Tejas District - Longhorn Council

Tejas District Training Committee
2010-11

Tejas District Training Committee:

o District Training Chairman:
Randy Smith
smithrc [at] flash [dot] net
817-496-5150

o Boy Scout Training (North Star) Director
Jim Fountain
j_fountain [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
817-478-4567

o Cub Scout Training Director
Tony Miller
tmiller1 [at] cae [dot] com
817-683-8204

Bad information is worse that no information! Every effort will be made to keep this Tejas District Training Committee website informative and up-to-date. The goal is to make this the single best resource for all things related to our district’s training and to do so it must be accurate and meet the needs of our Scouters.
If you see any out-of-date information or errors or if you have any suggestions to improve this webpage, please e-mail the Training Chairman.
If you have any doubt about a course date, time, or location, please verify before you just show up. Pre-registering for a course will ensure you have the latest information concerning that course, in the event of a change.

Training Page Index

o Tejas District Training Committee
o Training Page Index
o Up-coming Training Courses
o Scout Training Overview
o Tejas District Training Courses
o Longhorn Council Training Courses
o National BSA Training Courses
o Tejas Training Staff Positions
o Longhorn Certified Trainer
o Adult Scouter Training Awards (Square Knots)

Scout Training Overview
Every Scout deserves trained and motivated leaders. In reality the motivated leader will seek to take at least the minimum training suggested for his/her position. Most Scouters will soon discover that taking the appropriate training makes their job easier, while providing the boys with the best possible program, and they will continue with advanced and supplemental training, if at all practical.

There are several ways for the Scouter to acquire the necessary training including: National BSA on-line courses, district-level courses (conducted to a national syllabus), council-level courses (also following national syllabi), and even national-level in-person training. Listed below are the most common training courses with a brief description and, when possible, a link to further information – either on the Tejas District, Longhorn Council, or National BSA web sites.

The normal flow of training for the new Scout leader is to take the appropriate Fast Start on-line course (which is different for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts) as soon as possible after committing to their new position. Next is New Leader Essentials (NLE) offered by the District Training Committee in a 3-hour classroom session. NLE is the same for Cub and Boy Scouters and only needs to be taken once. Leader-specific training is next and, as the name implies, is different for the many different Scouting positions. Scouters need to take the applicable leader-specific courses as they move from one position to another throughout their Scouting career. These specific courses are normally 2 to 8 hours long and usually conducted in an in-town classroom setting. There are a couple of outdoor / camping training courses, most notably North Star Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills and Wood Badge. Wood Badge is normally considered the final advanced training course for unit-level Scouters, however, there are many, many more training opportunities available covering nearly every subject matter remotely related to Scouting, if the interest is there.

It is the Tejas District Training Committee’s responsibility to “train leaders” not just “conduct training classes”. That means our goal is to do everything practical to offer the training our Scouters need as often as they need it. However, reality also dictates that our district training volunteers cannot respond on short notice to all whimsical desires when a Scouter won’t make the effort to attend a regularly scheduled course. However, if you do need a particular training course that is not offered when you can take it, please don’t hesitate to contact the District Training Chairman. We will find an equivalent course elsewhere within the council or set up a new one, as best we can.

With the exception of a few supplemental special subject courses, all local Scout training follows a National BSA syllabus; therefore, Scouters may take any course in any district or council if is it not practical to take it in their own. The District Training Chairman can help you find the appropriate training nearby, if necessary. Since a National BSA syllabus is followed in all training, credit is completely transferable anywhere within Scouting.

The Longhorn Council website offers some more information concerning New Leader Training (link).

