
Training

Training for Adults
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Scouting America offers both in-person classroom training as well as online training. Scouting's E-Learning site allows users to take training courses online at their convenience and bookmark their place in a course thereby allowing them to return at a later date and complete the course. In order to take these online courses you will to set up an online account with the following website:
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The Troop recommends that all parents register and complete Youth Protection Training, which is required for many official adult positions in the Troop. This training is required for adults that drive Scouts to Scouting activities. The attached "Understanding and Preventing Youth-on-Youth Abuse" training (see PDF below) is also very helpful.
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Troop 648 Adult Leaders
Most adult leader will need to complete the Scouting America adult application form and create an account with Scouting's E-Learning site. All Troop 648 adult leaders will need to complete the 'Youth Protection Training.' All completed forms and Youth Protection Training certificates should go to the Troop Training Chair.
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Below are the steps you need to take to become a trained and registered adult leader.
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(1) The adult volunteer takes the necessary online and in-person training for the leadership position. The following are good resources.
- https://www.scouting.org/training/adult.aspx
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https://www.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/TrainedLeader_Requirements.pdf​​
(2) The adult volunteer completes a Scouting America Adult Application specific to the leadership position. Some leadership positions require signature of the Chartering Organization (AFUMC).
(3) The annual re-chartering process requires a minimum of trained leaders for the Troop's re-charter. The Troop pays money to have these trained adults on the re-charter. The benefit of having trained adults on the re-charter is that we need to have registered adults on Scout outings. The following is guidance from Scouting America on training and registration.
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"Youth Protection training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers. Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered. Two-deep leadership on all outings required. A minimum of two registered adult leaders, or one registered leader and a participating Scout’s parent, or another adult is required for all trips and outings. One of these adults must be 21 years of age or older."
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In general, the Troop registers enough trained leaders as we think are necessary for our Scout outings. We tend to register more trained adult leaders then we think we might need. This gives us the flexibility to mix and match registered leaders on Scout outings and to spread out the workload.
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Wood Badge Course
Wood Badge is advanced Scout leader training that began in 1919 by Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting and Wood Badge’s first director. It came to America in 1948 and has been updated to reflect current Scouting America policies and programs. Incorporating the best techniques available, Wood Badge has become the most advanced leadership training course in Scouting!
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Wood Badge is the highest level of Scout leadership training and provides you with the tools to be a superior leader. The leadership skills taught are for leaders from all Scouting areas including Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing and the district and council. The 1st half of the course utilizes a classroom environment and practical exercises to teach the essentials of leadership. You’ll learn what makes leadership work for you in Scouting and your personal life. The 2nd half offers classroom and outdoor experiences to help you learn the application of leadership skills. Finally, you will write and complete a “Ticket”. The “Ticket” consists of five written goals. These goals connect your new leadership knowledge to your role in Scouting.
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Any Scouter who has attended basic training for their registered position and serves in a leadership role in Scouting or in a position that directly supports a unit can attend.
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See: https://www.ncacbsa.org/training/wood-badge/
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Merit Badge Counselors
Merit badge counselors will also need to create an account with Scouting's E-Learning site and complete the 'Youth Protection Training.' Merit badge counselors will also need to complete the Scouting America adult application form and the attached form below, which is used by Four Mile Run District. All completed forms and Youth Protection Training certificates should go to the Troop Training Chair.
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Wilderness First Aid
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Treks to high adventure bases require some or all of the adult leaders to be trained in Wilderness First Aid. The following are several opportunities for this training.
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Campaign Pay it Forward: https://campaignpayitforward.com/wilderness-first-aid/
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Fairfax County Parktakes: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes (Search on "Wilderness")
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NCAC Wilderness First Aid: https://www.ncacbsa.org/blog/2019/01/11/outdoor-preparedness-initiative/
Training for Scouts
All Scouts should receive some training to help them with their Scouting skills and leadership duties. This is the core of Scouting.
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“Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it.”
“Training boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmaster's most important job.”
—Robert S. S. Baden-Powell
Scouting Founder
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The Troop has an "Introduction to Leadership Skills," which provides an introduction to the leadership skills taught in Scouting.
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Senior scouts can also participate in National Youth Leadership Training (or "NYLT"). This training is usually over two weekends in the Winter and Summer months. The following webpage provides the latest NYLT course offerings:
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https://www.ncacbsa.org/training/national-youth-leadership-training/
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This training is highly encouraged for Scouts interested in becoming the Senior Patrol Leader.