The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.  Leaders in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing are charged with making sure that these values come through.  Scouting's founder, Lord Baden-Powell said, "Scouting is a game with a purpose."  Fun is the game, values are the purpose, and learning is the process.

Scout Leader training is divided in to four phases:

Fast Start - the initial training for adult leaders that should be completed prior to meeting with youth.

Basic Leader Training - the second phase of training with job specific elements

Supplemental Training - ongoing training opportunities designed to provide additional information on specific area of the Scouting Program.

Advanced Training - including Woodbadge, the pinnacle adult leader training course for adult leaders from all programs.
Cub Scout Leader Training
Boy Scout Leader Training
Venturing Leader Training

Training Recognition

After completion of Basic Leader training, an adult leader may wear the "Trained" strip on the sleeve of his/her uniform.

Additionally, leaders may earn "square knots" to wear on their uniform for more advanced position specific training and related experience.

Fast Start

Cub Scout Leader Fast Start is a package of position-specific video programs 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.

Five segments are included in the video:

     Tiger Cub Den Leader
     Cub Scout Den Leader
     Webelos Den Leader
     Cubmaster
     Pack Committee

Pack-administered self-study is the primary method of delivery for Fast Start training.  A pack trainer usually supports the new leader during this training period.  Talk to your Cubmaster or Committee Chair about the video and guide. 

Fast Start is available on-line from the BSA at Fast Start

New Leader Essentials

New Leader Essentials is an introductory session for all leaders that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting.  It addressed how these aims and methods are reached in an age-appropriate style within Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing.  Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforcement are presented during the 90-minute training session.

Leader Specific Training

Leader Specific Training provides the specialized knowledge a new leader needs to assume a leadership role.  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 his or her position.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

BALOO is a full day course designed for all new Cub Scout leaders and parents of Cub Scouts.  This training is designed to provide the initial and basic information adults need to successfully take a pack overnight camping.  As such, it is designed to focus on the requirements for boys of Cub Scout age.  BALOO training gives each trainee information on equipment, health and safety, first aid, campfires, locating campsites, outdoor cooking, and much more.

Completion of BALOO training is required for Cub Scout leaders to be qualified to sign a BSA Tour Permit.

Webelos Leader Outdoor Training

Webelos Leader Outdoor Training focuses on teaching the new Webelos Leader how to prepare for, plan and run a quality outdoor event for Webelos aged Scouts.  Conducted in an outdoor environment, the course can be either an all day event or may include an overnight campout.  Webelos Leader Outdoor Training builds on information taught in BALOO and gives more detained information on equipment, health and safety, first aid, campfires, locating campsites, outdoor cooking, and much more.

Completion of Webelos Leader Outdoor Training is a requirement for Cub Scout leaders to earn the Webelos Den Leader Award.

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is the pinnacle of leadership training within the Boy Scouts of America.  This program represents the single advanced training course for adults involved in leadership throughout Scouting including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturing, council and district leaders, and professionals.  Training is focused on practical and broad based leadership and "people" skills.  Skills developed from Wood Badge training will help the leader do a better job in any BSA program or at any level of involvement.

Fast Start

Boy Scout adult leader training begins with the Boy Scout Fast Start.  It is the new leader's first exposure to the Boy Scout program.  This video-based training is intended to acquaint the adult leader with the basic information about Boy Scouts.  The Boy Scout Fast Start video includes the following segments:

• The Troop Meeting - This is the primer on how to run a troop meeting. Produced for new unit leaders and commissioners, the video covers planning, parts of the meeting, the patrol method, and resources.

• The Outdoor Program - Running a troop meeting is one thing; running a successful outdoor activity is another.  This program goes into planning, organization, ideals, and BSA policy for outdoor activities. It also touches on long-term and high adventure activities.

• The Troop Organization - This program starts with the charter concept - the chartered organization, the district, and the council, and their relationship to the troop.  Each leadership and committee position is described.  This is an excellent program for commissioners, troop committees, troop leaders, and chartered organizations.

• Troop-administered self-study is the primary method of delivery for Fast Start training.  Your Scoutmaster or Training Chair usually supports the new leader during this training period.  Talk to your Scoutmaster, Training Chair, or Committee Chair about the video. 

Fast Start is available on-line from the BSA at Fast Start.

New Leader Essentials

New Leader Essentials is an introductory session for all leaders that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting.  It addressed how these aims and methods are reached in an age-appropriate style within Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing.  Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforcement are presented during the 90-minute training session.

