2022 Vanguard Vision Conference

This year’s Vanguard Vision Conference for Latter-day Saint Scouters was held July 2-9 at the Philmont Training Center.

The conference provided a unique opportunity to hear from members of the BSA National Key 3, Vanguard Scouting board members, Vanguard Scouting officers, and leading Scouters who continue to deliver high-quality programs for our youth.

We will continue to release presentation materials and recordings of many sessions on the page below. Check back often as we labor to edit hours and hours of footage from this amazing event.

Session 02 – Sunday Fireside – Mormon Battalion & VANGUARD DUTY TO GOD AWARD

A special fireside was held for all the Vanguard Vision Conference participants and their families. The majority of the session was spent discussing the history of the Mormon Battalion in a delightful presentation by Brad and Dantzelle Allen, former missionaries at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. The remainder of the time, Neal Robison introduced the newly renamed Vanguard Duty to God Award.

Video-Part 1: CLICK HERE

Video-Part 2: CLICK HERE

Video-Part 3: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 03 – VISION CONFERENCE ORIENTATION / OPENER

Charles Dahlquist (President of Vanguard International Scouting Association) opens the 2022 Vanguard Scouting Vision Conference held at Philmont. Here, Charles works with conference participants to present an overview of the course, listens to what participants want to “get” from the event, and challenges them to set goals. Vanguard Chairman Lyle Knight shares Scouting stories, and Roma Bishop shares a fun “Marble Racer” activity (see link to handout, below).

Video: CLICK HERE

Marble Slider Handout: CLICK HERE

Session 04A – Messaging Vanguard Scouting for VSCRs (Vanguard Scouting Council Representatives)

Trevor Bender leads a breakout discussion on resources available to help VSCRs tell the story of Vanguard Scouting at a local level. Additional discussion was conducted on the challenges of some Latter-day Saint Scout unit as well as examples of success.

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 04B – Unit Effectiveness

Matt McIff and Chuck Jewell discuss several aspects of Scouting unit effectiveness in this breakout discussion. Topics included: effective meetings, planning, program features, patrol method & uniforms, youth leader training, and effective unit committees.

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 05 – Scouting Fun

In a very popular session, Brad & Dantzelle Allen show how Scouting fun is an integral part of developing resilience, inventiveness, and character – as well as the need for fun in Scouting. They demonstrated numerous examples of creative games & activities. A video was also played – linked below – from Charles Dahlquist’s National Duty to God Report keynote, talking about being prepared for “teaching moments.” 

Session Video: CLICK HERE

Dahlquist Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 07 – Starting & Strengthening Units

Matt McIff, Mike Ball, and Carl Cook discuss starting new units for Latter-day Saint Scouts & Scouters. They articulate how to strengthen existing units and maintain an effective online presence to recruit new members and show value to parents.

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 08 – Recruiting: How to Encourage Latter-day Saints to Enjoy Scouting

Trevor Bender leads a discussion on recruiting new members and new volunteers for Scout units. Trevor focused on one-on-one personal invitations, social media, and persistence without overbearance – as keys.

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 09 – WHAT IS A COMMISSIONER & COMMISSIONER SERVICE

The current BSA National Commissioner (Scott Sorrels) and former National Commissioner (Charles Dahlquist) speak about commissioner service in general.  Charles speaks to commissioner service from a Latter-day Saint perspective. Scott also comments on the latest developments in Scouting from a national perspective.

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Trevor Bender adds to the commissioner discussion, explaining the commissioner organization and Latter-day Saints as unit commissioners. 

Video: CLICK HERE

Mini Session – BSA National COMMISSIONER

BSA’s National Commissioner – Scott Sorrels shares stories of great Scouting experiences and inspires conference participants to strengthen Scouting across the country.

Video: CLICK HERE

Session 11 – Working With Parents

Matt McIff and Mike Ball talk about working with all kinds of parents in a Scout unit. They focus on effective communication methods, recruiting to leadership roles, supporting single parents through Scouting, and how to work with difficult parents.

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 13 – Utilizing the Full Scouting Program

Brad Allen leads a fantastic discussion on utilizing the full Scouting program with your units. He was joined by a panel of experts to see the impact of full utilization from several perspectives.

Video: CLICK HERE

Session 14 – Spiritual Aspects of Scouting

In a gorgeous mountain-top setting, Charles Dahlquist, Lyle Knight, and Jake Nichol delivered talks to help Vision Conference participants see the beauty of linking Scouting to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. An April 1975 general conference address from S. Dilworth Young – titled “Scouters: Lead Them to a Mission” was shown.

Dilworth Video: CLICK HERE

Session 17A – Vanguard Scouting Council Representative (VSCR) Best Practices

Trevor Bender leads a discussion on VSCR (Vanguard Scouting Council Representative) roles & responsibilities, best practices for working within your local council, and digital resources for promoting Scouting and the Vanguard International Scouting Association

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 17B – YOUTH ISSUES & CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Matt McIff led a spirited discussion on working with boys, girls, and older Scouts. He explored how to address inappropriate behavior, interreligious issues, and Scouts with special needs.

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 18 – UTILIZING OUTDOOR PROGRAMS

Chuck Jewell explores how to take advantage of outdoor programs to strengthen your unit. He focused on the Powder Horn program as a means to learn about resources in your area. Chuck also talks about some of the history of the Philmont area.

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Session 21A – Vanguard Vision & the Gospel Link

Trevor Bender explores how to utilize Scouting to complement the Church’s new Children and Youth Program.

Video: CLICK HERE

Slides: CLICK HERE

Mini Session – BSA National Chairman

The current BSA National Chairman (Dan Ownby) answers questions from conference participants and offers a perspective on the latest with BSA Scouting.

Video: CLICK HERE