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Training Resources & Available Courses

In order to provide a safe, quality experience for our youth, leadership training is essential. Leadership development for our youth begins with proper training and does as much as any other action we can take to enable our youth to be successful in life. Adult leaders who are well-trained are better equipped to lead quality programs for the youth they serve. 

  • Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.

  • Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be re-registered.

  • Watch the Understanding Youth Protection Video

 

New to Scouting? Click here to login and take Youth Protection training. You do not have to be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America to take Youth Protection training.

To take Youth Protection training go to My.Scouting.org and create an account. You’ll receive an email notification with your account information, including a member ID/reference number.

From the My.Scouting.org portal, click Menu then My Dashboard from the menu list. The My Training page displays to take Youth Protection training. Upon completion, you may print a training certificate to submit with a volunteer application. Your training will automatically be updated in our system and associated with the member ID/reference number issued when you created the account.

When your volunteer application is approved, you will receive a BSA membership card that includes your member ID number.

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 with resources for the Cub ScoutScouts BSA, and Venturing programs.

So, How Do I Earn the "Trained" Emblem?

What are the requirements to be designated a "Trained Leader"?

A Trained Leader is a registered adult. Youth Protection Training is a joining requirement for all registered adults and must be retaken every two years (some Councils require it to be retaken every year. Adult leaders in units are considered “trained” and eligible to wear the official Trained emblem when they have completed Youth Protection Training and the training courses outlined in the linked document below.

Trained Leader Requirements (Updated July 2024)

Additional Training Awards and Recognition

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The training awards and keys are designed to recognize unit Scouters for tenure, training, and performance in their leadership roles. Progress record forms, for these awards, can be found using this link.

Position Specific Training (Online)

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST)

The purpose of the ILST course is to teach Scouts with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role. It is intended to help Scouts in leadership positions within their troop understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILST is the first course in the series of leadership training offered to Scouts and is a replacement for Troop Leadership Training. Completion of ILST is a prerequisite for Scouts to participate in the more advanced leadership courses National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE). 

ILST Syllabus

Troop Position Description Cards

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National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) in 2025

National Youth Leadership Training is an action-packed program designed to provide Scouts with leadership skills and experiences they can use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. The Black Warrior Council will offer an NYLT course in 2025 on the following weekends. Participants must be present for the entire course.    

January 18-20  (Sat. through Mon. Holiday)                  

February 15-17  (Sat. through Mon. Holiday)

In order to participate, a youth must have the following qualifications by the beginning of the course: 

  • Must be currently registered in a Scout unit

  • Must complete a current (within one year from February 2025) BSA Health and Medical Record form parts A, B, & C

  • Must be at least 13 years of age

  • Must be at least a First Class Scout 

  • Having completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops is encouraged and highly preferred; and

  • Must have their unit leader's recommendation.

Informational Flyer and Course Application

 

Course Director: Mr. John Godwin 

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Wood Badge in 2026

Wood Badge is the ultimate leadership development program for adult leaders in Scouting. It has been widely recognized as Scouting's most advanced training program. It is a practical couse designed to inspire and empower our volunteer and professional members to achieve their individual potential and to assist our organization in reaching its vission, mission, and goals for young people. A Wood Badge course is designed for leaders from all areas of Scouting -- Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Exploring, and Sea Scouting.

The Black Warrior Council is planning to conduct its next course in 2026 on the weekends below. 

February 20-22, 2026

March 7-8, 2026

 

Over the next few months, staff will be recruited and committed. In early 2025, additional participant information will become available. 

 

Course Director: Mr. Charlie Plasters

District Training Contacts

River District

John Godwin

jvgodwinjr@gmail.com

(205) 292-1250

Mountain District

Jeremy Blevins

jeremy@jeremyblevins.com

(256) 612-0248

Prairie District

Greg Whitis

gregory.whitis@scouting.org

(334) 352-2482

Council Program Director

Walter Davie

walter.davie@scouting.org

(205) 554-1680   (205) 292-3392

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