training
Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader
Trained leaders are not just important—they are essential to the success of the program. Why? Because every Scout deserves a leader who understands the aims of Scouting and knows how to deliver it with enthusiasm and fun. When you are trained, you gain the confidence and knowledge of your role, responsibilities, and available resources, making you more effective at fulfilling the true promise of Scouting.
Table of Contents
Training Calendar
Required Training
Some training is required to be completed by all adult volunteers or those who are registered in certain positions.
Safeguarding Youth Training
Scouting safely is our top priority and the Pacific Crest Council and Scouting America are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all. To further our commitment to safety, Scouting America launched the new Safeguarding Youth Training replacing Youth Protection Training.
This training is mandatory for all registered adult volunteers to complete annually and has been developed with insights from leading experts in child safety, law enforcement, and child psychology. This updated training reinforces a culture of active supervision, situational awareness, and safety, ensuring we are all equipped to help keep our Scouts safe.
Direct Contact Leaders
All direct contact leaders are required to be fully trained to register in their position.
A direct contact leader includes:
- Cub Scouts
- Cubmasters & Assistant Cubmasters
- Den Leaders & Assistant Den Leaders
- Scouts BSA
- Scoutmasters
- Assistant Scoutmasters
Becoming a Trained Cub Scout Leader
Cubmasters & Den Leaders
STEP 1
STEP 2
Take the Safeguarding Youth Training
STEP 3
Take Your Position Specific Training
STEP 4
Celebrate Being a Trained Leader!
Becoming a Trained Scouts BSA Leader​
Scoutsmasters & Assistant Scoutmasters
STEP 1
STEP 2
Take the Safeguarding Youth Training
STEP 3
Take Your Position Specific Training
STEP 3
Take Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
(In-person, overnight training)
STEP 5
Celebrate Being a Trained Leader!
All Other Leaders
All other leaders, including committee members and merit badge counselors, are strongly encouraged to complete their position specific training and be fully trained in order to best implement the Scouting program.
You can find a full list of position specific training requirements below.
Supplemental & Advanced Training
Training is an ongoing process. Adult volunteers are encouraged to expand their knowledge and skills by taking additional supplemental training to add to their Scouting toolbox.
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation
This in-person overnight training is designed to prepare Cub Scout leaders for overnight outdoor activities, particularly camping trips. It is mandatory that at least one adult be BALOO trained on any Cub Scout overnighter.
Make sure to check our training calendar for upcoming opportunities.
University of Scouting
The University of Scouting is a supplemental training opportunity offered by the Pacific Crest Council for all adult Scout leaders. Whether you are new to the program or a veteran of many years, the University provides interesting courses applicable across the Scouting programs.
2025 University of Scouting
- November 1, 2025
- 3 Locations (Bend, Eugene, Jacksonville)
Wood Badge
Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open only to Scouting volunteers and professionals. Scouters from Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, Explorers, and district and council Scouters are all welcome and belong here. This course will help you better understand how all the Scouting programs tie together. It will provide you with many useful leadership tools to help enable our youth to have the best possible Scouting experience. There is no better time to attend a Wood Badge course and make a difference in your unit than when you are a Cub Scout Leader.
2026 Wood Badge Course
- April 16-19 & May 1-3, 2026
- Camp Baker
Philmont Training Center
The Philmont Training Center (PTC) is the national volunteer training center for Scouting America. Located at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, it provides advanced training opportunities for volunteer and professional leaders and offers family programs.
Youth Training
National Youth Leadership Training
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed program designed to provide youth with leadership skills and experience they can apply in their troop or crew and in other situations requiring leadership of self and others.
Questions
Have questions about what training you need or upcoming training opportunities? Contact Larrie Deardurff or Jennifer Mooney.
