Varsity Coach Training

Fast Start: Varsity Coaches

Prior to running your first team meeting, Varsity Coach Fast Start is the initial training course required for you to complete so that you may understand the fundamentals of the Varsity program. There are separate fast start training courses for all Varsity team leaders, catered to specific leadership roles in the team. You will learn your specific responsibilities, how to keep your meetings fun and exciting, and what other resources there are to help assist you in planning for your team meetings. This training is offered online only.

This Is Scouting

"This Is Scouting" provides an overview of the Scouting organization, including history, values, programs, Youth Protection, community involvement, and training. The module consists of six video sections, each followed by a brief quiz. Completion is noted automatically in the BSA training records database if the module is experienced online. This course replaces the former "New Leader Essentials".

*Varsity Leader Position Specific Training

Leader position specific training is based on the leader's position. These courses are taught by informed trainers who know how to engage groups and make learning fun. These courses are offered by the district or council as group training in a classroom setting.

*Youth Protection

Youth Protection training is designed to help you keep our youth safe from abuse. You will learn the Boy Scouts of America's Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse. After each section of material, you will answer questions about that section's topic. This course must be completed to earn the "Trained" emblem. This training is offered online or in a classroom setting. Completion is noted automatically in the BSA training records database if the module is experienced online.

*Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills

Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting program, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills will provide leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to start a program right. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills is the required outdoor training for all Scoutmasters, assistant Scoutmasters, and Varsity Scout coaches. The skills taught are based on the outdoor skills found in The Boy Scout Handbook.

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is advanced training in leadership skills for all adults in BSA programs. This advanced training is presented in two parts:

- An advanced learning experience presented over two long (three-day) weekends or as a weeklong course.

- An application phase of several months during which the leaders apply the specific skills they have learned at Wood Badge to their Scouting responsibilities.

Leaders who successfully complete both parts of the training are recognized with the Wood Badge beads, woggle slide, and neckerchief.

Powder Horn

The Powder Horn course is designed to introduce and expose Venturing and Boy Scouting adult unit leaders to the activities and resources necessary to operate a successful outdoor/high adventure unit-level program. It is based on the eight core and eighteen electives found in the Venturing Ranger program. It is intended to help adult leaders get out of the box in finding and using resources and in the way they lead their unit-level high adventure programs. No high adventure skills are taught in this course. It is designed to have some disciplines introduced with a hands-on segment. Example: For scuba if a pool is available, it is suggested to do a Discover Scuba (PADI) session where participants get into a shallow pool and wear scuba gear. It is not scuba certification. Participants will not learn how to rock climb or shoot a skeet course, but will learn where to go to find those who can teach these skills to Boy Scouts and Venturers.

For more information, contact your Varsity Coach, or District Training Chair.

*Indicates training is required to be considered Trained to Position and eligible to wear the "Trained" emblem.