Parents
Parent Resources.
For over 110 years, Scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping youth grow to their full potential as they were in 1910. Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives.
The Boy Scouts of America provides youth with programs and activities that allow them to:

Try new things

Provide service to others

Build self-confidence

Reinforce ethical standards
While various activities and youth groups teach basic skills, and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.
Scouting provides youth with a sense that they are important as individuals. It is communicated to them that those in the Scouting family care about what happens to them, regardless of whether a game is won or lost.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, peer pressure can be resisted and the right choices can be made.
New Parent.
Thank you for your willingness to try out our great organization and all the fantastic benefits it has to offer your child as he grows. Scouting is about character development and having confidence to Be Prepared! The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is the largest youth organization in the U.S. with nearly 3 million youth members and 1.1 million registered adult leaders. Our program is a family program, one that we hope will become part of your family. Our goal is that you will come to enjoy Scouting just as much as your child. This page is designed to help you become familiar with Scouting and answer any questions you may have.
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you join the Boy Scouts of America, Scouting is like an extension of your family: It follows your values, it sees to the overall care and well-being of your child, and it’s always there for you. It’s not an either/or choice you have to make for your child. It works with you to let you manage your time and other activities and will always be there when you return.
Maturity
Youth experience dramatic physical and emotional growth. Scouting offers them opportunities to channel much of that change into productive endeavors. Through service projects and Good Turns, Scouts can discover their place in the community. Many Scouting activities allow youth to associate with others from different backgrounds. The religious emblems program offers pathways for Scouts to more deeply understand their duty to God. The unit provides each Scout with an opportunity to explore, to try out new ideas, and to embark on adventures that sometimes have no design other than to have a good time with good people.
FLEXIBILITY
The Scouting programs are flexible and accommodate the need to balance the work and life requirements of a busy family. It’s easy to plan for meetings and activities, and if something unexpected comes up, just let your leader know—it’s expected in the lives we live today.
ADAPTABILITY
Your child can work on achievements at his or her own pace. For example, if your child is in a spring soccer league and has to miss several meetings and activities, he or she still can complete and sign off on Scout activities to work toward the next level.
TRANSFERABILITY
The skills and values your child learns through Scouting can be applied in any non-Scouting activity he or she participates in. As your child builds character, this can be an especially valuable defense to the peer pressure all youth experience when growing up.
PARENT ORIENTATION
The world of Scouts BSA is completely different than that of Cub Scouts. Boys and girls now begin to take more responsibility to learn the leadership roles within the troop. Words like; Patrol Method and acronyms like; SPL, ASM and PLC are part of the vocabulary that is being used. Parents show up to the troop meetings but what specifically is their job?
Click Here to learn all about Scouting and the role you play in your child’s experience.
UNIFORM
When you see someone in a uniform you know they belong to a specific group. A policeman wears a uniform and so does a doctor and a fireman. As a Cub Scout you wear a uniform too. The uniform is a reminder of the member’s commitment to character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Awards displayed on the uniform mark the progress of every Scout and leader in achieving these goals and successfully practicing Scouting’s ideals. Click here for an interactive guide to learn about each uniform and how to officially wear it.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER.
Parents can join Scouting too! Be a volunteer.
Volunteer! Have you ever wondered how to get engaged in Scouting to help local youth?
There are many ways you can make a difference with minimal time. Volunteer opportunities in all programs exist such as; mentoring an Eagle Scout, volunteering to help with popcorn sales, becoming a camp steward or a merit badge counselor. We are always interested in working with people who have the heart for Scouting and are willing to offer their time and talent to help.
View Our calendar
Join us for a number of events throughout the year!
WE served
youth in 2020
Support Scouting.
Scouting is a rewarding program where youth can learn, lead, grow and participate in a world of exciting outdoor activities.
Why Join Us?
Working at summer camp is a real job. Camp Staff members get the opportunity to develop 21st century skills in high demand by employers. Some of these skills include:

Practical, applied leadership skills learned through supervising others, engaging in decision-making, managing behavior, and living ethics and values.

Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity skills.
Beyond hands-on experience, camp staff positions also provide:

A paycheck

Room and board

Networking opportunities

Training & certifications in a variety of skill areas.

