Adult Program Leadership

Scout Leadership Training

The Scout leadership in the Troop operates on a six month cycle with all of the leadership positions changing hands. The cycles start in March and September. A few weeks before the new leadership cycle starts a Troop Leadership Training weekend is held, usually at Broad Creek or Girl Scout Camp Conowingo. Attendance for all new leadership is mandatory. The scouts spend the weekend doing exercises and role playing revolving around how to successfully function as a leader in Troop 874. It is an experience the scouts enjoy and they take a number of life lessons away with them.  

Adult Leader Training

Troop 874 has a long tradition of giving the scouts trained leaders and mentors. Training begins with a Fast Start video tape that the Troop can supply to new leaders to review. The Troop then highly encourages all new leaders to take the District-run New Scout Leader Essentials course. This is a 3 hour introduction to all things scouting and is the first formal training new leaders receive. It is presented to leaders from all the divisions of scouting so if you took it in Cub Scouts you do not need to repeat it.

After New Leader Essentials leaders should go on to take the training for their specific position. The Troop trains Patrol Coaches for their new duties. Additionally, there are two courses offered by the district, one is geared towards Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters and the other is targeted at Troop Committee members. Lastly there is a course designed to help leaders with the skills side of Boy Scouting. In the National Pike District all of these courses are rolled into one maxi-course called Wagon Wheel. Attendance at all sessions is strongly encouraged so scouters learn the width and breadth of the scouting program. Wagon Wheel is offered twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. The Troop will reimburse new leaders for the registration fee for the course.

The top rung of the adult training ladder is The Course for the Wood Badge. Within the Baltimore Area Council, Wood Badge is run as a very intense two weekend training course built around leadership skills. Many who take it liken it to a mountain top experience and something that will stay with them the rest of their lives. Troop 874 fully supports Wood Badge which is offered once a year in the Baltimore Area Council in the fall. The Troop will reimburse any leader for 50% of the fees to attend Wood Badge. Listen at Troop meetings for more information about this important opportunity.

The Council and the District also offer many other excellent training courses throughout the year. The Trainers Conference is held in February and concentrates on the skills needed for effective training and in March the University of Scouting is held. This is an all day session offering up seven time slots to build a day full of training from a smorgasbord of classes.

Any adults who are interested in these training opportunities can talk to the Troop Committee Chair or the Scoutmaster, or any of the other adults in the Troop.

See Links below for Training opportunities:

BSA Online Learning Center

(includes Boy Scout Fast Start, Troop Committee Challenge, Youth Protection Training, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, and other BSA on-line courses)

Wood Badge Training

Additional Youth and Adult Training

(e.g., Green Blaze, Eagles Nest, University of Scouting, and other training, please see the "Training" tab on the BAC homepage)