Four Levels of Training
1. Orientation/Fast Start Training
Fast
Start training is designed to be used at the point of recruiting, to
get a new leader off to a fast start. The Fast Start counselor delivers
the appropriate video and viewer guide to the new leader. Fast Start
training can also be used as parents’ and chartered organization
leaders’ first exposure to Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity
Scouting, or Venturing. Its purpose is to acquaint families, new
leaders, and others with the program of the Boy Scouts of America and
give specific information about the program phase involved. Fast Start
should motivate leaders to complete basic training.
2. Basic Training
New Leader Essentials
– New Leader Essentials is the initial training for adult leaders
serving youth in units. Through a series of lively presentations, the
90-minute training presents an overview of the core elements of
Scouting, including the organization’s mission, aims, and methods. It
also provides new leaders with a look at the resources available to
them through the Boy Scouts of America, and a clear understanding of
Scouting’s expectations of its adult leadership.
Who
attends New Leader Essentials? All new adult leaders of Tiger Cubs, Cub
Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Venturers should
attend. A Scout leader needs to attend New Leader Essentials only once.
Leader Specific Training – Upon completion of
New Leader Essentials, volunteer leaders take part in leader specific training
to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities relating to
their leadership positions with the Cub Scout program, the Boy Scout
program, or the Venturing program. Leader specific training is also an
opportunity for new leaders to get answers to questions they may have
about their roles and about the BSA in general.
3. Supplemental Training
This
includes a variety of courses given on a district, council, area,
regional, or national basis. They are designed to give additional
information on specific areas of Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity
Scouting, and Venturing. Some
of the methods touched upon in basic training are treated in greater
depth in supplemental training courses. Some courses are held on a
regular basis as a continuing source of information. Examples of
supplemental training courses are Cub Scout leader pow wows,
Universities of Scouting, and crew leader workshops. Supplemental
training is also offered in conferences at the Philmont Training
Center. Since supplemental training is intended to enrich the leaders’ experience, there are no prerequisites.
4. Advanced Training
Leaders
desiring a deeper dedicated involvement in the program, and who are
otherwise qualified, will find advanced training highly rewarding. Wood
Badge serves as the advanced training program for Cub Scouting, Boy
Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Successful completion
of basic training is a prerequisite for advanced training.
Cub Scout Leadership
Training
Cub
Scouting is usually an adult volunteer’s first introduction to a
Scouting leadership position. He or she will need certain basic
information in order to bring a quality program to Cub Scouts. This
information is needed as soon as possible after a leadership position
is assumed. An understanding of the objectives and methods of Cub
Scouting will make it possible for them to be truly effective as they
work with boys.
Cub
Scout leaders must complete Fast Start and Basic Leader Training for
their position to be eligible to wear the Trained Leader emblem.
Because of the many positions in Cub Scouting, both Fast Start and
basic training are tailored to the needs of the individual leader.
Training
for Cub Scout leaders is designed to provide opportunities for growth
throughout the leadership experience. This concept of delivering the
training that leaders need at the time that they need it is called the
Continuum of Training. The continuum includes Fast Start and basic
training as well as supplemental training experiences that provide
support to leaders an a continuous basis.
Orientation
training is delivered by the pack to parents of Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts,
and Webelos Scouts, as well as other adults new to Scouting. It
provides an overview of the total program of the Boy Scouts of America
as well as detailed information on the benefits of Cub Scouting and the
role of parents. It includes the Cub Scout Orientation video.
Fast Start training
provides information to aid new leaders in planning and conducting
their first meeting and to motivate them to attend Basic Leader
Training. Cub Scout Leader Fast Start Training is available both on
videotape and DVD. It is in five parts: Tiger Cub Den Leader, Cub Scout
Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Pack Committee.
Fast Start training is also available online at http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/faststart/
Cub Scout Basic Leader Training has two components:
1. New Leader Essentials (for all leaders in Cub Scouting, Boy
Scouting, and Venturing)
2. Leader Specific Training
(designed to train the new leader in the specific responsibilities of
his or her position). Specific training is available for Tiger Cub Den
Leader (and their Assistants), Cub Scout Den Leader (and their
Assistants), Webelos Den Leader (and their Assistants),
Cubmaster/Assistant Cubmaster, and Pack Committee. Basic training
covers a few topics in detail. It introduces some skills, but leaders
develop these skills by practice over a longer time. Basic training encourages
leaders to take part in supplemental training. It also helps them
understand the importance of continuous self-development. The theories
and principles discussed in training courses are more meaningful when
leaders put them to use.
