This section provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help our members improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program.

Joining Courses

These courses are required for to become registered leaders and must be retaken every two years to maintain registration. A login is required, but anyone may create a user account and view the courses. Registered members of the BSA may provide their member numbers (as part of the user profile) to receive credit.

 Youth Protection Training

   Youth Protection Pledge Cards

Take the pledge to keep our Scouts safe by following the BSA’s Youth Protection policies. Half the pledge is signed and given to the council; the other half stays with you in pocket card format as a reminder. The links below, in English and Spanish versions, will print four-up on a sheet.

English  | Spanish 

Orientation Courses

Orientation courses are designed to help Scouters learn more about their Scouting role and about other leadership positions
in the program.

    STEM Orientation

STEM Nova Program, Nova Counselor, and Supernova Mentor Training are now available at my.scouting.org , click “BSA Learn Center” then “STEM in Scouting”. To access them,

1. Create or log into your account at my.scouting.org 
2. Click on “BSA Learn Center”
3. Select the “Expanded Learning” category, then select “STEM IN SCOUTING”

Position-Specific (Role-Based) Courses

These instructor-led courses are designed to help Scouters learn how to effectively carry out their Scouting roles. In most cases, completing the course will make a Scouter “trained” for the role(s) covered in the course. E-learning versions of some courses may be found below in the E-learning section.

    Basic Leader Requirements

Need to know what are the requirements to be trained for your unit leadership role? This sheet explains the training requirements for all unit-level leaders.

More Information 

Cub Scout Position-Specific Training

This course is intended to provide the following positions with the information and tools they need to conduct a successful Program:

• Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den Leaders
• Cubmasters and Assistant Cubmasters
• Pack Committee and Committee Chair

Leaders who complete the training are considered trained for their position.

NOTE: Online training modules for the Cub Scout Position-Specific Training are available in the BSA Learn Center on My.Scouting 

Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training

The course will provide Scoutmasters with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Boy Scout troops. Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters who complete this course, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, and Youth Protection Training are considered “trained” for those positions. There is no change to the My.Scouting Tools code (S24) for the course.

NOTE: Online training modules for the Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training are available in the BSA Learn Center on My.Scouting 

 Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

Working as patrols, this hands-on course provides adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. Along with Scoutmaster Specifics this course is required of all direct contact leaders registered in Boy Scout Troops in order to be considered “trained”.

Venturing Advisor Position-Specific Training

The course will provide an introduction to the responsibilities, opportunities, and resources that will ensure a successful Venturing crew leadership experience.

NOTE: Online training modules for the Venturing Advisor Position-Specific Training are available in the BSA Learn Center on My.Scouting 

    Chartered Organization Representative Training

NOTE: Online training modules for the Chartered Organization Representative are available in the BSA Learn Center on My.Scouting 

Troop Committee Challenge

The Troop Committee Challenge is designed for troop committee members and becomes the course (along with Youth Protection training) troop committee members need to be considered “trained.” The instructor’s guide below is for trainers to conduct the course for troop committee members.

NOTE: Online training modules for the Troop Committee Challenge are available in the BSA Learn Center on My.Scouting 

Crew Committee Challenge

The Crew Committee Challenge is designed for crew committee members and becomes the course (along with the Venturing version of Youth Protection training) crew committee members need to be considered “trained.” The instructor’s guide below is for trainers to conduct the course for crew committee members.

NOTE: Online training modules for the Crew Committee Challenge are available in the BSA Learn Center on My.Scouting 

    STEM Nova Counselor/Supernova Mentor Training

These training is available online at the BSA Learn Center.

District Committee Basic Training

District Committee Training has been taught the same way for many years with a very dated course. Today we are happy to announce that by leveraging the BSA Learn Center we are providing the district committee a learning environment that provides them the content they need when the need it while leveraging professional training for consistency in district training. This new learning replaces the District Committee Workshop and provide learning plans aligned with the various district committee positions and functions.

Position trained status (D61) will be provided for those who complete their training. Position training includes:

District Committee Chair
District Committee Vice Chair
Membership Chair
Fund Development
Training Chair
Member at Large
Activities and Civil Service Chair
Nominating Chair
Program Chair
Camping and Outdoor Chair
Advancement Chair

The online training supersedes the District Committee Workshop.

Supplemental Training Courses

These courses are designed to help Scouters with a particular skill or to enhance their Scouting role.

  Powder Horn

Open to both registered adults and youth who are at least 13 and have completed the 8th grade, Powder Horn is a hands-on resource management course designed to give you the contacts and tools necessary to conduct an awesome high-adventure program in your troop, team, crew, or ship.

  Advanced Unit Chaplain and Chaplain Aide Training

Councils may now provide Unit Chaplain and Unit Chaplain Aide training which includes participation by the Chartered Organization Representative at their convenience. They may learn best practices to strengthen their roles as Chaplains and Chaplain Aides, inspire more Duty to God activities and foster understanding of the many faiths represented in the Boy Scouts of America.

