Adult Leader Training

Every Scout deserves qualified, trained leaders who will provide the best program possible, the way it is intended. Trained leaders ensure that the goals of Scouting are met. The leadership training program of the Boy Scouts of America provides  this information and helps leaders become confident in carrying out their responsibilities.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) training goal is to ensure each direct contact Scout leader (i.e., a leader who works with youth) is considered fully trained and entitled to wear the Trained leader emblem when he or she has completed the recommended training courses and the specific training for the position. BSA also wants to ensure that indirect contact volunteers, such as Unit Committee Members, are trained for their position.

BSA and this Council offer a series of courses to prepare and train the leader. This series of courses is like a curriculum or a series of lifelong training opportunities. Most BSA training requirements not only require training, but a specific amount of time in a specific position (tenure).

Some training courses are offered on-line or via video disc. All on-line courses are provided by BSA's National Headquarters via their Online Learning Center or OLC, which is a public access web site. All video discs are maintained in a library at the Council office or at the District level. Volunteers can make arrangements to borrow these video discs. Other courses are taught in a classroom setting (either indoors or outdoors depending on the topic). The courses offered by this Council are scheduled and advertised on the Council calendar.

The requirements for being "Trained" differ depending on what Scouting program you are involved with. Please refer to your specific program link to see the requirements. To see a summary checklist, [click here]

Once a volunteer has completed the basic training, there are on-going opportunites to obtain additional or continuing education. These include:

  • The monthly District Roundtable meetings
  • The annual University of Scouting courses
  • Wood Badge (like an MBA in Scouting)
  • The Philmont Scout Ranch Training Center

If you are interested in becoming a BSA-certified trainer, then we also offer an annual Trainer Development Conference or TDC, as well as the new Trainer’s EDGE, which stands for Explain, Demonstrate, Guide and Enable (a TDC supplemental course model for training stages and methods).

Links 

  • To search for upcoming Council training courses, visit our Council calendar
  • To find on-line training offerings, visit the BSA On-Line Learning Center

Contacts

For more information about Boy Scout Adult Leader Training, first talk with your unit leader (the Scoutmaster) or your unit's training coordinator, if the unit has one. Our Council is geographically divided into areas (a North and South) and districts. Each area has a Training Coordinator. Each District Committee has a Training Committee Chairperson who can also help you understand the best way to go about being trained. The Council web site provides a list of Volunteer Support and Training Services Committee contacts, as well as, a list of the Area Training Coordinators and District Training Chairpersons.