Every Boy Deserves a Trained Leader
Leadership Training is an important part of the success of a Cub Scout Pack. Training does not pertain to just contact leaders. Committee members are also required to be trained. It prepares the Pack members with ways to enhance the program at the Den and Pack level, and helps the Pack, as a whole, to provide a Quality Program.
To be considered “fully trained” a leader / committee member must complete:
- Youth Protection Training
- This is Scouting
- Cub Scout Leader Specific
Upon completion of all required training an adult leader will have earned a “Trained” patch.
For upcoming training opportunities, please refer to the Pack Calendar.
While training is ideally done in Council (you'll be with local people trained by people you'll see at Scouting events), it is not required for you to complete your training in Rainbow Council. All other local area BSA Councils provide the same trainings. Our surrounding councils are; Des Plaines Valley Council (which serves the area around Countryside, Lemont, etc.), Three Fires Council (which serves the Fox Valley area, including Naperville and Aurora) and the Calumet Council to our east.. If you are going to get training outside of Rainbow Council, make sure to ask them to forward record of your training to Rainbow Council and get & copy your certification card for proof of class completion, date, & location. Whether your training is in Council or out-of-council, make 2 copies of your training card, one for the Pack Trainer and one for your own files. In regards to on-line training, follow the same procedure.
PRIMARY TRAINING
Youth Protection Training (YPT) - online or live session training
Youth Protection is a program designed to protect our Scouts from anything that might be considered inappropriate. It's also designed to educate the leader in the proper precautions he or she needs to take to protect our scouts and leaders from being in harm's way. This training should be renewed every 2 years.
Youth Protection training can be completed as an online course over the internet. Follow this link and login for Youth Protection (if you've not logged in before, you'll need to create an account - and be sure to keep track of your login information). Your BSA Number is on your BSA membership card or you can call Rainbow Council to get the number. You do NOT need to have your BSA number to register and complete the training. Just continue past the member number and on to personal information. When you do get your number, you'll have to update your profile at myscouting.scouting.org to make sure the records are updated in Rainbow Council's system.
This is Scouting - online or live session training
This Is Scouting is a new online training session that replaces New Leader Essentials. It picks up when Fast Start leaves off with six modules of training: The Mission of Scouting, Programs for All ages, Scouting Is Fun, Scouting in the Community, Keeping Our Youth Safe, and Scouting’s Legacy. The training takes about an hour to complete and can be found on Online Learning Center. (If you are new to Scouting, you will be asked to create an account.)
Cub Scout Leader Specific - online or live session training
This training is specific to a leader’s current or incoming position: Tiger Cub den leaders, Cub Scout (Wolf/Bear) den leaders, Webelos den leaders, Pack Trainer, Cubmasters, and pack committee members. Advance registration is required.
SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING
Additional Training is available for leaders that want to have more insight into Scouting. Below is a list of some of the training that is available through Boy Scouts of America. National has recently added Supplemental Training articles.
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
This training provides hands-on learning experience designed to give leaders the techniques they need to plan and conduct pack overnight camping. [NOTE: Scouting requires at least one Cub Scout Leader to be Baloo trained in order for a pack to participate in an overnight outing.] Advance registration is required.
Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders (OWL)
Designed specifically for Webelos den leaders and their assistants, the Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders course teaches outdoor-related skills through demonstration and hands-on practice. Webelos den leaders should attend this training before conducting Webelos overnight camping with the boys and parents of the den. In addition to covering basic camping skills, this training features planning campouts and finding resources.
BALOO training does not replace OWL training. Even if a Webelos leader has BALOO trained, they are still required to complete OWL training before taking a Webelos den (patrol) on an overnight. Advance registration is required.
Hazardous Weather - online or live session training
Hazardous Weather training is a new initiative taken on the part of BSA to ensure that all units are prepared for extreme weather conditions in the event of that they should occur during an outing.
Safe Swim Defense - online or live session training
Before a BSA group may engage in swimming activities of any kind, a minimum of one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training, have a commitment card (No. 34243) with them, and agree to use the eight defenses in this plan.
Safety Afloat - online or live session training
Safety Afloat has been developed to promote boating and boating safety and to set standards for safe unit activity afloat. Before a BSA group may engage in an excursion, expedition, or trip on the water (canoe, raft, sailboat, motorboat, rowboat, floating in an inner tube, or other craft), adult leaders for such activity must complete Safety Afloat Training, No. 34159, have a commitment card, No. 34242, with them, and be dedicated to full compliance with all ninepoints of Safety Afloat.
RoundTable Meetings
Rainbow Council Roundtables are held every second Thursday of the month at the Grace Lutheran Church, 907 Luther Dr., Wilmington, IL at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of giving adult leaders the skills and ideas they need to deliver an exciting Cub Scout program to the boys. The roundtable serves as an information update and exchange for all units in the district. Each roundtable features information and training sessions.
Scouting University
Scouting University is a day long carnival of action, activities and program ideas. This supplemental training is usually conducted at the Council level annually in November. Topics included crafts, cooking, behavior, advancements, program ideas and other areas which help in conducting den and pack meetings. Advance registration is required.
Woodbadge for the 21st Century
Wood Badge is a multiple-weekend group training course designed to provide adults with advanced leadership skills and a more dedicated involvement in Scouting. Prerequisites for the course include Fast Start Training, New Leader Essentials, and Job Specific Training. It is also recommended that each attendee complete Outdoor Leader Fundamentals prior to attendance. Typically Wood Badge is offered once per year in the area.
For all formal training sessions, registration is required in advance.
