Boy Scouts of America

Training Updates

The Training Times

A Publication of Volunteer Development, Scouting U, BSA  – Spring 2023 Edition
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In this edition:

Scouting U National Training Conference

2023 Course Director Conferences

Strategic Training Plan Curriculum Update Schedule for Fall 2023

NYLT Leadership Academy 

WB Course Directors Conference Curriculum Update

Training Awards Update

Philmont Training Center

Scouting U National Training Conference

The annual Scouting U National Training Conference was held April 13-15 and it was GREAT. With close to 50 in-person participants and presenters and an additional 40 ZOOM participants, I think we can put it down in the books as a great success. We covered topics that included program and instructional design updates, rebuilding council training teams, our new web site design, and engaged supervision, among many other subjects as they relate to training.

Mark your 2024 calendars for April 25-27 for the 2024 Conference.  It will be held at the Las Vegas Area Council. You won’t want to miss it!

WHAT'S NEW AT SCOUTING U?

During the past couple of months, Scouting U has seen and will see some changes in leadership.  First off, our task force chair for Learning Delivery, Darlene Kihlberg died suddenly and unexpectedly.  Darlene’s death was a blow to all of us.  Darlene, or “Dar” as she was known, was a driven trainer and an accomplished team manager.  Everyone who knew Dar misses her.  

Our chair, Joel Eacker will be stepping down after ten or more years of service to volunteer training.  During that time, he has served in different roles, including chair of the old National Training Committee, lead for Learning Development and Chair for Scouting U.  He has been a steady voice and supporter of volunteer training and his leadership will be missed.

On June 1, Tom Giugni will replace Joel.  Tom has prior training experience in his council (Golden Gate Area Council,) Western Region, Area 3, as the task force lead for Leadership Development at Scouting U and as the Territory Training Coordinator for NST3.  We look forward to his leadership.

Toni Welch of Greater Yosemite Council is the new task force lead for Learning Delivery.  Toni has a long history of training in her council, Area, Region and at the National level.  Presently, Toni serves as the Program Lead for NST3.  

Kathy Newton, task force lead for Curriculum Design has resigned.  Kathy served many years in this capacity.  Tim Acree of Middle Tennessee Council has agreed to step in as the new lead.  Tim was a major contributor to the updated commissioner trainings and other projects.  Tim has a passion for training and developing good training!  

We look forward to Toni’s and Tim’s leadership and passion.

2023 COURSE DIRECTOR CONFERENCES

Are you a 2023-24 Wood Badge or NYLT Course Director, Assistant Course Director, or a senior youth leader for NYLT? If you answered yes, then you need to attend a Course Directors Conference (CDC). Use the link below to find a CDC that works for you and your team. The CDC will have the latest information you will need to present a world class National Training Course!

All participants that attend will be connected to the current Wood Badge and NYLT curriculum and materials. You will enjoy meeting other course faculty/staff and get great ideas on how to improve the training in your council. The conference schedule is being updated constantly, so keep checking for new locations and information!

https://www.scouting.org/training/conferences

Strategic Training Plan Curriculum Update Scheduled for Fall 2023

A team has been assembled to update the Strategic Training Plan curriculum to be ready in fall 2023 as announced during the Scouting U conference in Las Vegas. Feedback by participants from the current course revealed that although they learned the strategic planning skills to create training plans, the follow through of creating and implementing a training plan in their home council did not always occur. The team re-writing the curriculum has as a top goal to help ensure the participants not only learned the skills to create a training plan that is relevant to the participant (as a district or council training chair for example), but also obtain buy-in and approval from the other stakeholders in their council. They are also considering how best to create a curriculum that best meets the training needs of the new generation of scouting leaders.

It is important to note that the Strategic Training Plan curriculum has not been considered a part of the T-cubed train-the trainer series, but is a standalone administrative training course under supplement adult training. The team is following the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) method of instructional design. They hope to have material ready for a pilot course that will be offered in the fall. Details will be provided when available through Scouting U.

NYLT Leadership Academy Will Help Develop Your Scouts into Strong Leaders!

     One of the most important resources, we in Scouting have, are our training continuum programs. Scouts can take advantage of leadership training at the local level, such as National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT); enhance those skills at a national training; National Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE); and master them at NYLT Leadership Academy. Each program helps to build our Scouts into talented, empathetic, and ethical leaders. The most effective Scout units and councils are those that invest in leadership training for their youth, who in turn invest their time and energy to build the next generation of Scouting programs.

     “Every Scout deserves a trained leader” has been a byword of the Scouting community, largely to encourage adult leaders to become trained. We believe that it is equally true that every Scout deserves a well-trained youth leader, and that the benefits of trained youth leaders extend far beyond their local units. Trained Scouts take on additional leadership roles in Scouting programs such as council and national leadership roles, including the Order of the Arrow, Venturing leadership, Scout camps, and Jamboree. Youth that participate in these advanced leadership programs not only learn Servant Leadership, but they learn to LIVE as Servant Leaders.  They develop character in a safe place where they can be pushed to grow. The skills they will refine, enable the trained Scouts to become role models for other Scouts.