Tejas District Training Courses
Unless specifically noted, these are all official BSA training courses presented locally by the Tejas District Training Committee. Scouters from other councils / districts are welcome to attend the Tejas courses and Tejas Scouters may attend similar courses offered within other districts.
o North Star is the Tejas District nickname for the collection of two closely related Boy Scout leader courses. They are normally offered twice a year (spring & fall) with Boy Scout Leader / Scoutmaster-specific conducted in town during an 8-hour Saturday session and the OLS / OWL conducted in the outdoors during a Friday evening through Sunday afternoon campout. This is primarily for Boy Scout troop leaders, but Webelos leaders who will be crossing over are encouraged to take it as well. If it is taken as a Cub Scout or Webelos leader, there is no need to repeat it after crossing over into a troop. Scouters are encouraged to take these two sessions as a continuous unit, since many of the activities are done in a patrol setting where teamwork is important; however, if that is not practical, they may be taken separately.
Once the prerequisites and the two courses have been completed, the Tejas Scouter is considered “fully-trained’ and is awarded the Tejas District North Star patch and the BSA ‘Trained’ patch. Completing these two courses are prerequisites to take Wood Badge advanced leader training. Other districts or groups of districts conduct this training in a similar manner, but under different nicknames. Four Winds and Rocking chair are two examples.
o Prerequisites: Boy Scout Fast Start and “This is Scouting” (both BSA on-line courses)
o Boy Scout Leader / Scoutmaster Specific (link)
o Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (OLS) / Outdoor Webelos Leader (OWL) (link)
o Cub Scout Leader Specific (link)
This is for all Cubmasters, Assistant Cubmasters, Den Leaders, and Pack Committee members and is designed to give position-related information to all adult leaders in Cub Scouting. Building on the foundation established in Fast Start Training, Basic Leader Training goes into greater detail. Breakout sessions specific to each position are part of this in-town classroom training.
o Tiger Cub Den Leader Training
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o Cub Scout Den Leader Training (link)
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o Webelos Den Leader Training
This is for the Webelos Den Leaders and assistants. It expands on the basic Cub Scout Den Leader training to include planning outdoor activities, Webelos skills, fire building, outdoor cooking, parental involvement, advancement, uniforming, Webelos-to-Boy Scout transition, and more.
o Cubmaster Training (part of Cub Scout Leader training? Verify)
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o Pack Committee Training (part of Cub Scout Leader training? Verify)
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o Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
BSA requires at least one BALOO-trained adult be present at all Cub Scout camping activities, so every Pack needs at least a couple of leaders to complete this course. This 6-hour training event – held at an indoor facility -- introduces Cub Scout leaders and parents to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping. This course covers BSA regulations concerning Cub Scout camping as well as general camping appropriate for Cub age boys.
o Troop Committee Training
(See North Star)
o Venturing Committee Member Training
Add course description here.
o Venturing Advisor Training
This is for all Venturing Crew Advisors, assistants and committee members and provides basic information for operating a crew with specific emphasis on typical Venturing activities.
o Den Chief Training (link)
This is training for the Boy Scout who is serving / will serve as a Den Chief for a Cub Scout / Webelos den. It is conducted during an in-town Saturday session. Den leaders who want to understand how to best utilize the Den Chief in their den activities are encouraged to attend this training session.
o Roundtables
While Boy Scout and Cub Scout roundtables are not technically training courses, there is much supplemental training that is part of these monthly leader meetings. Each meeting normally has a theme and new information is presented in keeping with that theme.

Longhorn Council Training Courses (link)

o Twin Arrows (link)
Council-level National Youth Leadership Training course for Boy Scout troop youth leaders. This is the next logical training for the more senior junior leaders in a troop following their troop-level training. This is offered several times a year for Scouts from all over the council. It is a week-long course where the Scouts live, work, and learn in patrols, under the direct leadership of experienced (and highly qualified and motivated) youth leaders. As in any good Scout troop, the adult staffers provide support and mentoring.
o Wood Badge (link)
Advanced adult leader training common to Boy Scout, Cub Scout, Venturing, and Varsity Scouters. This is the last in the normal training flow for unit leaders (although there are plenty of supplemental training courses available beyond that). A Scouter must be fully trained in his/her unit position as a prerequisite. The Longhorn council offers four courses a year and each course is conducted over tow 3-day weekends or a continuous 6-day option. Following the formal training course, the participant must work a Wood Badge ticket” in his/her unit to complete the requirements to wear the WB beads, neckerchief, and woggle.
o Trainer Development Conference (link)
This is a national syllabus course presented by the Longhorn Council to prepare volunteers to serve on the various training staffs within the districts and council. It is a full-day Saturday session covering methods of teaching and presentation, including many do’s and don’t. This is required of all Wood Badge staff and highly recommended for all other trainers.
o University of Scouting / Pow Wow (link)
This is supplemental training at its best. A full day of various classes covering every imaginable Scouting topic from unit organization and management to Dutch oven cooking. Students chose from a long list of 1-hour classes to satisfy their needs and curiosity. For the most part, these classes are the genius of the instructors and, with few exceptions, do not follow a national syllabus. This is normally presented at Tarrant County College campus, which is ideal for this setting training, on the second Saturday in November.

