Leadership Training is an important part of the success of a Cub Scout Pack. It prepares the leader with ways to enhance the program at the Den and Pack level, and helps all of the leaders to provide a quality program. The basic leader training consists of four components, three of which can be taken as online classes. Completion of these courses earns the leader the the "Trained" patch that is shown to the right.

• Fast Start Training is the first step in the training continuum, and 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. This training is available online at the online learning center (myscouting.scouting.org).  Ideally, leaders should take this training within 48 hours of signing the application to be a leader.
• This is Scouting is an introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. It addresses how these aims and methods are reached in an age-appropriate style within Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. This online class (available at olc.scouting.org) gives new leaders an overall view of the entire scouting program from Tiger Years to Venturing (age 21). Each leader completes "This is Scouting" training only once, and it carries through their entire career as a scout leader. If a leader has previously taken "New Leaders Essentials" either online or through a classroom course, this is the same course and meets the same requirements.
• Cub Scout Leader Specifics Training: Cub Scout Leader Specific training is the "meat and potatoes" of how each leader performs their duties.  The in-person course is setup as a three hour course offered in the classroom setting.  The first two sections ("Introduction to Cub Scouting" and "How We Have Fun") are taken at the same time by all of the leaders as a group.  The last 90 minutes of the training session has the leaders break into various groups depending on their duties.  There are separate classes for Tiger Cub den leaders (First Grade), Cub Scout den leaders (Second and Third Grade), Webelos den leaders (Fourth and Fifth Grade), Cubmasters/Assistant Cubmasters, Pack Committee members (including Committee Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and general Committee Members, and Pack Trainer Training for Pack Trainers.  For a schedule of upcoming leader training, please visit Rainbow Council's "training" portion of their website on rcscouts.org. In the Fall of 2010, these courses became available online (see the section below).
• Youth Protection: Youth Protection is a program designed to protect our Scouts from anything that might be considered inappropriate. It's also designed to educate the leader in the proper precautions he or she needs to take to protect our scouts and leaders from being in harm's way. This training should be renewed every 2 years. Youth Protection training can be completed as an online course over the internet.
  
  NEW IN FALL OF 2010: ALL TRAINING COURSES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE
  Starting in the Fall of 2010, ALL required leader courses are available online through myscouting.scouting.org. Be sure print off the certificate at the end of a training session.
  
  If you have not logged on to scouting.org before, you'll need to create an account, and be sure to keep track of your login information. Your "BSA Number" is available (a) on your BSA membership card, (b) from the Committee Chair, (c) from the Pack Trainer, or (d) from the Rainbow Council Service Center (815-942-4450). You do NOT need to have your BSA number to register and complete the training. However, when you do receive the number, you'll have to update your profile at myscouting.scouting.org to make sure the records are updated in Rainbow Council's system. If you need further instructions in how to update your profile with the correct information, see the "updating_myscouting_profile.jpg" graphic below.
  
  A Cub Scout Leader is considered trained upon completion of...
  • This is Scouting
  • Fast Start for Specific Position
  • Leader Specific Training
  • Youth Protection (every two years)

Once leaders have their basic training completed, there are a variety of supplemental courses and opportunities to extend their knowledge of scouting.

Training	When is it offered	Description
Round Table	Each month on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 7-9 p.m.	Monthly gathering of leaders from the District. After an informational session, the leaders break into small groups based on their roles and under the direction of a break-out leader brainstorm ideas for the best way to implement the available "program helps" or share ideas on how to best provide an oustanding program.
BALOO	Saturdays, offered 2 or 3 times a year	The Basic Adult Leadership Outdoor Orientation 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. Any pack overnight requires at least one BALOO trained leader (preferably two).
Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders (OWL)	Two-Day Course offered 2 or 3 times a 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
Hazardous Weather	Online at olc.scouting.org	Hazardous Weather training must be completed prior to requesting a tour permit from the BSA. The module presents safety precautions for eight different types of weather, as well as planning, preparation, and traditional weather signs.
Safe Swim Defense	Online at olc.scouting.org	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.
Safety Afloat	Online at olc.scouting.or	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.
Scouting University	One Saturday, typically in November	A selection of multiple classes ranging from knot tying, record keeping, calendar planning, dutch oven cooking, skits and songs, Boy Scout troop leadership and other wide variety of courses. Typically, these courses last one hour and provide an overview of the material (not a comprehensive understanding). This is a full day of training and leaders usually can take up to six courses throughout the day.
Wood Badge	Rainbow Council even numbered years (2006, 2008, 2010) - Calumet Council offers odd numbered years)	Wood Badge is advanced training in leadership skills for all adults in BSA programs. Not only Cub Scouters, but also leaders in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, and commissioner service are invited to participate in Wood Badge. This advanced training is presented in two parts: An advanced learning experience presented over two long (three-day) weekends or as a weeklong course. An application phase of several months during which the leaders apply the specific skills they have learned at Wood Badge to their Scouting responsibilities Leaders who successfully complete both parts of the training are recognized with the Wood Badge beads, woggle slide, and neckerchief. To be eligible for an invitation to participate in Wood Badge training, Cub Scout leaders must first complete Basic Leader Training. Your pack trainer, Cubmaster, unit commissioner, or council service center can give you more information.

Our District and Council are constantly striving to provide opportunities for their leaders to obtain training. The first, best source for a training schedule is on our Council's website: RCScouts.org

While training is ideally done in Council (you'll be with local people trained by people you'll see at Scouting events), it is not required for you to complete your training in Rainbow Council. All other local area BSA Councils provide training. On that same schedule, our district included training gathered for the Des Plaines Valley Council (which serves the area around Countryside, Lemont, etc.), the Three Fires Council (which serves the Fox Valley area, including Naperville and Aurora) and the Calumet Council to our east. If you are going to get training outside of Rainbow Council, check with the District Training Chair to make sure that you have all of the information necessary, and to make sure you will get everything you need to receive credit.

For more information, contact the Rainbow Council Office at (815) 942-4450.

It's nice to receive a pat on the back every once in a while. Below are links to the PDF files, as well as graphics for the knots that the leaders can earn. If you cannot read PDF files, be sure to download the Free Reader.

	Tiger Den Leader	Click to Download Tiger Den Leader Award Requirements
	Cub Scout Den Leader	Click to Download Cub Scout Den Leader Award Requirements
	Webelos Den Leader	Click to Download Webelos Den Leader Award Requirements
	Cubmaster Award	Click to Download Cubmaster Award Requirements
	Cub Scouter Award	Click to Download Cub Scouter Award Requirements

If you have any questions about these awards, please contact your pack leadership.