Partners  

An alternative to taking courses directly from the American Red Cross is to take
courses offered by the Northern Branch Office Scout Training Team.  While
technically independent of the ARC and the BSA, the NBO team offers the best
of both.  The NBO instructors are registered and trained by the ARC, they offer
the same ARC courses, and they give the same ARC certificates (or cards).  In
addition, all of the NBO instructors are trained Scout leaders and are registered
with the SHAC.

The NBO team offers the full range of ARC first aid courses.  They offer a course
that covers most of the requirements for First Aid merit badge, and they offer
CPR training for scouts and adults.

The NBO team also offers a wide range of training for water sports.  They offer
courses for Canoeing, Rowing, Whitewater, and Small-Boat Sailing merit badges,
plus the SHAC flat water (yellow card) and basic river (blue card) certifications.
They also offer courses for Lifesaving merit badge and BSA Lifeguard.
In addition, they offer kayak training.

Most of the NBO volunteers live in The Woodlands, Conroe and Huntsville areas.
Courses are usually offered at Camp Strake or at locations north of Houston.
For larger groups of scouts, NBO instructors can make special arrangements
to hold the training at a location more convenient for your group.

The NBO website is located at www.scoutcpr.org    That website provides a list
of courses offered, schedules, and registration instructions.