Basic Leader Training is a requirement for all Cub Scout
leader awards.
Supplemental Training
Supplemental
training includes a variety of courses conducted on a district,
council, or national basis. These courses give additional information
on specific areas of the Cub Scout program.
Examples of some supplemental courses held:
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation
(BALOO) - This training provides a hands-on learning experience
designed to give leaders the techniques they need to plan and conduct
pack overnight camping.
Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders
- This training provides essential outdoor skills for Webelos leaders
to pass on to their Webelos Scouts, as well as knowledge on planning,
conducting, and leading Webelos den overnight campouts. It is designed
to run in conjunction with Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, but
can also be held by itself.
Unit Leadership Enhancements
- Discussion sessions that provide ongoing training to all Cub Scout
leaders through their monthly pack leaders’ meeting. Each enhancement
session is aimed at improving a leader’s understanding of the methods
and purposes of Cub Scouting, and how these can be fulfilled in their
regular meetings. Packs conduct their own leadership enhancements,
selecting from 15 topics based on their own interests and needs. Unit
leadership enhancements are included in the Cub Scout Leader Book.
Cub Scout Leader Roundtables!!!!
- Roundtables are held monthly for the purpose of giving adult leaders
the skills and ideas they need to deliver an exciting Cub Scout program
to boys. The roundtable serves also to renew each leader’s enthusiasm
and dedication. Each roundtable features ceremonies, games, and
activities for den and pack meetings built around the next month’s
theme. District will build their Cub Scout Leader Roundtables around
the theme two months in advance.
Advanced Training – Wood Badge of the
21st Century
is a week-long or multiple-weekend group training course designed to
provide adults with advanced leadership skills and a more dedicated
involvement in Scouting. A limited number of council courses are held
each year. Participation is by invitation.
Boy Scout Leadership
Training
Adult
and youth leaders in Boy Scouting need certain basic information in
order to bring a quality program to Scouts. This information is needed
as soon as possible after a leadership position is assumed. Leaders
need to know the objectives and methods of Boy Scouting, and they need
guidance on how to be effective leaders.
Boy Scout Leader Fast Start
– Fast Start video training is intended to be delivered as soon as a
new leader is recruited. The Fast Start Videos are available as
follows: The Troop Meeting; AV-023, The Outdoor Program; AV-024, Troop
Organization; AV-025, all three programs on one tape; AV-026, and the
Boy Scout Viewer Guide; AV-026VG. Boy Scout Fast Start Training is
available online at http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/faststart/
Boy Scout Leader Fast Start is recommended to be completed
before Basic Leader Training.
A
Scoutmaster or assistant Scoutmaster is considered to be trained after
completing New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster
Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. A
troop committee member is considered to be trained after completing the
New Leader Essentials and Troop Committee Challenge.
Boy Scout Basic Leader Training
New Leader Essentials
is designed for all volunteers and provides the basics of the Scouting
programs, the age appropriateness of those programs, and our values and
methods.
Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training
has three sessions designed to provide leaders with a good working
knowledge of troop operations.
The sessions are:
· Getting Started:
Role of the Scoutmaster in a Boy-Led Troop
· Lighting the Fire:
The Outdoor Program and the Advancement Program
· Keeping It Going:
Program Planning and Troop Administration
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
is a hands-on training program to give adult leaders the practical
outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the outdoors. Imagine having
hands-on knowledge about setting up a campsite, pitching a tent,
hiking, outdoor cooking—all the skills necessary to see the outdoor
program of the Boy Scouts of America come to life.
The Troop Committee Challenge – Boy Scout Troop
Committee Training is a three-hour course for members of the troop committee. If
a committee member later registers as a Scoutmaster or as an assistant
Scoutmaster (or desires to be actively involved in troop meetings and
activities), the individual will need to take Scoutmaster and Assistant
Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training and Introduction to Outdoor Leader
Skills. The Troop
Committee Challenge is designed to help troop committee members better
understand their roles and responsibilities through interactive
learning. The training is best delivered to all members of a single
troop committee to build a better committee team. It can also be
delivered in a mixed-unit training course offered by the district.
