Books, badges, and materials for scout leader training under the theme "Leadership Development."

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Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader

If you had a magic wand, would you use it to make the Scouting program better and more fun for youth so they stayed in Scouting longer, so it had a larger impact on their lives? What if the same magic wand made leadership roles easier, more rewarding, and led to better retention among adult leaders? Would using that magic wand be a top priority?

Well, such a magic wand does exist—in the form of the learning programs for leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.

Common sense tells us that training is important, and research shows the importance of trained leaders. A trained leader is knowledgeable and more confident in the role being performed. Trained leaders exhibit a knowledge and confidence that is picked up by people around them. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, safety, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be!

Scout Leadership Development Training

CA Mandated Reporter Training

All registered adults must take this state training.
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Safeguarding Youth Training

Scouting America's commitment to the safety of youth is of utmost importance. Learn more about our updated Safeguarding Youth Training and requirements.
Learn More

Online Training Center

All position specific basic training courses and program safety courses can be taken online at my.scouting.org at your convenience.
Visit Training Center

Supplemental & Advanced Training

Once you have completed your basics check out our supplemental and advanced trainings to refine your Scouting.
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Training Requirements by Program

Cub Scouts logo featuring a wolf on a yellow and blue diamond background.

Cub Scouts

The emblem of the Boy Scouts of America featuring a fleur-de-lis, an eagle, and a shield with stars and stripes. Scout training applies.

Scouts BSA

Venturing Leaders emblem, featuring a white mountain and a yellow checkmark.

Venturing Leader

Supplemental & Advanced Training

Accordion Content

People hiking and camping in snowy terrain with "Bearpaw Training" text.

BearPaw is our Council’s outdoor winter camping experience for Scouts BSA troops and Venturing crews.  It was the featured [front page] article in the January 2014 issue of Boy’s Life magazine as a premier national BSA event. The outdoor camping experience allows participants to put into practice what they learned during troop meetings, which is camping in the snow or a very cold environment within a very safe environment accompanied by a couple hundred fellow Scouters.

Scouts practicing CPR on mannequins outdoors during scout training.

An interactive course to teach basic first aid and CPR with AED. Designed for Scoutmasters, ASM’s and scouters. Minimum is 14 years of age. For Boy Scouts with rank of First Class, first aid merit badge, and scoutmaster approval. For Venturers active in a crew.

A course booklet will be provided first day of class upon request. After successful completion of this course you will be mailed an ASHI CPR with AED and First Aid card good for two years from the date of course.

Learn the proper Leave No Trace methods for taking Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venturing units camping.  As more people use parks and recreation facilities, LEAVE NO TRACE guidelines become even more important for outdoor visitors.  Leave No Trace is a plan that helps people to be more concerned about their environment and to help them protect it for future generations.  Leave No Trace applies in a backyard or local park (front country) as much as it does in the wilderness (back country).

This course will be a fun and engaging way to learn the 7 LNT principles and offer opportunities for you to take these exciting methods back to your unit and start teaching LNT right away.

The Merit Badge Counselor is a key player in the Scouts BSA advancement program.

How to register as a Merit Badge Counselor

To qualify as a Merit Badge Counselor, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be proficient in the merit badge subject by vocation or avocation
  • Be able to work with Scout age youth
  • Be registered with the Boy Scouts of America (as a Merit badge Counselor)

The requirements for adults interested in supporting Scouting BSA as a Merit Badge Counselor (MBC) are as follows:

Don’t forget to register for the upcoming trainings!

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Scout leader instructing a scout in archery at a range.

This course provides the basics of Archery and BB Gun instruction, range operations, and shooting skills so you can run an effective Archery or BB Gun program for Cub Scouts and Webelos. Graduates of this course will be qualified as Archery, BB Gun, Sling Shot Range Masters and may run a Range at a Cub Camp or other Council event if accompanied by at least one additional adult age 21 or over.

This course is intended for adults wishing to be a range master at a council or district event or cub camp.  Shooting sports are not an approved activity at the den or pack level.

Two Scout patches with the fleur-de-lis and the word "Trained".Earning the “Trained” patch shows that you are trained for your scouting position, but many of you devote your time to get additional training. Some required. For example, if you want to take your pack on an outdoor outing you need BALOO or taking a troop or crew on white water rafting, you need Safety afloat. We’ve developed the SVMBC training patch program so that you can display your commitment to training and to help us promote the many course that the SVMBC training teams puts on as well as additional online courses.

