BSA Adult Training
This area is designed to help orient new adult leaders into their position as well as explain the continuum of training provided by the Longs Peak Council for volunteer leaders. Generally speaking, training describes the basic workings of the Scouting Program. This orientation is to help eliminate the doubts that new volunteer leaders have about their responsibilities.
You will find an online training center, helpful training resources, information for youth leaders and the continuum of training for adult leaders in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing. Trained leaders provide a quality Scouting program which helps keep youth interested and engaged in all that Scouting has to offer. Surveys have shown that units with 100% trained leadership are more likely to have quality programs and retain youth in their units.
For more information, look for the Orientation Courses section on the BSA Adult Training page.
A Scout leader is entitled to wear the trained leader emblem when he or she has completed some basic but important training courses.
A direct contact Scout leader is considered fully trained and entitled to wear the Trained leader emblem when he or she has completed the following training courses and the specific training for the position.
Youth Protection Training. Youth Protection training is required for all leaders who have direct contact with youth. At all times, youth safety is the number one priority. At the same time, adults need to know the rules for keeping themselves safe, too. Comprehensive Youth Protection training teaches all the “dos and don’ts” of working with youth.
Position Specific Training. Leader position specific training is based on the leader’s position. These courses are taught by informed trainers who know how to engage groups and make learning fun. These courses are offered by the district or council as group training, or may be done as small groups or by personal coaching.
Cub Scout Leaders
Cub Scout Leader Specific training has been developed for the following positions:
- Tiger den leaders
- Cubmasters and assistants
- Wolf and Bear den leaders and assistants
- Pack Committee
- Webelos den leaders and assistants
- Pack trainers
Boy Scout Leaders
Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training is for all Scoutmasters and their assistants. Boy Scout leaders also must complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training to be considered fully trained. Troop Committee Challenge.
Varsity Scout Leaders
Varsity Scout Coach Leader Specific is for all Varsity Coaches and assistants Coaches. Varsity Coaches and assistant Coaches must also complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training to be considered fully trained. Team Committee Challenge.
Venturing Crew Leaders
Venturing Crew leaders and assistants must complete Venturing Leader Specific Training, which is a five-session training course. Crew Committee Challenge.
BSA Youth Training Continuum
More information and links to online training can be found on the BSA Youth Training page.
Den Chief training
Qualifications:
- Is an older Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer.
- Selected by the senior patrol leader and Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, or Venturing Advisor at the request of the Cubmaster.
- Approved by the Cubmaster and pack committee for recommendation to the den leader.
- Registered as a youth member of a troop, team, or crew.
Responsibilities: The Cub Scout den chief’s responsibilities are to:
- Know the purposes of Cub Scouting.
- Help Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
- Serve as the activities assistant at den meetings.
- Set a good example through attitude and uniforming.
- Be a friend to the boys in the den.
- Help lead weekly den meetings.
- Help the den in its part of the monthly pack meeting.
- Know the importance of the monthly theme and pack meeting plans.
- Meet regularly with the den leader to review den and pack meeting plans. Meet as needed with adult members of the den, pack, and troop.
- Receive training from the den leader (and Cubmaster or assistant Cubmaster) and attend Den Chief Training.
- Encourage Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts when they are eligible.
- Help the denner and assistant denner to be leaders.
Introduction to Leadership Skills
There are different information documents on the BSA Youth Training page for Leadership Skills Courses depending on the type of unit.
Introduction to Leadership Skills (ILS) provides an introduction to leadership skills for youth in Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Scout Teams, Sea Scout Ships, and Venturing Crews. The training course is delivered by the youth of the troop, team, ship or crew by older and more experienced youth as soon as a young person has been selected by his or her peers for a leadership position. Youth are introduced to the skills of leadership and the tools that they will use to implement their vision of adventure and leadership in their role as a youth leader in their unit.
The National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
The National Youth Leadership Training conference is a leadership training course delivered by the local Scout council to help youth further develop their capacity as leader. Learn more about NYLT
Kodiak Challenge
The Kodiak Challenge is designed to be an adventure that pushes the boundaries of every participant - one that will encourage you to try new things that may be out of your comfort zone. It is an experience—but one that has its underpinnings in the application of the leadership skills Scouts learned in the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops or Crews, NYLT, and/or NAYLE. It is, as is all of Scouting, an adventure with a purpose. Read about it on the BSA Youth Training page.
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience is an exciting program that enhances leadership skills and expands upon the team-building and ethical decision-making skills learned in National Youth Leadership Training. NAYLE emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and selfless service, using the core elements of NYLT to help youth strengthen these skills. The NAYLE course is now available at all four national high-adventure bases. The material presented is basically the same at all four venues but is specific to the unique environment of each site. Read about it on the BSA Youth Training page.
Programs and Courses for both Adult and Youth
Powder Horn
Powder Horn is a resource course designed to introduce Scouting’s adults and youth to the exciting program possibilities for their unit. The course supports the mission of strengthening units so they can achieve the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. One common denominator of successful courses is that creativity and variety play a role in the delivery of the curriculum. Each course is somewhat different, and that is a good thing. Some courses have had participants arrive by canoe, horseback, or bike, or even on skis. Creativity is fun, too!
The ultimate goal is for the participants to leave the Powder Horn course with a list of ideas to help their program, along with the contacts and resources needed to implement them. This will lead to a more exciting and robust program, which in turn should lead to increased membership and a higher retention rate in our units. It is important to understand that Powder Horn is not a personal development course or a team-building experience. Its purpose is to educate the youth and adult Scouting leaders about specific high-adventure skills, to connect them to resources to deliver those skills, and to get them excited about delivering those skills in an exciting, challenging way to youth.
Read the Powderhorn Syllabus to learn all about it.
The Fundamentals of Training
This is the first part of the three-part train-the-trainer continuum (T3, or T-Cubed) in the Boy Scouts of America. The course introduces teaching techniques and skills to new Scout trainers but is also designed to help all Scouters, regardless of their experience, present effective training. Intended for both youth and adult trainers, the course will help those who might have trained for other organizations learn the BSA’s training techniques, and it will help freshen up the skills of current BSA trainers.
*Held every February, April, September, and December in a 4 hour class.
The Trainer’s EDGE
While the Trainer’s EDGE is a required train-the-trainer course for Wood Badge, NYLT, NYLE and the Philmont Challenge staffs, it is also for other trainers wishing to enhance their training and presentation skills. Read the EDGE promo flyer March 2016.
*Held every January, March, October, 6 hour class -
Wood Badge
Wood Badge is Scouting’s premier training course. It’s the ultimate leadership training experience designed to meet the leadership needs for all Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders as well as council and district leaders and Scouting professionals. It will give you tools in areas of leadership, better communication, team building, teacher, project management and problem solving.
Wood Badge has evolved into the core leadership skills training course for the BSA. The new Wood Badge course focuses on strengthening every volunteer’s ability to work with and lead groups of youth and adults and is less focused on outdoor skills, which are more effectively addressed in other courses. Learn more on the Wood Badge page.
The University of Scouting
The University of Scouting is a learning adventure! It is an action packed, fun filled single day of supplemental and required training where you choose the session you wish to take. Sessions are led by experienced volunteers and professionals who will help you enhance your ability to deliver a fun and exciting program to the Scouts. Plus, leadership courses for Boy Scouts 13 years of age and older & Venturer Scouts! Visit the University of Scouting page for more information.