TrainedA cornerstone of the Scout programs is training. Some of these training courses are conducted by districts and some by the council; others are available through the BSA Online Learning Center.
 

Learn More About Training           Trainers: Submit a course!

Cub Scout Basic Training

Supplemental Training

See the Specialized Training tab for more trainings.


 


 

Scouts BSA Basic Training

Supplemental Training

See the Specialized Training tab for more trainings.

 

Upcoming Training Courses

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

BALOOBALOO is the Cub Scout leader training required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including packing camping, overnighters and Webelos den overnighters. BALOO training is comprised of two components – an online component, and a practical, hands-on component. Both components must be completed to qualify as a trained Cub Scout outdoor leader and to receive the BALOO recognition patch. The online component contains introductory and basic information and must be completed prior to the practical component at my.scouting.org. The practical component is an overnight outdoor camping experience that takes about 16-hours to complete. A minimum of one BALOO-trained adult must attend every pack overnighter. Most courses fees include meals.*

Date Host District (Training Location) Contact Cost* Registration Link
March 22-23, 2025 Mustang (Camp Brosig, Sealy, TX) Christine Jackson $45 Register

Climbing & COPE Training

climbing

During Climbing Training, participants learn to teach Scouts how to climb and rappel at the unit, district, or council level. The training covers the skills and information needed to staff any climbing program.  Learn more about the climbing training courses and prerequisites.

COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) is an exciting program that teaches important lessons, but the classroom is like no other. COPE uses mental and physical challenges, low and high above ground to teach confidence, self-esteem, trust, leadership, team building and problem-solving. Learn more about COPE training courses and prerequisites.

Date Course Location Contact Registration Link        
         

Cub Scout Leader Training

  • Den LeaderDen Leader Position-Specific Training (C42) provides Cub Scout den leaders with the basic information they need to conduct successful den meetings.
  • Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster Position-Specific Training (C40) is intended to provide Cubmasters and assistant Cubmasters with the basic information they need to conduct successful pack meetings.  
  • Pack Committee Challenge and Pack Committee Position-Specific Training (C60) is intended to familiarize pack committee members with the various responsibilities of the individual members of the committee as well as the committee as a whole. The goal is to help each pack committee work as a team to improve the Scouting experience for adult and youth members. 

These trainings can be taken in classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org               

Date   Course(s) Host District (Training Location) Registration Link   
         

First Aid

first aidFirst Aid/CPR/AED: First aid training gives participants the information and skills needed to help during many emergency situations. First Aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) trainings are universally recognized for their effectiveness. It can help ensure that everyone from the Scout working on a First Aid merit badge to a Scouter leading a unit on a high-adventure trek is fully prepared. This blended learning course includes an online portion and an instructor-led classroom skills session. The online portion (~two hours) must be completed before attending the in-class portion.  

First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Course: This course will train instructor candidates to teach basic-level American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED courses. This is a blended learning course consisting of online content, a pre-course skill session and classroom segments. Prerequisites: Possess a current basic-level American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certification or equivalent and be at least 16 years of age on the last day of the instructor course. Complete online classes prior to attending the classroom activities (instructions will be sent with registration confirmation).

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is the assessment of and treatment given to an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. Participants will learn how to assess, treat, and (when possible) contain emergencies within the scope of their training. Course prerequisites: Minimum age 14; current certification in an adult CPR course; completion of AED training.  Certification: Organizations and individuals may provide students who successfully complete the 16-hour curriculum a certificate of completion of a class that meets the criteria of Scouting America for Wilderness First Aid. The content of this course may not deviate, either through additions or deletions, from the approved curriculum. Who is this for? Youth and adult Scout leaders are encouraged to take this first-aid course, which offers a management dimension that most curriculums fail to address. Scout leaders will likely find it the most valuable program they’ll ever take. At least one person (two preferred) per unit must be a WFA-certified for certain high-adventure camp and backcountry experiences. This certificate will be valid for two years.

Note: Equivalent First Aid, CPR, AED and WFA training from the following nationally-recognized organizations: American Red Cross (ARC), and Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) meet the training requirements. Other courses accepted are listed here and here (page 2). BSA does not accept online CPR classes.

Date Course
(click link for course description)
Location Contact Time  Cost Register
December 14, 2024 First Aid/CPR/AED Cockrell Scout Center Gidget Swift 8:30am to 12:15pm $47 Register

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

TrainedWorking as patrols, this hands-on course provides adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. Along with basic training, this course is required of all direct contact leaders registered in troops in order to be considered trained. The training is a weekend course and takes about 15 hours to complete. Most courses include meals.*  What to bring to training.

Date Host District (Training Location) Contact Cost* Registration Link
January 18-19, 2025 Twin Bayou (Brenham, Tx) Charles Williams $45 Register
January 25-26, 2025 Twin Bayou (Brenham, Tx) Charles Willims $45 Register
March 22-23, 2025 Mustang (Camp Brosig, Sealy, TX) Joe Cuningham $45 Register
         

Leave No Trace Trainer Course

LNTThe Leave No Trace Instructor Level 1 Course  (formerly the Leave No Trace Trainer Course) is an overnight course for individuals, ages 14 and up who wish to guide units in developing a culture that effectively demonstrates responsible outdoor choices that reduce impacts of Scouting activities. Leave No Trace Instructor Level 1, outdoor ethics guides, and outdoor ethics advisors are the backbone of Scouting’s outdoor ethics program, providing instruction to individuals and units wishing to adopt cutting-edge outdoor ethics into their unit programs. 

