Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader

If you had a magic wand, would you use it to make the Scouting program better and more fun for youth so they stayed in Scouting longer, so it had a larger impact on their lives? What if the same magic wand made leadership roles easier, more rewarding, and led to better retention among adult leaders? Would using that magic wand be a top priority?

Well, such a magic wand does exist—in the form of the learning programs for leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.

Common sense tells us that training is important, and research shows the importance of trained leaders. A trained leader is knowledgeable and more confident in the role being performed. Trained leaders exhibit a knowledge and confidence that is picked up by people around them. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, safety, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be!

Youth Protection Training

  • Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.

  • Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be re-registered.

  • Pack 749 encourage all adult participants to complete YPT training.

How to Complete Youth Protection Training?

New to Scouting? Click here to login and take Youth Protection training. You do not have to be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America to take Youth Protection training.

To take Youth Protection training go to My.Scouting.org and create an account. You’ll receive an email notification with your account information, including a member ID/reference number.

From the My.Scouting.org portal, click Menu then My Dashboard from the menu list. The My Training page displays to take Youth Protection training. Upon completion, you may print a training certificate to submit with a volunteer application. Your training will automatically be updated in our system and associated with the member ID/reference number issued when you created the account.

When your volunteer application is approved, you will receive a BSA membership card that includes your member ID number.

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venturing programs.

More information can be found on National BSA's webpage here.

Orientation Courses

Orientation courses are designed to help Scouters learn more about their Scouting role and about other leadership positions in the program.

Position Specific Online Learning

Some courses are available in the e-Learning section of my.scouting.org. A login is required, but anyone may create a user account and view the courses. Registered members of the BSA may provide their member numbers (as part of the user profile) to receive credit. These include:

  • YPT (Required for all Adults)*

  • Weather Hazards (Required for all Leaders)*

  • Safe Swim Defense *

  • Safety Afloat *

  • Climb On Safely*

  • Leader Position-Specific: (Required)*

      • Den Leader

      • Cubmaster

      • Pack Committee

      • Pack Trainer


* Every Pack is required to have at least one trained adult to take their unit on an campout.

Position-Specific In Person Training

The link below is to the syllabus that is to be used by trainers in presenting a group and/or the stand-alone position-specific course. This course is intended to provide the following positions with the information and tools they need to conduct a successful Program:

  • Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den Leaders

  • Cubmasters and Assistant Cubmasters

  • Pack Committee and Committee Chair

Leaders who complete the training are considered trained for their position.

Instructor Syllabus (updated 6/1/21)

In Person Training

  • CPR/ FIRST AID*

  • BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation)*

  • Archery I / BB Guns instructor *

  • MORE TRAINING COURSES

STEM Nova Counselor/Supernova Mentor Training

As of Jun 1, 2022 these awards are administered by the local council. The requirements for the awards along with other program support are on this website. Training for use by the Council can be found at https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/volunteer-support/.

more info here.

Additional Training for Adults

More information can be found on National BSA's webpage found here.