Ongoing professional development
Camp staff opportunities may also be eligible for college credit in some cases or be able to be used as an independent study, practicum, or internship experience.
HERITAGE RESERVATION - FARMINGTON, PA.
You can change a life! Did you know that the Laurel Highlands Council operates three Scout camps at Heritage Reservation including one for Cub Scouts and their families (elementary aged), two for Scouts BSA members (middle and high school aged), an outdoor adventure program (high school aged), as well as winter programs for Cub Scouts?
Each of these offers opportunities for a variety of summer camp staff jobs. Most Scout camp counselors are at least 16 years of age, but the Scouts BSA and Cub Scout camps have a limited number of jobs for 15 year olds with previous Counselor in Training experience. The high adventure program employs young people who are at least 18 years of age.
Summer positions at Heritage Reservation run seasonally from June to August. Winter positions run January to March. Meals and on-site housing is provided.
Available Positions
Updated Job Descriptions Coming Soon
Medics (min. age 18, hold current certification as an EMT or higher)
Business Managers (min. age 18)
Outdoor Marketing Director (min. age 18)
ATV Safety Program Director (min. age 21)
ATV Safety Program Staff (min. age 18)
Aquatics Directors (min. age 21, hold current lifeguard certification with 2 years experience)
Lifeguards (min. age 16)
Ski Boat Drivers (min. age 18)
Climbing & Challenge Course Director (min. age 21)
Climbing & Challenge Course Staff (min. age 18)
Skill Area Instructors (shooting sports, ecology, crafts, outdoor skills) (min. age 15)
Trek Leaders (min. age 18)
Camp Store Managers (min. age 18)
Camp Store Clerks (min. age 15)
Counselors in Training (14 y.o. Must be 1st Class Scout or Venturing Discovery Rank)
Use the button below to express interest in working on our staff in 2023.
Individuals who recommend a new staff member who is hired and works the full season will receive $100 in camp trading post credit.
CAMP GUYASUTA - SHARPSBURG, PA.
Camp Guyasuta offers hourly positions from March through November with additional opportunities from June through August when STEM Day Camp runs. Available positions include asst. rangers, lifeguards, challenge course facilitators, program counselors, and jr. counselors. To learn more about Camp Guyasuta's available positions and to apply click the button below.
PHEAA STATE WORK STUDY PROGRAM.
Certain Pennsylvania college students may qualify for the Pennsylvania High Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) State Work Study Program. The State Work Study Program can be used to supplement your camp staff salary for the summer.
How does PHEAA STSP Work?
For program information, to find out if you qualify, and to get the application click here.
If you qualify, complete Section 1 of the application and either scan and email it to [email protected] or mail it to:
BSA Laurel Highlands Council
Attn: Camping Department
1275 Bedford Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Once received, the LHC Camping Department will complete Section 2 and submit the application to the state. If your application is approved by the state, you will be notified by mail. This notification will include the maximum amount that you may receive (not necessarily the amount you will receive which is dependent upon actual time worked)
HERITAGE RESERVATION CAMP STAFF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
The purpose of the Heritage Reservation Camp Staff Alumni Association is to provide a social environment to unite past camp staff of Laurel Highlands Council, BSA and maintain these connections well past the camp staff experience.
The HRSAA also encourages service to and promotion of the Laurel Highlands Council, BSA's camps and camping programs. The HRSAA does this through social and service events.
Become a Scout
Join our scouts and start your adventure today!
Navigate our toolkit.
Welcome to the Laurel Highlands Council Resources page. Here you will find recruitment tools and forms to make your recruitment season an easy, but a successful one! If you have questions about any of the tools or forms on this page, please contact your District Executive.
Council forms
Below is a list of forms that are specific to the Boy Scouts of America, Laurel Highlands Council:
- Allegheny County Parks Foundation Eagle Scout Project Award Program
- Annual Health and Medical Record Parts ABC
- Annual Health and Medical Record Parts AB
- Beaver Service Patch
- BSA Specialty License Plate Application
- Council/District First Aid Log (pdf)
- Criminal Background Check & Additional Disclosures Authorization & Form
- District Award of Merit Nomination Form
- Eagle Scout Palm Application
- Eagle Scout Service Project Tracking Report
- Eagle Scout Legacy Walkway
- Family Cub Scout Pack Camping Site Approval Form
- Guide to Unit Money Earning Projects
- Historic Flag Request Form
- Incident Reporting
- Incident Report (Youth Protection/Membership)
- Learn How To Camp
- Learn How To Camp- Appendix
- LHC Event Expectations and Standards
- LHC Event Approval and Close Out Checklist
- LHC Event Budget and Backdater Template
- Materials Request
- Membership Assistance Form
- Merit Badge Counselor Agreement
- NCAP Site Appraisal Form
- NCAP Local Council Authorization and Assessment Declaration Form
- NCAP Short-Term Camp Planning Flowchart
- National Short-Term Camp Resource Page
- PA Forestry Conservation Award
- PA Fish and Boat Commission Conservation Award
- PA Game Commissioner Wildlife Conservation Award
- Pre-Camp Swim Classification
- Recommendation for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award
- Request for Alternative Rank Requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class
- Shooting Sports Resource Form
- Silver Beaver Nomination Form
- Social Media Guidelines (BSA)
- Unit Money-Earning Application
- Veterans Application
- World Conservation Award - Cub Scout
- World Conservation Award - Boy Scout
- 2022 NCAP Standards
- 2022 Short-Term Camp Standards at a Glance – Not available yet
Insurance Forms
CUB SCOUTS & RECRUITING
CUB SCOUT FAMILY GUIDE
WAYS FOR CUB SCOUTS TO MEET!
MEMBERSHIP PLANNING
RECRUITMENT IDEAS
RECRUITMENT VIDEOS
SCOUTS BSA & RECRUITING
EXPLORING & RECRUITING
RECRUITMENT IDEAS
VENTURING & RECRUITING
RECRUITMENT IDEAS
Popcorn
The Laurel Highlands Council and Trail's End thank all the units and Scout families that participate in the annual popcorn fundraiser. Your efforts help maintain our beautiful camps, fund Scout outreach programs, and send hundreds of Scouts to camp each year who would not be able to afford Scouting otherwise.
View Our calendar
Join us for a number of events throughout the year!