Taughannock District
Baden-Powell Council, BSA
Training

Training Chairs: Mike Homrighaus and Jim Graney
Any questions on training? E-mail training@TompkinsCortlandScouts.org 

Important Changes to the Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection Training Policies
Effective June 1, 2010

Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA.

To increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is implementing several important changes to further enhance its Youth Protection policies effective June 1, 2010:

• Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.

• New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training before they submit their application for registration.
  The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.

• For current leaders, 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.

• To ensure these policies are fully implemented, please take the following steps:
  

  • If you have not taken Youth Protection Training within the past two years, please log on to MyScouting.org and take the training. Be sure to have your member ID number. The number can be found on your Boy Scouts of America membership card.

  • If you do not know your member ID number, contact your unit leader or committee chairman. Your council
    can also assist you.

  • If you have taken Youth Protection Training online but did not input your member ID number, please log back on to the Training section of MyScouting and input your member ID so the training will be linked with your records.

  • A person does not have to be a registered volunteer or have an ID number to take Youth Protection training. To take the training, log in to MyScouting and create an account. From the MyScouting portal, click on E-Learning and take the Youth Protection training. Upon completion, print a certificate and submit it with an application or submit to the unit leader for processing at the local council.

  • If you have taken Youth Protection Training within the past two years but did not take the course online, log on to MyScouting to ensure your records are up to date, or contact your council and have them verify that your Youth Protection Training records are accurate.

  • Finally, please share these important changes with other Scouters.

  • Youth Protection Training is available online at http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.

Questions and Answers

The following are answers to some of the questions we have received about these important changes. To read more, visit www.scouting.org/youthprotection.

Q1: When does the change go into effect?
A1: As of June 1, 2010, all registered adult volunteers--no matter what their position entails--must complete Youth Protection training prior to beginning their volunteer service.

Q2: Why a new training policy on such short notice?
A2: Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the Boy Scouts of America. It is important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. The BSA is always reevaluating and reassessing its policies to ensure the safest youth program and the best training are offered. The BSA's Youth Protection training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and accepted as a mandated training for all registered BSA adult volunteers.

Q3: What is the deadline to meet the new Youth Protection training standard?
A3: All registered leaders should take or renew their Youth Protection training so that it is current as of today. A unit will not be able to recharter without its key registered adults being up-to-date on their Youth Protection training. No individual leader will be able to register without being up-to-date on his or her Youth Protection training.

Q4: Is there a grace period to get all adults trained?
A4: No. If a leader's Youth Protection training is not current, the volunteer must take or renew this training immediately. Every effort should be taken so that all adults involved in Scouting have a current certificate of completion of the Youth Protection training.

Q5: Will the system be able to handle the overload of people taking training at the last minute?
A5: The system platform that houses e-learning is expected to be able to handle
the high volume.

Q6: Does "all volunteers" mean all volunteers -- even board members and council presidents?
A6: Yes. The goal is to have all registered volunteers Youth Protection-trained. This is an important statement for the Boy Scouts of America as a youth organization and reinforces the BSA's commitment to the well-being of all youth members and volunteers.

Q7: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth protection. Can I "test out" by only taking the Youth Protection online quiz?
A7: No. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest information on BSA Youth Protection.

Important: Please note that the quiz has been removed from the e-Learning Center because the content did not reflect the new changes in Youth Protection policy.

Q8: Does the executive officer (institutional head) of a unit need to take Youth Protection training?
A8: If the executive officer is not a registered leader, he or she is not required to complete Youth Protection training, although it is strongly recommended. If the executive officer is a registered member of the BSA, then he or she must complete Youth Protection training.

Q9: I am a Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent. Do I need to take Youth Protection training?
A9: The Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent designations are not registered adult positions; therefore, mandatory Youth Protection training is not required. It is strongly recommended, however, that all adults involved in Scouting take Youth Protection training. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.

Q10: I am an Explorer post Advisor. Does this new policy apply to me?
A10: Yes. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.

Q11: The new policy indicates that a Youth Protection certificate of completion must be submitted "at the time of application." What does that mean?
A11: A BSA application should be collected from a prospective leader only with the fully completed form, with a copy of the individual's Youth Protection certificate of completion. Both documents should be submitted together to the council service center.

