Origins of Varsity Scouting

The Development of Varsity Scouting

©2008 Douglas R. Livingston

Origins

Varsity Scouting was the brainchild of Dr. JD Mortensen, a prominent thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon in Salt Lake City, Utah, and an influential member of the Boys Scouts of America [BSA]. He served for 13 years on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Young Men Mutual Improvement Association [YMMIA] General Board and for several years as chairman of its General Scout Committee. He wrote numerous manuals and supplements for the YMMIA. He served on the faculty at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, as Advancement Chairman for the Great Salt Lake Council, and as a Chaplain at four National Jamborees. He was a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Silver Beehive awards for his work in Scouting.

The major sponsors of Scouting in the early 1970’s were the Catholic and Protestant Churches. Dr. Mortensen observed that Scouts belonging to units chartered to these organizations tended to remain in Scouting longer and advance further than did the Scouts in units sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [LDS]. He turned his attention to finding out why.

Dr. Mortensen understood the basis for the close ties that exist between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Boys Scouts of America. The Church’s Aaronic Priesthood/Young Men organization used Boy Scouting and Exploring as its “activity arm” in the United States. No other organization has adopted Scouting as the official program for its young men in the same way as the LDS Church.

The concept of Priesthood, its quorums, and youth leadership are an essential part of a young men’s development in the LDS Church. Young men in the LDS Church become eligible to receive the Aaronic Priesthood when they reach the age of 12. After they successfully complete a personal worthiness interview with the Bishop, they are presented to the Ward [local congregation], whereupon the Aaronic Priesthood is conferred upon them.

There are three basic offices within the Aaronic Priesthood: Deacon, Teacher and Priest. Each office is associated with a specific age group. Customarily, Deacons are 12- and 13-year-olds, Teachers are 14- and 15-year-olds, and Priests are 16- and 17-year-olds. Each of the young men in the Ward holding the same office is organized into distinctly separate groups called “quorums”. Each quorum is led by three of its members who have been “called” to preside.

Dr. Mortensen saw that boys were being lost to Scouting around the age of 14. While this was not unusual, he saw that the young man’s Aaronic Priesthood experience was having an effect on his participation in Scouting. The two available Scouting programs, Boy Scouting and Exploring, did not align effectively with the Aaronic Priesthood’s three quorums. This mismatch in organizational structure combined with a predisposition that exists throughout Scouting for boys to leave Scouting about the age of 14. The answer seemed obvious: a third program for 14- and 15-year-old young men had to be created.

Program Development

Dr. Mortensen formed a Task Force in 1975. He asked at least five other men to assist him in his effort, namely: Alva D. Greene, Ross J. Taylor, Boyd R. Ivie, Burton F. Brasher and Verl L. Stark.

Alva D. Greene had retired as an executive with the J.C.Penney Company and recently moved back to Utah to pursue new business interests. Alva served for a time as the Great Salt Lake Council’s President. Alva was later asked to serve as the first Area President of what was then Area 2 in the BSA’s Western Region. Dr. Mortensen asked him to help with creating Varsity Scouting while he was serving in that position.

Ross J. Taylor was a Professional Scouter who had been the Scout Executive for the Great Salt Lake Council. Following a position working for the National Council, Ross accepted a position as Area Director of Area 2. Ross had enjoyed a distinguished career with the Boy Scouts of America and was a primary contributor to the development of Varsity Scouting.

Boyd R. Ivie, also a Professional Scouter, was then the Scout Executive for the Great Salt Lake Council. He later followed Ross Taylor as Area Director in Area 2 in the Western Region. Boyd and the others would work on creating different parts of the new program at home on their own, this after a full day’s work.

Burton F. Brasher, like Dr. Mortensen a member of the Young Men General Board and a surgeon, was President of Area 2 following Alva Greene and had been instrumental in developing an earlier solution to the 3 Quorum/2 Program “problem”. Burton made use of some Scouts Canada program literature developed for their Venture program to design the two-part Exploring program that preceded Varsity Scouting. Under that program, the Teachers were referred to as “Venture Explorers”, and the Priests as “Ensign Explorers”. Based on his knowledge and experience with that effort, JD tapped Burton to help with the development of the new Varsity Scouting program.

