Varsity Leader Training
"Varsity Scouts are members of a Varsity Scout team chartered to a community organization, such as a church or service club. It is led by a youth Varsity Scout team captain and an adult leader called a Varsity Scout Coach. The Coach is supported by an adult committee, made up of parents and members of the chartered organization. It is a stand-alone unit, chartered independently of a Scout troop, but the chartering procedure is essentially the same." |
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There are many opportunities for a Varsity Scout leader to receive training: in the unit, at the district and council level, and at the national level too.
What Makes a Trained Leader? Varsity Scout leaders and assistants are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials, Varsity Scout Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
Unit-level Training
- Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start
The Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start video supports the orientation of new Varsity Scout leaders.
- 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...
- Varsity Coach Leader Specific Training
This consists of three sessions, each 2 to 3 hours long that flow from one to the other. The training closely follows the Varsity Scout Guidebook that is also used as the course workbook.
- 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.
