Polaris is the Boy Scout National Youth Leadership Training Conference operated by the Cascade Pacific Council under the direction of the council Training Committee and the Program Department. It is an exciting, action based program designed to provide youth members of the B.S.A.with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Here are some details to help you determine which of your Scouts will benefit from this experience.

What will Scouts do at Polaris?
Every day is filled with activity. Polaris, NYLT is a six day course where the concepts of what a leader must BE, what he must KNOW, and what he must DO is taught, demonstrated, and lived in the out of doors in a troop and patrol setting. Immediate use of new ideas is stressed in a fun atmosphere based on the principles of Scouting. Everything we do is applicable to troop leadership back home. Participants are taught by skilled Scout staff members and veteran adult leaders. The days are very full.

Who may attend?
Only Scouts who are 13,14 or 15 at least First Class, and have not yet attended Sogus. They may have had some leadership experience or are potential leaders in your troop. They need to be individuals who are self-motivated, and live the Scout Oath and Law.

When is the course offered?
There are thee course dates to choose from.

• Session 1: July 6 - 11, 2008
• Session 2: July 13 - 18, 2008
• Session 3: July 20 - 25, 2008

Where is the course offered?
All sessions are held at Camp Cooper , west of Willamina, Oregon. Maps to the camp are provided with the Scout's registration packet.

What do they need to bring?
An equipment list will be sent with the Scout's registration packet. Nothing out of the ordinary that a Scout would take camping. A current Class 1 and Class 2 medical form must accompany the Scout on the first day of the course. The parental signature on the Class 1 portion must be dated within the previous 12 months; the physician signature on the Class 2 must be within the 36 months preceding the last day of the course.

What clothing should they bring?
Only full BSA uniforms are acceptable. This includes: long or short sleeved shirt, pants or shorts, socks, belt, and hat. A neckerchief is optional according to your home troop's tradition. Merit badge sashes and any medals may be safely left at home. Insignia are to be sewn on correctly as shown in the Scout Handbook or the latest Insignia Guide. A Scout should check the resources within the troop to borrow any item he may need.

Trading Post?
There is a trading post for souvenir shirts, hats, belts, buckles, patches, and various food and drink items. Bring a minimum of $35.00. Visa, Mastercard and Checks are acceptable.

Is a refund available for a Scout who is unable to attend?
BY May 16, 2008: Refund of Commitment fee ($170) only; OR all fees may be transferred to a replacement reservation from the same troop.  Requests to transfer fees to a replacement reservation must be in writing. 

BETWEEN May 16, 2008 AND TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO CAMP: No refund, but all fees paid may be transferred to a replacement reservation from the same troop. 

WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF CAMP: No refund unless (1) the Scout is ill, or (2) the Scout's family has moved out of Council, or (3) there was a death or serious illness in the Scout's family.  The refund is the commitment fee ($170) only.

All Refund requests must be in writing and delivered in person, by mail, fax or e-mail to the Cascade Pacific Council by July 31, 2008.  Refunds will be sent to the registered Troop Committee Chair in the first week of October.

Is there an orientation session where we can obtain additional information?
We would like all Scouts, their parents and/or their unit leaders to attend an orientation meeting. Some of the items we will cover are: the session's program, schedule, camp food (and cooking it), and personal expectations. You can meet staff members and ask us questions so that everyone will have a quality experience at Polaris.

The Scout, Parent, Leader Orientation will be Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. at

St. Matthew Lutheran Church
10390 SW Canyon Road
Beaverton

East of Hwy 217

Register Online

List generated: May 9, 2008

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