The BSA Training

Adult Leader Training

The Basic Leader Training Program is the culmination of more than two years of work by professionals and volunteers from throughout the nation. Their goal was to revise and update the volunteer leader training materials for the Boy Scouts of America. The result is a seamless training program that helps leaders easily graduate through the courses quickly and with little duplication.

The goal is to achieve 100% trained unit and youth serving volunteers. Here is an overview of the components of the training continuum.

Fast Start and Youth Protection Training

The first step for any new volunteer to be delivered immediately after a new leader registers and before he or she meets with any youth member.

Basic Leader Training

"This Is Scouting" for all unit-level leaders. (Replaces New Leader Essentials as of March 16, 2009)

Leader Specific Training, based on the leader's unit-level position.

Wood Badge

The Core leadership skill training course of the Boy Scouts of America

The BSA On-Line Learning

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.

E-Learning Center provides 24 hour access to on line training for Cub Scout Leader Fast Start and Boy Scout Leader Fast Start and Venture Leader Fast Start directly to you from the Boy Scouts of America.

Log into MyScouting on the National BSA web site to access the Fast Start Training modules.

"This is Scouting" was added to the BSA's on-line Learning Center as of March 16, 2009.

"This is Scouting" replaces New Leader Essentials as a required course for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing volunteers to earn the "Trained" leader emblem.

While the primary delivery method for "This is Scouting" is on-line, a DVD . No. 36118, will be available after April 1, from Supply for areas where internet access is limited or where group presentation is desired.

All Scouters are encouraged to create a MyScouting account and access this training through the MyScouting portal, as credit for this training will be recorded on their PAS record upon completion.

"This is Scouting" 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. 

Basic Leader Training

Basic Leaders Training comprises three parts:

1. On-Line Training Modules 'Fast Start' & 'This is Scouting' for all unit-level leaders
2. Leader Specific training, which is based on the leader's unit-level position.

Basic Leader Training is designed for maximum flexibility. The sessions are delivered by the district training staffs and are often nicknamed according to local tradition. 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.

Shu Shu Ga is Basic Leader Training conducted in the Aquila and North Shore Districts.

Leader Specific Training

Once volunteers have completer 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:

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 safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA.

To increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is implementing several important changes to further enhance its Youth Protection policies:

Effective June 1, 2010:

• Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.

• New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training before they submit their application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.

•  Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection Training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

New Required Youth Protection Q & A

Youth Protection is Everyone's Responsibility
Youth Protection Training is conducted several times a year throughout the council and in a self paced on-line version through the MyScouting portal at www.Scouting.org

Wood Badge for the 21st Century

Wood Badge has evolved into the core leadership skill training course of the Boy Scouts of America Training Continuum.  Wood Badge focuses on strengthening every volunteer's ability to work with and lead groups of youth and adults.  It should be the goal of every Scout Leader to take Wood Badge within 2 years of their first becoming a leaders.  
>>> Additional information on Wood Badge <<<

Continuing Training

BALOO
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation

OWL Outdoors Webelos Leader Training

OWL 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

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.

University of Scouting

Join your fellow Scouters for a day of fun and adventure as we learn how to make scouting better for ourselves and our scouts. Our first annual Yankee Clipper Council University of Scouting will offer information on a wide variety of scouting topics presented by our own experienced leaders and experts from throughout the area. This is a great chance to learn how our programs can be run better for the scouts and easier for us.

The Eastern Massachusetts University of Scouting
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Greater Lawrence Technical School on River Road in North Andover

>>> University of Scouting - Download your syllabus and register on-line <<<

POWDER HORN
Venturing Outdoor Skills Resources Class

Powder Horn is a training opportunity designed to expose the Venturing or Boy Scout leader to activities and resources necessary to operate a successful Venturing Ranger Award or Troop High Adventure program in several ways:

• Help Venturing Leaders and Scouters to safely conduct outdoor activities of a fun and challenging nature.
• Provides an introduction to the resources necessary to successfully lead their Venturers and older Boy Scouts through a program of high adventure.
• Familiarizes the Advisor with the Ranger program so that he or she can help the Venturer to meet the requirements of the Ranger Award.
• This course is based on the Venturing Ranger requirements giving participants an exposure to outdoor/high adventure activities.

Course Framework
The Powder Horn course uses the requirements of the Ranger Award as the basis for the program.

Ranger Core Requirements: First Aid, Cooking, Communications, Emergency Preparedness, Land Navigation, Leave No Trace, Wilderness Survival, and Conservation Planning

 Ranger Elective Requirements: Backpacking, Cave Exploring, Cycling/Mt Biking, Ecology, Equestrian, First Aid, Fishing, Hunting, Lifesaver, Mountaineering, Outdoor Living History, Physical Fitness, Plants and Wildlife, Project COPE, SCUBA, Shooting Sports, Watercraft, Winter Sports

Other topics: Working with Teenagers, Goal Setting, Expedition Planning, Venture Program and Awards

Experts will present topics from both within and outside the BSA community. Each will have a thorough practical knowledge of the activity and the resources available to assist you.

An Area One  Enterprise Course Hosted by the Yankee Clipper Council
May 21-23 & June 4-6, 2010   Wah Tut Ca Scout Reservation and Lone Tree Scout Reservation

>>>  Brochure and Registration Application <<<

Philmont Training Center

Philmont Training Center – Wish You Were Here!

