F.C.F.

History F.C.F. History

The Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship was founded during the summer of 1966. For some time prior to this date, the Royal Rangers national commander had felt the need for a special honor society to give recognition to older boys and men who had distinguished themselves in advancement, training, and camping. The early American frontiersmen was an excellent example of man's ability to adapt to the outdoors and the wilderness. His achievements were also an example of courage and determination. The national Royal Rangers Office, therefore, made the decision to base this fellowship on the lore and tradition of these early frontiersmen. The first FCF chapter was organized in the Southern California District on July 8, 1966. High in the San Bernardino Mountains, in a clearing surrounded by gigantic trees, a large group of Royal Rangers sat around a blazing campfire. As they waited, a feeling of mystery and expectancy filled the air. Suddenly, the blast of a hunter's horn shattered the night's stillness and echoed through the trees. National Commander Johnnie Barnes stepped into the firelight dressed in a buckskin outfit and coonskin cap. As he began to explain the new FCF program, a hum of excitement rose above the sound of the crackling campfire. Assisted by two district leaders, Ron Halvorson and Rob Reid, these men proceeded with the first FCF call out. After pledging to endure a time of testing, the candidates were led away carrying a large rope to a mountain top nearby for an all night initiation. Later, as the members [five boys and five men] were officially inducted into the fellowship at the final friendship fire, they sensed that this ceremony was a milestone in Royal Rangers history. That same year, three more chapters were organized in the Northern California, the Southern Missouri, and the Iowa Districts. This exciting and unique fellowship has so captured the imaginations of boys and men that the program has grown to include organized chapters in the majority of our districts. Purpose F.C.F. Purpose To give recognition to boys and men who have shown exceptional interest and outstanding achievement in the Royal Rangers program and in Royal Rangers campcraft. To build a brotherhood of top-notch boys and men over the years who will continue to be Royal Rangers program and camping enthusiasts. To emphasize the importance of involvement in the advancement program, development of campcraft skills, and completion of the leadership training programs. To develop a corps of elite Royal Rangers who will strive to be the very best in Christian example and leadership. To encourage the boys and men of Royal Rangers to always prefer others above themselves and to let their leadership be by example. To show a spirit of servanthood, willing to give of time and energy above and beyond what is expected for Royal Rangers. FCF MOTTO: Ad Dare Servire To Give and To Serve Requirements F.C.F. Requirements for Membership Boys: They must meet the following requirements: (1) Earn the Trailblazer First Class rating. (2) Earn the Advanced Camping Award. They must be recommended by their outpost for this position. (This is done by submitting an FCF application form to the FCF Office, prior to the Frontier Adventure.) They will be officially selected by the FCF staff. The candidate will be informed of the date and place for the Phase I testing. After being selected, they must pass the Phase I testing session and participate in the Frontier Adventure (Phase II). Leaders: They must complete the Leadership Training Coarse (LTC) and earn the Leader's Medal of Achievement. They will be officially selected by the FCF Staff. The candidate will be informed of the date and place for the Phase I testing. After being selected, they must pass the Phase I testing session and participate in the Frontier Adventure (Phase II). Advancement F.C.F. Steps of Recognition Buckskin STEPS TO START YOUR ADVANCEMENT IN FCF (BUCKSKIN) Boys: To be eligible to be a Buckskin Frontiersman... boys must: 1. Complete one additional step in advancement or earn the Gold Medal of Achievement. Men: 1. Tutor a boy into FCF. Men should always encourage boys to join FCF. The leader is required to teach at least one boy about FCF and to lead him through the steps necessary to becoming a member. Both Boys and Men: 2. Participate in at least one FCF frontier induction and be an active member in their chapter at least 1 year. 3. Make or purchase a complete outfit and wear it at FCF functions. 4. Recite from memory the FCF Pledge. 5. Explain the meaning of FCF Symbol. 6. State the purpose of FCF. 7. Make an FCF ID staff. 8. Select a frontier-related craft or skill to develop. 9. Select an FCF name for himself. 10. Pay the yearly dues set by the district chapter. For more information contact your Buckskin Representative Wilderness STEPS TO BECOMING A WILDERNESS FRONTIERSMAN Boys: 1. Complete one additional step in advancement and earn the Survival Award or earn the Gold Medal of Achievement. 2. Participate in at least two initiations and be an active member in your chapter for at least 2 years. 3. Be sponsored by a Wilderness member. 4. Carry a wilderness pouch for at least 3 months. 5. Tutor another boy in FCF. 6. Pass a previgil testing session. 7. Complete an all-night vigil. 