The leadership training philosophy of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide adult leaders with fundamental information about the aims and purposes of the movement, as well as specifics about their particular role in Scouting. Adult leaders in Scouting need certain basic information in order to bring a quality program to Scouts. This information is needed as soon as possible after a leadership position is assumed. To that end, training in Scouting is divided into four levels: Orientation/Fast Start Training, Basic Training, Supplemental Training, and Advanced Training.

Boy Scout Leader Fast Start

Boy Scout Leader Fast Start is a three-part video. The Troop Meeting is the primer on how to run a troop meeting. Produced for new unit leaders and commissioners, the video covers planning, parts of the meeting, the patrol method, and resources; The Outdoor Program describes the planning, organization, ideals, and BSA policy for outdoor activities. It also touches on long-term and high-adventure activities; and The Troop Organization starts with the charter concept—the chartered organization, the district, and the council, and their relationship to the troop. Each leadership and committee position is described. This is an excellent program for commissioners, troop committees, troop leaders, and chartered organizations.

Basic Training

The number of components included in basic training depends on the specific leadership position held. All leaders take New Leader Essentials Training followed by a leader-specific training designed to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities related to their leadership position in the program.

New Leader Essentials Training

New Leader Essentials is the initial training for adult leaders. In this 90-minute training, leaders learn about the objectives of the Scouting program and the methods that are used to achieve these objectives. Leaders also gain a basic understanding of youth development, as well as how Scouting is organized and financed, policies related to the program, and resources to help leaders succeed. The training is for all new registered adult leaders of Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Venture's. A Scout leader needs to attend New Leader Essentials only once.

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training

This training has three sessions designed to provide leaders with a good working knowledge of troop operations. The three sessions are: Role of the Scoutmaster in a Boy-Led Troop; The Outdoor Program and the Advancement Program; and Program Planning and Troop Administration. The course may be held in one session or broken into three 3 hours sessions.

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills

This course is a hands-on training program to give adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the Outdoors. Imagine having hands-on knowledge about setting up a campsite, pitching a tent, hiking, outdoor cooking - all the skills necessary to see the outdoor program of the Boy Scouts of America come to life. The course is a day and a half long.

Supplemental Training

Some of the methods touched upon in basic training are treated in greater depth in supplemental training courses. Some courses are held on a regular basis as a continuing source of information. Since supplemental training is intended to enrich the leaders' experience, there are no prerequisites although supplemental training is not a substitute for completing basic training.

Troop Committee Training

The Troop Committee Challenge - Boy Scout Troop Committee Training is a three-hour course for members of the troop committee. It is designed to help troop committee members better understand their roles and responsibilities through interactive learning. The training is best delivered to all members of a single troop committee to build a better committee team. It can also be delivered in a mixed-unit training course offered by the district.  Upon completion of the three-hour challenge, a troop committee member is considered trained.

Child abuse is an increasingly serious, widespread problem in society, affecting every ethnic group, socioeconomic level, and geographic area. The Boy Scouts of America has developed Youth Protection training to prepare its leaders to help children who have been, or are being, abused.

The training program includes information for parents, as well as age appropriate videos for youth members. Materials may be used in Pack, Troop or Den meetings to show Scouts and their parents what they should do to prevent abuse from happening to them.

Every leader in Scouting must complete Youth Protection training. The Council requires that at least one adult accompanying the unit on any outing must be Youth Protection trained in order to obtain a Tour Permit.

Den Chief Training

A meeting with den chiefs and prospective den chiefs designed to combine a good time with training. Cubmasters, Webelos den leaders, den leaders, and other adult pack or troop leaders who register den chiefs in the training should arrange to participate with the den chiefs.

Roundtable

Roundtable is monthly leaders' meeting held in each district. At this meeting, leaders can find information about upcoming district and council events and learn program ways to improve program. The subject of each Roundtable is selected to emphasize important aspects of the Scouting program. Roundtables are the best source of continuing education that a leader has available.

Powder Horn

Powder Horn Training is a training opportunity designed to expose the Venturing or Boy Scout leader to activities and resources necessary to operate a successful Venturing Ranger Award or Troop High Adventure program. This training includes six days of instruction.

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is advanced training in leadership skills for all adults in BSA programs. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, and commissioner service are invited to participate in Wood Badge.

Boy Scout Leader Assessment Tool

This tool is designed to help Boy Scout Leaders assess their strengths and weaknesses in regard to the current Boy Scout leader training courses. Your results will be used to help the national Boy Scout organization and your local council to improve their training courses and help identify the training needs of the general membership.

Online Learning Center

The BSA Online Learning Center 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.