The training patch consists of a 3-inch round patch that can be purchased for $ 3. For each course you complete, you will receive a rocker at no charge that goes around the training patch. If you’ve completed a course in the past, you can can now order rockers at $1 each. For those of you interested in picking up a patch or to get past course rockers, they will be available online, mail order, at the San Jose Front Desk during normal business, selecting training events, and at major council events like University of Scouting and Scout-O-Rama.

Click here for mail order form

Fundamentals of Training Part 2: Craft of Training

Training Skills for New & Experienced Trainers

You Will Learn How To

  • Reduce stress and headaches
  • Increase your self confidence
  • Make sure students are learning
  • How to improve training
  • Use presentation skills that get results
  • Become more successful in your career
  • Build your ability to motivate and persuade
  • What’s important about communications

Who Should Attend

  • Required for Wood Badge trainers; recommended for University of Scouting instructors and NYLT instructors
  • Anyone who wants to communicate ideas better or become a trainer
  • Commissioners– Unit, District, Assistant District, and Roundtable
  • District Trainers for Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Exploring
  • Pack Trainers (every pack should have one) — This will help get your leaders trained!
  • Council Trainers for Wood Badge, NYLT, positions specific, iOLS, BALOO, First Aid, University of Scouting
  • Youth trainers for Venturing Roundtable, OA, Exploring & camp staff.  Must be 16 to attend.

Join Us for Fundamentals of Training Part 2: Craft of Training at the Council Service Center at 1900 The Alameda.

Dec 6th 8am-4pm  Or  Feb 7th 8am-4pm

Scouts engaging in various hands-on and educational activities.

Ever wanted to learn more about a specific Scouting topic or skill? Each year, the council conducts a supplement adult training event called the University of Scouting (UoS) with a wide range of options and over 70 classes to choose from! We are offering all kinds of classes from dutch oven baking to engineer projects to how to conduct a board of review. Check out the Course list and find the right class(es) to take your Scouting to the next level. Come for the whole day or pick just the courses you are interested in.

Visit University of Scouting Page

Wilderness First Aid logo featuring a red cross in a circle.

This course is to prepare you for the expected with this fun, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine. If you enjoy taking short trips relatively close to medical resources, work at wilderness camps, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you.

Boy Scout Wood Badge, featuring a log with an axe, rope, and two wooden pegs.

Invest in YOURSELF – and take your leadership skills to the next level!

  • Wood Badge will help you improve your leadership skills in a fun outdoor setting. You’ll be a part of a Cub Pack and a Scouts BSA Troop as you learn from amazing instructors, your fellow participants, and even from youth! Over 2 weekends (5 days) you will learn and experience the themes of Wood Badge: Connecting, Guiding, Empowering, Growing, and Living the Values.

  • Past participants have compared Wood Badge to corporate training courses costing thousands of dollars and have said “Wood Badge is WAY better!”
  • This course will sell out, so get your registration in early!

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Powder horn logo.

Open to both registered adults and youth who are at least 13 and have completed the 8th grade, Powder Horn is a hands-on resource management course designed to give you the contacts and tools necessary to conduct an awesome high-adventure program in your troop, team, crew, or ship. Contact your area training chair for information about upcoming courses in your area.

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To train and certify BSA climbing instructors. The BSA requires two certified BSA climbing instructors for units to hold their own climbing events, one who needs to be a Level II instructor (21+).  The second instructor can be a Level I instructor (18+).  A scout 16-17 can be certified as a Climbing Instructor in Training.  Level II training is valid for 3 years.  Level 1 and CIIT are valid for 1 year. Level II training requires previous Level I training or equivalent experience

  • Level 1 can support a council or unit climbing event under the direction of a Level 2 instructor.  [Note: a scout 16-17 can take a level 1 course and be certified as Climbing Instructor in Training]
  • Level 2 Grade A can lead a climbing event at any approved fixed climbing walls.
  • Level 2 Grade B can lead a climbing event at any approved natural rock route using anchored bolts and/or trees and/or Boulders/Rock.
  • Level 2 Grade C can lead a climbing event where protective gear is used to create anchors.

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We have a library of recorded supplemental trainings from various trainings including University of Scouting to help support your Scouting. 

Youtube Training Webinars Playlist 

Other Training Opportunities

Training is available in neighboring councils. Please submit any training records from other councils to training@svmbc.org.

If you have any questions or would like to contact the Training Committee, please email training@svmbc.org

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