Northeast Iowa Council > Resources > Volunteer Training

Volunteer Training

Training is an important part of learning to become an effective leader. Every youth member of Scouting deserves a trained leader. The important Scouting position you hold will be easier & more effective once you develop the skills necessary to deliver a quality scouting program every Cub Scout, Scouts BSA and Venturing desires. The Northeast Iowa Council is very committed to helping ease this process. While there are many training courses available online, we also provide many training opportunities throughout the year. We very much encourage all adults involved in Scouting to take advantage of these resources.

The online E-Learning Resource Website makes completing some of the required trainings very convenient. Simply create a username & password and all your completed training records will be kept in the BSA database!

 
Why should you get trained for your unit position? There are many reasons, of course!
  • The Scouts deserve a trained, knowledgeable leader.
  • The Scouting parents expect the person leading their child to be trained, prepared, and knowledgeable.
  • The impact you will have on youth is HUGE! You are a role model & a leader; please take advantage of the training available to you.
  • You can also benefit from the trainings. It never hurts to learn something new, and you will become a better, more confident leader because of it.
  • We want you to make friends and have fun too! We try to make our training sessions a bit fun and introduce you to other volunteers in Scouting.

What makes a “Trained” volunteer?

ALL unit leaders, committee members, and any other adult who will be in direct contact with a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America are required to take Youth Protection Training. Youth Protection Training is designed to help you keep our youth safe from abuse.  You will learn the BSA’s Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse. This training course is offered many times throughout the year and it is also offered online.  If you do take it online, please print out your certificate. This training course MUST be renewed every two years. Estimated time to complete is 60 minutes.

Please click on the drop down items below to view the required training sessions for your leadership position.

  1. Youth Protection Training: Youth Protection Training is required of all unit leaders, committee members, and any other adult who will be in direct contact with a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America. This certification MUST be completed to volunteer with the BSA and must be renewed every two years.  This can be taken online at any time. Estimated time to complete is 60 minutes.
  2. Cub Scout Leader Specific Training: Den Leader Position-Specific Training is intended to provide Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos den leaders with the information and tools they need to conduct successful den meetings. Den leaders who complete the Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos training, along with Youth Protection training, are considered trained for their position.  This certification MUST be completed for units to complete their charter. This can also be taken online at any time. Estimated time to complete is 2 hours.
  3. Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO): BALOO is an energetic training that will cover everything a Cub Scout leader needs to know to plan a fun pack overnighter. At least one adult must be certified in this in order to take your pack camping. 
  1. Youth Protection Training: Youth Protection Training is required of all unit leaders, committee members, and any other adult who will be in direct contact with a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America. This certification MUST be completed to volunteer with the BSA and must be renewed every two years.  This can be taken online at any time. Estimated time to complete is 60 minutes.
  2. Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training: a district level training course offered online. The course will provide Scoutmasters with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Scout BSA troops. Scoutmasters MUST complete this training for units to complete their charter. Estimated time to complete is 3 hours.
  3. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS): IOLS is an overnight training primarily for Scout BSA leaders. The course emphasizes safety, procedures and the best methods for outdoor enjoyment with Scouts ages 11 to 16.  
  1. Youth Protection Training: Youth Protection Training is required of all unit leaders, committee members, and any other adult who will be in direct contact with a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America. This certification MUST be completed to volunteer with the BSA and must be renewed every two years.  This can be taken online at any time. Estimated time to complete is 60 minutes.
  2. Committee Specific Training: Committee Specific Training is designed for unit committee members.  This is offered online. Estimated time to complete is 1 hour 41 minutes.
  3. Charter Representative Training: This course is required of the charter representative only, not the entire unit committee.  It is offered online. Estimated time to complete is 48 minutes.

Youth Protection Training

You do not have to be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America to take Youth Protection training.

How to take Youth Protection Training:
  • Go to My.Scouting.org and create an account.
  • You will receive an email notification with your account information (including a member ID/reference number).
  • From the My.Scouting.org portal, click Home then My Dashboard from the menu list.
  • The My Training page displays to take Youth Protection training
  • Upon completion, you may print a training certificate to submit with a volunteer application.
  • Your training will automatically be updated in our system and associated with the member ID/reference number issued when you created the account.

When your volunteer application is approved, you will receive a BSA membership card that includes your member ID number.

For more information on Youth Protection Training, please visit: www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.

There are many other training courses a volunteer or leader can take to further supplement their training, or to focus on a specific skill. Please click on the links below to learn more about these courses. We very much encourage learning and trying new things at Scouts! Whatever it is you wish to know, from a historical background on Scouting, to geocaching, to how to conduct a Pinewood Derby Race; we have the resources for you. Learn more about these supplemental courses.

Safety is also a top priority.  We have many courses specifically on Safety & Health. Learn more about courses on Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Climb On Safely, Trek Safely, CPR & First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid.

If you’re looking to to develop leadership skills and experience you can use in Scouting positions as well as other situations demanding leadership, consider taking a Wood Badge course.

And remember to check out the most recent updates on trainings at The Training Times.

Upcoming Training Events

Wood Badge Training

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 all are welcome and belong here.

Wood Badge courses are divided into two parts; the Practical Phase and the Application Phase. The Practical Phase takes place over two weekends. Participants then complete their “ticket” during Practical Phase within 18 months.