Verl L. Stark, a veteran Scouter, developed a passion for Scouting through his experience with Wood Badge. Verl served on several Wood Badge staffs and eventually became responsible for all of the Wood Badge courses in Area 2. Based on his excellent experience, he was asked to help with the development of Varsity Scouting and was a fine addition to the Task Force.

The Task Force labored to identify a program theme that would appeal to the young men in the targeted age group. They wanted a program that would encourage the young man to continue along the trail to Eagle, but one that would also encourage “bigger” and more challenging activities. They wanted it to be Scouting, but a version that would be viewed to be different than traditional Scouting. They wanted it to be more advanced, one that would hold the interest of a young man entering High School, a more “Senior” version of Scouting.

While driving together on their way to a Scouting function in Pocatello, Idaho, Dr. Mortensen proposed they call their program “Varsity Scouting”. The name fit. Everyone in the car knew that it satisfied their requirements perfectly and the name was adopted on the spot. The unit would be called a “Team”, the adult leader a “Coach”, and the principal youth leader a “Captain”. An award, the Varsity Scout Letter, was designated as the top award for Varsity Scouts.

The Task Force selected the colors [orange and brown], designed the uniforms [a tan polo shirt with a brown collar], and began the work of developing literature. No financial support was available from the National Council. None was offered from the Church. Dr. Mortensen paid the bulk of the costs that were required to get the program off of the ground. The total sum he paid is unknown, but it is generally accepted to have been tens of thousands of dollars.

Under the original program, Varsity Scouts were not allowed to wear the field uniform of tradition Boy Scouting. Lynn Larsen, wife of Professional Scouter Doug Larsen, and June Weise sewed the first Varsity Scout uniforms.

Despite the name, Varsity Scouting was never intended to be a strictly sports oriented program. The organizers wanted to include athletics as a part of the program, but they also wanted to include outdoor high-adventure and ample opportunities for service. As they pursued their vision of a well-rounded program, three important areas of responsibility for Team management began to emerge. Program Managers were defined to administer Advancement, High Adventure, and Service.

The Program Manager position was created to provide leadership opportunities to the young men and to allow a means of providing administrative oversight to the three critical areas that had been identified. Serving at the pleasure of the Team Captain, each Program Manager is made responsible for one of the three areas of concern.

The Team Committee structure was designed to parallel that of the Team itself. An adult serving on the Team Committee is expected to serve alongside each of the individual Program Managers in a supporting role. Realizing the need to involve a greater number of adults, two more Program Manager positions were created, driving a requirement for at least five adults on the Team Committee. This action spawned the focus on the five field of emphasis Varsity Scouting enjoys today. Although different from the original program design, the five fields are one of the most distinctive features of Varsity Scouting. They are:
• Advancement
• High Adventure
• Service
• Personal Development
• Special Programs and Events

The Task Force divided responsibility for developing various sections of the program among themselves. Over the course of about a month, each section was completed and brought back to the group for review. Comments were made and a common vision emerged. Once the initial program design was finished, they began putting a plan together for moving forward.

In the spring of 1973, the Great Salt Lake Council held an Expo at the University of Utah. Glen Oliver, a Commissioner, had the idea to send a Boy Scout Troop to the top of nearby Mount Olympus with a signaling mirror. At a pre-determined time, the Scouts would signal the Expo as a demonstration to go along with the Signaling Merit Badge being offered. Doug Brewer was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 502, the unit that conducted this first On Target activity. Later, Doug Brewer and the activities surrounding Operation On Target both became synonymous with Varsity Scouting. Doug was the first Commissioner in the Great Salt Lake Council with responsibilities for Varsity Scouting. Operation On Target activities are held annually to this day.

Pre-Pilot Program (January 1978-January 1980)

The Task Force sought the endorsement of both the LDS Church and the BSA. On October 3rd, 1977, the Church’s General Scouting Committee decided to recommend the Varsity Scouting program “with some reservations”. While the decision was made, there was a lack of unanimity. The Presidency of the Young Men grew increasingly uneasy and asked for a delay in implementation. New materials developed by the Church to support the Aaronic Priesthood Quorums had been developed and were about to be released. They felt that a simultaneous introduction of the Varsity Scouting program and the Aaronic Priesthood materials would “muscle the quorum program into the background” and that “the expectations made of the local leaders will become complicated beyond their capacity”. They went on to put forth an alternative plan that did not involve Varsity Scouting.