National BSA Training Courses (link)
Note: you will need to set up a MyScouting account on the National BSA site for all on-line training. You should have a current BSA registration card readily available, since you will need your 7-digit member number to get credit for the training. Make sure to complete the final steps at the end of each module and print your completion certificate as proof of your training. You may be asked to present these certificates as you enter camp or before conducting the applicable Scouting activity.

o Youth Protection
YPT is the one course that all Scouters must take. It covers the topic of child abuse protection / prevention and provides Scouters with the BSA policies as well as background information. It is offered on-line and takes less than an hour to complete. Every unit must have a YPT trained leader present at all activities and the council camps will not let a unit in camp without verification of that certification.
Additional Longhorn YPT Information (link)
o Cub Leader Fast Start
This is an on-line orientation to get the new leader introduced to the Cub Scout program. This is the first BSA training for all Cub Scout leaders and should be completed as soon as possible after registering in a pack.
This training will help new leaders understand what is expected and establish effective meeting patterns so that the boys and their families can enjoy a quality program from the start.
As the first step in the training continuum, Fast Start Training is meant to provide all the information and resources for new leaders to conduct their first meeting, along with guidance for the meetings that follow. All new leaders receive the Fast Start materials as soon as they are recruited and are also encouraged to participate in Basic Leader Training and roundtables.
Self-study, rather than group training, is the preferred method for Fast Start Training. This gives the new leader the opportunity to learn at his / her own pace.
o Boy Scout Leader Fast Start
This is an on-line orientation to get the new leader introduced to the Boy Scout program. This is the first BSA training for all troop leaders and should be completed as soon as possible after registering a Scout troop. Note, this is not the same at Cub Scout Fast Start.
o “This Is Scouting” (formerly New Leader Essentials) (link)
This is a new on-line course common to both Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders and is the next step in training after Fast Start. It is offered at the BSA On-line Learning Center / OLC. (link) This on-line session replaces the district-level classroom New Leader Essentials training. Completing this is a prerequisite for earning the Tejas North Star patch.
o Venturing Advisor Fast Start
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o Varsity Leader Fast Start
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o Unit Commissioner Fast Start
Add course description here.
o Venturing Crew Orientation
Add course description here.
o Venturing Youth Protection (different from Boy Scout version)
o Safety Afloat
This on-linecourse provides the information unit leaders need to conduct safe boating activities, like canoeing, kayaking, and motor boating.
o Safe Swim Defense
This on-line course provides the information unit leaders need to conduct safe swimming activities.
o Staffing the District Committee
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o Troop Committee Challenge
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o Den Chief Training
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o Scout Parents Unit Coordinator
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Philmont Training Center (link – 2008 schedule)

Tejas District Training Staff Positions
The best way to learn a subject is to teach it! Therefore, all Tejas Scouters are encouraged to consider serving on the staff of a district or council-level training course, if at all possible. In addition to getting a more thorough understanding of the subject matter, serving on a training staff is a great way to meet and network with other Scouters, and it is just fun.
It is the Training Committee’s goal to include new staff members on all training courses. Ideally every course with multiple staff positions should include 1/3 very experienced staffers, 1/3 slightly (like one course) experienced instructors, and 1/3 completely inexperienced staffers. New staff members will be mentored in preparing for their part, so they do not need to already be an expert to serve. All courses follow National BSA syllabi, which are written with the new staffer in mind.
Agreeing to serve on the staff of one training course is exactly that – only a commitment to do your best that one time. It is not a lifetime commitment to serve on all subsequent courses -- although you may find it addicting and want to do more. While some will say the time commitment to serve on a training course takes away from serving the boys in their pack / troop, consider how much better you will be at conducting your unit’s program after this valuable experience.
Also, if you have witnesses a fellow Scouter, in your unit or elsewhere, who you think would be a good staffer for one of our district courses, please nominate them to the District Training Chairman. He will follow-up with your nominee and see if they are willing to take on that challenge.
A good Scout unit needs good Scout leaders; and those leaders are prepared in our training courses, which are conducted by motivated and knowledgeable staffers. Please consider serving – at least once -- for the continuation of our great training tradition.

Longhorn Certified Trainer
This recognition has been developed by the Longhorn Council Training committee to recognize Scouters who have demonstrated excellence in training. Members of all Tejas training staffs are encouraged to earn and wear the Longhorn Certified Trainer nametag to show learners that they are being taught by the highest level of trainer. Requirements and application are available on the council Training web page (link). Applications should be submitted through the Tejas District Training Chairman.

