Supplemental Training for Scout Leaders

Last month we talked about what is means to be Leader Specific Trained in the Scouting program. We would like to add that in your my.Scouting account you will see a Trained patch by the scout title you are registered in when you have completed the necessary training. This is found on top of the requirement page.

This month we will look at the Supplemental Training Unit Leaders can use to help them keep the scouting program fresh and fun for the youth they serve.
(The following information was taken from BSA resource “The Guide to Leader Training” book pages 21-22)

BASIC Training

All leaders are encouraged to complete leader position-specific training before they meet with youth to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities relating to their leadership positions. Leader position-specific training is also an opportunity for new leaders to get answers to questions they might have about their roles and responsibilities. Training is available for every position at the unit, district, and council level.

SUPPLEMENTAL Training

Supplemental training includes a variety of courses offered on a district, council, area, regional, or national basis. Courses are designed to give additional information on targeted areas of the program through additional knowledge of Scouting in general, additional skills and roles knowledge, and/ or beginning or advanced leadership skills. Some of the information presented in basic training is treated in greater depth in supplemental training courses. Some courses are held on a regular basis to cultivate our culture of continuous learning. 

Supplemental training is also offered in conferences at BSA national training centers. Roundtables, BALOO, Safe Swim Defense, and National Camp School are examples of supplemental training. A supplemental course might teach a specific Scouting skill or idea, enhance leadership skills, or prepare someone to teach others. Supplemental training is intended to enrich the leader’s experience.

Examples of some of the many supplemental courses held on a regular basis include the following:

•  CUBCAST/SCOUTCAST.
• CubCast and ScoutCast are audio podcasts that provide Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders, parents, and unit-serving executives with a variety of program how-tos and informational topics that can be used right away. Produced in an AM radio format and updated monthly on scouting.org, these information-packed programs can be downloaded on a computer or MP3 player and listened to at any time or shared at roundtables or other training events.
• TRAIN-THE-TRAINER COURSES. 
• A train-the-trainer course gives trainers the methods and theory behind offering successful training sessions in the Boy Scouts of America.
• FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAINING help trainers, regardless of previous experience, improve their basic presentation skills. (NOTE: Fundamentals is required for the position of pack trainer.)
• TRAINER’S EDGE provides additional presentational development and supports the instructor’s skills that were formalized in Fundamentals. (NOTE: Trainer’s EDGE is required for Wood Badge and NYLT staff.
• THE STRATEGIC TRAINING PLAN teaches participants how to collect and analyze data, formulate and execute a training plan, and review results and make adjustments as necessary.

What Does It Mean to Be Trained?

 The Boy Scouts of America has always encouraged training for both youth and adult leaders. But exactly what does it mean to be 'trained'?  How do you know if you are trained in your current position?

In order to be fully trained you will have taken all the training in-person or online that are necessary for your scout position. If you were trained in your scout position before 2017 it is highly recommended you retake the trainings. Many changes have taken place and it is best to refresh your mind in the programs of scouting.

Here is a guide to see if you can count yourself as being trained.

1. You have taken the Youth Protection Training before you registered as a scout leader in scouting.
1. You then update this training every two years.
2. You login on to my.scouting.org and look at Leader Specific for your area of scouting. 
1. When you click on the menu, a drop-down menu appears. 
2. Click on Training. 
3. In this area you will see three areas:
1. YPT & Training Center
2. Required for your Scouting position
3. Completed

Let’s investigate each of these:

YPT & Training Center: Your title of your position will help you know which training you will need. For example, if you are a Cubmaster or Scoutmaster, you will click on Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts, click on the training that pertains to your position. You will see what has been completed and what percentage is still to be completed. You will be done when you have completed all the modules in the section called 'Required for your Position'. Cubmasters and Scoutmasters need additional Outdoor trainings called Baloo, for Cub Masters, and Introduction to Outdoor Skills for Scoutmasters. Outdoor trainings are to be done in person. The Council offers a couple trainings during each calendar year.

Required for your Position: This section is where you see all the modules that will fully complete your training. Each one will be 4–15 minutes long to give you an understanding of your scout position. The more titles you have the longer the list. Most of these trainings only need to be taken once. If you pace yourself, a few modules every week will help you be fully trained in a few months.

Completed: This area will list all the trainings you have completed and when they will need to be renewed.