A new Varsity Scout Coach has lots of questions.
New leaders always want to do a good job. The training programs
described below will help a leader get his team off on the
right foot to a quality program.
DEFINITION OF A TRAINED
VARSITY SCOUT LEADER
Varsity Scout leaders and assistants are considered
trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials, Varsity
Scout Leader Specific Training, and
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
Orientation /Fast Start Training
Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start, AV-02V004, is used when recruiting
and getting a new Varsity Scout leader off to a fast start.
Varsity Scout Coach Start-Up, No. 18-997, serves as a guide
for the Coach's first few meetings with team members.
New Leader Essentials
New Leader Essentials 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. Videos, discussions, and hands-on reinforcement
are presented during the 90-minute training session. Ideally,
all unit-based volunteers—Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity
Scout, and Venturing leaders—take this session at the
same time, so they understand that they are all striving for
the same results with the youth they serve. Each leader completes
New Leader Essentials training only once.
Leader Specific Training
Once a volunteer has a solid overview of the BSA's values-based
program, he or she can begin training for a specific Scouting
position through Leader Specific training. This training provides
the specialized knowledge a new leader needs to assume a leadership
role. Because each course is designed for a specific leadership
position, the training time varies. Leader Specific training
has been developed for the following positions and their assistants:
Varsity Scout Leader Fundamentals consists of three sessions
that flow from one to the other and should be conducted in
the sequence listed below.
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting
program, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills will provide
leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to
start a program right.
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills is the required outdoor
training for all Scoutmasters, assistant Scoutmasters, and
Varsity Scout coaches. The skills taught are based on the outdoor
skills found in The Boy Scout Handbook. The course is also
ideal for Venturing leaders because it focuses on skills that
build confidence and competence in leaders conducting outdoor
camping experiences.
The course is a day and a half long, but a leader can move
at an accelerated pace by demonstrating mastery of a specific
skill. The emphasis is on the skill, rather than on attending
the course.
