The first step in planning an effective priesthood-centered activity program is to determine the needs and interests of each Quorum/Team member.  Conducting a Varsity Scout Interest Survey and having each young man complete a Merit Badges needed or desired form to indicate interests are ideal beginnings to achieve this purpose. (See Appendix for a sample interest survey).  After compiling the results of these surveys, the next step is for Quorum/Team officers to meet as part of a Team Planning Clinic or Leader Seminar (see Varsity Scout Leader Guidebook, pp. 61-63, 76- 77) to plan activities for the next 12 months.  The 12 month calendar is sometimes described as a skeleton plan, which includes: 

(1)  high adventure place and dates, and (2)  for midweek activity nights, the dates for  (a)  Team meetings (b)  Combined YM-YW activities, and (c)  Rotating field of emphasis assignments (see footnote 7) for the remaining dates.  Some specific activities might be identified for these dates.   (3) Teams will also find it helpful to identify a quarterly program feature (see footnote 8) for each three months of their calendar.

   From this 12 month program, the Quorum Presidency/Team Leaders, meeting monthly, prepare a more detailed listing of proposed activities for the next three months, keeping in mind the mission of the Church, Aaronic Priesthood purposes, and the needs and desires of Quorum/Team members.  Specific activities identified should be related both to one of the five Varsity Scout fields of emphasis and also reflect Aaronic Priesthood purposes, assuring that a dynamic and well rounded program exists that furthers the mission of the Church.  It would be ideal to try to link the scheduling of activities with lessons to be taught in Quorum meetings. 

   From the detailed 3-month calendar, individual youth Program Managers prepare exact plans for specific activities, overseen and assisted by their respective Program Supervisors.  The recommended steps for the Program Manager are: 

(1)  Work with the Program Supervisor to prepare details of the plan for the activity.  (Ideally this would be the young man's father). (2)  Record the plan on the Varsity Activity Planning Worksheet provided by the Team Captain or Secretary.  (See appendix for planning worksheet) (3)  Present the proposal for approval to the Team at its monthly business meeting, and make agreed upon changes. (4)  Lead and carry out the activity. (5)  Participate in evaluating the activity at the next available Team meeting.

This cycle continues to be pushed forward each month through the Quorum Presidency/Team Leaders and the monthly Team Business meetings. 

Footnote 7)  At least seven fields of emphasis and sub-areas should be included in this rotation: 1) High Adventure, 2) Service, 3) SP&E, and the Personal Development areas of 4) Spirituality, 5) Citizenship, 6) Social/Cultural, and 7) Physical Fitness.  In some teams, Leadership and Advancement are omitted from the rotation because they are bi-products of boy leadership assignments and the total program, respectively.  If this rotation is covered at least every three months, active young men can qualify for their Varsity Letter and Letter Bars regularly.

Footnote 8)  Some examples are: Operation "On-target", Basketball, Backpacking, Snow Camping, Canoe Camping, Cycling, Fishing, Survival, Whitewater, Triathlon, Shooting Sports, Volleyball, Rappelling, Bowling, Caving, Freestyle Biking, Frontiersman, Mechanics, Orienteering, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Waterskiing.  There are Varsity/Venture activity pamphlets available at BSA offices to assist in developing a series of activities around a theme.  These activities may culminate in a short- or long-term high adventure.  Activity pins for participation are available at the BSA office and may be worn on a Varsity letter.

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