do. The staff members of a typical European Scout center are usually involved in many different aspects of operating the center rather than specializing in one particular area. This is different from the situation in a BSA camp, where staff members are usually assigned to a particular activity or skill with which they work for the majority of their time at camp. In addition, Scouting in Europe normally operates on a coeducational basis, with males and females having the opportunity to be equally involved at all levels. How to Apply (European Camp Staff Application - 4.3 MB very large file ) All participants in the European Camp Staff program must be between 18 and 30 years of age and must be volunteers registered with the Boy Scouts of America. To ensure that the experience is a worthwhile one, participants should be prepared to commit themselves to work for a minimum of six weeks. The interested person should obtain a detailed booklet from the Boy Scouts of America's International Division. After reviewing the booklet and selecting a host center, the person should complete the application, have it approved by his or her local council, and return it to the International Division for approval. Selection Procedure Because the European Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement administers the European Camp Staff program, the Boy Scouts of America plays a support role only. The BSA's International Division will forward approved applications to the European Region for further processing. The European Region forwards applications to the host centers for their selection. Once the host centers have selected their participants, applicants will receive all information pertaining to voluntary employment. What to Expect From the Host Center After an applicant has been placed, it is the responsibility of the host center and the participant to contact each other and organize all practical details. These will include the exact dates of attendance, travel arrangements, equipment required, and any other information necessary to ensure the placement is a success. Each host center will aim to provide a worthwhile placement for young leaders from the Boy Scouts of America. A major priority will be the full integration of the participant into the Scout center's staff team. The host center also will endeavor to allocate a suitable amount of time for the participant to experience the culture of the host country through a number of social and tourist activities. As a minimum, appropriate accommodations and full board will be provided for the participant for the duration of the placement. Travel Costs and Insurance It is the responsibility of the participants to pay their own travel to and from the Scout center. The European Scout region will refund 50 percent of the individual's travel costs. The refund will be made in autumn, once the placement has been completed and the participant has returned home. The BSA provides each participant with camper's accident and sickness insurance.
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