TRAINING RESOURCES
 
Every Youth Deserves a Trained Leader
 

The new Basic Leader Training program is a seamless training program that helps leaders easily graduate through the courses quickly and with minimal duplication.
It begins with the existing Fast Start training, continues through New Leader Essentials, followed by Leader Specific training for each adult's role in the unit and culminates with Wood Badge training.

Essential Leader Training

Fast Start Training
Fast start training provides an immediate comfort level for new leaders, enabling them to say, "I can do this!". Fast Start training is the first step for any new volunteer and should be delivered immediately and preferably before meeting with any youth member.

Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture Fast Start Video Tapes and Viewing Guides are available to all new volunteers from the Council Service Center. Leaders can also complete Fast Start training on line by selecting from the following courses:

Basic Leader Training
The new Basic Leaders Training comprises two parts: New Leader Essentials for all adult leaders and Leader Specific training, which is based on the leader's position. Basic Leader Training is designed for maximum flexibility. The district training staffs deliver the sessions. Some will be delivered over time, on one or more evenings, and some in a one-day session. New leaders may attend the training sessions in any district, wherever and which ever is most convenient for the volunteer.

New Leader Essentials
New Leader Essentials is an introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. It addresses how these aims and methods are reached in an age-appropriate style within Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Ideally all volunteers - Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing leaders - take this 90-minute course at the same time, so they understand that they are all striving for the same results with the youth they serve. Each leader needs to complete New Leader Essentials training only once.

Leader Specific Training
Once volunteers have completed New Leader Essentials giving them an overview of the BSA program, they begin training for a specific Scouting position. This training provides the specialized knowledge a new leader needs to assume a leadership role. Because each course is designed for a specific leadership position, the training time varies. Leader Specific training has been developed for the following positions and their assistants:

  • Tiger Cub Den Leaders
  • Cub Scout Den Leaders
  • Webelos Den Leaders
  • Cubmasters
  • Pack committee members
  • Scoutmasters/Assistant Scoutmasters
  • Troop committee members
  • Venturing Advisors
  • Venturing committee members
  • Varsity Team Leaders
Youth Protection Training
Scouting is a youth service organization and our first job must be to protect out youth members from injury and abuse. Scouting must be a safe and secure environment for everyone. All leaders, all members of units committees, indeed anyone who works with young people need to know the facts and responsibilities of youth protection.
Youth Protection Training is a requirement for Quality Unit Awards. Youth Protection Training is required for all adults (over 18) participating in any National event with youth - National and World Jamborees, Philmont, Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier High Adventure base, etc. Youth Protection Training is required for all adults (over 18) participating in any "out of council" event or trip with youth.

Youth Protection is Everyone's Responsibility

Youth protection training is conducted several times a year throughout the council and is available online.

available now

Supplemental Leader Training

Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow
This is the "How To Do It" training course for Cub Leaders. After completing Cub Leader Basic, this annual training course will show you how to do the planning, how to do skits, how to do crafts, how to do games and more. Hands on and Fun.

University of Scouting
The University of Scouting offers a wide variety of supplemental training classes on all areas of Scouting.

College of Commissioner Science
Held once a year, in conjunction with the University of Scouting, College of Commissioner Science offers advanced training and refresher courses for unit commissioners, roundtable commissioners, assistant district commissioners and district commissioners.

BALOO - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation
BALOO is a new course for one or more members of the Pack Committee in how to plan outdoor excursions and camping trips for Cub Scouts. This course teaches how to set up a safe and appropriate trip for Cub Scouts. At least one members of a Pack Committee must be BALOO trained in order for their Cub Scout Pack to be authorized to go camping.

OWL (or WLOT)- Outdoor Webelos Leader training (Or Webelos Leader Outdoor Training)
OWL/WLOT is a specialized course designed to give both new and experienced leaders a better understanding of the Webelos program and especially the outdoors program in preparation for the transition to Boy Scouting.

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting Program. The Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills will provide leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to start the program right. Introduction to Outdoor Leaders Skills is the required outdoor training for all Scoutmasters, assistant Scoutmasters, and Varsity Scout coaches. The skills taught are based on the outdoor skills found in The Boy Scout Handbook. The course is a day and half long, but a leaders can move at an accelerated pace by demonstrating mastery of a specific skill. The emphasis is on the skill, rather than attendance at the course.

Leadership Training for Youth Members

Den Chief Training
One Day course offers training for present and future Den Chiefs. Help your young leaders develop the skills they need to successfully serve in this important position.

National Youth Leader Training
 

Patrol Leader Training online
If you are a patrol leader, you'll want to catch a few good ideas about your job from this great online training course from the BSA.