The Leave No Trace Master Outdoor Ethics Instructor Level 2 Course ( formerly the Master Educator Course) is a 5-day course conducted over two weekends. The Instructor Level 2 course is the summit of Leave No Trace training and may be taken by individuals, ages 18 and up who wish to be accredited as Instructor Level 2 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Prior completion of a Leave No Trace Instructor Level 1 course is recommended.  

Date Course Location Contact Registration Link  
         

Scouting with Special Needs 

Special NeedsThe council is committed to making Scouting accessible and enjoyable to all Scouts, regardless of their abilities. Since its founding in 1910, Scouting America has included fully participating members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. The policy is to treat members with disabilities as much like other members as possible. It has been traditional, however, to make some accommodations in advancement if absolutely necessary. By adapting the environment and/or our instruction methods, most Scouts with disabilities can be successful in Scouting. The disability awareness committee offers a variety of training courses. Courses are typically offered during University of Scouting      

Target and Range Activities

shooting sportsIn Scouting events and activities, the primary consideration is the safety of its youth and adult members. To achieve that goal, Scouting America, in consultation with other organizations, has created specific guidelines for shooting sports. These organizations also provide training and instructor certification by discipline-specific subject matter experts to prepare those individuals who will serve in a leadership or supervisory role in the various shooting sports activities.

Learn More about Target and Range Activities

Date Area Course Location Registration Link
         

*Basic Instructor Training (BIT) must be current when taking the basic shooting or basic instructor class; the certification lasts two years.    

Trainer's EDGE

Trainer's EdgeTrainer's EDGE is BSA's trainer development course designed to help Scouters put into practice the EDGE training model and gain self-confidence through hands-on training experiences. Trainer's EDGE is offered at the council level, typically four times yearly.

Date Course Location Registration Link   
     

University of Scouting

Chaplain's Aide Training

Chaplain's AideChaplain's Aide Training is for Scouts to learn the duties, responsibilities, and opportunities of chaplaincy service in troops.     

Crew Committee Challenge Training 

crew committeeCrew Committee Challenge is intended to provide Venturing crew committee members with the basic information they need to help manage a crew. The training takes about two and a half hours to complete.  

Chartered Organization Representative (COR) Training 

CORChartered Organization Representative Training helps the COR understand roles and responsibilities. The training takes about two to two and a half hours and can be taken in a classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org.                       

Den Chief Training

Den Chief TrainingDen Chief Training is basic training for Scouts in troops interested in becoming den chiefs for a Cub Scout den, and for adult leaders who wish to know more about this vital position. This course can be completed in a classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org.                 

Date Host District (Training Location) Registration Link   
     

Merit Badge Counselor Training

Merit BadgeThe purpose of Merit Badge Counselor Training is to provide council- or district-approved and registered merit badge counselors with an understanding of the methods of counseling and their role in the advancement program and can be taken in a classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org.     

Date Host District (Training Location) Registration Link   
     

Scoutmaster and Assistant Training

ScoutmasterScoutmaster Position-Specific Training is intended to provide troop leadership with the information and tools they need to lead successful troops. Scoutmasters and assistants who complete this training, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS), and Youth Protection training are considered "trained." The training takes about four and a half hours to complete and can be taken in a classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org.

Date Host District (Training Location) Registration Link   
     

Sea Scouts

Sea ScoutsSea Scouts Adult Leader Basic Training gets back to basics and covers important key subjects including program unit resource management, training opportunities, youth advancement and recognition, program planning, effective leadership, and more. Basic training can be taken online at my.scouting.org  

Short-Term Camp Administrator Training (STCA)

STCAShort-Term Camp Administrator Training is the training for short-term camp administrators. The short-term camp administrator ensures that councils and districts overnight events that are three nights are less (e.g., camporees, Webelos Scout events, training) are conducted safe and have quality outdoor programs and that all activities at the short-term camp complies with the applicable BSA National Camp Standards. Register and learn more about Short-Term Camp Administrator Training.

STEM NOVA Counselor and SUPERNOVA Mentor Training (D82/D83)

NovaThis course is intended to provide potential Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors with the basic information they need to assist Scouts in completing the requirements to earn the Nova and Supernova awards. The prerequisite for this course is an understanding of the BSA Nova program. Learn more about the STEM program in our council     

Date Location Contact Registration Link   
       

Troop Committee Chair Training

Troop CommitteeTroop Committee Chair Training helps the troop committee chair better understand their role and responsibilities. This training enables troop committee chair to give support to the troop, Scouts, and Scoutmasters. Troop Committee Challenge is an in-person course only.  The training takes about two to two and a half hours to complete and can be taken in a classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org

Troop Committee Training

Troop CommitteeTroop Committee Training helps troop committee members better understand their roles and responsibilities. This training enables troop committee members to give support to the troop, Scouts, and Scoutmasters. Troop Committee Challenge is an in-person course only.  The training takes about two to two and a half hours to complete and can be taken in a classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org         


Unit Commissioner Training

commissioner-trainingA trained unit commissioner is an effective commissioner. The training takes about four hours to complete and can be taken in a classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org
 

Venturing Training 

VentureCrew Advisor Training, Crew Committee Training, and Crew Board of Review Training can be taken in a classroom setting or online at my.scouting.org.