Session 1
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Offerings:
5 Years of Girls in Scouts BSA
Join us as we debut the results of our study on the experience of girls in the Scouts BSA program. Learn what’s going well and where we can improve as we seek to make our program relevant and welcoming for all youth.
Cub Scout Program Updates
An overview of the Cub Scout program updates that take effect on June 1. Content will include the updated rank requirements, Cub Scout Adventures, and important information councils need to know to support their Cub Scout Packs. (Audrey Oakes and Anthony Berger)
Exploring–Creating Membership Growth
Learn how to grow and support Exploring within your districts and council. Did you know that Exploring posted national year-end growth in both participants and units for the second year in a row? You will learn the proven methods to help lead your council to membership growth, as well as identify valuable tools to help you ignite an Exploring Explosion
National Jamboree 2026: What You and Your Council Need to Know
The 2026 National Jamboree will be held July 22-31, 2026 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. This monumental event promises an array of activities, including rock climbing, zip-lining, arena stage shows, and leadership training, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all attendees. Join Dr. Glenn Ault, the 2026 National Jamboree Chair and Tom Pendleton, National Jamboree Director, to learn crucial details that will help prepare your council’s Scouts and Scouters for this life-changing Scouting adventure.
Winning Together
In this session you will receive an in-depth understanding of the collaborative strategy that the BSA Office of Development is deploying to generate fundraising success in partnership with local councils, including specific case studies and proposal examples that have helped drive that success.
New Unit Development (Pillar 3 – Change the Way We Work Together)
Join us at the New Unit Development session where we will delve into the intricacies of crafting a robust new unit development campaign within your council. Explore the key components of success, from conducting market research and identifying growth opportunities to mastering the crucial steps in establishing sustainable units and ensuring their retention. Gain invaluable insights to empower your council in fostering the growth and longevity of units in your community.
International Scouting – A World of Opportunities
Come learn all about International Scouting and the BSA’s role in helping create a better world. Whether it is a Moot, WSJ, Rover Way, Jam Cam, Jota/Jota, MOP, SDG’s or International Camp Staff. Learn how you can make World Scouting part of your Scouting experience and enhance your membership opportunities.
SAFEty Session One – Prevention of Harm – How to effectively operate SAFE Scouting.
SAFE is not only an acronym and a checklist to make sure leaders know how to run the Scouting program successfully but it also includes the leading root causes of incidents in Scouting. Learn how your council can implement SAFE checklists and tools as a way to make sure
- Youth are Supervised by qualified and trustworthy adults who set the example for safety.
- Activities are Assessed for risks.
- Pre-requisite Fitness and Skill levels are confirmed before participation.
Appropriate Equipment is utilized, and Environmental conditions are monitored.
Connecting with Unit Leaders
What’s the difference between a “connection” and a “contact,” and why are we changing how commissioners interact with unit leaders?
10 Ideas You Can’t Live Without
Hear key learnings and great ideas from this year’s National Marketing Award winners! You’ll walk away with actionable marketing tactics to execute in your council!
Session 2
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Offerings:
NEW ELECTIVE! You can add this to your schedule on site at the registration desk at NAM
Insurance Available to Local Councils
Directors & Officers insurance and General Liability insurance is provided to all local councils. What is the difference between the two policies? Who is covered by insurance? What should a council provide? Learn more about the BSA insurance and how you are covered under these and other policies.
Significant Shooting Sports Program Updates
The current Range and Target Sports programs in the Boy Scouts of America are highly complex, requiring knowledgeable supervision, qualified instruction, and strict adherence to standard operating procedures. However, recent observations, staffing shortages, and incident trends suggest that this complexity may be impeding the BSA’s objective of delivering safe and high-quality programs. This elective will review upcoming program adjustments that aim to simplify these programs while ensuring safety standards are met. Individuals who attend will learn about these changes that will be published this summer and become effective on September 1st.
International Scouting – A World of Opportunities
Come learn all about International Scouting and the BSA’s role in helping create a better world. Whether it is a Moot, WSJ, Rover Way, Jam Cam, Jota/Jota, MOP, SDG’s or International Camp Staff. Learn how you can make World Scouting part of your Scouting experience and enhance your membership opportunities
Managing Endowment Investments
Description: BSA Asset Management will discuss endowment investment management, identifying challenges and best practices, and presenting a model for sound investment management of endowment funds. (BSA Asset Management is BSA’s in-house investment management team responsible for almost $2 billion in assets.)
Are We Ready for a Capital Campaign?
In this session you will learn practical steps to prepare for a major gift or capital campaign, including creating a pipeline of prospects, forming a campaign leadership team, and building a campaign leadership team.
