Training

Training Committee Chairman,Brian Fujii

 

District Training Information

Three Rivers district has training events scheduled throughout the year. It is expected that there will be a minimum of a scheduled training event each quarter. Our District Training Chairman is Brian Fujii who can be reached at 3RiversTraining@gmail.com. You may check the district calendar for upcoming events. Lisa Herndon is the Three Rivers District Activities Chair and keeps the calendar. You may also expect that there will be a training session of some type on each fifth Thursday. The topic for training is determined at or near the fifth Thursday. It is recommended that you discuss with your unit your specific training needs, please contact the District Training Chair.

For information on council level training events, please visit the Council training page for more detail. There may also be training available from the Sweetwater District, our next door neighbors.

Online Training Opportunities

myscouting.org  Weather Smart Resources

Notes:

  1. Must be renewed every two years by all adults who work directly with youth. Although not required, we recommend that you use the web training for Youth Protection for renewals only and that you take your first Youth Protection course from a local instructor for a more in depth discussion on protecting our youth.
  2. Must be renewed every two years by all adults who lead swimming and boating activities.

What Makes a Trained Leader?

  • Cub Scout leaders are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and the Cub Scout Leader Specific training for their position.
  • Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
  • Troop committee members are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and the Troop Committee Challenge as their Leader Specific training.
  • Varsity Scout leaders and assistants are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials, Varsity Scout Leader Specific Training (available April 2002), and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
  • Venturing crew Advisors, assistant Advisors, and crew committee members are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and Venturing Leader Specific Training.

Scouting Safely

Health & Safety Alerts
SHIFT Happens: Be Prepared to Move Quickly
Scouting units from all over Southern California are encouraged to participate in the largest earthquake drill in American history. Find out how.
AEDs From Cardiac Science Now Available to Councils and Units
As reported in the Spring 2008 Health and Safety Newsletter, only 21 percent of council offices and 58 percent of council camps have automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in place to be prepared for sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. In an effort to make 100 percent coverage a reality for your offices and camps as well as making AED’s available for units and community service projects, we are proud to announce an alliance with Cardiac Science as a BSA AED program supporter.
Norovirus FAQ
Noroviruses cause stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, complete with nausea, vomiting, diahrrea, and stomach cramping. The Center for Disease Control recommends frequent hand washings and a thorough cleansing and disenfecting of contaminated surfaces after an episode. Do what you can to keep camp attendees safe.
Paintball Is Prohibited In Scouting!
A paintball that hits the eyeball can result in severe injury to the eye or even blindness. Three deaths have been noted between 2002 and 2005 from paintball gun equipment.
Traditional CPR Technique Still Official
The much-discussed compression-only (or "hands-only") CPR technique may be suitable for some situations, but it is not an all-encompassing method for every CPR-related circumstance.
West Nile Virus
To help protect Scouts, Scouters, and camp staff against the threat of West Nile Virus, the BSA advocates a two-pronged program directed at mosquito reduction and personal protection.
Past Alerts

The Boy Scouts of America has nearly a century of experience conducting high-adventure outdoor activities in a manner that is safe for all participants. The following resources and information are provided to enable adult leaders and youth to help us maintain our impeccable safety record.

General Resources

The Health and Safety Service offers online news, links, and resources to help you plan and prepare for hazardous weather.

Managing Risk (from the Fieldbook)
The best way to stay safe in the outdoors is to avoid getting into trouble in the first place. That requires planning, training, leadership, good judgment, and accepting responsibility—in short, risk management.

Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities
This chart provides an at-a-glance reference to activity guidelines that are based on the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of youth members.

Guide to Safe Scouting
The Guide to Safe Scouting is the unit leaders' guide to current policies and procedures.

The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in Scout activity, the BSA National Health & Safety Committee have developed 16 points that embody good judgement and common sense for all activities.

The Driver's Pledge
This pledge outlines five key points that a driver should attend in order to safely convey Scouts of their outings.

Risk Management Newsletter
The Risk Management Newsletter provides timely news about current issues and recent updates to our policies and procedures.

Health and Safety News
The Health and Safety Service provides periodic updates for Scouting leaders on a variety of relevant health- and safety-related topics

Safe Swim Defense
The Safe Swim Defense is a plan for conducting swimming activities in a safe manner.

Safety Afloat
Safety Afloat has been developed to promote boating and boating safety and to set standards for safe unit activity afloat.

