Position-Specific Training
Scouting Training
Every Scout should have a trained leader and every leader should have the training to put on a great and fun program. A great program for both the Scouts and the leaders. Scouting offers many training courses online and locally to our leaders. The local Training Committee goal is to have all leaders trained for their current position.
To meet that goal, the committee is working with local units and district leaders to offer in-person trainings. Visit our council calendar and the event section below to see a list of current offerings.
Cub Scout Basic Training
Cub Scout Basic Training consists of taking the position-specific course for your registered position. If you are a Den leader, you would take the Den Leader specific course that is offered currently online at my.scouting. The course will introduce the basic Scouting terms and provide you with a basic understanding of how to plan and run a Den. You will learn about advancement and how to make Den meetings fun. If you attend one of our University of Scouting or a Pow
Wow you will get to meet other leaders and ask questions. This training is also offered in-person as “Cub Scouts 101”.
Cub Scouts 101
This in-person training event provides requiremented position-specific training. Such As Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Committee Member.
Cub Scouts 102
This course provides the soft skills you don’t find in position-specific training. You’ll learn about topics such as Cub Scout events, how to lead safe day outings, how to track advancements, communicating with families, recruitment, and more!
BALOO
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is the Cub Scout leader training required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including pack camping overnighters and den overnighters. This training will teach you how to have fun, successful, and safe outdoor events and campouts
Hazardous Weather
Hazardous Weather training must be completed by Direct Contact Leaders to be considered position trained. The module presents safety precautions for eight different types of weather, as well as planning, preparation, and traditional weather signs. You will answer questions about the topics after each section. Completion is noted automatically in Scouting America’s training records database and is only available online. Estimated time to complete: 40 minutes.
Log in to My.Scouting to take this course online
Safeguarding Youth Training
- Safeguarding Youth training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.
- Safeguarding Youth training must be taken every year. If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
- You do not have to be a registered member of Scouting America to take Youth Protection training.
- Take the training online at My.Scouting.org
Scouts BSA Basic Training
Position-specific training for Troop leaders (Scoutmasters & Assistant Scoutmasters), Committee members, and Charter Organization Representatives can all be found in my.scouting. In order for Troop leaders to be fully trained, they must complete Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS).
IOLS
The Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) course builds and expands on the concepts and themes introduced in Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training, and provides Scouters with the confidence to take youth into the outdoors safely.
Specifically, this hands-on program gives adult leaders a practical introduction to the patrol method of a Scout-led troop by teaching many of the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. In addition, the teaching methods, activities, and games model the variety of teaching used in effective and engaging Scouting programs.
Hazardous Weather
Hazardous Weather training must be completed by Direct Contact Leaders to be considered position trained. The module presents safety precautions for eight different types of weather, as well as planning, preparation, and traditional weather signs. You will answer questions about the topics after each section. Completion is noted automatically in Scouting America’s training records database and is only available online. Estimated time to complete: 40 minutes.
Log in to My.Scouting to take this course online
Safeguarding Youth Training
- Safeguarding Youth training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.
- Safeguarding Youth training must be taken every year. If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
- You do not have to be a registered member of Scouting America to take Youth Protection training.
- Take the training online at My.Scouting.org
Scouts BSA Youth Training
Den Chief Program
Den Chiefs are Scouts who assist a Cub Scout den leader or Webelos den leader. Den Chiefs play an instrumental role in bridging the Cub Scouts program and ScoutsBSA program. They give Cubs a view into the world of a Scout, and act as a mentor and leader.
We’ve created a guide to assist Troops and Packs in developing their own Den Chief programs.
For further help, please contact your District Training Chair.
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST)
The purpose of the ILST course is to teach Scouts with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role. It is intended to help Scouts in leadership positions within their troop understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILST is the first course in the series of leadership training offered to Scouts.
View The ILST Syllabus (July 2018)
Troop Position Description Cards
Venturing
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC)
The Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews Course (ILSC) has been created to help Venturers learn and practice the attitudes and skills that good leaders demonstrate. The course is a series of lessons divided into three modules: Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading Crews. The syllabus contains six and a half hours of instruction, but a course length may vary depending on facilitators’ choice of games, the content chosen for more extensive discussion, and the needs of the crew.
