Council Training Committee

Adult Leader Training

MyScouting As part of MyScouting, the BSA has developed E-Learning,"a one-stop shop" for all BSA volunteers and the general public to take online courses related to BSA programs and policies. E-Learning currently contains just a few courses, but more will be added over time. MyScouting, via the Internet, will become the portal to all courses and training materials we offer our adult volunteers. In addition to providing convenient, round-the-clock access to information that will help them fulfill their roles in Scouting, MyScouting more reliably tracks users completion of online courses, automatically updating records in the member database. Basic Leader Training starts with the This is Scouting which is offered to all leaders in all program areas, and Leader Specific training which provides training related to the leaders new position. Leader Specific Training includes courses for the adult leader's position in Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture units and advanced training like Wood Badge. Objective of Wood Badge: The objective of Wood Badge is to strengthen Scouting in your unit, district, and council. It demonstrates the Aims and Methods of Scouting and is applicable to all Scouting programs. It takes you through a typical month of a Unit Program, encompassing all of the activities currently practiced by active units: Unit meetings, Pack, Troop and Crew organization, camping, service projects, recognition, high adventure, ceremonies, Scouts Own religious service, outdoor activity planning, youth leadership development and, above all - having fun.

Scouting and Cognitive/Emotional Disability

Timothy J. Makatura has provided in formation on Scouts with cognitive/emotional disabilities that present a unique set of issues and challenges to their leaders. Increasing knowledge of the specific disability, methods of intervention and BSA policies regarding these issues will put the leader in a much better position to deal effectively with these challenges. The information linked below is presented as a first step to provide Scout leaders with some basic skills and information regarding these disabilities. For more information

What Makes a Trained Leader?

• Cub Scout leaders are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection Training and the Cub Scout Leader Specific training for their position.

• Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection Training, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.

• Troop committee members are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection Training and Troop Committee Challenge as their Leader Specific training.

• Varsity Scout leaders and assistants are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection Training, Varsity Scout Leader Specific Training , and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.

• Venturing crew Advisors, assistant Advisors, and crew committee members are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection Training and Venturing Leader Specific Training. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills is required for Venturing Crew Advisers and Assistants for crews with outdoor programs only.

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. Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforcement are presented during the 90-minute training session. Ideally, all unit-based volunteers —Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders— take this session at the same time, so they understand that they are all striving for the same results with the youth they serve. Each leader completes This is Scouting training only once.

This Is Scouting

This Is Scouting provides an overview of the Scouting organization, including history, values, programs, Youth Protection, community involvement, and training. The module consists of six video sections, each followed by a brief quiz. Estimated time to complete: 50 minutes.

Log in to MyScouting to take this course online 

Youth Protection Training

There are two ways to complete Youth Protection Training.

1) Log into MyScouting/eLearning and select "Youth Protection Training," which covers all the material and has a self contained quiz.

2) View the DVD in a facilitated group and take a paper quiz. A Council employee then must register the volunteer as having completed the course.

Method 1 automatically records the users' completion into our ScoutNET database.

Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection training is designed to help you keep our youth safe from abuse. You will learn the Boy Scouts of America's Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse. After each section of material, you will answer questions about that section's topic. Completion is noted automatically in the BSA training records database if the module is experienced online.

Log in to MyScouting to take this course online 

Basic Leader Requirements

Need to know what are the requirements to be trained for your unit leadership role? This sheet explains the training requirements for all unit-level leaders.

More Information