Training in Leadership

BSA is very committed to having adult volunteer leaders and parents trained so that, like the Scouts, they can “Be Prepared” to fill their roles, and “Do Their Best” in those roles. A variety of training courses are offered both online and live by Scouting volunteers in the Mount Baker Council and in nearby councils. In addition to position-specific training, there are a number of very important training courses related to youth protection, hazardous weather and safety.

Training is only available to adults who are officially registered as adult leaders with the pack. This would be non-uniformed committee members (parents not currently serving as uniformed leaders) as well as uniformed leaders (Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, Den Leaders, and Assistant Den Leaders). If you are not registered, please consider becoming registered and then taking the training. Much of the training listed below is available online, where you can do it on your own time and from the comfort of your home computer. To take the online training courses, you simply create a MyScouting.org account, login and take any of the training courses available. Once you have your BSA Membership ID number, you can update your My Scouting account and all training taken online will officially be tied to your BSA Membership.

Live training is usually scheduled on a Saturday, either half-day or full day. Occasionally, training will be a few hours on a weeknight. For those who want to move beyond the basic level of training, advanced Wood Badge Training occupies several weekends and requires an action plan (called a “ticket”) to put learned Wood Badge skills to work in your Scouting leadership position.

Check the Mount Baker Council Training Page for updates and information on training courses. Available training courses, both online and live, include:

• Cub Scout Leader Fast Start Training (Online Only) – Fast Start is designed for the brand new adult leader in a leadership position with a Cub Scout pack. It gives a brief overview of the Cub Scout program and how adult leaders are important to the success of Cub Scout Packs and their dens. There is a Fast Start program for each level of Cub Scout Leadership: Cubmaster, Tiger Den Leader, Wolf/Bear Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, and Pack Committee.
• Youth Protection Training (Online Only) – All Scouting activities require the presence of at least two adults at all times, at least one of whom must have successfully completed Youth Protection Training. This course is offered online only. It covers such questions as how to recognize child abuse, how children can resist it, and how to report it within the BSA organization (the three R’s). Youth Protection Training MUST be renewed every two years.
• Cub Scout Basic Leader Specific Training (available both Online and Live) – This is a good training course for all adults in the pack. It is strongly encouraged for all uniformed pack leaders (Cubmaster, and Asst. Cubmasters, and Den Leaders for each grade level). This training gives a leader the knowledge and skills needed for their specific leadership position. Leader Specific Training is available for the following positions in Cub Scouting:
  1. Tiger Cub leader
  2. Cub Scout (Wolf/Bear) den leader and assistant
  3. Webelos den leader and assistant
  4. Cubmaster and assistant
  5. Pack committee members
  6. Pack Trainer
• This is Scouting (formerly called New Leader Essentials – available both Online and Live) – Leaders learn about the objectives of the Scouting program and the methods used to achieve them. They also gain a basic understanding of youth development, as well as how Scouting is organized and financed, policies related to the program, and resources to help leaders succeed. The training is for all new adult leaders.
• Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO – Live Training) – BALOO is a one-day live training event that introduces leaders and parents to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping.
• Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders (OLSWL – Live Training) – OLSWL teaches outdoor-related skills through demonstration and hands-on practice. Webelos den leaders should attend this training before conducting Webelos overnight camping with the boys and parents of the den. In addition to covering basic camping skills, this training features planning camp outs and finding resources.
• Hazardous Weather Training (Online) – BSA now requires that at least one adult leader on a camping trip have taken the Hazardous Weather Training. This training is well done and pretty interesting, and would be valuable to any adult leader, not just those who camp with the pack.
• Safe Swim Defense (Online) – Before a BSA group may engage in swimming activities of any kind, a minimum of one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training, have a commitment card with them, and agree to use the eight defenses in the Safe Swim Defense plan. This and the other safety training courses are 30 minutes each and are often taught as a group.
• Safety Afloat (Online) – Before a BSA group may engage in an activity on the water involving canoes, rafts, sailboats or other craft, adult leaders for such activity must complete Safety Afloat Training, have a commitment card with them, and be dedicated to full compliance with all nine points of Safety Afloat.
• Climb On Safely (Online) – Before a BSA group may engage in climbing or bouldering activities, a minimum of one adult leader must complete Climb On Safely training
• Cub Scouting Adult Leader Recognition Awards. Adult Leaders at every level of Cub Scouting in Pack 584 are encouraged to complete the requirements and earn every “training knot” recognition award for which they are entitled. There are six such awards, listed below with a link to their requirements. A complete summary of all the available recognition awards, and their requirements, are listed on the Boy Scout Trail Square Knot Page. When the award requirements are completed, the training card must be completed and turned in to the District Training Team. Awards should be presented at pack meetings, so that our Scouts see that we take personal advancement seriously.