"OK," you say, "so now I'm a Scout Leader. What is this about training?"
Being a trained leader means different things for different Scouting positions. First, let's talk in generalities. Everyone in any scouting position needs to start off by taking Fast Start Training. This is a videotape made specifically for your program - be it Cubs, Boy Scouts, Varsity or Venturing. Cub Leaders have the option of taking Fast Start training online from the BSA Website.

The next step to becoming a trained leader is to attend a New Leader Essentials course. This is a class that lasts between 90 minutes and two hours and is for all leaders in every program area covering the basics of Scouting programs and how they inter-relate. It also covers how through age appropriate activities, all programs help deliver the promise of Scouting.

Just one more step and you can add that "Trained" strip to the sleeve of your uniform. You need to attend a training that is specific to your position in Scouting.  Click here to see a chart of training courses required for each position.

Once you have achieved the three steps necessary to be considered to have been "Basic Trained" you are minimally ready to provide an exciting program for the youth in your unit. In order to make sure that every youth has a trained leader, training needs to be looked at as a lifelong training continuum.

You need to make sure that you understand the BSA's Youth Protection policies by attending a Youth Protection course. If you are a Webelos leader, you can learn how to bring outdoor activities into your den's program by taking Webelos Outdoor Training. Of course - there is always Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat, and a new training for Pack leadership called BALOO or Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation.

Anyone interested in learning advanced Outdoor skills to make things more exciting - like Dutch Oven Cooking, Orienteering, Pioneering or even Climbing, can attend OSI or Outdoor Skills Institute.

All Leader Roundtable is a monthly meeting, held on the second Thursday of each month where you can find out information about District and Council activities as well as get some pointers for your program area and position to put on an effective fun program.

The other thing that you are eligible for after you achieve the level of being "Basic Trained" is attending the BSA's Advanced Leadership training called Wood Badge. For more information about Wood Badge, take a look at the Council's Wood Badge web pages.

If there is still anything that you need to know about training, drop me an e-mail!