BSA Adult Leader Training Requirements

WHAT MAKES A TRAINED LEADER?

1. Youth Protection Training

2. Leader Position Specific Training

Youth Protection Training

The FIRST step for every volunteer is to take Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required before you can turn in your BSA Adult Registration application. You must include a copy of your YPT certificate with your registration.

YPT must be renewed at least every 2 years.

YPT is ONLY available online at my.scouting.org*

*You will be required to create a free account on my.scouting.org if you don't already have one

Download the How-To Guide for taking Youth Protection Training

BSA Youth Protection Page

Choose Your Scouting Program

Cub Scout Leader Training

Note: Cub Scout Leader (Cubmaster, Den Leader & Committee) in-person classroom training is offered approximately 4 times each Fall and 4 times each Spring.

Chartered Organization Representative in-person classroom training is offered approximately 2 times each year

Online Training is available 24/7 at my.scouting.org. Each online course is broken down into multiple 10 to 15 minute lessons which can be completed in any order over multiple visits to the Online Training Center to fit your schedule.

Cubmaster / Assistant Cubmaster

Cubmasters and Assistant Cubmasters are Direct Contact Leaders

Cubmaster Position Specific Training

Upcoming in-person Cubmaster training dates:

  • Saturday, October 12, 2019 in Medina
  • Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Camp Stambaugh
  • Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Camp Stambaugh
  • Saturday, December 14, 2019 in Kent
  • Details and Registration for all dates
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Weather Hazards

Den Leader / Assistant Den Leader

Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders are Direct Contact Leaders

Den Leader Position Specific Training

Upcoming in-person Den Leader training dates:

  • Saturday, October 12, 2019 in Medina
  • Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Camp Stambaugh
  • Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Camp Stambaugh
  • Saturday, December 14, 2019 in Kent
  • Details and Registration for all dates
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Weather Hazards

Other Cub Scout Leader Positions

Committee Chair / Committee Members

Pack Committee Position Specific Training

Upcoming in-person Pack Committee training dates:

  • Saturday, October 12, 2019 in Medina
  • Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Camp Stambaugh
  • Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Camp Stambaugh
  • Saturday, December 14, 2019 in Kent
  • Details and Registration for all dates
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Charter Organization Representative (COR)

Chartered Organization Representative Training

Upcoming in-person COR training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Additional Cub Scout Leader Training

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

  • In person, Outdoor 36 hour course, requires an overnight stay
  • Offered in Spring and Fall (May and October)
  • Has a required Online pre-requisite
  • Every Pack must have at least ONE BALOO trained adult attend any Pack overnighter
  • Webelos Leaders must be BALOO trained to have a Den overnighter
  • Any adult associated with the Pack may take BALOO training. They are NOT required to be a registered leader in the Pack, but they are required to take Youth Protection Training prior to attending BALOO

Upcoming in-person BALOO training dates:

Scouts BSA Leader Training

Note: Scoutmaster/Asst Scoutmaster in-person Classroom training is offered approximately 2 times each Fall and 2 times each Spring. It is also offered every week at Scouts BSA Summer Camp each year

Troop Committee and Chartered Organization Representative in-person Classroom training is offered approximately 2 times each year.

Online Training is available 24/7 at my.scouting.org. Each online course is broken down into multiple 10 to 15 minute lessons which can be completed in any order over multiple visits to the Online Training Center to fit your schedule.

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster

Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters are Direct Contact Leaders

Scoutmaster Position Specific Training

  • Available as in-person classroom training (S24) or Online Training
  • Offered every week at Scouts BSA Summer Camp at Camp Manatoc each year

Upcoming in-person Scoutmaster training dates:

  • Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Camp Stambaugh
  • Saturday, November 2, 2019 in Stow
  • Saturday, December 14, 2019 in Kent
  • Details and Registration for all dates
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

  • In person, Outdoor 36 hour course, requires and overnight stay (S11)
  • Offered in Spring and Fall 3 or 4 times per year
  • Offered every week at Scouts BSA Summer Camp at Camp Manatoc each year (spread over 4 days)

Upcoming in-person IOLS training dates:

