BSA Training Course Descriptions

Troop Leadership Training
A one day, unit level course for new Patrol Leaders and Senior Patrol Leaders in Boy Scout troops. Facilitated by SPLs and Scoutmasters, it is encouraged that troops conduct this annually.

Venturing Leadership Skills Course
A one day, unit level course for youth members in Venturing. All crews are encourged to conduct this course each year. It is facilitated by the crew officers and advisors.

National Youth Leadership Training
The council level leadership skills course for youth leaders in Boy Scouts. All troops and crews are encourged to send members here each year.

Kodiak
A six day, trek-based leadership skills course for youth members in Venturing. Offered annually by the council, participants will use nature's example to learn about leadership skills.

National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
A six day, national course for Boy Scouts and Venturers offered at Philmont throughout each summer. This builds on the skills learned at NYLT.

Youth Protection
The BSA's online abuse prevention training. This is required for all Scouting leaders, and is encouraged to be done for youth members as well. Also available in a Venturing (teen-specific) format.

Fast Start
Fast Start is a basic online course designed to familiarize new leaders with their position. There are different courses for Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, and Commissioners.

This is Scouting
An online course that teaches all members about the purposes, aims, and methods of the BSA and Scouting.

Leader Specific Training
Leader Specific Training is tailored for your own position. There are different courses for Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, and Venturing Advisors. These in-person courses are offered regularly throughout the year in each district.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
Outdoor Skills for Webelos Leaders (OWL)
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (OLT)
These are the outdoor skills courses offered annually by the council. BALOO is for Cub Scout leaders, OWL is for Webelos leaders, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills is for Boy Scout leaders.

Wood Badge
Advanced leadership skills training, designed for leaders in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, and on the district and council levels. This is a six day course.

The Trainer's EDGE
This is a one day course offered by the council to improve the skills of trainers at all levels. Youth and adult participants will discuss new techniques and have the opportunity to practice and get feedback.

Mentoring
This is a short course offered by the council to improve the skills of leaders at all levels. Youth and adult participants will discuss mentoring theories and practices as they apply to Scouting.

Powder Horn
The six day, council level course for adult leaders who wish to gain the knowledge necessary to operate an effective high adventure program.

Philmont Leadership Challenge
A six day, national course offered at Philmont for adult leaders at all levels who wish to build on their Wood Badge experience. See the Philmont website for details.

Philmont Training Center
The national volunteer training center in New Mexico. Offers many advanced courses for leaders at all levels throughout the summer. See the Philmont website for details.

BSA Online Learning Center
Available here are many supplemental and safety oriented courses, including Youth Protection, Trek Safely, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Hazardous Weather, and the Troop Committee Challenge.

BSLST