Taughannock District
Baden-Powell Council, BSA
Training

Training Committee: Tom Sorensen, Mike Homrighaus and Jim Graney
Any questions on training? E-mail training@TompkinsCortlandScouts.org 

Change to "Trained" requirements for Unit Leaders

As of January 2012, the This is Scouting course is no longer required for a unit leader to be considered "trained". 
Fast Start training is also not required (and hasn't been since 2009). 
Both courses are still offered, and can be valuable, but are not part of the required training. 

For more information, see the Winter 2012 edition of the Training Times on National's website.

Are all of your unit's leaders trained?

Download a page from National giving the requirements for "What Makes a Trained Leader?" in PDF format. 

Online Training: You need to log into www.MyScouting.org to take online courses. You don't need to be a registered Scouter to set up a MyScouting.org account, but it is a very good idea to associate your account with your member ID number as soon as you receive your membership card. That way, any training you take online will automatically be credited to your BSA records. 

Cub Scouts: Links to all training courses for Cub Scout Leaders are now available online at: http://scouting.org/training/adult.aspx

Courses include:

• Cub Scout Leader Position-Specific Training for Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos Leaders, Cubmaster, Pack Trainer and Pack Committee

• Youth Protection Training (YPT) (required for all leaders, not just Cub)

• Den Leader, Cubmaster and Pack Committee Fast Start, and

• “This Is Scouting”

The courses have been updated to support the new Cub Scout Delivery Method rolled out in 2010. Now, den leaders and assistants, Cubmasters and assistants, pack trainers, and pack committee chairs and members can now learn the how-to’s for successfully conducting an engaging den and pack program and can become confident in the role each plays.

When entering www.MyScouting.org, click on the E-Learning link under the Training header located on the left-side menu. Then click on the Cub Scouts tab and voila!... all leader training is at your convenience.

Boy Scouts and Venturing: Some Boy Scout and Venturing leader training is linked to http://scouting.org/training/adult.aspx

• Youth Protection Training (YPT) (in addition to general YPT, there is a Venturing Version - be sure to take this version if you're registered in a Crew)

• Boy Scouting and Venturing Fast Start, and

• “This Is Scouting”

• Troop Committee Challenge

• Crew Officer Orientation

• Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC)

• Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships (ILSS)

• Early Rank Requirements video

• Boy Scout Leader Assessment Tool

Other courses with links at http://scouting.org/training/adult.aspx include:

• Safe Swim Defense

• Safety Afloat

• Physical Wellness

• Climb on Safely

• Trek Safely

• Weather Hazards

• Unit Commissioner Fast Start

• ScoutParents Unit Coordinator Fast Start

• Staffing the District Committee

• Generational Diversity

• Camp Health Officer Training

• Mentoring Workshop

In-Person Training:

If your pack or troop has a large number of people who need training, don't wait for a scheduled session - the Training Committee is also bringing the training to you! Contact them at training@TompkinsCortlandScouts.org and schedule a training session for your pack leaders. Packs should have a Pack Trainer if at all possible, so as to be able to present leader training to new leaders as needed. Also, anyone who has been through a given training module can train others, so last years' Bear leaders can train this year's leaders, and so on. 

Upcoming Training Opportunities

• March 15 Weds - Life to Eagle Training at Roundtable

• March 24 Sat - University of Scouting* - see Council University of Scouting web page

• April 13-15 - Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills at Camp Tuscarora*  

• April 14 Sat - OWLS (Outdoor Webelos Leader Specific) Training - course canceled due to lack of signups.

• May 4-6 - Climbing Training Weekend at Camp Tuscarora* - see Council Training Page  

• September 12 Weds - Life to Eagle Training at Roundtable

• October 20 Sat - Cub Leader Training - preregistration required by Sept 30th - e-mail training@TompkinsCortlandScouts.org

• October 26-28 - Boy Scout Leader Basic Training, all sessions 1-3 and outdoor - preregistration required by Sept 30th - e-mail  training@TompkinsCortlandScouts.org

• November 10-11: Youth Leader Training Weekend - Advanced workshop for SPLs, ASPLs, and other youth in any leadership position (QM, Scribe, etc.)