Policy on Use of Chemical Fuels
This policy is intended to encourage safe practices when using chemical fuels - liquid, gel, and gas.

Emergency Preparedness Award
Working with the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Boy Scouts of America has developed an award program to help Scouts to be prepared for emergencies of all kinds. BSA Bike Safety Guidelines
This set of guidelines and procedures provides guidance for the use of bicycles in program activities on every level of the organization.

 

The Latest First Aid for Wounds and CPR
The BSA has checked with experts in the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and with the American Red Cross.

BSA Adult Training

Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader!
Every Leader deserves training so s/he can successfully deliver the scouting program!

  • Cub Scout Leaders are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials, and Cub Scout Leader Specific training for their position.
  • Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
  • Pack or Troop Committee Members are considered trained when they have completed Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials, and Committee Specific Training.

Training of adults to successfully deliver the Boy Scout program has evolved into a well-presented, thorough, curriculum of courses to be completed in sequence. Here are the courses you need to fulfill your commitment of an adult leader.

Fast Start Training

The first step for any new adult volunteer in a Pack or Troop, no matter what the position may be. The Fast Start training is short and should be taken as soon as possible after you have accepted a leadership position. The Fast Start program has been designed to provide an immediate comfort level for new leaders and enables them to say, 'I can do this!', but it should be soon followed by more comprehensive training.

Youth Protection Training

YPT ensures boys involved in scouting are kept safe. At least one adult on every Scout outing must be Youth Protection Trained.

Before being involved with boys, EVERY adult should complete Youth Protection Online and all registered adult volunteers must complete it and fully understand the Youth Protection Policies of the BSA.

The Boy Scouts of America has a set of videotapes to help teach boys about protecting themselves against abuse. These videos help boys recognize dangerous situations and avoid becoming victims.

The video 'It Happened to Me' is designed for Cub Scouts, boys ages 6 to 10, to view with their parents or guardians. The video presents five scenarios of situations that boys may encounter. It establishes safety rules that help the boys counteract the fear and shame that can result from abusive situations. Cub Scout Meeting Guide: It Happened to Me

'A Time to Tell' is designed for Boy Scouts, boys ages 11 to 14. This video depicts risks of sexual abuse through dramatizations of adolescent experiences. Troop Meeting Guide: A Time to Tell

A third video, 'Youth Protection: Personal Safety Awareness', is designed for any young person in the 14 to 20 age range. It is made up of vignettes dealing with the issues of acquaintance rape, Internet safety, stalking, and fraternization. Each scenario is followed by instructions for local group discussions and a teen panel discussion, with pertinent advice regarding each situation.

To obtain a copy of any of the above videos, contact the council service center - Find Service Center.Remember, any case of abuse is one too many!

New Leader Essentials

The next step in training for adult leaders who have completed Fast Start Training. New Leader Essentials is an introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. It addresses how these aims and methods are reached in an age-appropriate style within Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforcement are presented during the 90-minute training session. Ideally, all unit-based volunteers-Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders-take this session at the same time, so they understand that they are all striving for the same results with the youth they serve. Each leader completes New Leader Essentials training only once.

Leader Specific Training

Once a volunteer has a solid overview of the scouting program, training for a specific Scouting position continues through Leader Specific training. This training provides the specialized knowledge a new leader needs to assume a leadership role. Because each course is designed for a specific leadership position, the training time varies. This training is classroom-led. Leader Specific training has been developed for the following positions and their assistants:

  • Tiger Cub den leaders - 2.5 hours
  • Cub Scout den leaders - 2.75 hours
  • Webelos den leaders - 3 hours
  • Cubmasters - 2.75 hours
  • Pack committee members - 2.75 hours
  • Scoutmasters - 3 sessions of 2.5 hours each
  • Troop committee members - 3 hours

Outdoor Leader Skills

Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting program. Training in outdoor skills is required before taking scouts on outings.

  • Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills will provide Boy Scout leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to start and guide a program the right way. Completion of this course is the required outdoor training for all Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters. The skills taught are based on the outdoor skills found in The Boy Scout Handbook. The course is normally a day and a half long and conducted at a local scout camp on a weekend.
  • BALOO - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation for Cub Scout leaders is a one-day training event that introduces participants to the skills needed to plan and conduct Pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping. This training is required for any adult who is in charge of planning a pack campout, and it is required that at least one adult per pack complete BALOO training in order to apply for tour permits. BALOO training is offered by individual districts.
  • OWL - Outdoor Webelos Leader Training is for all Webelos leaders. This training course covers the skills & resources needed to teach the outdoor activity badges and helps to provide good & safe outdoor experiences. Completion of this training is required before a Webelos den can go on a campout. This is district-scheduled training.

