Training of our Adult Leaders gives us the ability to effectively “Deliver the Promise” of providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. We are proud of our commitment that: “…every youth deserves a trained leader…”

Experience has shown that completing training for their Scouting role permits Adult Leaders to be better at what they do. Trained adult leader are better at forming and managing our Scout Units, recruiting new Youth and Adult members, leading Scouts, and running effective Advancement and Outdoor Programs. Training also helps ensure the health and safety of the Youth and Adults in the Scouting program. Parents expect that their children will be safe when participating in a Scouting program. Adult Leaders, when properly trained, help to assure that this expectation is realized.

 

Council Training Policy

In 2015, after thoughtful discussion, the Executive Board of the Connecticut Yankee Council (CYC) adopted a policy requiring that all registered adults complete Position Specific Training required by the National Council of the BSA for their registered position in order to remain registered with their respective Units. Leaders who do not meet these training requirements will not be permitted to re-register on their Unit’s charter. Scouters who are registered through their District and/or Council are also required to be trained for the positions for which they are registered.

 

How did we intend to get there? While this may have seemed like a monumental task to accomplish, our plan was to take action in several phases.

Youth Protection Training

  • Youth Protection Training (YPT) must be completed by all registered adults PRIOR TO joining the Boy Scouts of America, and ANNUALLY thereafter. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • YPT is available ONLINE at my.scouting.  And there is never a charge for taking online courses with BSA.
  • In order for a Scouter to remain registered and be included on their unit (or district) charter, their YPT training must be completed in the current year. Please note that BSA currently reflects YPT expiration dates of 2 years from the last completion date. However, CYC has implemented a stricter policy requiring annual completion. Click here for more information on YPT.
  • BSA released an updated online YPT course in February 2018. The new course consists of three modules plus a 25 question quiz. All modules, including the quiz, must be completed to receive credit for the course. Modules can be completed separately or all at one sitting. The course takes around 60 minutes to complete, and is very well done.This new course meets the requirements for all Scouting programs including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Sea Scouts and Exploring. This new course must be completed by ALL leaders by October 1, 2018.

Position Specific Training

  • Position Specific Training Courses must be completed by all registered leaders. New Leaders, including those changing positions, e.g. moving from Cubmaster to Scoutmaster, must complete Position Specific Training Courses within 120 days of their registration or their position change.
  • Positions requiring Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS), e.g., Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, must complete IOLS within 180 days of registration or position change.
  • Leaders who fail to comply with this training requirement at the time of recharter will not be permitted to reregister for the following year.
  • All Registered Adults will be required to have and maintain (keep up to date) training for all positions they hold at Unit, District and Council levels.
  • All Position Specific Training Courses (except for IOLS) may be completed ONLINE at my.scouting.org. This includes training for Merit Badge Counselors, Chartered Organization Representatives,and all Commissioner positions. Click here for more options for Merit Badge Counselor Training.
  • For a current listing of in-person training classes, click here. If there is a class you would like to take but don’t see it on the course listing, contact your District Training Chair.

General

  • Each Scouter’s official Training Record is maintained electronically in My Scouting, and documents all training completed by the Leader. Leaders should contact their own Unit Leader (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Skipper, or Crew Adviser) or Unit Committee Chair for any questions regarding Training Records. District Training Chairs can also assist in correcting records.
  • It is strongly recommended that Scouters retain copies of all certificates of training (or “trained” cards), whether earned online or in person; it is also recommended that each Scouter periodically (at least annually) download his/her training record from my.scouting. Just in case.
  • Questions on this Program should be directed to the respective District Training Chair.

 

For over a century, Scouting has been an integral part of our communities, making a positive impact on countless young lives. Required Training will help the Adult Leaders of the Connecticut Yankee Council continue to offer high quality programs to our Youth members and Deliver the Promise. Every Youth deserves a trained leader.