Trained vs. Trained

A Message from the Volunteer Development (Training) Team Leader, Mark Griffin:

A Scouter is considered trained for his or her Scouting position and eligible to wear the “Trained” emblem when they have completed the currently prescribed courses for that position. At this time this includes Youth Protection Training, This is Scouting, and the Specifics training for their role. For Scoutmasters, Coaches, and Advisors of outdoor program crews, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills is also necessary. These courses are also included in the unit Journey to Excellence.

The BSA desires that leaders take the current training because as BSA program, policies, and practices evolve it is important that leaders stay current to provide the best, safest, and most consistent Scouting program for youth.

However, the BSA has long believed that a tenured leader does not need to retake “basic” training every time there is a new course - because through supplemental training, roundtables, Scouting magazine, and participation in activities, they can stay up to date with the current methods and practices of the program.

With the approval of the district training committee, Scouters who were fully trained under a previous “basic” training for their current role (and of course have completed Youth Protection Training within the past two years) may be given credit as “trained” if, in the opinion of the training committee, the Scouter has continued to stay up to date with the current methods and practices of the program.

These Scouters would be eligible to wear the Trained emblem, be considered “trained” in the unit Journey to Excellence, and would meet the training criteria of the various training awards for their position. Entering the qualifying training courses and proper dates taken into the Scouter’s record in ScoutNET will also mark them as trained.

It is the desire of the National Training Committee that leaders take the current training to be sure that they have the up-to-date information related to their role. While there may be a challenge getting tenured leaders to take the time to take a new course, in most cases these leaders can be excellent resources for the training committee to help put on Specifics or an outdoor skills course. As an instructor they should be given credit for completion of the course.

We can never be “fully trained.” There is always something to be learned, so we urge you to take advantage of training opportunities whenever they are available.