Strategic Program Master Plan Below are the recommendations of the - - PDF document

Strategic Program Master Plan

Strategic Program Master Plan

Below are the recommendations of the Strategic Program Planning Committee which looked at all the program

• fferings and experiences of the Three Fires Council and suggested enhancements and additions that project
• ut 3 years, 5 years, and beyond.

The Three Fires Council has some strong Day Camps, but is not serving enough youth and should look to offer more camping experiences for Cub Scout aged youth

1. In 2017 reinvent Day Camp in the Three Fires Council to serve all youth ages 6-10 years old a. Park District model b. Serve boys and girls ages 6-10 and Cub Scouts and non-Cub Scouts c. Flex drop-off and flex pick-up with longer hours to accommodate parent needs d. Provisional opportunities for parents that cannot stay all day e. We should not strive to be the cheapest option, but should work to be the best value f. Hire a core staff g. Continue the District site rotation h. Program needs to be enhanced i. Additional exciting activities like the gaga pit ii. More STEM activities iii. More technology iv. Field trips v. Possible new locations vi. Focus groups to evaluate program at the end of each year 2. Introduce Cub Resident Camping to Camp Big Timber (CBT) by 2020 a. Updated facilities will be needed to meet the National Camp Standards required to run Cub Resident Camp i. We will need to update showers and toilets ii. May want to look into providing tents for participants which could be platform tents or modular tents b. Family camping during the summer at CBT can enhance our Cub camping and serve as a transitional program as we work toward a Resident Camping Program. c. Begin the National Camp Accreditation Program for CBT d. Develop a checklist of projects and upgrades needed each year to meet our target for Resident Camp 3. Webelos Resident Camp at Camp Freeland Leslie (CFL) continues to be a strong program and should continue to serve as a gateway program to increase Boy Scout attendance at CFL, but should continually be enhanced to maintain quality. a. Additional facilities will enhance the program and increase capacity b. May need to explore buses to CFL as a transportation option c. Headliner entertainment to attract more youth d. Look into large scale projects to excite the kids and serve as life skill resume builders. i.e. build a submarine, cardboard boat construction and race, large scale conservation project, etc.

The Three Fires Council does not have much of a Winter Camping Program or

• pportunities for our Scouts.

1. The Council will need a large capital investment in year round buildings at both camps to allow for the creation of a full scale Winter Camping Program a. Heart of Camp building at CFL to serve as base of

• perations for weekend excursions and outfitting

b. Additional Cabins at CBT to generate revenue and allow for winter camping training and programs c. Additional cabins at CFL over time to generate revenue and enhance the year round experience

Strategic Program Master Plan 2. Transition period in 2017 and 2018 to introduce and expand winter experiences for our Scouts a. Investment in supplies and equipment that can be checked out to units while staying at one of the camps and can be used for additional program opportunities for Scouts and the public b. Begin developing a volunteer pool to instruct and

• rganize winter experiences that could include

partnerships with colleges, park districts, Okpik participants, and Camp Masters c. Explore activities that could be offered and begin

• ffering through the Council program catalog.

Activities may include: i. Ice skating, broom ball, sledding, dodgeball with beach balls, unique games that can be played in winter (Kuub, horseshoes, etc.), Winter Lacrosse, snow shoes, cross country skiing, geo caching, outpost camping, biathlon, fat tire bikes, ice fishing, eskimo golf with tennis balls, curling, dog sledding d. Continue to offer Operation Cubsicle to Cub Scouts at CBT, but enhance with new activities and equipment; and possibly provide a paid staff. e. Look into offering a Boy Scout winter overnight

• pportunity on the same weekend as Operation

Cubsicle. f. Additional opportunities may include lock-ins, indoor aquatics programs, trip to the Wisconsin Dells, or other indoor program activities for Scouts that meet a need of the units. 3. Long Range plan for Winter Camping in the Three Fires Council would have a fully integrated program at each camp to rent equipment for Unit use, attend daytime training and activities, attend overnight experiences, and attend intensive winter survival program. a. Volunteer staff or hired staff will be needed. b. Utilize new facilities at the camps as they are built and phase in improvements over time.

The Three Fires Council does not have enough programs for our Venturers which could lead to lower retention and recruitment of Venturing age youth.

1. In 2017 introduce a resident camp experience specifically for Venturers at CFL. a. Should be only 2 or 3 nights with price set for best value b. Meals provided c. Should build excitement and promotion efforts to ensure strong attendance d. Should have social opportunities and fun without focus on advancement e. Should explore bus transportation to CFL f. Will need to work with CFL staff leadership and VOA to develop program g. Should have a unique name and branding with sponsorship from Venturing h. Could open up to all youth ages 14-20 2. The Council needs to develop year round activities for our Venturers a. Should work to have one event per quarter b. Should look into a back to school recruitment night tied to first football game at the high schools c. High School spirit night at CBT d. Look into Venturing day or night at each camp

The Three Fires Council should continue to foster exciting STEM related activities in Scouting programs

1. Short term the Council should build STEM activities into Council and District events and continue to highlight at

• ur Day Camps

a. STEM activities should be more consistent at Day Camps and can be enhanced with new experiences and guest speakers/teachers b. The Council needs to integrate electronics and technology into all events c. Look at investment in iPads to be used at CFL and events for older youth to share experiences on social media 2. Long term the Council should have STEM centers at each camp to focus resources and STEM activities and skills a. Computer/Technology lab with latest technology to produce videos, create animation, use 3D printers, and build robots b. Secure pavilion that can be opened to accommodate STEM skills and trades such as welding, woodworking, drones, RC cars, etc. c. STEM continues to be a long range goal for the Aurora Youth Leadership Center

The Three Fires Council does not take advantage of programs for the public, school groups, and third parties and should explore adding new offerings to build awareness of Scouting and the camps and to generate additional revenue.

