As a Scouts BSA Leader, you owe it to your youth members to learn as much as you can about Scouting and how to run your troop. For all positions, you must complete Youth Protection Training and the position-specific training for your registered Scouting position. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters must also take Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) and Hazardous Weather Training.
You’ll find all of the required training courses below in the “Required Scouts BSA Courses” section. Most of these required courses are available online through Scouting America’s My.Scouting.org training portal.
There are additional courses you may take that will expand your knowledge of how Scouting works or help you learn new Scouting skills. You’ll find those listed below in the “Optional” section.
Required Scouts BSA Courses
I’m a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster – what’s required to be “100% trained”?
Youth Protection Training
Hazardous Weather Training
Scoutmaster-Specific Training
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
Youth Protection Training – Scouting America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short).
You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through Scouting America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
Hazardous Weather Training – This training discusses how to manage risks from the weather to our Scouting family.
You may take Hazardous Weather Training in a self-paced online course through Scouting America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
The training must be renewed every two years.
If you still feel like you want more information about Hazardous Weather Training, visit this page.
Scoutmaster-Specific Training – This course provides Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Scouts BSA Troops (although, when done right, your youth will lead the troop and you’ll supervise and mentor).
You may take Scoutmaster-Specific Training in a self-paced online course through Scouting America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills – This course is a hands-on outdoor course with an overnight component that provides adult Scouts BSA leaders with the practical skills they need to lead Scouts while camping. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain Scouts BSA’s First Class rank. You must have at least one adult with this training on every troop camp out.
There is not an online version of this course. It requires an overnight stay (you are learning how to camp, after all).
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills Training does not expire.
To find more information and/or see if a course is available for registration, visit this page.
I’m a Troop Committee Chair or Member – what’s required to be “100% trained”?
Youth Protection Training
Troop Committee Challenge Training
Youth Protection Training – Scouting America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short).
You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through Scouting America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
Troop Committee Training – This course is designed for Scouts BSA Troop committees (the troop committee is a group of adults led by the Committee Chair who handles the “business side” of running a Scouts BSA Troop). It is required if you are going to be registered as a Troop Committee Chair or Troop Committee Member.
You may take Troop Committee Challenge Training in a self-paced online course through Scouting America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
I’m a Merit Badge Counselor – what’s required to be “100% trained”?
Youth Protection Training
Merit Badge Counselor Training
Youth Protection Training – Scouting America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short).
You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through Scouting America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
Merit Badge Counselor Training – This 90-minute course provides new and prospective merit badge counselors with the basic knowledge and skills needed to get started, and can serve as a refresher to veteran merit badge counselors. It involves a step-by-step overview of the registration and approval process, the Youth Protection training requirement, and helpful methods and resources. Participants will learn about their unique role, the process of counseling, and the related Scouting America national policies and procedures.
Merit Badge Counselors Training is offered as a self-paced online course through Scouting America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
If you have questions about Merit Badge Counselors Training or the steps necessary to become a registered Merit Badge Counselor, visit this page for more information.
Why doesn't my training show up in my Scouting America records?
Often leaders are surprised to receive notification that they are not trained. Most often, the volunteer was actually not registered in the position they are holding. Sometimes they have not correctly registered in My.Scouting.org and their trainings are not being recorded. Leaders may call (512) 617-8618 to get answers to their training status and questions.
Optional Training Courses Scouts BSA Leaders May Take
Wood Badge
Wood Badge is Scouting America’s “next level” training course that puts you in the position of your Scouts, working together as members of a Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop, Venturing Crew, and Sea Scouts Ship.
Come for just the morning or all day, to focus on serious topics or just to have fun learning new skills! The University of Scouting offers more than 100 classes in 5 different “colleges,” with dozens of new classes each year.
Scouting’s strength is in the people who belong to the program. MEGA Training offers you to meet other Scouting volunteers like yourself while also taking one of those important training courses you need to finish to become a better leader.
C.O.P.E. is a set of group initiative games and low and high course activities where participants climb, swing, balance, jump, and think of solutions to a variety of activities.
Chaplain training is focused on providing the best trained and motivated adult volunteers to help Scouts uphold their Duty to God from the Scout Oath, and the 12th point of the Scout Law: A Scout is Reverent.
Wilderness First Aid is a 16-hour hands-on course that emphasizes issues that may be encountered with illness and injury when medical care is more than one hour away.
Before Scouting America group may engage in any watercraft activity, adult leaders for such activity must complete Safety Afloat training, have a Safety Afloat commitment card, and be dedicated to full compliance with all nine points of Safety Afloat.
Training for Scouting America Swimming and Water Rescue provides leaders with information and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to swimming emergencies during unit swimming activities.
Climb On Safely is Scouting America’s procedure for organizing climbing/rappelling activities at a natural site or a specifically designed facility such as a climbing wall or tower.
