Updates
Journey to Excellence (JTE) Unit Recognition Program Retires at End of 2024 – Moving forward, metrics for Scouting and Exploring unit success will be seamlessly integrated into unit leader support materials and resources.
Updates from the Training Times:
- A direct link to the catalog of the Learn Center is now available by clicking the Scouting U logo on the home page of My.Scouting (after logging in).
- The 2025 National Volunteer Training Conference will be hosted by the Longhorn Council in Hurst, Texas, on April 24-26, 2025.
- The 2025 Philmont Training Center Scouting U week will be July 13-19, 2025. The PTC 75th Anniversary conference listing will be available soon and registration is scheduled to open by October 1. There is a link to PTC information below in the “Important Links” section.
BSA Lifeguard Certification Program Retiring
After careful consideration and evaluation, Scouting America will transition away from the BSA Lifeguard certification program effective December 31, 2024. Moving forward, we believe that partnering with well-established certifying agencies such as the American Red Cross, YMCA, StarGuard Elite, and Ellis & Associates will still allow us to offer local councils access to top-tier lifeguard training. Individuals currently certified as BSA Lifeguards may continue to use their certification until it reaches its expiration date. Individuals who are certified as BSA Lifeguard Instructors will receive additional information on how to potentially transition to an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor. If you would like to learn more about this transition in person, consider registering for the upcoming 2024 National Aquatics Conference at https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/aquatics/2024-national-aquatics-conference/.
Training of the Month
All members of the executive board and all council officers are encouraged to complete the appropriate training modules in the Scouting U Learning Center in My.Scouting. After logging in to My.Scouting, they can click on “My Training” and then “Requirements” to find the courses they need for their registered position(s).
Adult Leaders of Each Scouting Unit are a Training Team – The committee chair is typically the leader of the unit training team; but in some cases, there is a member of the committee that is responsible for promoting training. The Scouting program works best when leaders are trained. Training helps everyone to be on the same page, and everyone can be aware of the recommended ways to do things. It may be difficult to find time to do training, but the training will save time in the future by helping leaders to be more confident and effective. Unit leaders have the opportunity to encourage others to complete their training.
Council Training Calendar
Wood Badge Adult Leadership Training – Hosted by the Pacific Harbors Council over five consecutive days, August 13-17, 2025 (Wednesday through Sunday) at Camp Thunderbird [near Olympia WA]. Ron Francis is the contact at ronndogg@comcast.net (253) 441-5096
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:
- Sep 13 – “Onboarding New Cub Scout Leaders”
- Sep 6 – “How to Plan a Fun and Successful Join Scouting Night”
- Aug 23 – “What’s New in the Den Meeting Resources?”
- Aug 16 – “Welcome Emails for new Cub Scout Families and Leaders”
#TroopTalkLive – 2nd Wednesdays of the month, noon Pacific Time
- 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?”
- June 12 – “How to Spread the Word that Girls Can Join Scouting America”
Trek on Tuesdays – Tuesdays at noon Pacific Time
- 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”
- Aug 13 – “Celebrate the Achievements of the Eagle Scout Olympians”
- July 23 – “ATV Program Manager from a Scout Camp”
Leading Our Adventures Podcast – Every other Friday at 3 pm Pacific Time
- Aug 23 – “Episode 16 – Eagle Scout and Summit Award”
- July 12 – “Episode 15 – Venturing Den Chiefs”
- June 14 – “Episode 14 – Venturing & Cub Scouts”
- May 31 – “Episode 13 – Exploring the Order of the Arrow with National Vice Chief”
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!