Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader

As an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), you have the privilege of making a positive difference in the lives of the youth members you serve. To serve effectively, you must be trained. The youth members of the BSA deserve a trained leader and there is no substitute for proper training. The programs of the BSA are exciting, challenging and often technical. The information needed to properly deliver these programs to our youth members is not intuitive. Instead, it requires proper training. Luckily the BSA has been developing Adult Leader Training for over 100 years.

As BSA states: “The Boy Scouts of America takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of our youth members call for high-quality adult leaders.” (National BSA Training Home Page)

Training is the key to maintaining the high quality of our leaders and insuring the delivery of the best program possible to our youth members. We anticipate you will honor the privilege of being a BSA adult leader and complete your training as soon as possible.

In addition to being able to wear the prestigious “trained” patch on your scouting uniform, once you become trained, there are several awards available for adult leaders.

Basic Training Requirements for ALL Registered Adult Leaders

Per BSA policy “To be a trained BSA adult leader, you must complete both youth protection training as well as any position specific training required for your leadership role.”

Challenger district requires that all new leaders be YPT trained before registering as an adult leader, and 100% trained in their role within 90 calendar days of registering.

• Youth Protection Training information can be found here.
• Position Specific Training information can be found here.

Advanced Training

In addition, BSA provides a comprehensive set of specialized, advanced and continuing education courses to ensure that all adult leaders continue to improve the programs that they serve.

• • Advanced Training information can be found here.

Online or In Person Training Options

Depending on your schedule and availability you have the option to take most training courses online or in person.

Online training

National has created online versions of most of the classes you need for your Scouting job. These include position-specific classes that lead to your ‘trained’ patch and supplemental classes that will help you build a better, safer program for your youth.

To get started with your online training, you’ll need to register at the my.scouting.org. Once you are registered, you can begin taking courses right away, and your records will sync with council and national in near real time. Sometimes (especially when first registering), it takes a bit to get your BSA ID and records synced. If you have any trouble or issues feel free to reach out to the district training chair.

There are numerous how to videos for using my.scouting.org. Below are just a sample to get you started.

• How to create a my.scouting.org account
• A video walkthrough of how to use my.scouting.org to take training
• FAQ: How to fix issues if your training on my.scouting.org is missing

In-person training

For some leaders, in person training is a preferable way to take training, with an trained BSA instructor. In addition to getting the material in the syllabus from national, you benefit from the instructor’s experience, you can ask questions, and you start making connections with other leaders doing the same job you are doing.

You can find in-person training opportunities by on our district training calendar.

Note, that because in-person training is only offered during scheduled training events, it may not be available all the time (and may not be offered during your first 90 day window for getting position trained) . The online version of training is available 24×7.

Position Required Training List

How do you know what you need to take in order to be “trained”? You have several options:

• Log into your my.scouting.org online profile to check your positions and training status (Click here for a how to video).
• Contact your unit’s training chair or the District Training Chair
• A complete listing (as of the date published) of training per requirements can be found below

The May 02, 2018 listing of the required training is linked here: Position Specific Training PDF Listing. To get the most recent list follow the instructions below:

• Goto Training For Adults Page
• Scroll down under Position-Specific (Role-Based Courses)
• Look for Basic Leader Requirements
• Click the link for More Information

Available Adult Training

Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection Training (YPT) provides information to help prevent various forms of child abuse, protocols for reporting suspected child abuse and resources to assist adults in creating a safe environment for our youth members. YPT is mandatory for all registered BSA adult leaders every two years. All new and currently registered leaders are required to complete the updated Youth Protection Training by October 1, 2018 regardless of when they last took the course. Visit the YPT page for more information about the new 2018 version of this course.

A how to video on how to take the course online can be found here and here.

Leader Position Specific Training

Leader specific training is designed to give position-related information to adult leaders, including detailed information concerning the aims and methods of Scouting, program planning and BSA activities. Leaders working directly with youth, such as Cubmasters, Scoutmasters or their assistants, are expected to complete the basic leader training specific to his or her position. Effective April 30, 2018, new direct contact leaders must complete Hazardous Weather Training to be considered position trained.

Most Leader Position Specific training courses are available online 24×7 on my.scouting.org. Many courses are also held “in-person” throughout the year at various times and locations throughout the council. A detailed schedule for all training courses may be found on the district calendar and council training web pages.

