Fast Start Training: Videos describe the BSA program
and accepted methods and principles for adult leaders.
Basic Training: Formal training for Unit, District and Council
Leaders conducted by qualified volunteers.
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 Conducted at or by a Unit
Fast Start Video: Videos are available at the Scout
Office for Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture/Varsity leaders. These videos are recommended for
viewing by parents and committee members to provide a "fast start" into
Scouting. Required for new leaders.
Youth Protection: Training required for all leaders and recommended
for all parents. It is a video with discussion periods. There is also an on-line
version that can be accessed via the Council website. The YPT certification
is valid for three year.
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
Youth Protection: Training required for all leaders and recommended
for all parents. It is a video with discussion periods. The YPT certification
is valid for three years.
Adult Leader Training: Beginning in September 2001, this training has a new
format. The components are as follows:
New Leader Essentials: This initial session is for all new leaders and is
approx. 1.5 hrs in length. After the initial session, the participants break into
smaller groups that are specific to the leader's new scouting position.
Most of these sessions are approx. 2.5 hrs long. The Outdoors Skills sessions and
the training for Scoutmasters are longer and are held on separate days.
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.
Cub Leader Pow Wow:
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.
Training Overview
