Cub Scout Leader Training
"The Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack help remind a boy to do his best. they teach good citizenship and strengthen feelings about reverence and respect for God. The Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute contribute to a boy's sense of belonging to a special organization." – The Ideals of Cub Scouting |
 |
There are many opportunities for a Cub Scout leader to receive training: in the unit, at the district and council level, and at the national level too.
Trained Cub Scout leaders provide a quality, fun-filled program for boys. When leaders understand the whys and hows of Cub Scouting, they are more effective in their roles. Trained leaders know how to use the available resources to provide an exciting and worthwhile program for the boys. Trained leaders also have confidence in carrying out their roles and responsibilities. As a result, Cub Scouts receive a program designed to achieve Scouting's aims of citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness.
What Makes a Trained Leader? Cub Scout leaders are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and the Cub Scout Leader Specific training for their position.
Unit-level Training
- Cub Scout Leader Fast Start
A package of position-specific presentations. It can be viewed through the web at Mt Baker council's web site, or viewed on video tape (accompanied by a Cub Scout Leader Fast Start Viewer Guide). Each program gives leaders information on planning and conducting their first meeting, and even demonstrates one they can use.
- Other
Youth Protection and many of the other training sessions can be done at the unit level. 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...
- Cub Scout Leader Specific Training
Tiger Cub den leaders, Cub Scout den leaders, Webelos den leaders, Cubmasters, and pack committee members can complete this training in one day or two or three evenings. The leader is considered trained upon completion of New Leader Essentials and the Leader Specific training for that position.
- Webelos Outdoor Leader Training
This required training provides Webelos leaders with the basics of camping overnight with their Webelos Scouts. The basic of an outdoors program, safety and paperwork is covered. In Island District, we have combined the Webelos Outdoor Leader Training with the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills to give our Webelos Leaders and our Boy Scout Leaders a common basis of skills.
- 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, 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.
- BALOO
What is BALOO? A basic one day outdoor training to understand the laws of BSA camp programming and acquire the skills & confidence to plan cub scout camping, by increasing your knowledge of the resources available from BSA, and to carry out a cub scout camping activity. You will understand the requirements for successful completion of the cub scout camping activity using national and local council standards as guidelines. To take a pack or den camping, you must have this training.
- 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.
