Boy Scouts of America

	Boy Scouts of America Troop 165 McDonough, Georgia You are Visitor No. Last edited 03/30/2008 05:23:36 AM Home Click Here

	Adult Leader Training
Things to remember: If you don't know say so...then find out Pick your battles...Think before you act Plan, Practice, Be Prepared Every Boy deserves a "Trained Leader"...Get Trained Set the example [Scout Oath & Scout Law] if these didn't apply then it probably needed changing Have a good attitude...boys really notice this Keep the movement going...scouting is a movement Faith in Those Who Come...We should except those on the basis of their own volition. Inspiration...we must inspire in everyone to do better than they thought they could. Tradition...is our servant, it stimulates our desire to move forward. Genuineness...We have the duty to keep Scouting genuine. Friendship...We must offer friendship to all. Challenge...There is nothing in Scouting for you unless you first put something into it. Efficiency... We offer a high standard of technical efficiency. Flexibility...We must be prepared to make adaptations. Humility...Leadership through personal humility. Loyalty...At all times we display complete and absolute loyalty. Enthusiasm...Enthusiasm must be rated very highly. After you have completed training...contact your committee chairman with the information so it can be added to the Troop Records of Training. Although training may not seem priority importance to you sometimes, it is very important to become trained not only from a legal stand point but as your personal responsibility to your unit.
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 [ This is mandatory in Troop 165 ] YPT ensures boys involved in scouting are kept safe. At least one adult on every Scout outing must be Youth Protection Trained. Before being involved with boys, EVERY adult should complete Youth Protection Online and all registered adult volunteers must complete it and fully understand the Youth Protection Policies of the BSA. 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 Many councils also offer in-class Youth Protection classes. Contact your council for availability and dates. Articles from Boys Life and Scouting magazines: 'Protect Yourself from Child Abuse' 'Confronting Child Abuse' 'Child Abuse: Let's Talk About It' 'It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child' - March/April 1994 'Youth Protection Training News Briefs' - October 1994 'Working Together to Protect Our Children' 'Assuring Emotional Security for Children' - May/June 1993 'Words Can Hurt' 'Child Lures' The Boy Scouts of America has a set of videotapes 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 - Find Service Center. Remember, any case of abuse is one too many! New Leader Essentials The next step in training for adult leaders who have completed Fast Start Training. New Leader Essentials is an introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. It addresses 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. Ideally, all unit-based volunteers-Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders-take this session at the same time, so they understand that they are all striving for the same results with the youth they serve. Each leader completes New Leader Essentials training only once. Leader Specific Training Once a volunteer has a solid overview of the scouting program, training for a specific Scouting position continues through Leader Specific training. This training provides the specialized knowledge a new leader needs to assume a leadership role. Because each course is designed for a specific leadership position, the training time varies. This training is classroom-led. Leader Specific training has been developed for the following positions and their assistants: 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 Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting program. Training in outdoor skills is required before taking scouts on outings. 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 There are many more opportunities for volunteers to improve their skills and understanding of the Boy Scout program. Some are required before holding certain types of events. 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. 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. 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 Safe Swim on Line Training 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 Safety Afloat on Line Training 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. 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 First Aid Certification: Normally not offered through a BSA unit, but at least two currently first aid certified adults are required on many high adventure outings. Assess yourself with the Boy Scout Leader Assessment Tool - The intended audience for this self-assessment tool is adult Boy Scout leaders, specifically scoutmasters, assistant scoutmasters, troop committee members, Boy Scout commissioners, and Boy Scout trainers. This tool is designed to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses in regard to the current Boy Scout leader training courses.