Adult Leader Training Awards (Square Knot Awards)
Training awards are the responsibility of the District Training Chairmen, but this is not the case for all Scouter knot awards. Heroism awards are processed through the Council Advancement Committee and other knots fall under other council and/or national committees. If in doubt, ask the Tejas District Training Chairman and he will direct you to the appropriate responsible organization.

Tejas District Process & Procedures

The District Training Chairman is responsible for processing all Scouter training awards from unit Scouters through the Council Training Committee. It is the responsibility of the Scouter and his/her unit committee to ensure that all requirements are met and that the scorecard / application is properly and completely filled out. Please note some common errors below and ensure you do not make the same mistakes.

o Every individual requirement must be checked off, initialed, and dated. The form is not conducive to this much information, however, the Longhorn Council requires it. Your best recollection for dates is sufficient.
o The period listed for the tenure of one award cannot be concurrent with any other training award tenure. Even though you may be registered and performing all responsibilities for two or more positions, you cannot overlap the tenure. The council maintains records and will return any applications where the tenure period has already been claimed for another award.
o All personal information must be complete, accurate, and legible. All signatures must be present.

Once the application / scorecard is completed, it should be turned in to the District Training Chairman. The Training Chairman will make every attempt to be at both Cub and Boy Scout Round tables or have an authorized Training Committee representative there to accept applications. If no other reasonable method can be worked out, you may snail-mail it to the Training Chairman. History has shown (and verified many times over) that giving the paperwork to ANYONE else with their promise to give it to the correct person is an invitation to delays and frustrations. These folks are well-meaning, but reality is that they and the District Training Chairman do not always cross paths as often as assumed, or the individual forgets or doesn’t have your scorecard when they do meet. Since the District Training Chairman’s signature is required, do not turn in applications directly to the council office or give to the District Executive; this is guaranteed to delay processing the award through the proper channels.

Once the Training Chairman has the scorecard / application and has verified it is properly completed, he will turn it in at the next Council Training Committee meeting, normally held the 3rd Wednesday of the month. The training award administrator on that committee will verify the information and completeness of the application, then process it through the council office. The award certificate and knot patch will be given to the District Training Chairman at the following month’s Council Training Committee meeting (3rd Wednesday, again). The Training Chairman will, in turn, bring the certificates and knot patches to the appropriate CS or BS Round table where the recipient will receive their award. If the recipient is not present, the District Training Chairman may give the award to a trusted Scouter from the recipient’s unit. This Scouter will be required to initial that they have received the award on behalf of a fellow Scouter, at which time the Training Chairman is no longer responsible for it.

Here are links to the award requirements scorecards. These were designed to be cut, folded, and carried in your pocket. However, it is preferred that you just print a copy from the below link and keep it intact – don’t cut or fold it. Fill in the personal information and then document each requirement as it is met. Remember to initial and date EACH item, even though the form doesn’t indicate that you must.

Note: These documents below are on the official National BSA website in Acrobat Reader (PDF format). Some may appear unreadable when first opened. Resize them and they may look better. In any case they will print correctly, no matter what they look like on your monitor.

Generic Scouting Leader Awards
o District Committee Key [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Scouter’s Training Award – Roundtable Staff [Requirements Score Sheet]

Cub Scout Leader Awards
o http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/csleaderrecawards.aspx
o Tiger Cub Den Leader Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Cub Scout Den Leader Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Webelos Den Leader Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Cubmaster Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Cub Scouter Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Pack Trainer Award

Boy Scout Leader Awards:
o Leader’s Training – Boy Scout [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Scoutmaster’s Key [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Scoutmaster Award of Merit (by NESA) [Information & Requirements]

Venturing & Varsity Leader Awards
o Varsity Scout Leader – Coach’s Award & Varsity Scout Leader Training Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Varsity Scout Leader Letter [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Venturing Leader (Venturing Advisor Key, Venturing Leader Training Award) [Requirements Score Sheet]

Commissioner’s Awards
o Roundtable Commissioner – Arrowhead Honor / Commissioner Key [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Council and Asst. Council Commissioner (Administrative) – Commissioner Key / Arrowhead Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Council and Asst. Council Commissioner (Field) – Commissioner Key / Arrowhead Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o District and Asst. District Commissioner – Commissioner Key / Arrowhead Award [Requirements Score Sheet]
o Unit Commissioner – Commissioner Key / Arrowhead Award [Requirements Score Sheet]