Eventually, approval was obtained from the Church to move forward with the program on a trial basis. The BSA was unwilling to embrace the program and offered no support of any kind for it, but they agreed to allow it to be piloted on a limited basis and approved the program design.

Materials to support the program, the first Varsity Scout Handbook for the boys and a Leader Guidebook for the adults, were released.

The pre-pilot program was conducted within Area 2 of the Western Region. The participating Councils were:
• Cache Valley, Logan, UT
• Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, UT
• Lake Bonneville, Ogden, UT
• Snake River, Twin Falls, ID
• Tendoy Area, Pocatello, ID
• Teton Peaks, Idaho Falls, ID
• Utah National Parks, Provo, UT

The unit leaders of any new Team had to complete training before the Team was allowed a charter. This was an important measure, one that did much to ensure at least a minimum level of competency within each unit. The increased enthusiasm that this created among the adult leadership was sensed by the boys in the program.

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Doctoral Degree in Education from Brigham Young University, Thomas S. Catherall conducted research and wrote a dissertation titled “Varsity Scouting: An Evaluation Of Its Potential As An Alternative For 14- and 15-Year-Old Boys”.

In his dissertation, he wrote:
“This dissertation is an evaluation of the pre-pilot Varsity Scout program used in Area 2 of the Western Region of the Boy Scouts of America.

Varsity Scouting was developed by a committee of volunteer Scouters as an alternative program for 14- and 15-year-old boys and consisted of traditional Scouting methods with added emphasis on high adventure, service, and the application of Scoutings’ [sic] programs.

After its development, the Varsity Scout program was introduced in a pre-pilot program that lasted from January 1978 until January 1980.

Before the Varsity Scouting program was launched, boys 14- and 15-years-of age in the Boy Scouts of America were either members of Scout troops or Explorer posts and had no opportunity to participate in a program specifically designed for their own age group. In the absence of a program model and without substantial current research into the needs of 14- and 15-year-old boys, a committee of concerned volunteer Scouters developed a foundation for Varsity Scouting based on their observations of the Scouting preferences of boys.

The general research plan initially developed in 1977 for studying the Varsity Scouting program, during its two year pre-test, made provision for the program’s evaluation after one year of implementation with another evaluation to be conducted at the end of the two year pre- ilot. In addition to the two evaluations mentioned, a third evaluation was conducted, mid-way through the pre-pilot in order to probe the assumptions upon which the program was developed: questions needed to be answered with regards to the needs, interests and preferences of 14- and 15-year-old boys in order to determine what exactly would attract and hold them in a program specifically designed for their age group.

The three studies required by the general research plan for the Varsity Scouting pre-pilot program were conducted and evaluated as part of this author’s doctoral program and the results thereof are reported in this dissertation. The initial research data was gathered by collecting and evaluating responses from participants in Varsity Scouting programs, by means of surveys made on random samples of populations of 14- and 15-year-old boys located in Utah and Idaho, the two states comprising the pre-pilot area.

The data collected were used to answer the two questions posed by the Varsity Scouting program: (1) are 14- and 15-year-old boys attracted to the traditional Scouting methods, and (2) would the implementation of the Varsity Scouting program trigger a resurgence of interest in the traditional Scouting methods in all Scouting groups serving 14- and 15-year-old boys (i.e. Exploring, Leadership Corps and Varsity Scouting).”

Scouting methods really do not change, but they have been described in different ways in different times. For the purposes of his study, Catherall defined them as:
• Scouting Ideals
• Advancement
• Adult Male Association
• Outdoor Programs
• Leadership Development and Patrol Method

Catherall conducted his studies through the local High Schools. He worked through a Professional Scouter in each of the Councils to serve as liaisons and verified his survey instrument in August of 1977.

