Virginia Headwaters Council Outdoor School

Outdoor School is focused on the fundamentals of outdoor leader training. We will be offering Cub Scout Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO), Scouts BSA Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS), CPR and Wilderness First Aid Training. The Outdoor School is scheduled for March 31- April 2, 2023.

Registration and course information will be posted soon.

Due to course preparation needs, there will be no walk-in registration for this event.


YPT – Youth Protection Training

You can complete Youth Protection Training online at my.scouting.org

You can find step-by-step instructions for completing YPT at the Youth Protection Training How to Guide.


Adult Position Specific Training

Here’s a training flyer to help you get started. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

For a detailed list of training for all program areas, check out the complete list of Trained Leader Requirements.


Adult Leader Outdoor Training

BSA offers introductory outdoor leadership training. For Cub leaders, it is the Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) course. For Scouts BSA, it is Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS). Please see the Outdoor School page for more info


Youth Leadership Training

Troops and Crews should be running an Introduction to Leadership Skills course after each unit election. This prepares the youth for National Youth Leader Training (NYLT), and then onward to National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE). NYLT is run at the Council level. NAYLE is at Philmont and The Summit.

Here’s a youth leadership training flyer with more information.

The Council will be offering NYLT at Camp Shenandoah from July 31 to August 6, 2022. For more information see the NYLT page. Registration is now open!

Here are some tools to help run unit-level training:

Troop ILST: Facilitator Guide | Presentation Slides (modify slides for your Troop as appropriate)

Crew ILSC: Facilitator Guide


Outdoor Ethics Training (Adult and Youth)

Any questions on Outdoor Ethics Training and Awards, or on Leave No Trace (LNT), contact Sarah Lindegren, the Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate.


Adult Training Awards

The training awards are designed to recognize Scouters for tenure, training, and performance in their leadership roles.

Here’s an adult training award flyer with more information.


Wood Badge (Advanced Adult Leadership Training)

The next Wood Badge course will be in the fall of 2023 at Camp Shenandoah. Visit the Wood Badge 2023 website or contact the Course Director, Tracey Stakem if you have any questions.


Not Sure What You Need?

Don’t hesitate to contact our District Training Chair (contact information above on the right) with your questions. Our goal is to provide the training everyone needs here in the District/Council. If there is some training your are interested in, but not sure what to do, just ask!