Adult Leader Training

Adult Training Home | Fast Start | Basic Leader | Continued Training | Youth Protection

The Basic Leader Training Program is the culmination of more than two years of work by professionals and volunteers from throughout the nation. Their goal was to revise and update the volunteer leader training materials for the Boy Scouts of America. The result is a seamless training program that helps leaders easily graduate through the courses quickly and with little duplication.

The package provides the district training committee with tools to achieve 100 percent trained unit volunteers. It begins with the existing Fast Start Training, continues through New Leader Essentials and is followed by Leader Specific Training for each adult's role in the unit. Scoutmasters, Assitant Scoutmasters and Varsity Scout Leaders must also complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills before they are considered trained for their position.

Here is a brief overview of the components of the training continuum:

• Fast Start Training is the first step for any new volunteer and is to be delivered immediately after a new leader registers and before he or she meets with any youth member.
  
  
• Basic Leader Training comprises two parts: New Leader Essentials for all unit-level leaders and Leader Specific Training, which is based on the leader's unit-level position. Scoutmasters, Assitant Scoutmasters and Varsity Scout Leaders must also complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills before they are considered trained for their position.

In addition, all leaders are encouraged to take Youth Protection Training. Remember: a Youth Protection Trained Adult is required on every Scout outing or event.

Leaders may continue their training through the new Wood Badge course, BALOO Training for Cub Scout Leaders, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Climb On Safely, Pow Wow, University of Scouting, Train the Trainer and courses offered by our High Adventure Team.

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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Venturing Crew Advisors, Assistant Advisors, and Crew Committee Members are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and Venturing Leader Specific Training.