Child abuse is an increasingly serious, widespread problem in society, affecting every ethnic group, socioeconomic level, and geographic area. The significance of this problem is revealed by the nearly 3 million cases of child abuse reported each year in the United States. The Boy Scouts of America has developed Youth Protection training to prepare its leaders to help children who have been, or are being, abused.

The training program includes information for parents as well as the video It Happened to Me. Materials are for use in pack and den meetings to show Cub Scouts and their parents what they should do to prevent abuse from happening to them.

In addition, the BSA has adopted a comprehensive set of policies and procedures to help ensure that Scouting continues to be safe for all participants. Background checks are required for all new leaders as of April 2003, and the Boy Scouts of America will not tolerate any form of child abuse in its program and will take all necessary steps to remove any offenders from membership in the BSA.

Every leader in Cub Scouting must complete Youth Protection training, which is available as a online training course. Parents will also find this training valuable. In addition to a thorough review of BSA Youth Protection policies, the training develops an increased awareness of Youth Protection issues.

Your pack trainer, Cubmaster, unit commissioner, or committee chair can provide information on how to receive this important training.

When new leaders are selected in Cub Scouting, it is essential that they receive immediate information that will help them get started. Proper training lays the groundwork for success in their leadership roles. This training will help new leaders understand what is expected and establish effective meeting patterns so that the boys and their families can enjoy a quality program from the start.

As the first step in the training continuum, Fast Start Training is meant to provide all the information and resources for new leaders to conduct their first meeting, along with guidance for the meetings that follow. All new leaders receive the Fast Start materials as soon as they are recruited and are encouraged to participate in Basic Leader Training and roundtables.

Self-study, rather than group training, is the preferred method for Fast Start Training. This gives the new leader the opportunity to learn at his or her own pace.

Basic Leader Training is designed to give position-related information to all adult leaders in Cub Scouting. Building on the foundation established in Fast Start Training, Basic Leader Training goes into greater detail.

Basic Leader Training has two parts:

1. Leader Specific Training gives a leader the knowledge and skills needed for a specific position. Leader Specific Training is available for the following positions in Cub Scouting:

   • Tiger Cub leader

   • Cub Scout den leader and assistant

   • Webelos den leader and assistant

   • Cubmaster and assistant

   • Pack committee members

2. New Leader Essentials is for all new leaders in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. It highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of the Scouting program. Once completed, it need not be taken again, even if the leader moves to a different position or program level.

Basic Leader Training goes into greater detail on youth development and boy behavior, program planning, activities, and the purposes of the program. It is usually presented in one or two group sessions, but can be delivered to small groups or even individuals through personal coaching.

Every Cub Scout leader should complete Basic Leader Training; it prepares leaders to deliver a quality, fun-filled program. Leaders who understand the whys and hows of the program are more effective in their roles. They know how to use available resources to provide an exciting and worthwhile program for boys. Trained leaders have confidence in carrying out their responsibilities and, along with the boys, have more fun.

Your pack trainer, unit commissioner, committee chair or district training chair can help you learn about the Basic Leader Training available in your district and council. Dates and locations of upcoming training courses are often announced in the local council or district newsletter or Web site.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is a one-day training event that introduces leaders and parents to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping.

Participants who complete this training course will

• Understand the focus of the Cub Scout level of the BSA outdoor program.

• Gain the skills needed to plan and carry out a successful Cub Scout-level overnight activity.

• Learn more about the resources available from the BSA for carrying out this activity.

This training is required for any adult who is in charge of planning a pack campout.

Webelos den campouts serve to move the Webelos Scout to the next level of the BSA's ever-increasing challenge in the outdoors. The boy and his parent will be introduced to the basics of Boy Scout camping. A trained Webelos den leader who has completed position-specific training and Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders should conduct these events. Webelos dens are encouraged to participate in joint den-troop campouts, particularly in the fifth-grade year.

Designed specifically for Webelos den leaders and their assistants, the Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders course teaches outdoor-related skills through demonstration and hands-on practice. Webelos den leaders should attend this training before conducting Webelos overnight camping with the boys and parents of the den. In addition to covering basic camping skills, this training features planning campouts and finding resources.

The council and/or district usually offer Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders several times each year. Check with your pack trainer, unit commissioner, committee chair, or local council service center for dates and locations.