Continuing and Advanced Education

Because of the advanced nature of many of the courses, most of the courses below are held in person. To check when the next training course will be offered, refer to the district training calendar or council training website.

Additional Training

Camping Fundamentals

To ensure that outdoor activities and camping program is conducted in a safe and effective manner, BSA offers two outdoor orientation courses for leaders. Depending on the level, BSA REQUIRES at least ONE adult present at an outing must have completed the appropriate training.

CUB SCOUTS: Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation – BALOO

This one-and-a-half day course is designed as an introduction to the Cub Scout outdoor program for leaders interested in adding a camping component to their Pack activities. BALOO training consists of an online pre-requisite component in addition to an overnight outdoor camping experience. Completion of this course is mandatory for a MINIMUM OF ONE adult on a Pack overnighter. Additionally, this training consists of an overnight camping component so must be done in person.

SCOUTING: Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills – IOLS

Working as patrols, this hands-on course provides adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. Along with Scoutmaster Specifics this course is required of all direct contact leaders registered in Boy Scout Troops in order to be considered “trained”. Additionally, this training consists of an overnight camping component so must be done in person.

Merit Badge and STEM Counselor Training

Before serving as a counselor/mentor or trainer for youth as a merit badge counselor, STEM counselor, or Nova/SuperNova counselor, you must take the basic training for these roles. These are offered both in-person and online and via my.scouting.org.

Advanced Leader Training

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is known as the premier training course in the BSA.  Offered by the council, it is held over a period of a week or two full weekends.  It includes an outdoor camping experience. Those who complete Wood Badge are presented iconic wooden beads as a symbol of their commitment to provide a quality Scouting program.

Train the Trainer Training

A series of 3 courses geared to help prepare leaders who will be training other leaders. It starts out with The Fundamentals of Trainings and skills for giving basic presentations, continues with Trainers Edge and skills for training on more advanced topics, and culminates on the Master Trainer course which focuses on the training strategy for entire programs. These are held at various times throughout the year and are in person training events.

Philmont

Since 1950 The Philmont Training Center (PTC) has provided a unique environment for training volunteer and professional leaders, and a fun family program for every member of the family.

Course Director and Areas Training Conferences

Click here for the most up-to-date listing of Wood Badge and NYLT Course Director’s Conferences in your region or area and across the nation. The accompanying links for registering for each conference will be available as listed. Many of this year’s Course Director’s Conferences have been combined with other functional conferences, creating an atmosphere of learning on a larger scale and allowing for the sharing of resources and ideas. You will find these Area Training Conferences listed here as well.

Doctorate of Commissioner Science

The Doctorate of Commissioner Science Knot Award recognizes completion of a standardized training program including a thesis or project, the awarding of the Doctorate of Commissioner Science from a College of Commissioner Science, and the achievement of performance objectives to improve unit service.

Continual Training

Roundtable

Once a month Scouting volunteers in a local community come together  to provide information about local Scouting events, activities, and  programs. Roundtables play a significant role in providing continuous supplemental training for unit leaders. This monthly event provides program topic guidance and structure suggestions for unit leaders.

A fun environment creates excitement around the coming month of activities and program for unit leaders to carry back for implementation in their units.

See the district homepage for our meeting schedule and location.

University of Scouting

The University of Scouting, the premier training event in the council, is one of the easiest ways for adult volunteers to achieve this goal. This single-day training event is designed to supplement any leader’s training. Any Scout leader may attend.

University of Scouting is an annual training event for volunteer leaders at all levels (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, District, or Council) and for Boy Scouts and Venturers.  Whether you are new to the Scouting program or a veteran of many years, the University of Scouting has something for you! Come spend a day of fun, fellowship and learning with Scouters from across the Central Florida Council and around the State. Boy Scout and Venturing Youth can participate in multiple youth programs that enhance their Scouting skills and leadership encouraging them to explore new adventures in Scouting.

In addition, to keep track of your supplemental education progress within the University of Scouting, you can pursue your Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate level scouting courses

Training and Program History

Since its inception in 1908, the BSA has been focused on providing a program for youth that will prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Over the past 100 years, the BSA has continuously worked to ensure that the youth program evolves to meet the needs of society as it changes with the times, while staying true to the core values within the Scout Oath and Law. Consequently, the BSA has invested a significant portion in developing not only the youth program curriculum, but training programs for the adults leading them.