CUB SCOUT LEADER TRAINING

Soon after starting scouting, Baden-Powell recognized the need to provide training for scout leaders. Today, national, councils and districts offer a wide variety of trainings to help prepare leaders for scouting and to provide materials which will help the leaders put on the best possible program for the boys.

Below is a table listing trainings that are available in my area, pack positions, and my recommendation on which trainings each Pack leader should take. If you move your mouse over each training abbraviation, you should be able to see the full name of the training.

R = Required for trained strip
R1 = Required for Tour Permits
R2= Required for Camping Tour Permit
S = Suggested
WH = Won't Hurt

Course

YPG

NLE

CLS

BALOO

WLO

DLW

WLW

CLOE

ADS

BSLS

Char. Head

Char. Rep.

Comm. Chair

Cubmaster

Comm. Member

Tiger Leader

Wolf Leader

Bear Leader

Webelos Leader

DL Coach

TRAINING DESCRIPTIONS

YPG = Youth Protection Guidelines. The course is a 1 1/2 hour tape and covers how to spot such things as child abuse and how to report it within the BSA organization. That least one leader who is listed on a tour permit must have this training . I recommend EVERY leader and parent be encouraged to take this course. YPG training is good for three years. (NOTE: the requirements for how often and who needs YPG training is set by the local Councils. Check with your Council Headquarters to find out what is required for your Council, the above requiremenst are for the Desert Pacific Council.)

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FS = Cub Leader Fast Start Tape. This tape is broken down into pack positions, each section is about 20 minutes. New leaders should watch their related section within 48 hours of joining. The tape covers basic scout information and is designed to be an introduction to scouting. I recommend that each Pack have at least one copy of the fast start tape. (Note: there is a NEW Fast Start Tape available as of Aug. 1996).

NLE = New Leader Essentials. 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 withing Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforecment are presented during the 90-minute training session. This training should be completed before Leader Specific training for your positions.

CLS = Cub Scout Leader Specific. Tiger Cub den leaders, Cub Scout den leaders, Webelos den leaders, Cubmasters, and pack committee members can complete this training in one day or two or three evenings. These trainings will cover in detail your role in the Pack and what you will be working on with the Scouts in your den. The leader is considered trained upon completion of New Leader Essentials and the Leader Specific training for that position.

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BALOO = Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation. This is a full day course designed to teach basic outdoor camping skills to Cub Scout Leaders. Cooking, outdoor equipment and trip planning are just some of the areas covered (Note: As of Janruary 01, 2002, any Pack that is applying for a Tour Permit to go camping must have at least one Leader with this training listed on the Tour Permit.)

WLO = Webelos Leader Outdoor Training. This course is designed to help Webelos Leaders prepare for taking their scouts camping. It is usually help over a Friday night and all day Saturday. How to run a campfire, how to start a fire, camping equipment selection, camp cooking and other outdoor related topics are covered.

RT = Roundtable. Roundtable is held on the same day each month in most districts. It is a meeting there leaders can find information on upcoming district and council events. Most RT's will have splits, similar to those held in Cub Basics where leaders will break of into groups and cover material based on recommended monthly themes. These splits are a time where a leader may be taught a new craft, skill or get advice on how to solve a problem. Roundtables are the best source of continuing education that a leader has available.

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PW = Pow Wow. This training is held a little different in each area. It is usually a day long training where leaders have a choice of classes to select from. Crafts, cooking, games, songs or unit administration are just some of the courses that might be offered. Pow Wow's are usually held once a year.

DLW = Den Leader Workshop. This supplemental training is offered with Den Leaders in mind. Craft ideas are the main theme of these trainings. This training is not offered in all areas.

WLW = Webelos Leader Workshop. This supplemental training is offered with Webelos Leaders in mind. Activity badge ideas are the main theme of these trainings. This training is not offered in all areas.

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CLOE = Cub Leader Outdoor Experience.This supplemental training is designed to introduce Cub leaders to the outdoors. Nature hikes, outdoor crafts, a campfire program are just a few areas of past trainings. This training is not offered in all areas.

ADS = Advancement Seminar. This is less of a training and more of two way talk on scouting advancement. This training is not offered in all areas.

BSLS = Boy Scout Leader Specific. This is the Boy Scout version of basic training. More advanced outdoor training is available. The reason I have added this to the Cub list is that as a former Webelos Leader, I wish I had gone through this course prior to being a Leader. It would have helped me understand what I was trying to get the Webelos scouts ready for.

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Please send me your comments, suggestions, additions, and requests.

CUB SCOUT LEADER TRAINING

TRAINING DESCRIPTIONS

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