• December 1 Sat BALOO Training

• March 13, 2013 Weds - Life to Eagle Training at Roundtable

• March 30, 2013 Sat - University of Scouting* 

• April 13, 2013 Sat - OWLS (Outdoor Webelos Leader Specific) Training (preregistration before March 15^th)

• May 8, 2013 Weds - Life to Eagle Training at Roundtable

*= Course given by Baden-Powell Council

OWLS (Outdoor Webelos Leader Specific) Training
Course Canceled

The April 2012 course has been canceled due to lack of signups. Watch this page for future offerings. 

Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills
Camp Tuscarora
April 13-15

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) is a required training course for Scoutmasters and Ass't Scoutmasters.  However, all adults associated with a scout troop, along with Webelos leaders moving up to a scout troop, are encouraged to take this weekend course where the Tenderfoot / 2nd Class / 1st Class skills are taught in a hands-on environment.  It will be held Friday evening to Sunday morning, April 13-15, 2012 out at Camp Tuscarora in Winter Unit #1.

As indicated on the registration flyer, Sheldon Craig will be serving as the Course Director / Scoutmaster.  Cost for the weekend-long course is $30, it is due by April 6 to the scout office.  Cost includes food, which will be provided to the participants to be prepared and cooked as part of the course.

Each of the following skill modules will be presented in a hands-on environment, closely following the Boy Scout Handbook:

Campsite Selection
Leave No Trace
Ropes - Whipping, Tying, and Lashing
Woods Tools - Knife, Camp Saw, and Ax
Fire Site Preparation and Building
Cooking
First Aid
Plant Identification
Animal Identification
Packing and Hiking Techniques
Finding Your Way - Map and Compass Reading

The training is intended to provide adult leaders with the skills necessary to safely lead their unit's outdoor program.

Thanks,
Larry Blumberg
IOLS Quartermaster
LBlumberg@stny.rr.com

Download a registration flyer here - MS Word format - PDF Format

The Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection Training Policies

Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA.

To increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America has implemented the following Youth Protection policies:

• Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.

• New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training within 30 days of registration. (Note: this is a change, implemented in 2011 - previously, YPT had to be taken before registration)

• For current leaders, 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 reregistered.

• To ensure these policies are fully implemented, please take the following steps:
  

  • If you have not taken Youth Protection Training within the past two years, please log on to MyScouting.org and take the training. Be sure to have your member ID number. The number can be found on your Boy Scouts of America membership card.

  • If you do not know your member ID number, contact your unit leader or committee chairman. Your council can also assist you.

  • If you have taken Youth Protection Training online but did not input your member ID number, please log back on to the Training section of MyScouting and input your member ID so the training will be linked with your records.

  • A person does not have to be a registered volunteer or have an ID number to take Youth Protection training. To take the training, log in to MyScouting and create an account. From the MyScouting portal, click on E-Learning and take the Youth Protection training. Upon completion, print a certificate and submit it with an application or submit to the unit leader for processing at the local council.

  • If you have taken Youth Protection Training within the past two years but did not take the course online, log on to MyScouting to ensure your records are up to date, or contact your council and have them verify that your Youth Protection Training records are accurate.

  • Youth Protection Training is available online at http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.

Venturing and Exploring volunteers: There has been a change announced, which became effective in June 2011. When you take or renew your YPT, be sure you take the right version! Venturing should take course Y02, Exploring should take course Y03.  See answer A17, below. 

Questions and Answers

The following are answers to some of the questions the BSA has received about the YPT policy. To read more, visit www.scouting.org/youthprotection.

Q1: What is your policy?
A1: All registered adult volunteers—no matter what their position entails—must complete Youth Protection training.

Q2: Why is Youth Protection Training Required?
A2: Youth safety is of paramount importance to the Boy Scouts of America, therefore, it is important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. The BSA is always reevaluating and reassessing its policies to ensure the safest youth program and the best training are offered. The BSA’s Youth Protection training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and accepted as a mandated training for all registered BSA adult volunteers.

Q3: When does Youth Protection Training have to be taken?
A3: All registered leaders should take or renew their Youth Protection training so that it is current. No individual leader will be able to re-register without being up-to-date on his or her Youth Protection training. Note: as of late 2011, new leaders must take YPT within thirty days of registration. Therefore, new leaders can now register without a certificate of training, and take YPT once they have received their registration number (so long as they take the training within thirty days after registration). That should allow a leader to make sure their myscouting.org account is linked to their membership number before taking YPT, so that their training is properly credited on the BSA's registration system. 

