Upcoming District Training Events

On Line Training

For an overview of on line training visit the BSA Online Learning Center website This site provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help our members improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program.   In order to access courses and have them properly recorded you must sign in through MyScouting portal. Visit www.myscouting.org to access this training, plus other courses. If you are having trouble logging on, please call the BSA's National Web Help Desk at 972-580-2267.

Training Essentials

Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader!                             Click HERE for a quick training summary!

Every Leader deserves training so s/he can successfully deliver the scouting program!

• Cub Scout Leaders are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials, and Cub Scout Leader Specific training for their position.
• Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
• Pack or Troop Committee Members are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials, and Committee Specific Training.

Training of adults to successfully deliver the Boy Scout program has evolved into a well-presented, thorough, curriculum of courses to be completed in sequence. Here are the courses you need to fulfill your commitment of an adult leader.

Fast Start Training

The first step for any new adult volunteer in a Pack or Troop, no matter what the position may be. The Fast Start training is short and should be taken as soon as possible after you have accepted a leadership position. The Fast Start program has been designed to provide an immediate comfort level for new leaders and enables them to say, 'I can do this!', but it should be soon followed by more comprehensive training.

• Cub Scout Fast Start Training
• Boy Scout Fast Start Training

Youth Protection Training

YPT is available online and ensures boys involved in scouting are kept safe. Effective June 1, 2010:

*Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.

*New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training before they submit their application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.

*Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection Training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered .

• Parent Guides on youth protection are printed in the front of Cub Scout and Boy Scout handbooks. They are available online at: Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts
• 'Youth Protection Training News Briefs' - October 1994
• 'Working Together to Protect Our Children'
• 'Assuring Emotional Security for Children' - May/June 1993
• 'Words Can Hurt'

  The Boy Scouts of America has a set of DVDs to help teach boys about protecting themselves against abuse. These videos help boys recognize dangerous situations and avoid becoming victims.
The video 'It Happened to Me' is designed for Cub Scouts, boys ages 6 to 10, to view with their parents or guardians. The video presents five scenarios of situations that boys may encounter. It establishes safety rules that help the boys counteract the fear and shame that can result from abusive situations. Cub Scout Meeting Guide: It Happened to Me
'A Time to Tell' is designed for Boy Scouts, boys ages 11 to 14. This video depicts risks of sexual abuse through dramatizations of adolescent experiences. Troop Meeting Guide: A Time to Tell
A third video, 'Youth Protection: Personal Safety Awareness', is designed for any young person in the 14 to 20 age range. It is made up of vignettes dealing with the issues of acquaintance rape, Internet safety, stalking, and fraternization. Each scenario is followed by instructions for local group discussions and a teen panel discussion, with pertinent advice regarding each situation.
To obtain a copy of any of the above videos, contact the council service center Scout Shop .

This Is Scouting

Leader Specific Training

• Tiger Cub den leaders - 2.5 hours
• Cub Scout den leaders - 2.75 hours
• Webelos den leaders - 3 hours
• Cubmasters - 2.75 hours
• Pack committee members - 2.75 hours
• Scoutmasters - 3 sessions of 2.5 hours each
• Troop committee members - 3 hours

Outdoor Leader Skills

• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills will provide Boy Scout leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to start and guide a program the right way. Completion of this course is the required outdoor training for all Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters. The skills taught are based on the outdoor skills found in The Boy Scout Handbook. The course is normally a day and a half long and conducted at a local scout camp on a weekend.
• BALOO - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation for Cub Scout leaders is a one-day training event that introduces participants to the skills needed to plan and conduct Pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping. This training is required for any adult who is in charge of planning a pack campout, and it is required that at least one adult per pack complete BALOO training in order to apply for tour permits. BALOO training is offered by individual districts.
• OWL - Outdoor Webelos Leader Training is for all Webelos leaders. This training course covers the skills & resources needed to teach the outdoor activity badges and helps to provide good & safe outdoor experiences. Completion of this training is required before a Webelos den can go on a campout. This is district-scheduled training.

Supplemental and Ongoing Training

• Wood Badge: Advanced training in leadership and team development, bringing together all programs - Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing. By pooling their ideas, sharing meaningful experiences, and learning from highly qualified instructors, participants will return to their home units with new skills and resources, greater confidence, and deeper dedication to deliver the values of Scouting. This training includes approximately six days of instruction that are often held as two 3-day weekend sessions, followed by working on the goals the participant sets for him or herself. Each council organizes and schedules sessions as needed.   The next Wood Badge course held in the Capitol Area Council will be October 29-31, 2010 at Lost Pines Scout Reservation. Click here for details and registration or contact Jason Riley, Course Director, at 512-736-8391 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . The course is limited to the first 48 participants so DON’T DELAY!
  
• Monthly RoundTable: A leaders' meeting held in each district where leaders find information about upcoming district and council events and learn ways to improve the program. Most Roundtables will cover material based on participants' interest. Leaders can learn a new skill or get advice on how to solve a problem. Participation at Roundtables is required for some square knot awards.
• Hazardous Weather: planning and decision making regarding weather for a safe outing. Can be taken online at BSA Hazardous Weather
• Safe Swim Defense: introduction to BSA water safety policies. When taught in-person, takes about 20-30 minutes and participants receive a completion card good for 2 years. Swimming events require Safe Swim Defense trained leaders. Can be taken online at BSA Aquatics
• Safety Afloat: introduction to BSA boating policies. In-person training takes about 20-30 minutes and participants receive a completion card good for 2 years. Water craft events required Safety Afloat trained leaders. Can be taken online at BSA Aquatics
• Climb On Safely: This training lasts about 45 minutes and provides all the information you need to meet the minimum requirements for a climbing activity. This does not consist of any training or certifications in climbing, but provides the essential components of a safe outing.
• Unit Commisioner Fast Start is available through the national  BSA Online Learning Center website Look for the course in the lower left corner of the home page listings.  To access this and other courses you must first sign in through MyScouting portal. Visit www.myscouting.org
• Philmont Training Center is the national training center at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The training center offers a wide selection of 6-day courses, covering all aspects of Scouting operations, and generally training those who will bring the program back to train the rest of their unit.
• CPR Certification: Normally not offered through a BSA unit, but at least two currently CPR certified adults are required on many high adventure outings. Online CPR Training