Training

Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader

If you had a magic wand, would you use it to make the Scouting program better and more fun for youth so they stayed in Scouting longer, so it had a larger impact on their lives? What if the same magic wand made leadership roles easier, more rewarding, and led to better retention among adult leaders? Would using that magic wand be a top priority?

Well, such a magic wand does exist—in the form of the learning programs for leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.

Common sense tells us that training is important, and research shows the importance of trained leaders. A trained leader is knowledgeable and more confident in the role being performed. Trained leaders exhibit a knowledge and confidence that people around them pick up. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, safety, and more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be!

To get an overview of Scouting Training programs for youth and adults, visit the BSA’s Scouting Training site. For details on the Five Rivers Council’s training programs scroll down or click the links below. 

Quick Links:

• Youth Protection Training (YPT)
• My.Scouting
• Training Records/Out-of-Council Training
• BALOO – Cub Leader outdoor training
• ITOLS – Introduction To Outdoor Leadership Skills 
• University of Scouting
• NYLT – National Youth Leadership Training
  • NAYLE – National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
• Wood Badge
• Powder Horn
• Training Awards
• BSA National Training Site
• Youth Training (Den Chief, ITLST/C, etc)
• Training Calendar

Trained Patch

Once a Leader (Scouter) or a Scout (youth) has completed training for their position, they can wear the Trained patch on their uniform.

Leaders – Being fully trained means registering for and completing all components for the position patch. If you have multiple positions and shirts, you must be trained in the position reflected on the shirt.

Youth – Being considered fully trained as a youth, means having completed ITLST/C – Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops/Crews.

My.Scouting.org

All Unit-level position-specific training (except outdoor components) can be completed online at my.scouting.org or by the app available on Android and IOS. 

For help accessing training or your account please visit our Online Support Tools page.

Take Online Training (Position Specific)

• • Log into my.scouting.org
  • Click on My Training (from the icon on the main page or under the menu)
  • On the left sidebar select Requirements
  • A new page will open and show any registered positions and the required training
  • Pick one and click on Take Course
    • Start and complete
    • Repeat as needed until all modules are done
    • The Trained patch shows next to the position name when all modules are complete

Take Online Training (Other courses)

• • Log into my.scouting.org
  • Click on My Training (from the icon on the main page or under the menu)
  • Look for Training Courses by Program (1/2 way down the page)
  • Select the area that you want to take. Safety courses are under Expanded Learning
  • Find the one you want, select the Visit option
  • Select Enroll
  • Complete all modules

View your Training Record

• • Log into my.scouting.org
  • Click on My Training (from the icon on the main page or under the menu)
  • Select Completions from the sidebar
  • Scroll or search the records

View & Print your Training Record

• • Log into my.scouting.org
  • Click on My Training (from the icon on the main page or under the menu)
  • Select Completions from the sidebar
  • Scroll or search the records
  • Select the training you would like to print
  • A new option will appear in the grey bar above the list that reads “Certificate”
  • Clicking this displays a PDF of the certificate in a new browser window

Training Records or Out-of-Council Training

If you have completed training that does not show in your training record, please provide a copy of the training card to your District Training Chair. You will also need to do this for training taken in another Council. BSA National Training taken in this Council is entered into your record by the Council Training Committee. 

BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation)

Don’t miss the opportunity to take this fully energized NEW AND IMPROVED TWO-DAY TRAINING session in Cub Scout Camping Training, BALOO.  Designed specifically so Cub Scout Packs can go camping on their own, it covers planning and conducting a successful Pack overnighter including ideas for outdoor activities & games, ceremonies, camp equipment, campfire programs, and even outdoor cooking. This includes an overnight and covers outdoor training for all Cub Scouts and Webelos.

Prior to taking BALOO there is an online portion that must be completed. That training can be accessed on your My.Scouting.org account.

This course is offered in both the spring and fall at Camp Gorton. Please check the training calendar for upcoming courses.

ITOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills)

This hands-on program gives adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-door. Imagine having hands-on knowledge 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.

This training is a weekend-long training held in the spring and fall at Camp Gorton. Please check the Council training calendar for schedule dates.

Tent overnight camping is required.

