Boy Scout Leader Training
"Adventure, learning, challenge, responsibility— the promise of Scouting is all this and more." – Page 1, Boy Scout Handbook |
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There are many opportunities for a Boy Scout leader to receive training: in the unit, at the district and council level, and at the national level too.
What Makes a Trained Boy Scout Leader? Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. Troop committee members are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and the Troop Committee Challenge as their Leader Specific training.
Unit-level Training
- Boy Scout Fast Start
The Boy Scout Fast Start video and Guide give a quick overview of Scouting and how a troop should function. The video can be shown to a group of new adults or viewed by individual people. For more on this video, ask your Scoutmaster or a member of the District Training team. The training is also available on-line at http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/faststart/.
- Troop Committee Challenge
For troop committee members, Leader Specific training includes the Troop Committee Challenge. By following the Troop Committee Training Syllabus, participants can complete the challenge in three hours, after which they are considered trained. Check with your unit commissioner or District training team for more information.
- Other
Youth Protection, Leave No Trace, and many of the other training sessions can be done at the unit level. Boy Scouting works because the more experienced, trained boys teach those boys who need the training. Use your trained adults to teach the new adults the proper way to camp and work with our youth!
District-level Training
Our goal as a district is to have 100 percent of our leaders trained. To achieve that goal, our district training team has made this offer: if your unit has six or more registered adults that need the leader-specific training, we will come to you. Contact us for your training needs!
- New Leader Essentials
An introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. offered three or four times a year, this is the first step in training. More info...
- Scoutmaster and Asst Scoutmaster Fundamentals
The Basic Leader Specific training for Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters. It is also great training for other registered adults in your unit. The three parts of this training concentrate on troop operation and can be completed in one full day or three evenings.
- Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
All Boy Scout leaders need this training to be considered Trained leaders. The short course teaches the skills required to work with boys in the out-of-doors and also gives you a chance to hone your skills on the basic outdoor Boy Scout skills. It is also a great course for Webelos leaders to prepare themselves for taking Webelos on outings and for learning the skills needed before becoming a Boy Scout leader. More info...
- Youth Protection
We would like to see every registered adult and active parent/guardian in Island District complete this training. For more on Youth Protection training, click here.
- Other Trainings
Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Climb on Safely, Merit Badge Counselor training, and others. Click here.
Council-level Training
- Wood Badge
Wood Badge is a comprehensive training course to help leaders hone their skills, extend their understanding of boys and of other adults, and go on to new levels of personal growth and learning as Scouters. Click here for more info.
- Powder Horn
The Powder Horn course is designed to introduce and expose Venturing and Boy Scouting adult unit leaders to the activities and resources necessary to operate a successful outdoor/high adventure unit-level program. Click here for more info.
- Other Training Opportunities
Check the Mt Baker Council web site for more on council-sponsored training opportunities.
National Training Opportunities
- National Camping School
Key staff positions at all BSA camps - from Cub Day Camp through High Adventure - must attend a BSA National Camp School. If you are planning on participating more as an adult leader, ask your District staff if you should attend one of these camps.
- Philmont Training Center
The national training center for the Boy Scouts of America, Philmont offers many training sessions throughout the year for adults and youth. For more on Philmont, click here.