8. Pay the yearly dues set by the district chapter. Men: 1. Attend and complete a National Training Camp. 2. Participate in at least four initiations and be an active member in your chapter for at least 2 years. 3. Be sponsored by your district chapter. 4. Carry a wilderness pouch for at least 3 month. 5. Tutor a boy into FCF. 6. Pass a previgil testing session. 7. Complete an all-night vigil 8. Pay the yearly dues set by the district chapter. For more information contact your Wilderness Representative Trappers Brigade The Trappers Brigade is a special auxiliary group within the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship. The purpose for Trappers Brigade is to promote Christian Service among the FCF members by encouraging their involvement and participation in service to their church and fellow man. There are three basic steps of recognition. They are: Company Trapper, Bourgeois (pronounced boohz-wah'), and the Free Trapper. Points are earned in varying amounts for varying types of service. Twenty points (20) are required for the Company Trapper recognition. Forty (40) additional points (for a total of sixty-60) is required for Bourgeois, and a total of one-hundred and twenty points (120) earns the Free Trapper. This is sixty, (60) points above the number required for Bourgeois. Each additional thirty (30) points earned will entitle the Free Trapper to receive a numeral to be placed on his Trapper Medal. To participate in the Trappers Brigade program an FCF member must be in good standing with his FCF Chapter. His current and previous years dues must be paid. He must have participated in one-half of the District FCF activities in the current and previous year. He must be actively involved in his local church and Royal Ranger Outpost. It is not necessary for the FCF member to have received his Buckskin or Wilderness status to qualify. Service points are accumulated when an FCF member volunteers his time, (with no consideration for wages) in church or community projects, special needs or organizations, or humanitarian acts. Within the community where the member resides, he will receive one-half point per hour of service. For volunteer work done outside of his local setting, he will accumulate one point per hour of service, not counting travel time. The emphasis of the Trappers Brigade program is to not only encourage the involvement of FCF members in the ministry of their local churches, but also to bring a Christian influence and testimony into community projects, needs, organizations, etc. A District FCF Authorization Committee will review the points tabulated by the FCF members who qualify for the recognition pins. This is done by making application and being interviewed by the committee. During this interview the FCF Member will share the details of his service project(s). Pictures, letters, artifacts, items of interest, things learned, enjoyed, and experienced should all be shared when meeting with the committee. Young Bucks (FCF members under 18 years of age) must complete the service under the supervision of an adult leader. This leader may be a Pastor, Commander, Youth Leader, Community Leader, Missionary, District Official, Project Coordinator, Coach, Parent, or any adult who signs the application verifying what was done by the applicant. Old timers (FCF members over 18 years of age) may earn points in the traditional method (points per hours of service), or by supervising young bucks through their Trappers Brigade service projects. Five (5) points will be earned for the Old Timer for each step of recognition completed by a boy that he has supervised. To qualify as a supervisor the Old Timer must sign the young buck's application as his supervisor and send appropriate comments with the application; participate, organize and be a major influence in the motivation of the young buck's participation and completion of the service project; and see that the project is completed while the young buck is under eighteen (18) years old. For the local setting within the church, projects may include such things as mowing the church lawn, serving as an Usher, a special assignment for ministry like Sunday School, Youth, Visitation, Bus Ministry, Music, Office work, Printing, Missions Emphasis, Fund Raisers, Clothing Drives, or Food Drives, etc., as determined by the FCF Trappers Brigade Authorization Committee. Within the local community, projects may include such things as helping families that have been burned out of their homes; assisting needy people or children's groups; working at the hospital, library, service center, voter registration drives, city recreational facilities, juvenile detention center, Big Brothers Organization, or Boys Clubs, etc., as determined by the FCF Trappers Brigade Authorization Committee. Outside of the local setting points are accumulated (without considering travel time) for such projects as missionary trips like A.I.M. (Ambassadors in Missions), Care Corps, U.S.O., assisting a Home Missions Church, District Campgrounds or, special projects, disaster assistance, search and rescue missions, etc., as determined by the FCF Trappers Brigade Authorization Committee. Remember, all work for Trappers Brigade recognition is volunteer labor with no consideration for wages. The major emphasis is to put the Christian influence and testimony into community projects, needs, organizations, and humanitarian acts.