|
Training - What’s Required? Q & A! |
|
NEW! Current training opportunities at the bottom of this page…
Registered adult leaders in our Troop are requested to attend training. This will allow us to always have “two-deep leadership” on every outing, without having to make too big of an effort, or asking the same previously trained people to attend EVERY trip. If we don’t have enough trained leaders on a trip, we must cancel.
Q: Training can be confusing! What do I need to become a Trained leader, and how can I get that great “Trained” patch for my uniform? A: Good question! And the answer is, “It depends!”. What kind of leadership position are you holding within the Troop? Are you a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster? Or are you a general Committee Member? Here’s a handy guide to what the district wants you to accomplish to be considered “trained”….
SCOUTMASTER/ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTER: Required: YPG, NLE, BSFS, BSLS, IOLS, RT Suggested: TCT TROOP COMMITTEE CHAIR/TROOP COMMITTEE MEMBER: Required: YPG, NLE, BSFS, RT, TCT Suggested: BSLS, IOLS
You can also look here for a nice write-up on adult training and the training knots.
Q: What? That doesn’t help! I have NO idea what all those acronyms mean. A: No problem. Here are the training definitions…
|
|
TROOP 479 - Poway, California USA |
|
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA |
|
YPG (Youth Protection Guidelines): The course is a ninety-minute tape and covers how to spot such things as child abuse and how to report it within the BSA organization. At least ONE leader who is listed on a tour permit must have this training. YPG training is recommended for every adult in Scouting. The training is good for three years.
NLE (New Leader Essentials): New Leader Essentials is the initial training for adult leaders. In this 90-minute training, leaders learn about the objectives of the Scouting program and the methods that are used to achieve these objectives. Leaders also gain a basic understanding of youth development, as well as how Scouting is organized and financed, policies related to the program, and resources to help leaders succeed. The training is for all new registered adult leaders of Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Venturers. A Scout leader needs to attend New Leader Essentials only once.
BSFS (Boy Scout Leader Fast Start): Boy Scout Leader Fast Start is a three-part video. The Troop Meeting is the primer on how to run a troop meeting. Produced for new unit leaders and commissioners, the video covers planning, parts of the meeting, the patrol method, and resources. The Outdoor Program describes the planning, organization, ideals, and BSA policy for outdoor activities. It also touches on long-term and high-adventure activities. The Troop Organization starts with the charter concept - the chartered organization, the district, and the council, and their relationship to the troop. Each leadership and committee position is described. This is an excellent program for commissioners, troop committees, troop leaders, and chartered organizations.
BSLS (Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific): This training has three sessions designed to provide leaders with a good working knowledge of troop operations. The three sessions are: Role of the Scoutmaster in a Boy-Led Troop; The Outdoor Program and the Advancement Program; and Program Planning and Troop Administration. The course may be held in one session or broken into three 3 hours sessions.
IOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills): This course is a hands-on training program to give adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the Outdoors. Imagine having hands-on knowledge about setting up a campsite, pitching a tent, hiking, outdoor cooking - all the skills necessary to see the outdoor program of the Boy Scouts of America come to life. The course is a day and a half long.
TCT (Troop Committee Training): The Troop Committee Challenge - Boy Scout Troop Committee Training is a three-hour course for members of the troop committee. It is designed to help troop committee members better understand their roles and responsibilities through interactive learning. The training is best delivered to all members of a single troop committee to build a better committee team. It can also be delivered in a mixed-unit training course offered by the district.
RT (Roundtable): Roundtable is monthly leaders' meeting held in each district. At this meeting, leaders can find information about upcoming district and council events and learn program ways to improve program. The subject of each Roundtable is selected to emphasize important aspects of the Scouting program. Roundtables are the best source of continuing education that a leader has available.
Q: That’s sure a LOT of training! How much time will all this take? I am busy with my job and my family, and I don’t have a lot of extra time to spend on this kind of stuff. A: That’s totally understandable. A big chunk of training can be taken care of in a relatively short amount of time; NLE & BSLS or TCT can usually be wrapped up in the same 4 hour session. YPG can be taken online in about a ˝ hour (see the link on our “Forms” page). Training is a cumulative activity, and can be built up gradually over time. And just remember this: the more fully trained leaders we have, the easier it will be to plan great trips for our boys!
Q: Okay, fine. I’ll get trained! What do I have to do next? A: First you need to make sure that you’re registered as a adult leader with our Troop. If you’re not registered, your training won’t count! Please contact the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman to see if you’re on our official roster. Our own San Diego-Imperial Council sponsors many training classes throughout the county; these are available for a minimal fee. Check their website and click on the TRAINING link for upcoming classes. We will also sponsor classes directly for our Troop occasionally; keep checking back here for updates! There’s also some classes you can take ONLINE in your pajamas if you’d like! Go to our Forms page, and see the links for Online YPG training as well as Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat.
Q: I LOVE training! Is there more that I can take? A: Wow...what enthusiasm! And you’re in luck! There is lots more training that you can take - the Council offers many other great classes to continue your scouting education. Want to be a Merit Badge Counselor? Proficient in High Adventure safety? Get your Wood Badge? Your San Diego-Imperial Council can help! Please check their website for more information and future training dates & times.
CURRENT TRAINING OPPORTUNTIES AS OF SEPTEMBER 2007: Near term (90 days) adult training opportunities:
1. On line training - Fast Start, YPG, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Troop Committee Challenge Training are always available on line at the SDIC website www.sdicbsa.org
2. New Leader Essentials – Sep 8 @ Escondido, Sep 15 @ Mission Valley, Oct 6 @ Mira Mesa, Oct 13 @ Chula Vista, Nov 9 @ Santee, Nov 10 @ Santee
3. SM/ASM Leader Specific - Nov 10 @ Santee
4. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills – none scheduled
5. Powder Horn – Oct 11-13, 18-20 @ Crown Cove Aquatic Center & Mataguay
6. Wood Badge - none scheduled
7. CPR and 1st Aid – Sep 29 @ Balboa, Oct 27 @ Balboa
8. CPR/First Aid Challenge/Renewal – Nov 3 @ Grossmont Hospital
9. Basic Life Support 1st Aid - none scheduled
10. Wilderness 1st Aid – none scheduled
11. HALTT – Sep 5/8, 15-16 @ Clairemont Mesa & Mataguay, also Feb/May/Sep 2008
12. Water Trek - Sep 5/8, 15-16 & Nov 7/10-11/17-18 @ Clairemont Mesa & Fiesta Island, also Mar/Jun/Nov 2008
13. Unit Backpacking – Oct 13-14 @ Mataguay, Nov 10-11 @ Mataguay, also Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr/May 2008
14. Trail Building – Oct 13 @ Mataguay (A-frame), Nov 17@ Mataguay (A-frame), Dec 8 @ Mataguay (A-frame)
15. Troop Committee Challenge – Nov 10 @ Santee
All parents should consider taking as many training courses as possible. All parents & scouts who ever want to backpack should take Unit Backpacking. Trail Building is a great experience and leads to various patches/awards. The complete training schedule beyond 90 days for all of the above is also available at the SDIC website.
Other "Special" Events/Activities
16. With new scouts entering the troop, and some heritage scouts who did not take the Junior Leadership Training (JLT) held in ‘06, I will wait for Committee Chair recommendations if we should hold another "1 day" JLT session in ‘07.
The complete training schedule beyond 90 days is also available at the SDIC website.
|
