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 Provide the requiremented position-specific training
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 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 CubScout den or pack outdoor event, including pack camping overnighters and Webelos
den overnighters. This training will teach you how to have fun and successful outdoor events
and campouts.
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.
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.
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.
Venturing
Next-Step Training
National Youth Leader 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
Woodbadge is the a Trainig 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
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
- John Harniman: Staff Advisor & District Director
Susquehanna Headwaters District
- Bret Sage: SH Training Chair
- Ryan Hejnal: SH Commissioner