Q12: Do leaders need to wait until they have final clearance on the background check to meet with youth?
A12: No. As long as their application is fully completed, submitted to the council service center, and approved, their fee is paid, and their Youth Protection training has been received by and acknowledged by the council, they will be able to interact with youth members while the criminal background check (CBC) is still pending.

Q13: Do merit badge counselors need to take Youth Protection training?
A13: Yes. A merit badge counselor is a registered volunteer position.

Q14: Can units that have some adult leaders who have not completed Youth Protection training be rechartered?
A14: In order for a unit to be rechartered, it must have all the required positions filled with Youth Protection-trained adults. Adults who do not have current (within the past two years) Youth Protection training will not be reregistered.

Q15: Will the new adult applications have this information?
A15: Yes. All new applications will reflect these changes.

Q16: Can a council or district organize Youth Protection group training for its adults?
A16: Yes. It is encouraged that adults take the training via the online module, but the instructor-led model is still acceptable as long as the most current version of the Youth Protection DVD (item No. 610327 or 36121) is used and the end-of-course quiz is proctored by the trainer at the end of the training session. Reminder: It is critical that training completion certificates be issued after successful completion and that a formal training record roster be submitted to the council registrar so proper credit can be recorded in the profiles of each participant.

Q17: Will both the regular and Venturing leader versions of Youth Protection training meet the requirement?
A17: Yes, as long as the most current versions of the DVDs are used for group training. The online version is the preferred method, as it allows for those taking the training to get one-on-one training and take all the time they need for review. The individual is issued an immediate certificate of completion, which allows for the updating of the volunteer's ScoutNet record.

Q18: If a person is not a registered leader, how can he or she log in and take the Youth Protection training?
A18: A person does not have to be a registered volunteer to take Youth Protection training. To take the training, log in to myscouting.org and click on create an account. After you have confirmed your new myscouting account user name and password, log in to myscouting.org and click on e-training to begin the Youth Protection training. Upon completion, print a certificate to submit with a completed adult leader application to the unit leader or your local council representative for processing. Remember to keep a copy for your records.

Once the application is approved, the new leader will receive his or her membership card with their member ID. It is important that new members log back in to myscouting.org and update their profile with this member ID to receive credit for completing this and any other training.

To find out more about the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help Scouting keep your family safe, see the information available in any of the Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting handbooks, or go to http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.

Thank you for your commitment to our nation’s young people and to Scouting.

Sincerely,
James Terry
Assistant Chief Scout Executive

Cub Scouts 2010 - the "New Delivery Method"

The "New Delivery Method" for Cub Scouts has been rolled out by National, and den leaders should plan to implement the New Method starting with the first meetings in the Fall of 2010. 

What is the New Delivery Method? The change for Cub Scouts is a piloted and successful method of delivering the existing Cub Scout program that is handbook-based and focuses on den activities leading to youth advancement and higher retention. Here are some links to resources from the National Website for your use: 

• The New Delivery Method home page

• What's in it for me? An overview page of the new method. 

• Watch the movie!  A Quicktime video introduction to the new method. 

• Here's what you need to get started - look at the Den and Pack Resource Guide page, or go directly to the individual parts:

  • Overview of Cub Scouting

  • Den Meeting Plans - read about what they are and how to use them. Then, get the plans themselves: 

    • Tiger Cub Den Meeting Plans 

    • Wolf Den Meeting Plans

    • Bear Den Meeting Plans

    • Webelos Den Meeting Plans

    • Arrow of Light Den Meeting Plans

  • Pack Meeting Plans - read about them and download them. 

  • Helpful Hints for Den Leaders

Are all of your unit's leaders trained?

For a list of what courses a leader needs to take to be considered "trained", see this document on the Council Website. 

Here are the currently scheduled upcoming training opportunities: 

• Boy Scout Leader Basic Training - Sessions 1, 2, and 3 - May 1st  and August 28th - Boy Scout Leader Basics, session 1, 2 and 3, is required training for Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Committee Chairs and anyone who wants to know more about the Boy Scout Program. This Course is a one day course taught by experience Scoutmasters and Boy Scout Leaders. This is a classroom session. You should also take Boy Scout Leader Outdoor Skills - see blow. Download the flyer and registration form here, or check the council website.

