Official Website of Samoset Council, BSA; Home to Tesomas Scout Camp, Akela's World Cub Scout Camp, Hanna Venture Base, and Tom Kita Chara Lodge.
 Online Training

The following courses are available from MyScouting.

  • Climb On Safely
  • Fast Start
  • Safe Swim Defense
  • Safety Afloat
  • ScoutParents Coordinator
  • Staffing the District Committee
  • This is Scouting
  • Trek Safely
  • Troop Committee Challenge
  • Unit Commissioner
  • Youth Protection
  • Weather Hazards

Training... Every Boy Deserves a Trained Leader!

Training shows new leaders how to do their jobs and allows for an interchange of ideas with more experienced leaders. Every Scout deserves qualified, trained leaders who will provide the best program possible, the way it is intended. Trained leaders ensure that the goals of Boy Scouting are met. The leadership training program of the Boy Scouts of America provides this information and helps leaders become confident in carrying out their responsibilities.

The journey from Fast Start to Wood Badge is a seamless progression for adults and an unending benefit for BSA youth. Fast Start Orientation and This is Scouting—the first two steps in new-leader training—introduce new leaders to the Boy Scouting program. Leader Specific Training, as the name implies, focuses on specific leader roles and will require several days to complete, depending on an individual's previous outdoor skills experience. Wood Badge has evolved into the premier leadership course of the BSA, strengthening a leader's ability to effectively work with groups of youth and adults.

Youth Protection

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders the following resources for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs.

ALL REGISTERED ADULT VOLUNTEERS are required to be currently Youth Protection Trained. Current leaders will not be able to re-register at recharter time without current youth protection certification. This certification is good for two years from date of completion. Additionally, before a new adult volunteer will be able to register with the Samoset Council, they will need to take the Youth Protection Training and submit their certificate with their adult application.

Fast Start

Fast Start Training is the first step for any new volunteer and is to be delivered immediately after a new leader registers and before he or she meets with any youth.

Basic Leader Training

The new Basic Leader Training comprises two parts: This is Scouting for all unit-level leaders and Leader Specific training, which is based on the leader's unit-level position.

This is Scouting (Formally New Leader Essentials)

The Boy Scouts of America has announced that "This is Scouting" has replaced "New Leader Essentials!" You can take "This is Scouting" Online! Reserve about 45 minutes for this course!

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.

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:

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation

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.

Register Online | More Information

Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders

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.

Register Online | More Information

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. Find out more!

Wood Badge for the 21st Century

Wood Badge has evolved into the core leadership skills training course for the BSA. The new Wood Badge course focuses on strengthening every volunteer's ability to work with and lead groups of youth and adults and is less focused on outdoor skills, which are more effectively addressed in other courses. Find out more!