  • 6:00PM September 27th through 9:00PM September 28th, 2019 at Camp Manatoc (register online)
  • 6:00PM November 14th through 9:00PM November 15th, 2019 at Camp Manatoc (register online)

Weather Hazards


Other Scouts BSA Leader Positions

Committee Chair and Committee Members

Troop Committee Position Specific Training

Upcoming in-person Troop Committee training dates:

  • Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at Camp Stambaugh (online registration)
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Charter Organization Representative (COR)

Chartered Organization Representative Training

Upcoming in-person COR training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Merit Badge Counselors (MBC)

Merit Badge Counselor Training

Upcoming in-person MBC training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Venturing Leader Training

Note: Venturing Leader in-person Classroom training is offered 1 or 2 times each year

Online Training is available 24/7 at my.scouting.org. Each Online Course is broken down into multiple 10 to 15 minute lessons which can be completed in any order over multiple visits to the Online Training Center to fit your schedule.

Venturing Crew Advisors and Associate Advisors

Advisors and Associate Advisors are Direct Contact Leaders

Venturing Advisor Position Specific Training

Upcoming in-person Venturing Advisor training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Weather Hazards


Committee Chair and Committee Members

Crew Committee Position Specific Training

Upcoming in-person Troop Committee training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Charter Organization Representative (COR)

Chartered Organization Representative Training

Upcoming in-person COR training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting
  • Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Exploring Leader Training

Note: Exploring Leader in-person Classroom training is offered 1 or 2 times each year

Online Training is available 24/7 at my.scouting.org. Each Online Course is broken down into multiple 10 to 15 minute lessons which can be completed in any order over multiple visits to the Online Training Center to fit your schedule.

Exploring Post Advisors and Associate Advisors

Advisors and Associate Advisors are Direct Contact Leaders

Exploring Advisor Position Specific Training

Upcoming in-person Exploring Advisor training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Weather Hazards


Committee Chair and Committee Members

Post Committee Position Specific Training

Upcoming in-person Post Committee training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting (UoS)
  • UoS Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Charter Organization Representative (COR)

Chartered Organization Representative Training

Upcoming in-person COR training dates:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 at University of Scouting
  • Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Supplemental Training

Roundtable

  • Monthly meetings from August to May
  • Each District within GTC offers their own Roundtable
  • Meet and learn from other Scouters, find out the latest Council and District news and events

University of Scouting (UoS)

  • Single largest training event of the year
  • Dozens of courses offered.
  • All Leader Position Specific classroom trainings offered for all Programs (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Exploring)
  • Wide range of other topics offered (Pinewood Derby, Dutch Oven Cooking, Knots, High Adventure, Ceremonies, etc)
  • Offered annually the first Saturday in March
  • Runs all day from 7:30am to 5:00pm

Next University of Scouting date:

  • Saturday, March 7, 2020
  • Details and Online Registration coming in January 2020

Fundamentals of Training / EDGE

  • Train the Trainer courses
  • Enhance your training and presentation skills
  • Offered each Spring

College of Commissioner Science

Wood Badge

Upon completion of Basic Leader Training for any Registered Adult Leader position, an Adult is eligible to attend Wood Badge. As the Highest Level of Adult Leadership Training in Scouting available, Wood Badge focuses on strengthening every volunteer's ability to work with and lead groups of youth and adults and is less focused on outdoor skills, which are more effectively addressed in other courses.

Wood Badge is advanced training in leadership skills for all adults in BSA programs.

After attending Wood Badge you will:

  • View Scouting as a family of value based programs with age appropriate youth activities
  • Recognize contemporary leadership concepts used in corporate and government organizations that are relevant to Scouting's value based movement
  • Apply the skills you learned from participation as a member of a successful working team
  • Revitalize your commitment to Scouting by sharing in an inspirational experience and help provide scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its ongoing mission

Wood Badge is a 5 day course, generally split between 2 weekends.

The next scheduled Wood Badge course in Great Trail Council is C4-433-20, scheduled for September 11 to 13, 2020 & October 3, to 4, 2020 (more information & online registration)

Get more information about Wood Badge on scouting.org