TRAINING-Boy Scout Leaders

Tim Dawe, District chair

Adult and youth leaders in Boy Scouting need certain basic information in order to bring a quality program to Scouts. This information is needed as soon as possible after a leadership position is assumed. Leaders need to know the objectives and methods of Boy Scouting, and they need guidance on how to be effective leaders.

Boy Scout Leader Fast Start. Use the Fast Start video as soon as a new leader is recruited:

• Part 1. Introduction

• Part 2. The Troop Meeting

• Part 3. The Outdoor Program

• Part 4. The Troop Committee

Boy Scout Leader Fast Start should be completed before Basic Leader Training. Most councils make Fast Start training available as interactive computer-based training on their council Web sites.

Definition of Trained Boy Scout Leaders
A Scoutmaster or assistant Scoutmaster is considered to be trained after completing New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. A troop committee member is considered to be trained after completing the New Leader Essentials and Troop Committee Challenge.

Boy Scout Leader Basic Training

New Leader Essentials is designed for all volunteers and provides the basics of the Scouting programs, the age appropriateness of those programs, and our values and methods.

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training has three sessions designed to provide leaders with a good working knowledge of troop operations. The sessions are:

• Getting Started: Role of the Scoutmaster in a Boy-Led Troop

• Lighting the Fire: The Outdoor Program and the Advancement Program

• Keeping It Going: Program Planning and Troop Administration

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills is a hands-on training program to give adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the outdoors. Imagine having hands-on knowledge about setting up a campsite, pitching a tent, hiking, outdoor cooking—all the skills necessary to see the outdoor program of the Boy Scouts of America come to life.

Troop Committee Training. The Troop Committee Challenge Boy Scout Troop Committee Training is a three-hour course for members of the troop committee. If a committee member later registers as a Scoutmaster or as an assistant Scoutmaster (or desires to be actively involved in troop meetings and activities), the individual will need to take Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. The Troop Committee Challenge is designed to help troop committee members better understand their roles and responsibilities through interactive learning. The training is best delivered to all members of a single troop committee to build a better committee team. It can also be delivered in a mixed-unit training course offered by the district.

UPDATE

Supplemental Training

Units of Training
Units of training have been developed on a number of subjects and leadership skills to fortify learning for Scoutmasters and other adult leaders as they feel the need. The units of training are designed to be "plugged in" by trainers as needs become apparent. Subjects covered are as follows: Boy Scout Advancement Training, Merit Badge Counselor Orientation, Youth Protection: Boy Scout and Cub Scout Leader Training Module with Youth Protection Handout, and Selecting Quality Leaders. Other units of training are available on the BSA Web site at olc.scouting.org.

Outdoor Skills Instruction
These "super Scouting weekends" can improve leaders' outdoor skills as well as be fun and helpful in building morale. To support this training, use Outdoor Skills Instruction books on Camping, Team Building, Rock Climbing/Rappelling, Survival, Backpacking, Cooking, Aquatics, and Topping Out.

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation
Merit Badge Counselor Orientation helps a merit badge counselor understand his job as a coach and counselor, who provides realistic learning experiences to a boy in his study of a merit badge subject.

Boy Scout Leader Roundtables
Roundtables are held monthly for the purpose of giving adult leaders the skills and ideas they need to deliver an exciting Boy Scout program to boys. The roundtable serves also to renew each Scouter's enthusiasm and dedication. The subject of each roundtable is selected to emphasize important aspects of the Boy Scout program. Boy Scout Roundtable Planning Guide aids in the planning of these programs. Roundtables feature a monthly training segment.

Youth Leader Training
Various programs are available to train the youth leaders of a Boy Scout troop. These are outlined in chapter 7 of the Scoutmaster Handbook, "Training Youth Leaders"; and in Troop Leadership Training.

1. Introduction to Leadership. This personal coaching session is conducted by the Scoutmaster with newly selected troop youth leaders. It is outlined in the Scoutmaster Handbook.
    

2. Troop Youth Leader Training. This three-hour workshop is conducted by the Scoutmaster for his youth leaders. It also uses Troop Leadership Training. Upon completing this training, the Trained Leader emblem may be worn below the youth leader's badge of office.
    

3. Ongoing Youth Leader Training. This is the continuous process of preparing boys for a progressive and expanding role of leadership in the troop.
    

4. National Youth Leadership Training. This six-day course is intended for senior patrol leaders, patrol leaders, and other youth leaders. It is conducted by the council in a camping situation. The course is an intensive experience in leadership skills and is usually provided by the council. Youth leader training conference directors should be experienced trainers with a recent record of service as a Boy Scout troop adult leader. National Youth Leadership Training is the resource for this course.
    

5. National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience. This activity is conducted at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico during the summer. It is for older Scouts who will assume leadership positions in their council. The local council training committee and the Scout executive nominate Scouts who they think will benefit their council by attending this activity. Scouts who meet the qualifications receive an invitation from the Chief Scout Executive. If you feel that one of your youth leaders may qualify, you should contact your Scout executive for approval. Applications are available from the Philmont Volunteer Training Center.
    

6. Den Chief Training. Many councils offer training for den chiefs at selected council gatherings. On occasion, den chiefs may also take part in troop leadership training. Use Den Chief Training.
    

7. National Leadership Seminar. The Order of the Arrow national leadership seminar is a weekend conference focusing primarily on the skills and attributes of leadership. It is intended primarily to enhance the leadership skills of the Order of the Arrow's key youth and adult members as they seek to improve their service to the Boy Scouts of America and the greater community.

   Youth participants should be at least 15 years of age or a lodge officer. Prior completion of the Lodge Leadership Development Program is desirable. The seminar is an intensive experience in learning about the nature of leadership and practicing some of the skills that leaders use. While it is designed to be fun, the course is also mentally challenging. Participants should be developmentally, physically, and mentally prepared to actively engage in an exhausting, invigorating weekend.

   At the end of the seminar, participants make a contract with themselves to apply the skills learned in the seminar on projects in their unit, lodge, council, and community.

   The region sponsors and schedules the seminar, promotes the event, and sends Arrowmen invitations.

Advanced Training
Wood Badge for the 21st Century is designed for all Scout leaders. It is for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders, as well as council and district leaders. Its focus is on leadership, not outdoor skills.

The first part of the new Wood Badge course reflects unit meetings, while the second part of the course uses a unit camping activity as its delivery model.

The course content and leadership principles introduced apply to Scouters of all leadership positions and will provide a common foundation of leadership skills to be used throughout all program areas.

Successful completion of the Basic Leader Training for a Scouter position is the prerequisite for enrollment in a Wood Badge for the 21st Century training course.