Q4: Is there a grace period to get all registered adults trained?
A4: If a leader’s Youth Protection training is not current, the volunteer must take or renew this training immediately. Every effort should be taken so that all adults involved in Scouting have a current certificate of completion of the youth protection training.

Q5: Does “all volunteers” mean all volunteers — even board members and council presidents?
A5: Yes. The goal is to have all registered volunteers Youth Protection trained. This is important to the Boy Scouts of America as a youth organization and reinforces the BSA’s commitment to the well-being of all youth members and volunteers.

Q6: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth protection. Can I “test out” by only taking the Youth Protection online quiz?
A6: No. Youth protection requires sustained vigilance and a commitment to helping protect youth. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest information on BSA Youth Protection.

Q7: Does the executive officer (institutional head) of a unit need to take Youth Protection training?
A7: We believe everyone should take youth protection training, however, the executive officer is not a registered leader so, he or she is not required to complete Youth Protection training, although it is strongly recommended. If the executive officer is a registered member of the BSA, then he or she must complete Youth Protection training.

Q8: I am a Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent. Do I need to take Youth Protection training?
A8: All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training. The Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent designations are not registered adult positions; therefore, mandatory Youth Protection training is not required. However, under the initiative “Youth Protection Begins with You,” it is strongly recommended, however, that all adults involved in Scouting take Youth Protection training.

Q9: I am an Explorer post Advisor. Does this new policy apply to me?
A9: Yes. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.
NOTE: The "generic" YPT (code Y01) is intended for Cub, Scout and District/Council level adults. There are separate youth protection trainings for Venturing (Y02) and Exploring (Y03). Be sure to take the YPT which is appropriate for your program! 

Q10: Do leaders need to wait until they have final clearance on the background check to meet with youth?
A10: No. As long as their application is fully completed, submitted to the council service center, and approved, they will be able to interact with other registered & trained adult leaders and youth members while the criminal background check (CBC) is still pending.

Q11: Do merit badge counselors need to take Youth Protection training?
A11: Yes. A merit badge counselor is a registered volunteer position.

Q12: Can units that have some adult leaders who have not completed Youth Protection training be rechartered?
A12: In order for a unit to be rechartered, it must have all the required positions filled with Youth Protection–trained adults. Adults who do not have current (within the past two years) Youth Protection training will not be reregistered. 
Note: It is not clear if this policy is modified by the late-2011 change which allows new leaders thirty days after registration to take YPT. Until it is clarified by National, it would be advisable for all units to make sure that adults in all REQUIRED positions have current YPT before submitting their recharter. 

Q13: Can a council or district organize Youth Protection group training for its adults?
A13: Yes. It is encouraged that adults take the training via the online module, but the instructor-led model is still acceptable as long as the most current version of the Youth Protection DVD is used and the end-of-course quiz is proctored by the trainer at the end of the training session. Reminder: It is critical that training completion certificates be issued after successful completion and that a formal training record roster be submitted to the council registrar so proper credit can be recorded in the profiles of each participant.

Q14: Will both the regular and Venturing leader versions of Youth Protection training meet the requirement?
A14: When the policy was first implemented, the answer to this was "yes". Afterward, National announced that after June 2011,  volunteers would be required to take the version of YPT which was intended for the program in which they are registered - Y01 "generic", Y02 Venturing and Y03 Exploring. 

Q15: If a person is not a registered leader, how can he or she log in and take the Youth Protection training?
A15: A person does not have to be a registered volunteer to take Youth Protection training. To take the training, log in to myscouting.org and click on create an account. After you have confirmed your new myscouting account user name and password, log in to myscouting.org and click on e-training to begin the Youth Protection training. Upon completion, print a certificate to submit with a completed adult leader application to the unit leader or your local council representative for processing. Remember to keep a copy for your records. Once the application is approved, the new leader will receive his or her membership card with their member ID. It is important that new members log back in to myscouting.org and update their profile with this member ID to receive credit for completing this and any other training.

To find out more about the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help Scouting keep your family safe, see the information available in any of the Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting handbooks, or go to http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.

Has your training passed its "shelf life"? 

Have you applied for recognition of your accomplishments?

The BSA has many "square knot" recognition awards for taking training and putting it into practice. See the Recognition section of the Advancement page for details.