The Course Code for this training is D86.

Outdoor Skills Training Courses

These courses are designed to help Scouters with skills related to the BSA’s outdoor program.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

This one-and-a-half day course is designed as an introduction to the Cub Scout outdoor program for leaders interested in adding a camping component to their Pack activities. BALOO training consists of an online pre-requisite component in addition to an overnight hands on practical. BSA’s Cub Scout level camping policies will be taught along with the discovery of the necessary tools to help units carry our a successful camping experience. Completion of this course is mandatory for a MINIMUM OF ONE adult on a Pack overnighter.

  Camp Health Officer Training

This presentation provides a detailed briefing for individuals selected to serve as a camp health officer at a council or district camping facility.

View online 

  Kodiak Challenge

The Kodiak Challenge is designed to be an adventure that pushes the boundaries of every participant – one that will encourage you to try new things that may be out of your comfort zone. It is an experience—but one that has its underpinnings in the application of the leadership skills they learned in the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops or Crews, NYLT, and/or NAYLE. It is, as is all of Scouting, an adventure with a purpose

 Passport to High Adventure Training Outline

This training outline teaches how Scouts can plan and safely carry out council and unit high-adventure treks using Leave No Trace techniques.

Train-the-Trainer Courses

These courses are designed to help Scouters learn or improve their presentation skills.

    The Fundamentals of Training

This is the first part of the three-part train-the-trainer continuum (T³, or T-Cubed) in the Boy Scouts of America. The course introduces teaching techniques and skills to new Scout trainers but is also designed to help all Scouters, regardless of their experience, present effective training. Intended for both youth and adult trainers, the course will help those who might have trained for other organizations learn the BSA’s training techniques, and it will help freshen up the skills of current BSA trainers.

    The Trainer’s EDGE

While the Trainer’s EDGE is a required train-the-trainer course for Wood Badge and NYLT staffs, it is also for other trainers wishing to enhance their training and presentation skills.

    Fillable Training Cards

In conjunction with the Volunteer Development Team, the National Supply Group has released the latest version of the pocket-sized certificate of training. Simply specify SKU 615012 when ordering from your local Scout Shop or through scoutstuff.org . Click on the link below to open a pdf template that has been created for convenience in filling out these portable training records.

Fillable Training Cards 

National Training Conferences

Bechtel Summit’s John D. Tickle Training Center 

    Philmont Training Center

Since 1950 The Philmont Training Center (PTC) has provided a unique environment for training volunteer and professional leaders, and a fun family program for every member of the family.

More info
View promo video 

    Sea Base

Join us in the beautiful Florida Keys to learn with experienced and informed Scouters with ample time to enjoy the climate and beauty of the Keys. 

2020 Sea Base Volunteer Training Conferences 

    Wood Badge

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

More info

Course Director’s and Area Training Conferences

    2020 Course Director’s and Area Training Conference Registration

Click here for the most up-to-date listing of Wood Badge and NYLT Course Director’s Conferences in your region or area and across the nation. The accompanying links for registering for each conference will be available as listed. Many of this year’s Course Director’s Conferences have been combined with other functional conferences, creating an atmosphere of learning on a larger scale and allowing for the sharing of resources and ideas. You will find these Area Training Conferences listed here as well.

Council Executive Board Orientation

Click here for videos, facilitator guides, lesson plans and more resources. The 17-module training has been developed to assist you in understanding and carrying out your responsibilities as a council executive board member—officer, committee chair, or council member at large, or Advisory Council.

Training Awards

  Training Awards for Adult Leaders in Units

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 2012 requirements for these awards can be found at the links below.

• Den Leader Training Award (NEW – Sept 2018) 
• Training Awards
  • Cub Scouting 
  • Boy Scouting 
  • Venturing 
  • Sea Scouting 
• Keys
  • Cubmaster 
  • Scoutmaster 
  • Advisor 
  • Skipper 

District Committee Awards

The files below contain updated requirements for the Scouter’s Key for District Committee Members and new requirements for the Scouter’s Training Award for District Committee Members.

District Committee Key 

District Committee Scouter’s Training Award 

E-learning

Some courses are available in the e-Learning section of my.scouting.org . A login is required, but anyone may create a user account and view the courses. Registered members of the BSA may provide their member numbers (as part of the user profile) to receive credit. These include:

Expanded Learning
Safe Swim Defense
Safety Afloat
Weather Hazards
Climb On Safely

Leader Position-Specific Training
Leader Position-Specific: Den Leader
Leader Position-Specific: Cubmaster
Leader Position-Specific: Pack Trainer
Leader Position-Specific: Pack Committee
Leader Position-Specific: Venturing Advisor
Leader Position-Specific: Venturing Committee
Leader Position-Specific: Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster
Leader Position-Specific: Troop Committee
Leader Position-Specific: Merit Badge Counselor
Leader Position-Specific: District Committee Basic

Instructions for Accessing Online Training.