Everything You Need to Know about NESA and Why
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) empowers Eagle Scouts to perpetuate the mission of Scouting for future generations and is continuously evolving. Join NESA President Rich Pfaltzgraff, his Vice Presidents, and professional staff for an interactive session where you will have the opportunity to learn about recent and future NESA initiatives in the areas of membership, scholarships, national events and programs, awards and recognition, training, and marketing and communications. Attendees will learn how to strengthen their NESA efforts at the local council level, how NESA can benefit their council, and who to contact for different types of support. Time will also be allotted for attendees to ask questions of the NESA leadership.
Council Membership Plans (Pillar 3 – Change the Way We Work Together)
Embark on a transformative journey at our Council Membership Plans session, where we will guide you through the formulation of a comprehensive membership plan tailored to your council’s unique needs. Dive into the essential elements of year-round recruitment, youth retention strategies, new unit development, peer-to-peer recruitment, effective marketing approaches, and leveraging social media—all essential best practices to ensure the sustained growth and success of your council. Join us in shaping the future of Scouting through strategic membership planning.
Youth Protection
BSA’s journey to leadership in Youth Serving Organizations. Delegates will hear details on BSA’s multi-faceted approach to youth protection and gain insights on the lessons learned from 2023. Led by Dr. Mike Bourke, Glen Pounder, Chuck Coleman and one of our own Scout Executives.
Commissioner Tools: Accessing Objective Data and Making Connections
Using objective data and making Connections with unit leaders will change Commissioner Tools. Learn what’s in store to make it easier to access the information commissioners need.
Corporate Engagement Support for Local Partnerships
Looking for ways to keep your local sponsors and partners engaged and activated? The National Corporate Engagement Team can help. We’ve got ideas and assets you can use to keep your local partnerships fresh and moving forward. Learn how we can assist!
Session 3
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Offerings:
The Scouts BSA National Youth Council
The SBSA is in its third year of implementation of the Scouts BSA National Youth Council. Learn all about why it exists, the mechanics of how it operates, how it informs our program, and how you can implement your own youth council at the Territory or Council level.
New Cub Scout Den Meeting Resources
Explore the new leader resources available for Cub Scout leaders to deliver the Cub Scout program. New Cub Scout Handbooks will put leader resources in the direct line of sight of den leaders and parents.
Venturing & Sea Scouting (Older Youth Programs)
Join us and learn how to grow and support Venturing and Sea Scouting. These programs are a great way to help ensure that youth remain involved in your units, districts, and council. They will also help secure your next generation of adult leaders. If you would like to make retaining our youth and developing tomorrow’s leaders a goal, then it is time to ensure Older Youth Programs are a priority for your council.
NCAP: National Camp Accreditation Program and Your Council’s Impactful Role
What are the legal obligations between the national council and local councils for the NCAP program? How does NCAP actually help your local council? What does the future of NCAP look like for the national and local council? Join us for an in-depth discussion on the critical role NCAP plays in helping the BSA become the nation’s leader in youth safety.
SAFEty: Response to Serious Incidents and Fatalities and Crisis PR
If a serious safety incident occurs get the latest best practices on actions to take (crisis media, communications, and legal approaches) to respond appropriately.
“How to Train and Engage Staff and Volunteers in Major Gift Fundraising”
In this session you will learn how to effectively harness the combined power of engaged volunteer leadership and trained staff in your major gift efforts, as well as practical strategies to maximize their impact on fundraising success overall. You will also learn strategies to best position volunteers to win in their engagement and involvement role, including support of both stewardship & cultivation efforts.
Value of Having an Alumni Association in Your Council
Learn what a successful alumni program looks like and how it can rocket your council to the future you want to achieve. Whether you need membership, money, marketing, or person power, alumni activities are the cornerstone upon which your future is built. Find out what others are doing and what you need to do to get started or take the next step forward in your existing program. This presentation and panel discussion will have your answers.
Membership & Unit Renewal Process (Pillar 3 – Change the Way We Work Together & Technology)
Discover the streamlined future of Scouting at our Membership and Unit Renewal Process session. Uncover the crucial steps in the revamped membership and unit renewal process, with a spotlight on online registration, and gain insights into the pivotal roles played by the council, the unit, and Scouting families. Join us to navigate the evolving landscape of membership management, ensuring a seamless and efficient renewal process for the sustained success of your units.
Unit Service Suggestions & Questions
It’s your meeting: an open conversation with members of the national commissioner’s service team based on the questions you ask and suggestions you make about improving Unit Service.