     The NYLT Leadership Academy is the training program that accelerates your  Scout’s communication, evaluation, and personal leadership skills. Encouraging your youth to attend will provide you with a strong core of trained youth to support council and district trainings as well as provide the youth leadership necessary for a strong Scouting program, locally and nationwide. Parents and Scout Leaders will see that the character building and leadership skills provided within the program will produce responsible young people who are self-reliant and confident in their abilities.

     An added bonus to attending NYLT Leadership Academy is the opportunity Scouts in high school have to receive college credit.  West Virginia University is a proud partner of NYLT Leadership Academy and has helped to shape the curriculum to help develop our Scouts to be outstanding leaders, not just in Scouting.  Scouts are asked to make several presentations, participate in campfire and interfaith services, and take on leadership roles, as well as network with youth from around the country.

     Commit yourself and your Professional Staff in encouraging the youth in your Council to participate in NYLT and especially the life changing opportunity the NYLT Leadership Academy offers. There are two locations and three weeks for NYLT Leadership Academy in 2023 –  Sacramento, California and The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. 

     The California course runs from June 25- July 1.  West Virginia offers two courses; July 2-8 and July 9-15.  Registration is open! NYLT Leadership Academy | The Next Level of Leadership Training (nylt-leadershipacademy.org)

     Scholarships are available for councils sending their Scouts.  Scholarships – NYLT Leadership Academy (nylt-leadershipacademy.org)

     If you have questions or would like more information, we are happy to help!  [email protected]   or  Contact Us – NYLT Leadership Academy (nylt-leadershipacademy.org)

     The NYLT Leadership Academy course reflects Scouting’s values and will push your Scouts for excellence. Help us to help you make our youth the best they can be.

Sincerely,

National Youth Leadership Training – Leadership Academy

Wood Badge Course Directors Conference Curriculum Update

     An updated curriculum Wood Badge Course Directors Conference (CDC) will soon be available for the Territory Training Coordinators and Territory Wood Badge CDC Coordinators. The update reflects feedback from participants and staff. The revision has removed most of the content related to the Wood Badge course curriculum changes from the previous course as most course directors are now familiar with the current curriculum. 

     A new session has been added focusing on the importance of the den chief/troop guide staff role including selection and training. This session includes discussion scenarios learned from experience. Additional sessions emphasize the importance of the Leadership Connections and reflections within the Wood Badge curriculum.

     Within the CDC material additional, opportunities for discussion among the participants has been built into the schedule. This was a direct result of feedback from participants noting they wanted more time to interact with each other. PowerPoint slides have also been updated, redesigned or removed to improve facilitation and to model a variety of instructional methods to participants.

     Scouting U will alert Territory Training Coordinators when the updated materials are available and the link to the updated drive will be shared.

PHILMONT TRAINING CENTER IS YOUR PARTNER IN EQUIPPING VOLUNTEERS

     The national volunteer training center at Philmont (PTC) serves to help grow Scouting. For almost 75 years, PTC has connected Scouters with subject matter experts to strengthen program delivery, enhance personal skills and leadership, and provide tools to help units, districts, and councils succeed.

     No matter the conference, Scouters return home fired

up for Scouting. Fully motivated, volunteers leave equipped, engaged and empowered. 

     As the training volunteers for BSA, we ask that you do three things:

  1. Excite, encourage and invite leaders to attend one of the many amazing conferences scheduled for this summer. There are over 35 conferences to choose from.  https://philmont.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PTC-2023-Schedule-5-12-23.pdf
  2. Broadcast PTC in all communication channels (newsletters, social media, Roundtable and key leader meetings, etc.) link PTC to your council webpage. Please help us reintroduce Philmont to our volunteers.
  3. Let us know what topics, training needs, and conference ideas, we can develop to help you achieve your goals. Do you have faculty recommendations. Please share your thoughts with the PTC Director at [email protected].

     PTC is your partner. We invite you to attend this summer and bring your family for an extraordinary experience. Check out our website at https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/ptc-conferences/. We look forward to seeing you at Philmont.

TRAINING AWARDS UPDATE

     In response to feedback from Scouters around the BSA, the Volunteer Development Team at Scouting U has taken another look at the Scouter’s Training Awards and has updated the requirements.

     Thank you for your feedback, your support of volunteer recognition, your commitment to training and to delivering the best possible Scouting experience to youth in your community.

     Access the Training Award Progress Records and applications at: https://www.scouting.org/training/adult/

PAST EDITIONS OF THE TRAINING TIMES

You can take a look at past editions of the Training Times by clicking on the word “Archives” on the word “Archives” on the “Training Updates” page or at this link:  Archives | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org).

The Training Times is a publication of Volunteer Development, Scouting University, Boy Scouts of America

Joel Eacker – Chair, Scouting U
[email protected]

Tom Giugni, Chair Elect, Scouting U
[email protected]

Jeff McKinney – Leadership Development Subcommittee
[email protected]

Toni Welch – Lead, Learning Delivery
[email protected]

Kathy Craig – Volunteer Development Specialist
[email protected]

Tim Rogers – Instructional Design Manager
[email protected]

Tim Acree – Instructional Design Team
[email protected]

Toni Welch—Editor
[email protected]

“There is no teaching to compare with example.” – Robert Baden-Powell