Training Overview

Levels of Training

Fast Start: A series of on-line introductory courses for unit leaders.
Basic Training: Formal training for Unit, District and Council Leaders conducted by qualified volunteers plus on-line courses.
Supplemental Training: Special training conducted at classes and events by qualified volunteers.
Advanced Training: Wood Badge training conducted by selected volunteers at Council or Region level.

Training Via BSA's On-Line Training Site

The following courses are available at this link http://www.olc.scouting.org/

This Is Scouting
Youth Protection
Cub Scout Leader Fast Start
Boy Scout Leader Fast Start
Venturing Advisor Fast Start
Unit Commissioner Fast Start
Safety courses for water activities, climbing, trekking, and weather

Training Conducted at or by a Unit

Junior Leader Training: Training conducted by Scoutmasters for youth troop and patrol leaders. This training is typically conducted immediately after each troop election to provide the youth leaders with an insight to their responsibilities to the troop or patrol.
Venturing/Varsity Youth Officer: Training conducted for elected unit youth leaders to assist them in leading, planning and managing crew/team activities.

Training Conducted by the District

Adult Leader Training: The components are as follows:
- Tiger Den Leader Specific: for leaders and parents of new Tiger dens
- Cub Den Leader Specific: for den leaders, assistant den leaders, and parents
- Webelos Den Leader Specific: for Webelos den leaders, asst den leaders and parents
- Cubmaster Specific: for cubmasters, assistant cubmasters, and others interested
- Pack Committee Specific: for committee chairs, committee members, and parents
- Scoutmaster Specific: for scoutmasters, assistant scoutmasters, and others interested
- Venturing Leader Specific: for advisors and assistant advisors
- Troop Committee Specific: for committee chairs, committee members, and parents
- Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO): for cub leaders responsible for camping activities
- Outdoor Webelos Leader training (OWL): for Bear and 1st-yr Webelos leaders
- Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills: two components - an initial in-town orientation and a weekend campout; for any scout leaders who wants to lead outdoor activities for packs, troops or venturing units.
Monthly Roundtable Meetings: Separate Roundtable meetings are held most months for Cub Scout leaders, Boy Scout leaders, and Venturing/Varsity leaders. These meetings provide valuable supplemental training as well as the opportunity to discuss issues with leaders from other units. (Click for more info on Cub Scout Roundtable, Boy Scout Roundtable, and Venturing Roundtable.)
Supplemental Training: The District Training Team can provide additional training courses upon the request of units or individuals.

Training Conducted by the Council or Others

National Youth Leadership Training (previously known as Junior Leader Training Conference or JLTC): NYLT is a 5 or 6-day course to build leadership skills for senior patrol leaders and other youth who wish to assist in leading troops or venturing/varsity units. NYLT is designed to introduce Scouts to the leadership, management and planning skills necessary to better perform their elected and assigned positions. Beyond Scouting, these leadership skills are also useful in leading sports teams, clubs, student government, and religious groups. This course in offered in June and at the end of December each year.
Akela's Trail for Cub Leaders: A one-day training spectacular, the largest in the United States, that covers all aspects of Cub Scouting. Recommended for all Cub Leaders and Committee Members. Den Chief training is also available. Held in early November of each year.
University of Scouting: A training event dedicated to providing as much training as possible in a one-day period. Topics presented are selected to cover all phases of Scouting and assist leaders in broadening their knowledge of Scouting. Den Chief training is also available. Held in early February of each year.
Wood Badge: Advanced training for leaders of all types of Scouting units. This course teaches general management skills that are needed to lead volunteer organizations, such as planning, team building, and communications. This training is held several times each year and is conducted by members of the Council Training Team.
Powder Horn: This is a high adventure resource course and is designed for leaders of Venturing and Varsity units as well as Troop leaders involved in the high adventure program. While Wood Badge focuses on management skills, this course focuses on outdoor skills like backpacking, wilderness survival, navigation, mountaineering, shooting sports, and expedition planning. A major component of this course involves where to find the outside resources to enable a unit to participate in high adventure activities. This training is held two or three times each year and is conducted by members of the Council Training Team.
Commissioner Training: Basic training for Unit Commissioners, District Commissioners and District Scouters who provide day-to-day support to units in the district. This training provides insight to assisting units in overcoming difficult problems as well as routing assistance. This training is usually held each month and hosted by a different district within the Sam Houston Area Council.
Trainer Development Conference: A conference covering methods of training, planning and administration of District and Unit Training Programs. Methods of the BSA are presented and all trainers are encouraged to attend this course.
First Aid/CPR: Training designed to enable leaders to meet BSA requirements for trained adults in each unit. This training is usually provided by volunteers from the American Red Cross.
Canoe Training: BSA and Red Cross training for leaders to provide canoeing skills for high adventure trips. Flatwater and whitewater courses are conducted at Camp Strake and on the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers.

For a summary of all the above information on a single page, click here.