1. The Council should explore a partnership with school districts to offer outdoor education curriculum to students at CBT a. Volunteer or paid staff would be needed during the week to run these programs

Strategic Program Master Plan 2. The Council should offer team building and/or leadership training at CBT or on site for schools or other groups a. Can target high school teams that do off site team building events b. Leadership training could be taken to the schools

• r other groups to train their youth leaders

3. Look into public use or rental of shooting sports facilities at CFL 4. Look into public classes or events at the camps to generate revenue and awareness 5. Council should form a task force to develop 10 program

• ptions for CBT and then work to sell the menu of choices

to schools and outside groups. a. Options could include: low COPE, weather, archery, hiking, science, forestry, Native Americans b. Work to recruit experts and volunteers to run program options

The Three Fires Council should continue to evaluate the aquatics programs at the camps and programs that can be offered to our Scouts and units.

1. Improvements should be made to the aquatics program at Camp Freeland Leslie (CFL) a. Camp Freeland Leslie will need to move the waterfront to a better location that will allow ample instruction area, better accessibility, and emergency accessibility b. Council should continue to add opportunities and experiences at CFL to include water obstacles and challenges, water slides, new boating experiences, etc. c. CFL program can also explore off-camp

• pportunities such as Wolf River canoeing, scuba

at Devils Lake, inter-tubbing, and whitewater rafting d. With increased program, additional storage for the waterfront will be needed 2. Camp Big Timber (CBT) offers unique challenges for aquatics and the council will need to work hard to meet these challenges and offer new experiences to excite the Scouts a. Continue to investigate BioNova pool at CBT as a viable option that will be a more natural setting and not require constant chemical monitoring and maintenance b. Look into potential to offer more fishing

• pportunities along Tyler Creek

c. Explore water slides, slip and slides, water cannons, sprayers, and other equipment and ideas to get our Scouts wet and having fun 3. The Council must explore partnerships with other

• rganizations to offer our customers a great aquatics

experience a. Look at offering additional aquatics merit badge sessions, swim checks, and aquatics training b. Explore the best rental possibilities of pools and waterparks within the Council area to excite kids about Scouting c. Explore possibilities of whitewater kayaking for Boy Scouts

The Council enjoys a very good shooting sports program with excellent facilities at Camp Freeland Leslie, but we should enhance the year-round program with appropriate new programs for all age groups

1. Continue to phase in new BSA approved shooting sports programs over the next 3-5 years at CFL which could include pistols, multi-gun airsoft experience, chalk ball, muzzle loader shooting, action archery, crossbows, etc. 2. Look to build new shooting sports experiences into year- round program at CBT a. Weekend programs could be scheduled for shooting sports for Boy Scouts and other age groups b. Cub Resident Camp could utilize the multi-gun airsoft experience c. Make sure the facilities are the best for bb guns and archery to serve Cub Resident Camp d. In the future and if an opportunity presents itself, look into an indoor shooting range for older Scouts and adults 3. Continue to expand shooting sports partnerships to offer year round experiences, training, and merit badge sessions for our Scouts

The Three Fires Council Program is very strong, but can always use additional manpower and new ideas to meet the growing demands on the program in the next five years.

1. Re-align the Program Cabinet and Outdoor Program Committee meetings to better meet the needs for program throughout the year 2. Ongoing evaluation of volunteers on program committees to ensure strong, motivated, and dynamic committees 3. Program Cabinet will add additional members as program consultants that can lead task force committees and projects to meet the objectives of the Strategic Program Planning Report

Strategic Program Master Plan 4. Develop a Campmaster program for CBT with volunteers leading programs on the weekends to start and eventually staying the weekend to check in units, manage the camp, and provide program 5. Designate one full-time staff member to handle all program registrations and promotion 6. Look to hire an additional Program Director in the next five years 7. Look to hire an Assistant Ranger at CFL in the next ten years

The Council must have a top quality program offering year round to enhance unit program and offer opportunities that units cannot do on their own

1. The council should develop a Program Catalog each year to announce the Council Calendar and program offerings throughout the year 2. Encourage units to develop an annual Unit program plan and budget with training and promotion offered as needed 3. The Council should facilitate age appropriate activities for Lions at Council Camps and as part of Council programs per Council specifications 4. The Order of the Arrow must continue to be a strong program for our Boy Scouts with quality adult leadership,

• pportunities to serve the Council, develop youth leaders,

and establish a more permanent presence and Camp Big Timber and Camp Freeland Leslie 5. The Council should develop some exciting program trips for older Scouts that may include a trip to Washington DC, a bike trip to CFL, Louis and Clark trail trip, and trips to National Parks 6. The Council should continue to hold a large Council-wide event at least every two years 7. The Council must continue to develop new and unique funding opportunities to channel resources into program and the camps a. Project Sale Committee to develop annual project sale list b. Develop Camp Benefactor events and recognition programs c. Evaluation of fee structures each year to ensure new experiences and equipment are fully funded 8. All program and facilities enhancements should consider the latest technology to keep our programs relevant for

• ur customers

Strategic Program Master Plan

Special thanks to the members of the committee: Tim Tyler (Chairman), Brian Kilmer, JR Wilson, Karen Ball, Dan Mitchell, Ron Sebonia, Sean Williams, Tim Ford, Bryan Bond, Don Gatske, Cohen Barnes, Dan Zedan, Jay Herzog, Carl Blackham, Buzz Wheeler, Ron Wentzell, Joe Wiltrout