Catherall’s three studies verified that Varsity Scouting was indeed a success. The data he gathered showed that after being exposed to Varsity Scouting, 14- and 15-year-old boys wanted more outdoor activities and that they preferred Varsity Scouting over Exploring. Varsity Scouting activities were reported to be more fun and plentiful than Exploring. The study documented small increases in membership and more favorable attitudes towards uniforms. It also showed that Varsity Scouting offered an increase in advancement and leadership positions.

Institutional leaders reported a 95% compatibility with the programs and ideals of their institutions. Exploring rated 85%.

The first Varsity Scout Team to be officially chartered was the Lehi 14th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lehi, Utah. The Institution Head was Bishop Carl J. Mellor. The Varsity Team Coach was Merlin Russon.

Pilot Program (January 1980-January 1984)

After a successful pre-pilot program, both the Varsity Scout Handbook for the boys and the Leader Guidebook were revised, creating second editions of each volume.

The Task Force again met with Professional Scouters from the National Council. They persuaded the National Council to begin piloting the program on a broader scale. Twenty-eight councils were selected for this round of testing and National piloted the program for the next 4 years. The twenty-eight councils that participated in this second pilot program were:
• Aloha, Honolulu, HI
• Anthony Wayne Area, Fort Wayne, IN
• Baltimore Area, Baltimore, MD
• Bay-Lakes, Menosha, WI
• Cache Valley, Logan, UT
• Chief Seattle, Seattle, WA
• Del-Mar-Va, Wilmington, DE
• Evergreen, Everett, WA
• Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, UT
• Great Western, Van Nuys, CA
• Jim Bridger, Rock Springs, WY
• Lake Bonneville, Ogden, UT
• Longhorn, Fort Worth, TX
• Los Angeles Area, Los Angeles, CA
• Minsi Trails, Lehigh Valley, PA
• Mount Rainer, Tacoma, WA
• National Capital Area, Washington, D.C.
• Ore-Ida, Boise, ID
• Otetiana, Rochester, NY
• Quivira, Wichita, KS
• San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena, CA
• Snake River Area, Twin Falls, ID
• Tendoy Area, Pocatello, ID
• Teton Peaks, Idaho Falls, ID
• Utah National Parks, Provo, UT
• Verdugo Hills, Glendale, CA
• Winnebago, Waterloo, IA

Piloting brought with it change to the uniform. The original polo shirt with the brown collar was modified, changing the shirt to a single-color, all-tan version. The Varsity Scout Emblem originally used was changed to a stitched logo using orange thread.

Later still, when the new Boy Scout uniform designed by Oscar De Larenta was introduced, Varsity Scouting adopted the new uniform design, substituting the red shoulder loops designated for Boy Scouting with blaze orange shoulder loops for Varsity Scouting.

Official Program (January 1984-1989)
Varsity Scouting was officially adopted by the BSA in 1984. Both the Varsity Scout Handbook for the boys and the Leader Guidebook were revised once again as third editions.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially endorsed the program about that same time. The following bulletin appeared on pages 79-80 of the January 1984 issue of the Ensign magazine.
“Policies and Announcements
The following letter from President Ezra Taft Benson of the Council of the Twelve, about the implementation of the Varsity Scouting program, has been sent to General Authorities; Regional Representatives; stake, mission, and district presidents; and bishops and branch presidents in the United States.

Varsity Scouting is a program developed by the Boy Scouts of America for young men age 14– 5. Certain councils conducted a “pilot” program and as a result of the positive success, Varsity Scouting has become an official program of the Boy Scouts of America. It has now been determined by the Church that Varsity Scouting will be the Scouting program for our teacher- ge young men. Varsity Scouting will replace Venturing Scouting which has been the program for these young men. Following the implementation schedule correlated with Boy Scouts of America, all wards will be expected to sponsor a Varsity team for teacher-age young men unless they have a fully developed program that better meets the needs of their young men and is approved by the stake presidency.

Purposes and objectives of the Varsity program have the same strong traditional principles of the past. These include spirituality, self-reliance, love of family, service in the community, and loyalty to country. These principles are reaffirmed in the Scout oath, Scout law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. Varsity Scouting will be a great new resource to strengthen the young men of the teacher quorum age. It is intended that as these young men participate in Varsity Scouting they will continue toward achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout.