Leader Specific Training

Leader Specific Training is divided into four parts.  The first three parts concentrate on troop operation and can be completed in one full day or three evenings.  The forth part, which focuses on outdoor skills, lasts approximately a day and a half, depending on the skill level of the new leader.  The new Boy Scout leader is considered trained upon completion of New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific training, and the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills course.

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is the pinnacle of leadership training within the Boy Scouts of America.  This program represents the single advanced training course for adults involved in leadership throughout Scouting including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturing, council and district leaders, and professionals.  Training is focused on practical and broad based leadership and "people" skills.  Skills developed from Wood Badge training will help the leader do a better job in any BSA program or at any level of involvement.

Fast Start

Adult leader Venturing training begins with Venturing Fast Start.  It is the new leader's first exposure to Venturing.  The Venturing Fast Start guide is the primary vehicle training tool.  The guide illustrates how using the program planning process can get Venturing programs off to a successful start.  It provides information about training youth officers and is designed to be re-produced locally to orient new crew Advisors and associate Advisors.

Also available is the New Crew Fast Start video.  Aimed at both Advisors and youth officers, this video supports the guide booklet and also acts as a training tool for youth leaders too.

Crew-administered self-study is the primary method of delivery for Fast Start training.  Your crew Advisor will supports the new leader during this training period.  Talk to your Advisor or Committee Chair about the guide and video. 

Fast Start is available on-line from the BSA at Fast Start.

New Leader Essentials

New Leader Essentials is an introductory session for all leaders that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting.  It addressed how these aims and methods are reached in an age-appropriate style within Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing.  Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforcement are presented during the 90-minute training session.

Leader Specific Training

Leader Specific Training had been developed for Venturing Advisors, Associate Advisors, and Crew Committee members is Venturing's adult leader training.  New Leader Essentials and Venturing Leader Specific Training can be completed in one day, after which the leader is considered to be trained.

Powder Horn

Powder Horn is a training opportunity designed to expose the Venturing or Boy Scout leader to activities and resources necessary to operate a successful Venturing Ranger or Troop High Adventure program in several ways:

• Help Venturing Leaders and Scouters to safely conduct outdoor activities of a fun and challenging nature.

• Provides an introduction to the resources necessary to successfully lead their Venturers and older Boy Scouts through a program of high adventure.

• Familiarizes the Advisor with the Ranger program so that he or she can help the Venturer to meet the requirements of the Ranger Award.

This course is based on the Venturing Ranger requirements giving participants an exposure to outdoor/high adventure activities.

After completing this course participants should have sufficient introductory information which will provide the following outcomes:

• Detailed knowledge of the Venturing Ranger Award and associated Silver Award requirements.

• Knowledge of the health and safety requirements and rules and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America as they apply to outdoor programs.

• Introduction to the skills necessary to operate their outdoor program and the certifications necessary and how to obtain those certifications.

• Knowledge of how to identify local resources and consultants for Ranger Award and High Adventure activities.

This course is not a total training program that enables the Venturing or Boy Scout unit leader to be an expert or even self-sufficient in any aspect of outdoor skills.  The adult leader will most likely still need additional specialized training or the assistance of knowledgeable, trained, and certified individuals (Consultants) to help provide a safe and correct outdoor/high adventure program. 

Participant Qualifications:**

• Must be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America.

• Must have completed Adult Venturing Leader Basic Training (for Venturing Adults) or Boy Scout Leader Basic Training (for Boy Scouting adults) prior to attending Powder Horn course.

• Be able to meet physical requirements of BSA Class III physical in a back country environment.

**Some courses may have additional requirements based upon number of participants selected from each Council in their area. Contact the Course Director for details.

For more information on Powder Horn courses, visit their web site at:  www.powderhorn-bsa.org.

Youth leadership training is available in the Boy scout program.  There are three steps to the program.

Troop Junior Leader Training (JLT) - A 6 hour program of video clips, initiative games, and reflections.  Training focuses on the Scout's new position responsibilities.

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - conducted at the council level.  This course is limited to First Class Scouts that are 13 years of age or older who will become the future leaders of the troop program.  Training is dome by older scouts.  This course is equivalent to the Woodbadge course for adults.

National Youth Leadership Instructor's Camp (NYLIC) - for Scouts selected to serve as staff for the council's NYLT course.  This camp is conduct at the Philmont Scout Ranch.  The NYLIC is the ultimate training experience for youth.  Participants must be 14 years of age or older and have completed the JLT course.

Training Recognition

A youth is entitled to wear the "Trained" strip on the sleeve of his uniform if he has completed JLT.  The NYLT and NYLIC courses award the Scout a shirt pocket patch upon completion of those courses.