Completion of ILSC is a prerequisite for Venturers to participate in the more advanced leadership courses, such as, National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), and National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE).
View The ILSC Syllabus (NEW 12/3/21)
Sea Scouts
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships (ILSS)
ILSS is intended to help Sea Scouts in leadership positions within their ship understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILSS replaces the Venturing Leadership Skills Course (VLSC) and is a prerequisite for Sea Scouts to participate in the more advanced leadership courses (i.e., National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) ).
Next-Step Training
National Youth Leadership Training
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed program designed to
provide youth with leadership skills and experience that they can apply within their troops and in
other situations requiring leadership of self and others.
NYLT is a six-day course that emphasizes hands-on learning in a fun, engaging environment.
Through a blend of activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and games, participants
will develop confidence and leadership abilities while working together as a team.
The course content is designed to build leadership concepts progressively, using practical
exercises to reinforce learning. Participants embark on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership,
which brings the leadership lessons to life as they apply their skills throughout the course.
In order to attend an NYLT course, youth must meet the following qualifications by the beginning
of the course:
● Must be a registered member of a Scouting unit.
● Must have a current Annual Health and Medical Record form parts A, B, and C.
● Scouts BSA members must be at least 13 years old by the first day of the course and no
older than 17 years old. They must also have completed the Introduction to Leadership
Skills for Troops and achieved the rank of First Class.
● Venturers and Sea Scouts must be at least 14 years old (or 13 and completed eighth
grade) and can be no older than 20 years old. They must have completed Introduction to
Leadership Skills for Crews or Ships and have some basic camping experience.
● Have a unit leader recommendation.
Woodbadge National Adult Leader Training
WWoodbadge is a training course offered for all leaders from the smallest Den to the top of the Council leadership. The course will teach you more about Scouting leadership skills while providing its particpants with fun activities.
You may feel like a Kid again.
Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open only to Scouting volunteers and professionals.
Scouters from Cub Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, Sea Scouts Ships, and Explorers Post and Clubs, and/or Districts and Council Scouters.
Register –
Wood Badge 2025 – Seneca Waterways Council – Sept 17-21 – https://scoutingevent.com/397-BELIEVEWB25
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Wilderness First Aid courses are designed to meet the needs of those who go into areas that are beyond the reach of urban EMS. This course has a certification process. It is approximately 16 hours of training for situations when help is delayed. It will be required for those units taking a trek to the Philmont Scout Reservation and is recommended for backcountry camping, hiking, canoeing, or other high adventure. LEARN MORE
Leave No Trace (LNT)
Scouting America is committed to Leave No Trace, which is a nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics awareness program. Its seven principles are guidelines to follow at all times. Local Councils throughout the country use the course to introduce Leave No Trace to their members. LEARN MORE
Training Awards and Recognition
It is important that we recognize our Scouts and Scouters for completing Training. We can recognize Scouters’ and Scouts’ efforts at Unit Meetings, Unit Awards Dinners or at District or Council Recognition Dinners. National has created training and Recognition awards that can be presented to a Scouter or Scout that has completed requirements for the award. The training awards and keys are designed to recognize unit Scouters for tenure, training, and performance in their leadership roles.
The following form may be used to track a Scouter’s training and attendance towards awards.
Individual Applications for each of these awards can be found using the link below and should be submitted to
District Committee Chairs or the Council Training Chair.
https://www.scouting.org/training/training-awards-and-recognition
National Training Website and Resources
https://www.scouting.org/training/
Council Training Newsletter Archive
Training Team & Meeting Nights
Adirondack Foothills District
- Melanie Chambrone: ADK Training Chair
- Jim Freemire: ADK Training Committee
- Kristin Reichert: Asst ADK Training Chair
- Peter Steiner: YPT & Council Marketing Chair
- Rebekah Dickerson: ADK District Exec
Powderhorn District
- Jim Pike: Council & PDH Training Chair
- Moriah Hamm: Asst PDH Training Chair
- Newsletter Editor
- Dwayne Lavoie: PH Training Committee
Susquehanna Headwaters District
- Bret Sage: SH Training Chair
- Ryan Hejnal: SH Commissioner
- John Harniman: Staff Advisor & District Director