“Every Scout deserves a trained leader.”

There are many ways to be trained. The easy starting place is with Leader Fast Start Training.

The BSA Online Learning Center has created an “e-learning” center so that you get the basic introduction as soon as possible. These courses can help adult leaders deliver quality Scouting experiences to youth. A log-in is required; however anyone may create a user account and view the courses.

·       Cub Scout Leader Fast Start Training - This is the first step toward training for any volunteer new to Cub Scouting. This course should be taken immediately after you register but before you begin youth activities. The course introduces the aims and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America's foundational program and then zeroes in on the job. Subsections of the course will brief anyone new to the job of Tiger Cub leader, den leader, Webelos den leader, or Cubmaster. We also cover the standard parts of the meeting and tell where additional resources can be found. This program typically takes no more than an hour to complete.

·       Boy Scout Leader Fast Start Training – This is the first step to take for any volunteer new to Boy Scouting. This course should be taken before beginning youth activities. You'll learn the aims and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America's core program, then zero in on the job. You'll cover the seven parts of the troop meeting, the troop committee, outdoor program, and other basic concepts of Scouting, all in one short online experience. It's the best way for someone new to the program to quickly grasp how troop Scouting works and where additional resources can be found.

·       Venturing Advisor Fast Start Training - This is the first step for any volunteer new to Venturing. This course should be taken immediately after you register but before you begin youth activities. The course introduces the aims and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America's coeducational program for youth from 14 to 20 years of age, and goes on to explain how the program works to deliver a relevant and compelling program. The highly graphic and interactive program typically takes no more than an hour to complete.

There are also online training courses for some of the more important aspects of the Scouting program as well.

·       Youth Protection Training - The BSA places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. All Cub Scout and Boy Scout adult volunteers should take this course. It covers the BSA's Youth Protection policies, kinds of abuse, signs of abuse, how to respond to disclosure of abuse, and proper reporting procedures. It does so by taking you through situations that require choices and produce consequences.

·      Safety Afloat - Safety Afloat has been developed to promote  boating and boating safety and to set standards for safe unit activity afloat. Before a BSA group may engage in an excursion, expedition, or trip on the water (canoe, raft, sailboat, motorboat, rowboat, tube, or other craft), adult leaders for such activity must complete Safety Afloat Training, have a commitment card with them, and be dedicated to full compliance with all nine points of Safety Afloat.

·      Safe Swim Defense - Before a BSA group may engage in swimming activities of any kind, a minimum of one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training, have a commitment card (No. 34243) with them, and agree to use the eight defenses in this plan.

District Training – periodically throughout the year the Thunderbird District offers in person training in a variety of program areas. Follow the link to the calendar section of the web site for any courses being offered.