Venturing Leader Training

The training programs of the Boy Scouts of America provides leaders with all the basic tools needed to be successful in their leadership position, along with continual opportunities to refine your skills as you become comfortable in delivering a quality program.

Venturing Leader Training

Boy Scout leaders are considered trained and eligible to wear the official Trained emblem once they have completed:

    1. Youth Protection Training online at my.Scouting.org,

    2. Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS), and

    3. Leader Specific Training for their position:

Crew Committee Members are considered trained and eligible to wear the official Trained emblem once they have completed:

    1. Youth Protection Training online, and

    2. Crew Committee Challenge online

Youth Protection Begins With You graphic

Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required for all new registered leaders, and must be retaken every two years to maintain registration. YPT is designed to 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. Every registered leader must take Youth Protection Training online at my.Scouting.org. Registered members of the BSA should provide their member numbers (as part of the user profile) to receive credit.

Venturing Position-Specific Training provides troop leadership with the information and tools they need to lead successful Boy Scout troops.

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS): Working as patrols, this hands-on course provides adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank.

Crew Committee Challenge helps crew committees work as a team to improve the Scouting experience, helps build the commitment of individual members and cultivates a better troop committee team. This online (my.Scouting.org) course focuses on the core beliefs, aims, and methods of Scouting. Specifically, it helps each committee member learn and identify his or her role and responsibilities in support of the adult leaders in the unit, to provide a quality troop experience for the Scouts.

Additional Boy Scout Leader Training Opportunities

Aquatics Training courses such as BSA Paddle Craft Safety and Kayaking BSA training teach the skills, as well as the knowledge, needed for a unit leader to confidently supervise canoeing or kayaking excursions on flat water.

Climbing: The climbing committee offers several different levels of climbing and rappelling courses that begin with a tower course at Belk Scout Camp and Mecklenburg Scout Reservation (MSR).

Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) -- During this hands-on course, participants work as patrols. Leaders learn the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. This course is recommended for leaders and parents of 5th grade Webelos.

Powder Horn is an action-packed, hands-on, six-day course on high adventure resources to help Scouts and Scouters learn how to implement high adventure activities into their troops or crews. Adult leaders from all Scouting programs and Scouts age 14 and older are eligible to attend.

Roundtable is a monthly program to provide leaders with program ideas; update information on policy, events, and training opportunities; and offer an opportunity to share experiences and enjoy fun and fellowship with other Scouting leaders.

Safety Training The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. A variety of classes are offered including bullying prevention and intervention, Cyber Chip, first aid and CPR, Hazardous Weather, Climb on Safely, Trek Safely, Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat.

Scoutcast is a monthly podcast that provides information on topics of interest to Boy Scout leaders.

Shooting Sports: The shooting sports committee offers a variety or trainings including: range master, Range Safety Officer (RSO) training, USA Archery, and NRA Instructor training for pistol, rifle, muzzle loader and shotgun. This certification is required to use any of the council's shooting sports ranges or to have troop and district shooting sports programs.

Wood Badge is a six-day advanced training program which gives participants a great understanding of Scouting aims and methods and highlights personal and unit level leadership development. Topics include team building, problem solving, communication, conflict resolution and many other useful skills. These skills can be taken directly back to packs, troops, ships, crews and teams to help leaders guide youth in dynamic Scouting programs.