Reprints from the Scouter Newsletter

The following Training articles appeared in recent Scouter Newsletters, and are reprinted here for your convenience.

October 2008

Summer Adult Training a Success

Over 50 adult leaders successfully completed Scoutmaster/ Assistant Scoutmaster Specific training and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills at Camp Sequassen this summer. After two years of successfully offering Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training at summer camp, the council training committee expanded it’s summer training offering to include Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. This complete training package took place over four days during each week at summer camp. Mondays and Tuesdays were dedicated to SM/ ASM Specific. Wednesdays and Thursdays were dedicated to Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills. Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific training offered in three 2+ hour sessions, encompasses the various aspects of running a troop program. Topics such as “What the Scoutmaster Is” and “What the Scoutmaster Does” to “Working with the Senior Patrol Leader”, “The Outdoor Program – The Sizzle” to “Troop Administration and Paperwork” were presented. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills covers all the outdoor program aspects that a Scout needs to reach first class. These hands on sessions included topics as Knots and Lashings, Cooking, First Aid, Campsite selection and setup, Leave No Trace Camping, Plant and Animal Identification, Map and Compass, Hiking and Backpacking.

Many thanks to Gene Waring, Bill Fromm, Jay Lubin, Mike Znosko and Mary Saracino for volunteering their summer vacation time to make this training a success. Also many thanks to camp director Dan Cooley and his camp staff for their support and guidance in making this program a success. Based on the positive feedback from this year’s participants, the training committee is planning for next summer at Camp Sequassen. Information and registration forms will be available in the coming months.

- Eric Larson, Vice-Chair for Boy Scout training, Council Training Committee

October 2008

Required Training Deadline

Just a reminder that all “Direct Contact Leaders” (generally leaders who wear a uniform, and are directly involved with the youth in our program on a routine basis) are required to complete Basic Leader Training by December 31, 2008, in order to be able to reregister with their unit for 2009. Basic Leader Training consists of New Leader Essential Training plus Leader Specific Training. For Scoutmasters and ASMs, Basic Leader Training also includes Introduction to Outdoor Skills Training. Check the Council web site for more details. 

July 2008

New Tour Permit Requirements

The 2008 printing of the Local Tour Permit has added two important requirements, for all trips beginning on or after January 1, 2009. Youth Protection Training will be valid for two years from the date completed. This means for a tour starting March 15, 2009 (for example), Adult Leaders must have completed Youth Protection Training after March 15, 2007. For Leaders currently completing Youth Protection Training on-line, the on-line “Trained” cards reflect a two-year expiration date. At least one Adult Leader must have completed “Planning and Preparing for Hazardous Weather” training. This is a new training program, only offered through the BSA Online Learning Center. The course is well designed, has plenty of good information, and can be completed in approximately 45-60 minutes. Look on the Council web site under “Health and Safety” for a link to the new Tour Permit.

July 2008

Update Your Training Records

Afraid that your personal training records don’t show all of the courses you’ve taken? Can’t get your Unit Charter to correctly show that you are trained? Then visit the Council web site under Training, and click on the menu listing for Update Training Records. An on-line form will help you identify the courses that you could have or should have completed. Not sure of the exact date you took a particular training program? Don’t worry - just give it your best guess and the Council Registrar will fill in an appropriate date in your records. The training date is not as important as recording that the training took place.

July 2008

The Council Training Committee has adopted the following policy regarding SM/ASM Leader Specific Training, including Introduction to Outdoor Skills Training:

• The Council Training Committee will ensure that this program is offered by each District at least once each year.
• Additionally, the Council Training Committee will coordinate the offering of this program each week of summer camp at Camp Sequassen.
• Each District Training Committee is use its best efforts to offer this training to leaders in individual Troops, and made available during Troop campouts. For Outdoor Skills Training offered at the individual Troop level, logistics may dictate that the course cannot be completed in a single camping weekend. In fact, it may be more advantageous to offer the program over an extended period of time - over two or more Troop campouts, allowing time at each campout to train, test, or verify existing skills of the Scout leaders while ensuring that the quality of the troop’s program for its Scouts is maintained.

Scoutmasters: please contact your District Training Chair for more information.

July 2008

Wood Badge Reunion Dinner

The annual Wood Badge Reunion Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. The gathering is scheduled for 1:00 PM and dinner will be served at 1:30 PM. The cost per person is $30.00, and donations to the Wood Badge Scholarship Fund are gratefully accepted. Once again, this year, we will be conducting a silent auction with fabulous items available. Contact Bill Fromm if you have items to donate at wunita313@aol.com. Jay Huggins is chairing this year’s event. Contact Jay with any questions: jayhuggins@charter.net. Visit the Council web site under Training or the on-line calendar for more information, menu, directions, and a reservation form.

July 2008

Hazardous Weather Training Online

Planning and Preparing for Hazardous Weather training, available online through the BSA Online Learning Center, makes leaders aware of the risks involved with weather during an outing and how to avoid them. Beginning January 1, 2009, at least one registered leader attending the outing must have completed Hazardous Weather training in order to secure a Local Tour Permit.

April 2008

Thinking Summer Camp? Think Training

SM/ASM Specific Training will be offered at Camp Sequassen each week this summer that camp is in session. AND…Introduction to Outdoor Skills Training will also be offered each week. If you’re interested in helping train other leaders in outdoor skills while at camp, please contact Jay Lubin, Eric Larson, or Christopher Guarniere.

January 2008

New Leader Essentials Now On-Line

New Leader Essentials is available on-line through the Council website. This course is required for all “Direct Contact” leaders and must be completed by December 31, 2008. The course is also recommended for all other leaders and parents interested in learning more about the Scouting program. It can be completed in about 30-45 minutes. If you do not have access to a computer at home, your local library is a good alternative. Otherwise, contact your District Executive to make arrangements to use a computer at the Council Resource Center. Each district is offering New Leader Essentials during the year, in a classroom setting. If a leader is unable to attend one of the district courses, the on-line version is a great alternative.