Supplemental and Ongoing Training

There are many more opportunities for volunteers to improve their skills and understanding of the Boy Scout program. Some are required before holding certain types of events.

  • Wood Badge: Advanced training in leadership and team development, bringing together all programs - Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing. By pooling their ideas, sharing meaningful experiences, and learning from highly qualified instructors, participants will return to their home units with new skills and resources, greater confidence, and deeper dedication to deliver the values of Scouting. This training includes approximately six days of instruction that are often held as two 3-day weekend sessions, followed by working on the goals the participant sets for him or herself. Each council organizes and schedules sessions as needed.
  • Monthly RoundTable: A leaders' meeting held in each district where leaders find information about upcoming district and council events and learn ways to improve the program. Most Roundtables will cover material based on participants' interest. Leaders can learn a new skill or get advice on how to solve a problem. Participation at Roundtables is required for some square knot awards.
  • Hazardous Weather: planning and decision making regarding weather for a safe outing. Can be taken online at BSA Hazardous Weather

IMPORTANT TRAINING UPDATE....... Effective January 1, 2009... ALL units must have at least one person who has taken the online course "Planning and Preparing for Hazardous Weather" on site, with their unit, anytime the unit leaves their home base. A copy of the new tour permit can be found on the National web site with the following link: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34426.pdf Beginning January 1, 2009 only the new tour permit will be accepted . The new information on the tour permit can be found on page 2 under Activity Standards: Activity Standards: Where swimming or boating is included in the program, Safe Swim Defense and/or Safety Afloat standards are to be followed. If climbing/rappelling is included, then Climb On Safely must be followed. At least one person must be trained in CPR from any recognized agency for Safety Afloat and Climb On Safely. At least one adult on a pack overnighter must have completed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO). Effective for tours on January 1, 2009, at least one adult must have completed Planning and Preparing for Hazardous Weather training. Please help us get out the word that any units with "old" blank tour permits filed away should dispose of them and use only the new ones. Also, please encourage ALL Leaders to take this online course. Keeping in mind that if only one person in the unit has this training and that person cannot attend an event, the unit will not be able to attend or if the one trained leader becomes ill at the event and must leave .....the entire unit must leave the event. This course takes 30 minutes or less to complete and certainly should be taken by all our leaders so we can "Be Prepared". Here is a link directly to the online learning page: http://olc.scouting.org/ Beginning immediately we should be adding this information to any District/Council training classes we offer to new/existing leaders. Thanks so much for helping get this information to EVERY unit. Susie Mahoney AAC Training Chair  770-919-2391  - home aactraining@aol.com

  • Safe Swim Defense: introduction to BSA water safety policies. When taught in-person, takes about 20-30 minutes and participants receive a completion card good for 2 years. Swimming events require Safe Swim Defense trained leaders. Can be taken online at BSA Aquatics
  • Safety Afloat: introduction to BSA boating policies. In-person training takes about 20-30 minutes and participants receive a completion card good for 2 years. Water craft events required Safety Afloat trained leaders. Can be taken online at BSA Aquatics
  • Climb On Safely: This training lasts about 45 minutes and provides all the information you need to meet the minimum requirements for a climbing activity. This does not consist of any training or certifications in climbing, but provides the essential components of a safe outing.
  • Philmont Training Center is the national training center at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The training center offers a wide selection of 6-day courses, covering all aspects of Scouting operations, and generally training those who will bring the program back to train the rest of their unit.
  • CPR Certification: Normally not offered through a BSA unit, but at least two currently CPR certified adults are required on many high adventure outings. Online CPR Training
  • First Aid Certification: Normally not offered through a BSA unit, but at least two currently first aid certified adults are required on many high adventure outings.
  • Health and Safety Guide
  • Den Chief Training
  • Aquatic Safety
  • Guide to Safe Scouting
  • Scouters Academy
  • Powder Horn

Assess yourself with the Boy Scout Leader Assessment Tool - The intended audience for this self-assessment tool is adult Boy Scout leaders, specifically scoutmasters, assistant scoutmasters, troop committee members, Boy Scout commissioners, and Boy Scout trainers. This tool is designed to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses in regard to the current Boy Scout leader training courses.