Training
Free courses, some required, some just a good idea.
Youth Protection & Fast Start
All courses are free. Youth Protection Training and Fast Start are required if you hold a registered position with Pack 535, and still a great idea if you are just an involved parent.
Youth Protection Training — my.scouting.org. Provides the Boy Scouts of America's policies and procedures to protect its members from child abuse. Training is valid for 2 years.
Fast Start Training — my.scouting.org. There is a specific course for each leadership role such as Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, Tiger Cub Den Leader (DL) & Assistant Den Leader (ADL), Wolf/Bear DL & ADL, Webelos DL & ADL, and Pack Committee.
This Is Scouting — my.scouting.org. Gives greater detail about the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting.
New Leader Specific Training — my.scouting.org. Goes into greater detail about your specific leadership position (i.e. Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, Tiger Cub DL & ADL, Wolf/Bear DL & ADL, Webelos DL & ADL, Pack Committee).
See what makes a Trained Leader.
Optional Training
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO): This training is in addition to Cub Scout Leader Specific Training and is REQUIRED by BSA for Cub Scout overnight camping. This course teaches leaders what is necessary to comply with rules on Cub camping and helps them to conduct a safe and fun campout. Topics include activity planning, Cub cooking, equipment, first aid, safety, and permits. The course includes practical ideas to make your next campout safe and memorable. Check the Thunderbird District site for details and the calendar for course dates.
Outdoor Webelos Leader Skills (OWLS): This is your opportunity to take part in an enjoyable outdoor learning experience and discover what the “outing” in Webelos Scouting is all about! Webelos Leader Outdoor Training presents 'how to' in planning and conducting successful Webelos Den parent/child overnight campouts and other Webelos outdoor activities. It reinforces — but does not duplicate — what you learned in Webelos Leader Specific Training. This course provides a “hands-on” learning experience in camping and outdoor skills as done by Webelos Dens. We also show you creative and fun ways to teach outdoor skills to your Webelos and fulfill requirements for the Outdoor Group of activity badges. Training also includes the elements for BALOO certification, so you need not sign up for BALOO training separately. See the calendar for course dates.
For a complete list of training courses available, visit my.scouting.org.
Other Leader Resources
See the Adult Leaders page on the national website for a wealth of information for new and existing leaders.
Notes:
- If you have taken the required training in the previous year and your position has not changed, no additional training is required. However, if you have changed positions (e.g. Tiger Cub Den Leader → Wolf Cub Den Leader), the only required training to be considered a 'Trained' leader is the New Leader Specific Training. Our District Training coordinator still recommends the online course This Is Scouting as a great review.
- If you are a registered leader, you will have a BSA ID#. Please enter this number in your profile at my.scouting.org to have your online training associated with your BSA ID#. With this association in place, your training will be recognized in the Council / District training reports.
- If you are unable to attend the course (New Leader Specific, BALOO, WLOT) dates scheduled by the Thunderbird District, consider attending these courses hosted by other districts. Watch pack communications for other course dates.