Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island Adventure (BSI) focuses on requirements from the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. This is a transitional program to help Scouts understand the patrol method, learn basic Scout skills, and experience the best of what Summer Camp has to offer.

Who should attend?

First-year campers who just joined a troop or crossed over from Cub Scouts.

How do I prepare?

We have several resources available to help you prepare for your week at camp!

I like to have scouts participate in Brown Sea Island because it sets them up on the road to Eagle. At the end of the week, they have completed most of Tenderfoot and much of Second Class.

I strongly encourage all my first year Scouts to attend the Brownsea Island "new Scout" program if it is their first trip to summer camp at beautiful Camp Geronimo. There are a number of advantages: they earn a number of rank requirements for the Tenderfoot rank, as well as a few 2nd Class requirements and maybe even a 1st Class requirement or two. This gives them a great "head start" towards reaching that all-important Tenderfoot rank that much faster. Also, it gives them some important Scout skills right off the bat, even if they just crossed over from Cubbies a couple of months ago, or have never been involved in Scouting at all, prior to summer camp. Scouts can sometimes be a handful at the younger ages: It's often their first time away from home without their parents, and the BSI staff is skilled at keeping them engaged, learning and having fun. After 14 summers at Camp Geronimo, I can attest that the Brownsea Island program is one of the "shining lights" of summer camp and I highly recommend it.

FAQs

What is BSI?

BSI is an acronym we use for the Brownsea Island program.

Where do Brownsea Island Scouts camp?

Brownsea Island Scouts will camp with their units. Summer camp is an important time of year for troop bonding, and we definitely want our newest Scouts to be included in that!

What do the Scouts need to bring?

All program supplies for Brownsea Island are supplied by the staff, so there is no need to pack anything extra that is not included on the camp packing list. However, if your Scout has a preferred tool (like a compass or pocket knife), they are welcome to bring it with them to the program.

Is Brownsea Island a full-day program?

Brownsea Island is primarily a morning program, with the option to participate in BSI-specific afternoon activities. This typically includes a special BSI-only merit badge session from 2:00 - 3:00, followed by an activity at one of our program areas.

Can my BSI Scouts participate in troop activities like a trail ride or hike?

BSI Scouts can choose to participate in their troop's afternoon activity instead of the BSI one, though we recommend that units try not to schedule theirs until after the 2:00 - 3:00 BSI merit badge block.

Will BSI Scouts have time to spend with their troop?

Yes. In addition to being given the option to participate in troop afternoon activities (instead of BSI ones), BSI Scouts will spend every meal and evening with their unit.

Have Questions? We're here to help!

Contact gcc.program@scouting.org to get in touch.