Council Committee on International Scouting

Scouting is truly international. The Boy Scouts of America is part of the "World Organization of the Scout Movement" (WOSM), which recognizes Scouting programs in at least 216 countries. Scouting is literally a world-wide program. Heart of America Council Scouts have many opportunities to participate in international activities and events with Scouts from other countries, bridging differences in language, cultures and politics, and helping fulfill Lord Baden-Powell's dream of international friendship.

The goal of the International Scouting Committee is to help Heart of America Scouts participate in these events. World Jamborees, national jamborees in many countries, camp staff exchanges, troop and Venturing high adventure trips, Citizenship in the World MB, Jamboree on the Internet, Kandersteg, and many more programs offer a gateway to International Scouting opportunities. This committee will provide information, contacts, program guidance and assistance, and resources to help both units and individuals interested in an International Scouting experience.

JOTA with a Special Announcement for April 2020

Here is the YouTube Link for more information. 

HOAC plans for International Camp Staff Members in 2020

In 2020, our camps will continue to have international camp staff members on staff!  We're delighted to continue this tradition, which is a camp highlight at both Bartle and Naish.  Along with having these young people on our staff, we need host families to help with providing them housing when they first arrive and before they depart.  Hosting an international staff person can be a great experience for the whole family and we encourage you to find out more about this opportunity.

To learn more about how you can host an international camp staff member in the future, contact Tom Johnson.

Requirements & Expectations of Hosting an International Camp Staff Member


European Camp Staff Program

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.

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

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 worthwhile, participants should be prepared to commit themselves to work for a minimum of six weeks. All Participants must have valid up to date adult training, including Youth Protection training.

For information regarding available centers, please go to http://rovernet.eu/site/esvp-map http://www.scouting.org/filestore/global/link-html.gif.

Interested participants should complete the BSA’s European Camp Staff Program application http://www.scouting.org/filestore/global/link-PDF.gif.  Before applying, you should be certain that you wish to take part in this program.

ALL APPLICATIONS must be approved by Tom Johnson, Heart of America International Representative, and the Council Executive. Please send all applications to Tom Johnson, tjohnsonacme@aol.com. For More details contact Tom at 913-568-3711.


Gilwell Park

Gilwell Park — near London, England - is the home of Woodbadge. Gilwell Park is considered one of the three great international Scouting centers, supporting an active camping program for Scouts and training for adult leaders.

Visit Gilwell

Scouters with Woodbadge training are encouraged to register as an official Group 1 member. The Group 1 website has all the details on where Gilwell is located, along with driving directions, photos of the White House, and more! You can see where the BSA Buffalo stands across from the new "Purple Rose Garden," and can also check out the history of Gilwell Park.

Include a visit to Gilwell Park if you are going to London, and stay in the historical White House surrounded by paintings by Scouting's premier artist, Ernest Carlos.  Plan on visiting the Group 1 Room and enjoy refreshments among your Scouting Wood Badge Troop 1 friends.  For more details contact Tom Johnson.

Serve on Gillwell Staff

Serve on the Gilwell Park camp staff. Spend time in Gilwell Park, England's premier Scout center.  Review the Gilwell Summer Staff Programme sheet and then download the Gilwell Staff Application.

The HOAC International Committee would be pleased to assist and guide any Scout or Scouter interested in one of these opportunities

  • Blair Atholl Jamborette - late July/early August 2016 - Contact Tom Johnson if interested

The World Friendship Fund - A Way to Help

Scouts and Scouters in the Heart of America Council are making a difference for Scouts all over the world with their contributions to the World Friendship Fund, an initiative of the BSA.  Cash contributions, whether from a collection at a Scouting event or by an individual, help national Scout associations in developing countries and in cases of national disaster as in Japan and Haiti.  You can help grow Scouting world-wide with a donation using the World Friendship Fund form.

Check out more opportunities to help Scouting grow world-wide on our International Activities Page.


Council International Scouting Award

Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts and adult leaders can now earn the HOAC International Scouting Award.  Requirements are specific to the age group. Requirements include learning about the Scouting program in another country and communicating with a pen pal from that country. Requirements will be posted on this web site and will be available at the Council office starting in May.


Friendship Knots

Click here for Friendship Knot Instructions


Council Support for International Scouting

To contact the International Scouting Committee for assistance or information about any International Scouting activity, please send us an e-mail.

Messengers of Peace

Scouts are already doing great things in their community. The Messengers of Peace program aims to highlight this work by supporting Scouts’ community service and encouraging them to share their actions with others.

If a Scout does a service action and shares it with other, they can earn a Messengers of Peace badge. The main goal is to inspire Scouts to continue their community service or to join efforts with other Scouts from around the globe. 

You can earn the Messengers of Peace badge in 4 steps:

  1. Inspire: Explore and research about local problems, people in action and good practices.
  2. Learn and decide: Identify your motivation and talents. Choose a field of action. Select useful knowledge, skills and ideas to apply.
  3. Do: Plan your actions, execute, monitor, evaluate and report.
  4. Share: Share what you did, your experiences, outcomes and learnt lessons.

Any Scout or Scouter who participates in a qualifying project is eligible to wear a Messengers of Peace ring patch around the World Crest on his or her uniform. A unit representative can purchase these ring patches at a local Scout shop, council service center, or Scoutstuff.org html icon


World Scout Moot - Ireland

The 16th World Scout Moot will take place in Ireland from 19th – 29th  July 2021. The entry point to the Moot will be Dublin City. International Patrols will then explore the many wonders of Ireland on a collection of exciting and interesting trails in local countryside. The Patrols will then return to Dublin for the base camp feature of the Moot before returning home.

Learn More


World Scout Jamboree - Korea

The World Scout Jamboree is above all an educational event that brings together the world’s young people to promote peace and mutual understanding and to develop leadership and life skills. The 25th World Scout Jamboree will be held in 2023 in South Korea. 

Learn More