Fast Start Leader Training - online

When new leaders join Scouting, it is essential that they receive immediate information that will help them get started and lay the groundwork for success in their leadership roles. This will help new leaders to understand what is expected and to establish effective meeting patterns so that the boys and their families can enjoy a quality program from the start.
Fast Start training is a short video-based training program designed to fulfill this need. It should be viewed within 48 hours of when a new leader accepts the position. While a new leader can view the tape alone, it may be helpful for a knowledgeable Scouter from the Pack, Troop, or District to view the tape with him or her to establish personal contact and answer any questions.

Youth Protection Training - online

Youth Protection Training is a short (~90 minute) group session that teaches you what you need to know to protect both our Scouts and our adult leaders from abuse. Youth Protection Training is required for all adult leaders. It must be taken every three years.

New Leader Essentials

New Leader Essentials is an introductory session (!.5 hr) that highlights the values, aims, history, funding and methods of Scouting. It addresses how these aims and methods are reached in an age-appropriate style within Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting and Venturing. Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforcement are presented during the 90-minute training session. Ideally, all unit-based volunteers - Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders - take this session at the same time, so they understand that they are all striving for the same results with the youth they serve. Each leader completes New Leader Essentials training only once.

Boy Scout Leader Specific Training

For Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters, offered at the District level. The training is divided into four parts. The first three parts concentrate on troop operation and can be completed in one full day or three evenings (3 hr/evening). The final part, which focuses on outdoor skills, lasts approximately a day and a half, depending on the skill level of the new leader. The leader is considered trained when he or she has completed New Leader Essentials, Leader Specific Training and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. For troop committee members. Troop committee training consists of the Troop Committee Challenge, which can be completed in three hours. A troop committee member is considered trained after the completion of New Leader Essentials and the Troop.

           Troop Committee Training - This 3 hour course helps committee members better understand their role and responsibilities.

           Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmaster Training - This 9 hour course covers the basic skills that all adults need to know when working with a troop.

Introduction To Outdoor Leader Skills

This is a fun-filled program, offered at the District level,  of hands-on skills training in the outdoors, designed to help you master basic camp skills required for Tenderfoot to First Class.

Instructors will help you learn how to set up camp, cook, work with wood tools, knots, first aid, planning campfire programs, map and compass skills, hiking and packing techniques, nature identification, and Leave No Trace. Each outdoor session will bring to life the pages in the Boy Scout Handbook to help you deliver the promise of scouting to yourself and the youth you serve. It will increase your comfort level and give you confidence as a trained, skilled leader. The program will also give you the opportunity to work with other Scout Leaders from your area, meet new friends, and reinforce skill techniques with fellow unit leaders.

 Take New Leader Essentials and either Committee or SM & ASM prior to attending IOLS.

Wood Badge Training

Wood Badge is a comprehensive training course started by Robert S. S. Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, to help leaders hone their skills, extend their understanding of boys and of other adults, and go on to new levels of personal growth and learning as Scouters. As Scouting has grown and evolved, so too has Wood Badge. Today, Wood Badge provides advanced training in leadership and teamwork for adult leaders in all Scouting programs including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity and Venturing, as well as district and council volunteers. Wood Badge is advanced training for adult scout leaders. It is offered as either a week-long session, or as a series of 2 weekend events.

The week-long Wood Badge training is usually offered at Philmont Scout Reservation in June, which would be fantastic way for a Scouter to spend a week.

Other Training Opportunities

Mustang District Training - Adult leader specific training . Contact the the Mustang District Training Chairman - Lori Powell (281-550-9943) for more info

Sam Houston Area Council - University of Scouting - Feb. 5 , 2005- Adult leader specific training.

Monthly District Roundtable

The Mustang District schedules a monthly roundtable meeting for adult leaders. These are normally held on the second Thursday of the month. All scouting adults are welcome. These sessions offer timely information on local Scouting events, and often include a training session on some aspect of adult leadership.

See the Troop 209 calendar for upcoming training or click here for a summary of 2004-2005 training.

This page was last edited May 02, 2006