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Scout BSA Training

Adult Training Courses: Scouts BSA

As a Scouts BSA Leader, you owe it to your youth members to learn as much as you can about Scouting and how to run your troop. For all positions, you must complete Youth Protection Training and the position-specific training for your registered Scouting position. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters must also take Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) and Hazardous Weather Training.

You’ll find all of the required training courses below in the “Required Scouts BSA Courses” section. Most of these required courses are available online through BSA’s My.Scouting.org training portal.

There are additional courses you may take that will expand your knowledge of how Scouting works or help you learn new Scouting skills. You’ll find those listed below in the “Optional” section.

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Required Scouts BSA Courses

 

I’m a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster – what’s required to be “100% trained”?

  1. Youth Protection Training
  2. Hazardous Weather Training
  3. Scoutmaster-Specific Training
  4. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

Youth Protection Training – The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short).

    • You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
    • The training must be renewed every two years..

Hazardous Weather Training – This training discusses how to manage risks from the weather to our Scouting family.

    • You may take Hazardous Weather Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
    • The training must be renewed every two years.
    • If you still feel like you want more information about Hazardous Weather Training, visit this page.

Scoutmaster-Specific Training – This course provides Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Scouts BSA Troops (although, when done right, your youth will lead the troop and you’ll supervise and mentor).

    • You may take Scoutmaster-Specific Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
    • Scoutmaster-Specific Training does not expire.

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills – This course is a hands-on outdoor course with an overnight component that provides adult Scouts BSA leaders with the practical skills they need to lead Scouts while camping. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain Scouts BSA’s First Class rank. You must have at least one adult with this training on every troop campout.

    • There is not an online version of this course. It requires an overnight stay (you are learning how to camp, after all).
    • Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills Training does not expire.
    • To find more information and/or see if a course is available for registration, visit this page.

I’m a Troop Committee Chair or Member – what’s required to be “100% trained”?

  1. Youth Protection Training
  2. Troop Committee Challenge Training

Youth Protection Training – The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short).

    • You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
    • The training must be renewed every two years.
    • If you still feel like you’re not sure what Youth Protection Training is, visit this page for a little more information.

Troop Committee Training – This course is designed for Scouts BSA Troop committees (the troop committee is a group of adults led by the Committee Chair who handles the “business side” of running a Scouts BSA Troop). It is required if you are going to be registered as a Troop Committee Chair or Troop Committee Member.

    • You may take Troop Committee Challenge Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
    • If you still feel like you’re not sure what Troop Committee Challenge Training is, visit this page for a little more information.

I’m a Merit Badge Counselor – what’s required to be “100% trained”?

  1. Youth Protection Training
  2. Merit Badge Counselor Training

Youth Protection Training – The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short).

    • You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
    • The training must be renewed every two years.

Merit Badge Counselor Training – This 90-minute course provides new and prospective merit badge counselors with the basic knowledge and skills needed to get started, and can serve as a refresher to veteran merit badge counselors. It involves a step-by-step overview of the registration and approval process, the Youth Protection training requirement, and helpful methods and resources. Participants will learn about their unique role, the process of counseling, and the related BSA national policies and procedures.

    • Merit Badge Counselors Training is offered as a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.