As a trained leader, you know how to use the available resources to provide an exciting and worthwhile program for youth. You also develop the confidence to carry out your roles and responsibilities.

As a result, Scouting youth receive a program designed to achieve Scouting’s aims of citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness.

Outdoor experiences, advancement opportunities and fun are the reasons youth join the Scouting program. You as a trained leader get the knowledge and the background to ensure the best program is provided.

The Greenwich Council believes that all leaders should take advantage of training. We believe that each leader should be dedicated to the commitment of providing the best possible program for members.

What it means to you, the leader, is that you should complete training appropriate for your position in Scouting. When you take training, you can also meet other leaders and learn from them.

Why should you go to training? Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts, stated in 1922, “Don’t be content with the what, but get to know the why and the how.”

With training, you can deliver the program to the Scout consistently. An awesome program with trained leaders keeps youth in Scouting longer—resulting in a 18% higher youth retention rate.

You will develop a better understanding of the advantages of encouraging youth and adult volunteers to move through each of the traditional BSA programs as their youth mature.

You will develop an awareness of the different values and methods of the Scouting programs, which may result in families taking advantage of those programs for a child in a different age group.

You will earn to be prepared to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner. Safety hazards are not readily apparent and protection from liability is also important. You will learn BSA policies and guidelines that protect members from known hazards identified through almost 100 years of experience.

Learning about limitations on certain activities should not be viewed as stumbling blocks. Rather, you will learn that training about policies and guidelines will help you see them as stepping stones toward safe and enjoyable adventures.

You can develop an immediate comfort level that enables you as a leader to say, “I can do this!”

James E. West, the BSA’s first Chief Scout Executive, was once asked what were the three most important things for a Scout leader. His answer was short and to the point: “Training, training, and training.”

It’s the same today. Parents enrolling a child in Scouting expect all the unit’s leaders to be trained and to be able to use the program to the best advantage of youth. Training courses are designed to meet the many needs of volunteers at the time they need them.

The training is flexible enough for volunteers to complete the courses they need. Fast start training and youth protection training is available online. Other vital courses are offered by the Greenwich Council. For more information, call 203-869-8424.