Training

An effective leader is a trained leader.

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 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!

These pages contain many of the “magic wands” and resources. Scout them out!

Training Requirements

The Boy Scouts of America has developed a thorough training program for all adult leaders. It starts with Youth Protection and basic training for your position. Once you’ve taken the basic courses, you’re considered trained for your position and you get to wear the “Trained” patch on your sleeve. But it doesn’t stop there. After basic training, there’s Wood Badge, which is the premier leadership course of the BSA, plus dozens of other supplemental courses to help develop your knowledge and skills. Altogether, it means there are plenty of opportunities for even the most experienced scout leader to continue learning.

Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection Training is REQUIRED for all adult leaders. There is only one youth protection course for all programs and is required to be re-taken every two years. For more information, please visit the Council Youth Protection page or the National BSA Youth Protection page.

Youth Protection training is available as an online session, which you can watch on your own at your convenience. It’s also offered periodically as an in-person training course. To start the online Youth Protection training, please visit My.Scouting.org