What better place to spend part of the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America than at the Philmont Training Center! Great volunteer leaders have guided this organization for one hundred years and are central to the success of the next 100 years. The PTC is the place where outstanding volunteer leaders are shaped.

We invite you to build on your leadership skills by attending one of the many specialized courses offered during the summer of our 100th year. Take some time to look through the great selection of courses being offered. Don’t forget! A week at the PTC is a great way for the family to spend some quality time under the beautiful blue skies of New Mexico.

PTC Brochure and Schedule for Summer 2010

Other Boy Scout On-Line Supplemental Training Modules

Supplemental training modules are designed to provide orientation beyond the basic training offered in This Is Scouting and leader-specific training. Each module is a unit of training that can be used as an outline for a group, for personal coaching, or for self-study. Most of the outlines should require about an hour to complete. Consider each unit of study to be an introduction to the subject. Scouters are welcome to download subjects that are of interest for personal or unit use. There are no training credits associated with the completion of these units of study. Additional training units are being developed and will be continually added to this site.

Leave No Trace: Preserving the Beauty and Maintaining Our Access to the Land
Learn to identify personal nature awareness and stewardship goals, and learn advanced skills, but simple ones, that will help ensure a minimum-impact (Leave No Trace) experience on all outdoor experiences.

Disc Golf in Support of Scouting
Disc golf is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities among youth and young adults. This course will teach you how disc golf can help you to improve your Scouting program, including using disc golf as an activity, for advancement, and as a great source of service projects. And, of course, you’ll learn how to play disc golf—and teach others to play.

Mentoring
Mentoring is an opportunity to help a person grow through discovery. This session will address various mentoring models and ways to be a mentor to Scouts and Scouters.

Merit Badge Counselor Instructors Guide
This module will guide new and potential merit badge counselors through their responsibilities in the role and will give them an understanding of the methods of counseling Scouts. It is intended as a short orientation course for new merit badge counselors before they begin working with Scouts.

Board of Review Training
This module will train troop committee members and others in the purposes of the board of review, offering suggestions for the types of questions that can or should be asked.

Geocaching to Promote Scouting
Geocaching is an exciting new sport that uses GPS navigation to find hidden treasures. It provides another tool for the fun-with-a-purpose toolbox and can combine outdoor adventure with advancement, recruiting, retention, and public relations.

The Order of the Arrow and Your Troop
This session discusses the benefits to the individual, troop, district, and council as a result of the Order of the Arrow's influence in your troop.

Orientation for New Boy Scout Parents
This brief orientation is designed to draw new parents into the troop experience and give them the information they need to enjoy the program and help their sons succeed.

Planning and Conducting a Safe Scout Outing
Safe Scouting can happen if you follow the Scout motto—Be Prepared. This unit of supplementary training will describe how to plan for and conduct a safe Scout outing.

Recruiting Quality Training Staff
Recruiting is an ongoing responsibility. This session will provide an overview of the steps involved in recruiting quality district or council training staff and will allow participants to take a step-by-step practice run through the recruiting process.

Scoutmaster Conference Training
This module will teach Scoutmasters, assistant Scoutmasters, and other troop leaders about the purposes of the Scoutmaster's conference and will offer suggestions for questions that could be asked at these conferences.

Varsity Leader Fast Start
This is a brief video overview of the Varsity Scout program and how it works.

Selecting Quality Leaders
This session will provide an overview of the seven steps to recruiting a key adult unit leader and will prepare participants to recruit new leaders for their units' needs.

Bullying: Prevention and Intervention Tips for Scout Leaders and Parents
The values of Scouting make it clear that bullying cannot be tolerated. Scouting leaders have a unique opportunity to teach respect and acceptance of others.

Conducting an Interfaith Service
Scouts and unit leaders can learn to conduct an interfaith service (formerly a Scouts' Own) that is inclusive for all participants.

Cub Scout Commissioner Roundtable Fast Start
This module provides a general overview of roundtable commissioners responsibilities, as well as an outline for roundtable meetings.

Bullying: Prevention and Intervention Tips for Scout Leaders and Parents

Supporting Scouts With AD/HD PPT DOC
The aims and methods of the Scouting program make it an outstanding opportunity for those with AD/HD characteristics to develop and enhance the skills that can lead to success in school, in relationships with other, and in life.

District Committee Workshop

Youth Leadership Training

1. The first step in Youth Leader training is the “Introduction to Leadership”. This is the individual counseling that the Scoutmaster does with a youth when he undertakes a new position. It is the training in the specific functions of his new position.
    
2. The Second phase of Youth Leader training is “Troop Youth Leader Training”. This is training at the troop level to help the youths do a better job of working together. It addresses many very practical situations a Youth Leader may encounter. This training can only be effectively carried out at the Troop level.
    
3. The Third type of Training is the “National Youth Leadership Training” (NYLT). The interaction among scouts from all over the Council is a major ingredient in the course. That is why it is not able to be provided at the Unit level alone! NYLT supports the training done by the home Troop Scoutmaster.

Den Chief Training

National Youth Leadership Training - August

NYLT Information for 2010             NYLT Registration Form for 2010

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National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)

NAYLE will provide Scouts with a Philmont-based wilderness encounter that motivates them to follow a life of helping others succeed based on the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Law.

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