• OWLS - Webelos Leader Outdoor Skills - June 12th at Camp Barton -  If you are involved in camping with either WEBELOS or Cub Scouts, you need to have a solid understanding of both the outdoor program and the skills required to pull off a safe and enjoyable outdoor adventure! This training is open to ALL adults of any rank, whether they are Pack Staff or just interested and involved (registered) parents. This course satisfies the training requirement for the WEBELOS Leader knot. Watch the council website for details.
• Cub Scout Leader Basic Train the Trainer - June 19th -This "train the trainer" course was developed for and by Baden-Powell Council Cub Trainers. This Course will take you through the Pack Trainer training and you'll leave with the tools to become a valuable trainer for your Unit, District and Council. Help your unit, District and Baden-Powell Council get 100% trained for our 100th Anniversary.
• Youth Protection Train the Trainer - June 19th - Youth protection Trainers are needed in every council and every unit if possible. This training gives you the tools and videos to do the National Course of Youth Protection Training for Cub Scout Leaders, Boy Scout Leaders, Venturing Leaders and the youth of each program. Find more information on the council website for location and times.
• National Youth Leader Training - August 15 - 20th - Camp Tuscarora - National Youth Leader Training is especially made for our young men in Boy Scouting and now for our young men and women in Venturing. This course gives our youth the tools they will start needing for their leadership positions. It is amazing to watch the youth in this program grow during this training experience. At least two youth from every Boy Scout or Venturing unit should attend this course.
• Trainer's Development Conference - September 11th - Trainer's Development Conference is a course to assist new and experience leaders to become better trainers. This course is for Adults Leaders as well as Boy Scouts, Venturers. All attendees will be show techniques to improve their teaching skills. After completing training you will receive your Purple Trainer's Name Tag.

• Basic Training at Fall Roundtables: If you, or any of the leaders in your, unit have not completed basic training, including the position-specific training for the currently registered position, the District Training Committee will be offering training at Roundtables this fall. 

  • The general session at the September Roundtable will be Youth Protection Training (YPT). All registered leaders must take YPT at least once every two years - has your training passed its sell-by date? Also, as of June 1, 2010, all leaders must be listed as having taken YPT when their units recharter, so make sure that your training is current and correct on the BSA database (see notice above).
    This course is also available online through http://www.myscouting.org  

  • Position-specific training will be offered at the October Roundtable. Position-specific training will be offered for the following positions: Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster, Tiger, Wolf/Bear and Webelos Den Leader, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster, Venture Crew Leader and Associate Leader, Commissioner, Troop Committee member/Chartered Organization Representative. Note that anyone changing position (say, from Bear to Webelo Den Leader, or Den Leader to Cubmaster) must get the position-specific training for their new position in order to be considered "trained", unless the new position is covered by the same training as the old position (i.e. moving from ASM to SM, or Wolf to Bear Den Leader). 

  • Scouting 101 or "How to Speak Scouting" -  this will be a presentation  at the November Roundtable on the organization and terminology of Scouting, from Cub Dens through National. Even if you've been a leader for a long time, you will get something out of a wash and brush-up of your Scout Speak. 

  • This Is Scouting (formerly NLE) - the third part of basic leader training, formerly called "New Leader Essentials", now "This is Scouting", will be offered at the December roundtable. This course is also available online through http://www.myscouting.org 

• Train-o-Ree - while the boy leaders are enjoying a day of training, there will also be interesting courses offered for their Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters and other troop-level adults. The Train-o-Ree will be held in November 2010 - details and location to be announced. 

• Friends of Scouting Presenters training will be held in January 2011 . Watch this site for details. 

• BALOO - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor training, for all Cub Leaders who want to take their Cubs camping. Council BALOO dates in 2011 as announced in Council Calendar are February 26,. 

If your pack or troop has a large number of people who need training, don't wait for a scheduled session - the Training Committee is also bringing the training to you! Contact them at training@TompkinsCortlandScouts.org and schedule a training session for your pack leaders. Packs should have a Pack Trainer if at all possible, so as to be able to present leader training to new leaders as needed. Also, anyone who has been through a given training module can train others, so last years' Bear leaders can train this year's leaders, and so on. 

Has your training passed its "shelf life"? 

Have you applied for recognition of your accomplishments?

The BSA has many "square knot" recognition awards for taking training and putting it into practice. See the Recognition section of the Advancement page for details.