Unit Recharter Requires Trained Leaders

All unit top leaders must be trained by the end of 2011

All top leaders are required to complete basic training in order for their units to recharter during 2011 for the 2012 program year.
Top leaders are Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Varsity Coaches, Venturing crew Advisors and Skippers.

All unit direct-contact leaders must be trained by the end of 2012

All direct-contact leaders are required to complete basic training in order for their units to recharter during 2012 for the 2013 program year.  Direct-contact leaders are: Cubmasters, Assistant Cubmasters, Den Leaders, Assistant Den Leaders, Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Leaders of 11-Year-Old Scouts, Varsity Coaches, Assistant Varsity Coaches, Crew Advisors, and Associate Crew Advisors.

What Makes a Trained Leader?

A Scout leader is considered fully trained and entitled to wear the Trained Leader emblem  when he or she has completed basic training courses for the current registered position.

Click here for a printable adult training chart.

Click here for adult leader training requirements by program and position.

Many courses are available through the E-Learning Center, accessed by signing in to MyScouting.org.  If you are new to MyScouting, you will be asked to create an account, which requires your BSA registration number in order to be linked to your registration records.

To be fully trained and earn the Trained Leader emblem*, a new leader must complete basic training in the following order:

• Youth Protection Training: New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before submitting an application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time the application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins. Youth Protection Training must be completed every two years to remain current. Venturing Youth Protection is required for Venturing Leaders.
• Leader Position-Specific Training: Fully trained leaders changing leadership roles need to take the Leader Position-Specific Training for their new position.

* In addition, Boy Scout Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, and Varsity Coaches and Assistants must complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Training through the district or council.

Important: Required courses are different based on program, either Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, or General depending on what program you are training for.

Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection Training (Cub through Varsity) (Y01) or Youth Protection Training-Venturing Version (Y02) is required for all BSA registered volunteers, regardless of their position.

• New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before submitting an application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time the application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
• Youth Protection training must be taken every two years.
• If a volunteer's Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

At all times, youth safety is the number one priority.  At the same time, adults need to know the rules for keeping themselves safe, too.  Comprehensive Youth Protection training teaches the do’s and don’ts of working with youth.  The training is offered through the E-Learning Center or it may be taken as part of a district or council training course.

Position-Specific Training

Leader position-specific training is based on the leader’s position. These courses are taught by trainers who know how to engage groups and make learning fun.

These courses are offered by the district or council as group training, or may be done as small groups or by personal coaching.

Cub Scout Leaders

Cub Scout Leader Specific training is available for the following positions, and is available through the E-Learning Center as well as in-person:
o Cubmasters and assistants (C40)
o Tiger Cub den leaders (C41)
o Wolf and Bear den leaders and assistants (C42)
o Pack Committee (C60)
o Webelos den leaders and assistants (C61)
o Pack trainers (C62)

Boy Scout Leaders

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training (S24) is for all Scoutmasters and their assistants.

Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters must also must complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) training (S11) to be considered fully trained.

Varsity Scout Leaders

Varsity Scout Coach Leader Specific training (V21) is for all Varsity Coaches and Assistant Coaches.

Varsity Coaches and Assistant Coaches must also complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) training (S11) to be considered fully trained.

Venturing Crew Leaders

Venturing Crew leaders must complete Venturing Leader Specific training (P21), which is a five-session training course.

Sea Scout Leaders

Sea Scout adult leaders and assistants must complete Sea Scout Specific training (P30).

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) (S11)

This hands-on program gives adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts, including 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.  It is offered by each district some time during the year and lasts about 24 hours, including an overnight.  It is required for all Boy Scout, Varsity, and Venturing direct contact leaders, regardless of prior camping knowledge and experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING

The following online courses are no longer part of basic training or required to earn the "Trained" patch, but are extremely helpful for leaders new to Scouting.

Fast Start Training

Fast Start training is the first step for all new leaders and should be taken immediately upon registering for their position and before they meet with any youth members.

New leaders choose the Fast Start they need for their position:

• Cubmaster (C72)
• Tiger Cub Leader (C73)
• Webelos Den Leader (C71)
• Wolf/Bear Cub Den Leader (C70)
• Pack Committee (C70)
• Boy Scouting Leader or Varsity Scout Leader (WSFS)
• Venturing Crew Leader (WPFS)
• Scout Parents Unit Coordinator (WCFS)
• Unit Commissioner (WDUC)

Fast Start courses are available through the E-Learning Center, accessed by signing in to MyScouting.org.  If you are new to MyScouting, you will be asked to create an account, which requires your BSA registration number in order to be linked to your registration records.

This is Scouting

This Is Scouting (WA01) is an online training session that replaces New Leader Essentials. Its six modules of training pick up where Fast Start leaves off, and include:

1. The Mission of Scouting
2. Programs for All ages
3. Scouting Is Fun
4. Scouting in the Community
5. Keeping Our Youth Safe
6. Scouting’s Legacy

This is Scouting training takes about an hour to complete and is available through the E-Learning Center, accessed by signing in to MyScouting.org.  If you are new to MyScouting, you will be asked to create an account, which requires your BSA registration number in order to be linked to your registration records.