Supplemental Training
Units of Training
– Units of training have been developed on a number of subjects and
leadership skills to fortify learning for Scoutmasters and other adult
leaders as they feel the need. The units of training are designed to be
“plugged in” by trainers as needs become apparent. Subjects covered are
as follows: Boy Scout Advancement Training, Merit Badge Counselor
Orientation, and Selecting Quality Leaders.
Outdoor Skills Instruction
– These “super Scouting weekends” can improve leaders’ outdoor skills
as well as be fun and helpful in building morale. Training that may be
offered is Outdoor Skills on Camping, Team Building, Rock
Climbing/Rappelling, Survival, Backpacking, Cooking, Aquatics, and
Topping Out.
Merit Badge Counselor Orientation
– helps a merit badge counselor understand his job as a coach and
counselor, who provides realistic learning experiences to a boy in his
study of a merit badge subject.
Boy Scout Leader Roundtables!!!
–
Roundtables are held monthly for the purpose of giving adult leaders
the skills and ideas they need to deliver an exciting Boy Scout program
to boys. The roundtable serves also to renew each Scouter’s enthusiasm
and dedication. The subject of each roundtable is selected to emphasize
important aspects of the Boy Scout program. The Boy Scout Roundtable
Planning Guide aids in the planning of these programs. Roundtables
feature a monthly training mini-segment lasting only a few minutes to
help keep leaders informed and skillful.
Advanced Training
Wood Badge for the 21st Century
is designed for all Scout leaders. It is for Cub Scout, Boy Scout,
Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders, as well as council and district
leaders. Its focus is on leadership, not outdoor skills.
The
first part of the new Wood Badge course reflects unit meetings, while
the second part of the course uses a unit camping activity as its
delivery model. The course content and leadership principles introduced
apply to Scouters of all leadership positions and will provide a common
foundation of leadership skills to be used throughout all program areas.
Successful
completion of the Basic Leader Training for a Scouter position is the
prerequisite for enrollment in a Wood Badge for the 21st Century
training course.
Venturing Leadership Training
Venturing
leadership training is designed to provide all youth and adult leaders
with a series of simple but effective training opportunities that will
meet the varying needs of Venturing leaders. The continuing success of
Venturing across America depends upon the program skill and enthusiasm
of volunteer adult leaders. It is hoped that the plan will provide them
the necessary knowledge and inspiration.
New Crew Fast Start
– New Crew Fast Start explains the Venturing program and details the
leadership roles of crew youth officers and the crew Advisor.
Venturing Fast Start
– Venturing Fast Start shows how using the Venturing program planning
process can get a Venturing crew up and running and off to a successful
start. It also provides helpful information for the first meeting
between Advisors and youth. Details on crew operations, program
planning, and elected youth officer training can be found in the
Venturing Leader Manual. Venturing Fast Start is available online at http://www.scouting.org/venturing/faststart/
An adult Venturing leader is considered to be trained after completing
Fast Start, New Leader Essentials, and Venturing Leader Specific Training.
Venturing Leader Specific Training
– Venturing Leader Specific Training is designed to introduce adult
Venturing leaders to the basic information needed for operating a crew.
This includes (1) Here’s Venturing, (2) Understanding and Protecting
Youth, (3) Leadership and Organization, (4) Advancement, and (5)
Resources and Program Planning.
Crew Officers’ Seminar (elected officers’ basic training) – This
training experience is conducted by the crew Advisor or ship Skipper to
orient newly elected youth officers, plan programs, and develop the
annual crew activity schedule. The seminar outline can be found in
Venturing Fast Start. Venturing Fast Start is available online at http://www.scouting.org/venturing/faststart/
Supplemental Training
Venturing Leadership Skills Course – This
new course has been designed to be run by the crew Advisor and officers
to teach leadership skills to the entire crew. Districts or councils
may offer this course as a weekend training opportunity. Completion of
this course is a requirement for a youth earning the Silver Award.
Sea Badge
– An advanced weekend training conference for Sea Scouting leaders is
conducted on a regional basis or region-approved council invitational
basis.
Selling Venturing to the Head of an Organization
– This video gives tips and techniques on how to prepare for and
effectively sell the Venturing program to the head of a potential
chartered organization.
Briefing the Organizing Committee
– This is a video for use with step two of the Venturing new crew
organization process. It is designed for briefing the new crew
organizing committee.
Supplemental Training Modules
Supplemental
training modules are designed to provide orientation beyond the basic
training offered in New Leader Essentials 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This supplemental training module is designed for Scout leaders and parents who want to understand the
youth leadership training continuum.