Because Boy Scouts of America will be training its professional staff during the first few months of 1984, the program may not be available in your local Scout council until later in the year. Boy Scouts of America plans to complete training and implementation across the country by September 1984.

Please work closely with your local council and implement Varsity Scouting in the wards in your stake as soon as it is available.

We pray for continued blessings as you prepare the young men of your stake for missionary service, temple marriage, and a lifetime of service in the Melchizedek Priesthood. May you be strengthened and inspired to this end.”


Program Evolution and Decline (1989-present)
Although an officially approved BSA program, Varsity Scouting continued to face opposition. The validity of the program continued to be questioned. Supporters of Varsity Scouting found themselves having to fight tenaciously on a number of different occasions to preserve the program. The program survived each battle, but not without considerable change.

In 1989 a push was made to redefine Varsity Scouting as more of a patrol-based program within the Troop. Varsity Patrols for older Scouts pursuing athletic interests, and Venture Patrols for older Scouts pursuing outdoor high adventure were introduced, both having roots in LDS Scouting tradition. The connection between the sports-oriented Varsity Patrol and Varsity Scouting is obvious. The high- adventure Venture Patrols echoed the “Venture Explorer” concepts utilized by the Church prior to the development of Varsity Scouting. As mentioned earlier, Brasher had created a means of distinguishing the members of a Teachers Quorum from the members of the Priests Quorum by dividing the Explorer Posts into two groups, Venture Explorers and Ensign Explorers. These divisions were established with the intent of strengthening “quorum identity”. Due to the ensuing confusion with terminology, Varsity Patrols were eventually discontinued, but Venture Patrols remain a part of the official literature today.

In 1990, National dropped the Varsity Scout handbook from its inventory. About this same time, the position patches unique to Varsity Scouting were changed to look more like Boy Scout position patches.

In 2000, National replaced the Varsity Game Plan book and Activity Pin booklets with the “Team Program Features” program supplements.

In 2001, a new Varsity Scout Leader Guidebook is created by a committee of 17 Varsity Scouters. Paul M. Anderson served as Committee Chair; Joe C. Glasscock was the Professional Adviser. The Varsity Scout Guidebook is one of the few bright spots seen in a declining program. It is regarded by many Scouters to be the finest handbook for leaders currently available; superior in many respects even to the current Scoutmaster Handbook.

With the introduction of the new handbook, the requirements for earning the Varsity Letter were significantly weakened and a higher award, the Denali Award, was introduced.

Wood Badge for the 21st Century was introduced in conjunction with a newly revised training curriculum. The new Wood Badge displaced Varsity Scouting’s unique version of Wood Badge training. The new training curriculum did not include Varsity Leader Specific Training for well over a year. While the changes made to the BSA training curriculum are understood to be a step forward, it has adversely affected Varsity Scouting. The loss of Varsity Wood Badge has severely inhibited the development of district staffers who are aware of and actively support Varsity Scouting.

Through the many battles for survival, Varsity Scouting has endured, but significant compromises were made leaving a program that is today in many ways indistinguishable from Boy Scouting. Varsity Scouting survived in name, but not in spirit. Many of its defining qualities are now gone, and its effectiveness dramatically reduced. Consequentially, its relevance to today’s young men is in question.

It is not hard to imagine a day in the not too distant future when Varsity Scouting will be eliminated altogether. A multitude of dedicated Scouters have sacrificed greatly to develop, preserve, and deliver Varsity Scouting. If not in honor of their efforts, then for the good of the young men that can benefit from Scouting, a concerted effort should be made to analyze the current weaknesses of the program, allowing it to be revitalized, enabling it to “deliver the promise” once again.






The input offered by Darryl Alder, Robert Backman, Burton Brasher, Doug Brewer, Kip Buckner, Vaughn Featherstone, Alva Greene, Jack Haycock, Boyd Ivie, Gary Jones, Doug Larsen, Dale McClellan, Carl Mellor, Doug Muir, Ron Nyman, Merlin Russon, and Ross Taylor provided the necessary background required to assemble this brief history. That information along with the many hours of service they’ve offered young men over the years in the name of Scouting is greatly appreciated.