Becoming an Adult Leader
"Every
Scout Deserves a Trained Leader"
This section provides information on how to become trained as an Assistant Scoutmaster ("ASM") in the Scouting program. The training process is simple and not very time consuming. The steps to the ASM training are described below with related links and forms. If your interest is in the Troop Committee training, then go to this page: Troop Committee
1. Application
First step is to fill out the application and return it to the Piedmont
Council office. BSA
Adult Application 
. Time required: 15 minutes.
To check for newer version of the application you can check the BSA forms website here: BSA Forms Page
2. Online Training
a) Youth Protection Training
All scouting volunteers need to complete Youth Protection training.Time required: an hour, or less, at your own pace, at your convenience.
BSA Online Youth Protection Training
b) Fast Start Training
Time required: an hour, or less, at your own pace, at your convenience.BSA Online Fast Start Training
This is the first step to take for any volunteer new to Boy Scouting. This course should be taken before beginning youth activities. You'll learn the aims and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America's core program, then zero in on the job. You'll cover the seven parts of the troop meeting, the troop committee, outdoor program, and other basic concepts of Scouting, all in one short online experience. It's the best way for someone new to the program to quickly grasp how troop Scouting works and where additional resources can be found.
3. Classroom Training
Time required: one weekend day
Both modules are done in one day:
>New Leader Essentials (2 hour survey of Scouting program)
>Scoutmaster Training (6-7 hours).
» 2008 classroom training session from Piedmont Council:
When: Sept 21, 2008 (Sunday-9am--6pm)
Where: Piedmont Council office, 10 Highland Way, Piedmont, CA.
Registration: ASM Training - Registration Information and Form
Note: If you miss this session then you can also take this training from a neighboring council. See right hand column on this page for information on training sessions from other councils.
4. Outdoor Training
Time required: one weekend campout (all of Saturday and half of Sunday) plus one advance meeting (2 hours).
» 2008 outdoor training session from Piedmont Council:
When: October 25-26, 2008 (Saturday 8am to Sunday 12 noon)
Where: Chabot Regional Park, Lookout Ridge Campground.
What: camp as a patrol and cover the skills in Scout Handbook.
Patrol planning meeting: Thursday, October 16, 7-9pm, at Corpus Christi Church, Gibson Center.
For information and registration form please use the same form above in Section 3 for Classroom Training.
The Scoutmaster
Handbook is the basic manual for Scout leaders. Includes basic and
in-depth information on the fundamentals of Scouting, guidance on
running meetings, planning and training, working with boys, troop
finances, and more including a list of important points to
remember. Available at Scout Shop or Scout Stuff online.
(Note: it may be provided as part of course registration, check to
confirm). Other Training Resources
Of course, no BSA adult or youth leaders can ever really say that they are "'fully trained" because there is always more to learn. Here are some resources for continuing learning.- T11
- Adult Training Page
We have a T11 web page to serve as as a guide to supplemental training opportunities once you are a Scouter.
- Piedmont
Council - Training Page
calendar and info about Piedmont
council offerings and upcoming training opportunities in the region.
- BSA
Adult
On-line Training training over the Internet:
offerings are growing, includes: [Adult Leader Fast
Start], [Youth
Protection], [Safe Swim Defense],
[Safety Afloat].
- Thoughts On Boy Led - Part 1 - the challenges of fostering a truly boy-run
troop remain one of the
most interesting topics for adult leaders. Here are some
thought-provoking observations from one experienced scoutmaster in
another part of the country.
- Thoughts On Boy Led - Part 2 - continuation of article from above.
Questions or comments? Let the T11 Webmaster know. See Contacts page.
