Updates
New overview videos for den leaders may be found at https://vimeo.com/user39050689
- Welcome Den Leader
- Welcome Den Leader – Lion – Kindergarten
- Welcome Den Leader – Tiger – 1st Grade
- Welcome Den Leader – Wolf – 2nd Grade
- Welcome Den Leader – Bear – 3rd Grade
- Welcome Den Leader – Webelos – 4th Grade
- Welcome Den Leader – Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Included in the overviews are recommendations to take advantage of on-line training modules.
Required Range Activity SAFEty Online Training for Unit Leaders
In collaboration with the National Range & Target Activities Subcommittee, ScoutingU has launched the new Range Activity SAFEty online training in the Learn Center on My.Scouting. This new training equips adult leaders with the knowledge to help support SAFE range and target activities at the unit level for troops, crews, and ships. (It is important to remember Cub Scout packs are not permitted to lead unit-level range and target activities.) This training is not required for district or council led range and target activities. This training is also not a replacement for certified instructors who must be present to operate the ranges.
Scouting U Released Updated Climb on Safely On-Line Training
In collaboration with the National COPE and Climbing Subcommittee, Scouting U has released an updated version of Climb on Safely online training that is also mobile compatible. To access the updated training, log onto my.Scouting.org and search the catalog in the BSA Learn Center for Climb on Safely.
Powder Horn Training Course to be Retired
The Powder Horn course will be retired effective December 31, 2024. The decision to retire Powder Horn is in part based on recent youth survey results and a need to stay compliant with Scouting America safety policies. The National Venturing Committee is currently working with the Outdoor Program Committee to update the requirements of the Venturing Ranger Award. They have also begun the process of updating the Venturing Handbook and other important resources that directly impact youth, including Crew Officer Orientation. Any Powder Horn courses already planned and promoted for 2024 may proceed upon approval of Scouting U. To obtain approval of any previously scheduled and promoted 2024 courses, please contact Kathy Craig kathy.craig@scouting.org.
Training of the Month
Nothing this month.
Council Training Calendar
Trainer’s EDGE – Saturday, 7 December 2024, location to be determined. The Trainer’s EDGE course involves instruction, and more importantly, the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on impromptu and prepared presentations. As scouters we routinely make presentations to scouts, scout families, and or other scouters, to improving our presentation skills helps the program to improve. If you are interested in taking the course or staffing the course, please let your council training chair know. Early signups make it easier for everyone.
Wood Badge Adult Leadership Training – Hosted by the Pacific Harbors Council over five consecutive days, August 20-24, 2025 (7 am Wednesday through 5 pm Sunday) at Camp Thunderbird [11740 Summit Lake Rd NW, Olympia WA]. The course director is Chris Panush – cpanush@gmail.com – 360.561.9302. The course fee is $315 if paid in full by July 25th. The theme is “Making Connections, Making a Difference”. Additional information is available at https://scoutingevent.com/612-WoodBadge2025
(See the Wood Badge course logo below)
In The Works (If you plan it, they will come)
One of the disadvantages of on-line training is the inability to ask questions during the training module. If anyone takes on-line training and has questions, please write down the questions and let your council training chair know. A Zoom meeting will be set up so that the answers to the questions can be discussed.
Help Wanted (It’s fun and rewarding to get involved with training!)
Trainers Needed for Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Training Teams – Only 1 trainer is required for the course, but it is way more fun if a team (3 to 5 Scouters) supports the course. Having a team also means that if a trainer has a conflict, the others can fill in. New trainers may only lead one session during the course, or more sessions if they feel up to it. Please let your council training chair know if you are interested. Being a trainer continues the learning experience in an accelerated way.
New trainers can be trained through the Fundamentals of Training and the Trainer’s EDGE courses.
Lies, Darn Lies, and Statistics (How are we doin’?)
Our current goal is to increase the percent of position specific training completions from 39% to 53%. In particular, committee chairs have a unique opportunity to coordinate training. Encouragement and assistance from all will help make this a reality and improve the scouting program that we deliver to our youth. It will make a difference.
Program Livecasts
Links can be found in Facebook (Scouting magazine | Facebook) and on YouTube (Scouting Magazine – YouTube). Recent topics include:
#CubChatLive! – Fridays at noon Pacific Time – Recent topics:
- Oct 11 – “Knife Safety Adventures in Cub Scouts”
- Oct 4 – “How to Incorporate the Bobcat Adventure into a Fun-Filled Pack Meeting”
- Sep 27 – “Camping Guideline Updates for Webelos and Arrow of Light Cub Scouts”
- Sep 20 – “Secrets to Successful Cub Scout Fundraising”
#TroopTalkLive – 2nd Wednesdays of the month, noon Pacific Time
- Oct 9 – “Ideas for Your Troop to Observe Election Day and Veteran’s Day
- Sept 11 – “Find Out About an Innovative Wood Badge Course at the Summit Bechtel Reserve”
- Aug 28 – “What is the Scouts BSA Youth Council and How Does It Work?”
- July 10 – “What is the Combined Troop Pilot Program?”
Trek on Tuesdays – Tuesdays at noon Pacific Time
- Oct 15 – “5 Easy Ways to Memorize the Scout Law”
- Oct 1 – “Celebrate Day 1 of Philmont’s 2026 Trek Registration and the Training Center’s 2025 Registration”
- Sep 10 – “Join Us for a Swashbuckling Chat with the Author of ‘How to Survive in the Age of Pirates”
- Aug 27 – “Let’s chat with Lee Berger, a National Geographic Explorer and Eagle Scout”
Leading Our Adventures – A Venturing, BSA Podcast – Every other Friday at 3 pm Pacific Time
- Sep 6 – “Episode 17 – Venturing into Wood Badge”
- Aug 23 – “Episode 16 – Eagle Scout and Summit Award”
- July 12 – “Episode 15 – Venturing Den Chiefs”
- June 14 – “Episode 14 – Venturing & Cub Scouts”
Contact:
Council Training Chair: Brad Ross bluemttrain@gmail.com
Your Feedback:
Please submit your pithy comments to your council training chair (see email address above), either for his eyes only or for the readers of this column to see. If your comments are useful (and entertaining?), you’ll see them in a future Training Trails column. We welcome your ideas to help improve the training in our council. Many thanks!
