Summary

The success of every Pack depends on having well-trained leaders. They not only bring a quality program to their boys, but they have more fun doing it. Everything we do in Scouting has a purpose. Training is the key to recognizing, understanding and achieving the purpose behind each activity.

The first step to adult leader training is taking Youth Protection training.  As discussed below, starting June 1, 2010, this training is mandatory for all adult leaders in order to have their Adult Leader Applications accepted by the BSA and to recharter the Pack each year. Beside the fact that this training is extremely important and valuable, it is very easy to complete online and only takes around 20 minutes to do.  Links to this training and a more detailed description are set forth below.

The second step for training is to complete the following four training courses to earn the Trained Leader emblem:

Each of these steps is also discussed in more detail below.

NOTE: each of the links above to the BSA’s Online Learning Center will take you in turn to myscouting.org; you will need to set up an online account with myscouting.org in order to complete training online.  Once you complete a particular online course, you will be issued an online certificate you can print out or e-mail to the West Los Angeles Council to submit with your Adult Leader Application (or to show you have obtained additional training if you already submitted an Application).  Once your Adult Leader Application has been  processed and after you completed Youth Protection Training (which, again, is now required to have your Application accepted by the BSA), you will be issued a BSA Identification number.  You can then input that ID number in your profile for your myscouting.org account, after which the completion certificates for any additional online courses you take will be transmitted electronically to the Council.  Also, copies of your certificates will be maintained in your myscouting.org account in the event you lose them.

Youth Protection Training

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders the following online, video, and print resources for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs.  **Effective June 1, 2010, ALL registered scouters must complete Youth Protection Training before their application or recharter is accepted**. Youth Protection Training must be repeated every two years. This on line course can be found here.

Fast Start Training

Fast Start training provides an immediate comfort level for new leaders and enables them to say, “I can do this!”Fast Start training is the first step for any new volunteer and is to be delivered immediately after a new leader registers and before he or she meets with any youth member. Click the following link to select an online Fast Start training module. These on line courses can be found here.

This is Scouting

While continuing to address many of the “essentials” that give beginning adult leaders an understanding of the program, the new training, titled, “This Is Scouting,” stresses some important points for leaders to consider as the BSA moves forward into the future. Although continuing to address organization, goals, history and traditions, and funding, the new course places increased emphasis on the BSA’s mission, vision, and values; its programs for boys of all ages and abilities; its role in the community; its aim to protect youth members; and its legacy. And it stresses the fun boys can have when they join Scouting. This on line courses can be found here.

Position Specific Training

Once the new leader obtains a solid overview of the BSA’s values-based program, he or she can begin training for a specific Scouting position through Leader Specific training. This training provides the specialized knowledge a new leader needs to assume a leadership role. Because each course is designed for a specific leadership position, the training time varies. A different Leader Specific training course has been developed for each leadership position:
– Tiger Cub Den Leaders and Assistants,
– Wolf and Bear Den Leaders and Assistants,
– Webelos Den Leaders and Assistants,
– Cub Masters and Assistants, and
– Committee Members.
This training must be taken whenever your position changes.

These on line courses can be found here, or instructor led classes can be found on the West Los Angeles County Council training schedule, which may be found here.   An alphabetized list if training courses offered by the Council may be found here.  Additional information about training offered by the Council may be found here.