ITOLS includes information on:

This is the outdoor component required to be considered fully trained as a Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmaster. The position specific class can be taken either in-person or online at my.scouting.org.

University of Scouting

What is the University of Scouting?

NYLT –  National Youth Leadership Training

NYLT is a leadership course developed by the National BSA to enable Scouting youth to lead their units. NYLT uses the methods of Scouting to teach leadership skills. A week is spent in a youth-led environment that exemplifies the “best” that Scouting can be and is the vision that Baden-Powell intended. 

The NYLT course simulates a month in the life of a Troop in a six-day course (two weekends in the winter and 1 week in the summer). It reinforces and expands upon Be-Know-Do leadership. Scouts learn many leadership skills and concepts, including the stages of team development and how to match the most appropriate leadership style with the developmental stage of the individual or team. The course has many challenges, including the final activity, a quest for the meaning of leadership.

The NYLT course has Eight Key Elements

• • A Month in the Life of a Troop
  • Four Stages of Team Development
  • Leadership requires Vision, Goals, and Plans
  • Toolbox of Leadership Skills
  • Consistent Leadership Modeling
  • Scout Oath and Law
  • Fun!!

Check the Council Training calendar for the next scheduled course.

NAYLE – National Advanced Leadership Experience

National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience is an exciting program that enhances leadership skills and expands upon the team-building and ethical decision-making skills learned in National Youth Leadership Training. NAYLE emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and selfless service, using the core elements of NYLT to help youth strengthen these skills. The NAYLE course is now available at all four national high-adventure bases. The material presented is the same at all four venues but is specific to the unique environment of each site.

This course is only offered by the National BSA at Philmont. For more information or to register please click the link for the National NAYLE site.

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open only to Scouting volunteers and professionals. Scouters from Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and district and council Scouters are welcome to participate.

Skills taught include:

• • Effective Listening
  • Managing conflict
  • Leading Change
  • Stages of Team Development
  • Leadership for Different Stages
  • Coaching & Mentoring
  • Servant Leadership
  • Project Planning
  • And more!

The course uses presentations, games, discussions, activities, and other methods to engage all learners and make it fun and accessible. 

For further information please access the National Web Site for current courses.

Click here for information and application for the  FRC Woodbadge Scholarship

Click here for the current Training Calendar

Description:
Powder Horn is a training opportunity designed to expose the Venturing or Scout leader to activities and resources necessary to operate a successful Venturing Ranger Award or Troop High Adventure program in several ways:

• • Help Venturing Leaders and Scouters to safely conduct outdoor activities of a fan and challenging nature.
  • Provides an introduction to the resources necessary to successfully lead their Venturers and older Boy Scouts through a program of high adventure.
  • Familiarizes the Advisor with the Ranger program so that he or she can help the Venturer to meet the requirements of the Ranger Award.
  • This course is based on the Venturing Ranger requirements giving participants an exposure to outdoor/high adventure activities.

Overview:
Topics that WILL be covered:

Topics that MAY be covered (at least 10 will be):

Needed For:
This is NOT a total training or certifying course. It is meant to allow the participants to try the activity and learn how to provide it in your program.

Click here for the Training Calendar for upcoming courses

Training Awards for Adult Leaders in Units/District

The training awards and keys are designed to recognize unit Scouters for tenure, training, and performance in their leadership roles. Progress record forms with the current requirements for these awards can be found at the links below.

• • Training Awards and Recognition

Youth Training 

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops/Crews (ITLST/C) is the position-specific training for a Unit’s youth leadership. This training can be conducted by the Unit or Scouts can take it a Council/District event. If conducted at the Unit level please ensure that the training is recorded in the training manager for the youth. ITLST/C is a pre-requisite for NYLT – National Youth Leadership Training.

Den Chief is the training for any Scout who is serving as a Den Chief for a Pack. Den Chief is a 2-part training. There is an online component that the Scout takes on their own. The second part is a hands-on part. This training can be run by the Troop or Pack leadership and is offered at some Council events. If conducted at the Unit level please ensure that the training is recorded by the training manager.

Syllabi for both ITLST/C and Den Chief can be found on the BSA National Training page.

Click here for the Training Calendar for upcoming courses

Training Calendar