Why Training?

The words of Scouting’s founder, Lord Baden Powell, echo with timeless wisdom: “Every boy deserves a trained leader.” This isn’t just a motto—it’s a responsibility. As a Scout Leader, your role is to guide, inspire, and empower the next generation of leaders, adventurers, and citizens. To do that, you owe it to them to be fully trained.

BSA training equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to deliver the best program possible for your Scouts. Whether it’s teaching knot-tying, leading hikes, or fostering a sense of camaraderie, the more prepared you are, the better the experience you create for your youth.

Think of it this way: investing a little time in your training means investing in the future of Scouting. When you take that training, you’re not just checking off a box—you’re stepping into your role with the tools you need to shape young lives. You’ll rarely look back and wish you had done something else with your time.

So, are you ready to lead? Ready to grow? Ready to give every Scout the best experience possible? Sign up for a training session today—you won’t regret it.

Are you a Scout youth? Training isn’t just for leaders! It’s also about you—building your skills, confidence, and leadership potential every step of the way. Whether you’re working on your merit badges, tackling challenges, or planning your next adventure, being well-trained means you can take full advantage of all the opportunities Scouting has to offer. Your journey starts with preparation!

Improve your leadership skills through one of these courses:

• National Youth Leader Training
• SEAL Training
• Wilderness First Aid

Do you help with Cub Scouting?

• Youth Protection Training
• Hazardous Weather Training
• Den-Leader Specific Training
• Cubmaster-Specific Training
• Pack Committee Challenge Training
• BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation)

Are you involved with Scouts BSA?

• Youth Protection Training
• Hazardous Weather Training
• Scoutmaster-Specific Training
• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
• Troop Committee Challenge Training
• Merit Badge Counselor Training

Looking for even more opportunities?

Wood Badge
Wood Badge is BSA’s next level training course that puts you in the position of your Scouts, working together as members of a Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop, Ship, and Venturing Crew.

University of Scouting
The University of Scouting offers more than 100 classes in 5 different colleges, with dozens of new classes each year.

MEGA Training
Meet other Scouting volunteers like yourself while also taking one of those important training courses you need to finish to become a better leader.

Climbing Instructor Training
Climbing and Rappelling are among the few Scouting activities which challenge and captivate the imagination of all ages.

C.O.P.E. Facilitator Training
C.O.P.E. is a set of group initiative games and low and high course activities where participants climb, swing, balance, jump, and think of solutions to a variety of activities.

Chaplain Training
Our three-part Chaplain training program is focused on providing the best trained and motivated adult leaders, volunteers and youth members.

Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid is a 16-hour hands-on course that emphasizes issues that may be encountered with illness and injury when definitive medical care is more than one hour away.

Safe Swim Defense
Whenever Scouts swim, the BSA’s Safe Swim Defense plan must be followed. This training will cover the plan’s eight points.

Safety Afloat
Before a BSA group may engage in any watercraft activity, adult leaders for such activity must complete Safety Afloat training, have a Safety Afloat commitment card, and be dedicated to full compliance with all nine points of Safety Afloat.

Swimming and Water Rescue
Training for BSA Swimming and Water Rescue provides BSA leaders with information and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to swimming emergencies during unit swimming activities.

Climb On Safely
Climb On Safely is the Boy Scouts of America’s procedure for organizing BSA climbing/rappelling activities at a natural site or a specifically designed facility such as a climbing wall or tower.

Driver Improvement Program
Accidents are quite rare in Scouting. But the majority of Scouting accidents happen on the road to or from Scouting activities.

STEM Nova Counselor Training
STEM is part of an initiative the Boy Scouts of America has taken on to encourage the natural curiosity of Scouts and their sense of wonder about these fields through existing programs, from archery to welding.

STEM Supernova Mentor Training
The BSA’s Supernova awards honor Scouts for exceptional STEM achievement. But, Scouts can’t earn a Supernova unless they work with a Supernova Mentor.

The Trainer’s EDGE
The Trainer’s EDGE is a required train-the-trainer course for Wood Badge and National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) staff.

You can register for all training classes on the Capitol Area Council website here:  http://www.bsacac.org/training_events.php