Scouter Training?  Who? Me? Why?

Imagine the excitement in placing your young son on a jet airliner for his first flight. Now imagine how you feel if you learned that neither the pilot nor the mechanics had received any formal training but had just learned by watching others. Or maybe they were trained, but on a different airplane or long ago. Of course you would be concerned - probably enough to stop him from going on the trip... if the plane hadn't already taken off. Every week parents send their sons off to young men and scouting activities assuming that the leaders have been trained and are fully prepared for the job they have been called to perform… but is that truly the case?

It is interesting that we all know the value of training at work, but often feel that formal training is unimportant in callings in church and scouting.  Not so. If you are to magnify your calling and help the young men achieve their true potential, you must be trained.

So how do you go about getting trained to do the job the Lord expects of you?

First: Assemble a library and read!

When you were called to the YM/Scouting organization, you should have received copies of the following materials from the person who called you:

LDS YM leadership handbook	A list of the young men that you will be working with
LDS-BSA relations handbook	Scoutmaster (or Varsity Coach) Handbook
Teacher Development handbook	Adult Scouting Application
Duty to God Booklets for Deacon, Teacher, Priest	1st Presidency theme for youth for this year
For the Strength of Youth booklet	A schedule of all meetings (scouting and church)
Guidebook for Parents and Youth Leaders	A YM/troop calendar showing upcoming activities

The first step is to prayerfully read all of these books from cover to cover… make notes as the Spirit prompts you on things that you will need to do to magnify your calling.  After doing this….

Second: Get enough training to get started

Before your first meeting with the young men there are several things you need to do to get started:

1. Turn in your application to the scout council office and be registered as a scouting leader (before 1^st meeting)

2. Complete "Youth Protection Training" (this is required training before 1^st meeting, available on videotape or internet)

3. Complete "Fast Start Training" (video or internet that tells you a bunch of stuff that you thought you knew… but didn't)

Also, you should talk to the Bishop and Bishopric counselor over the youth), the quorum president (who holds the keys that you are going to train him to use), and the YM president/counselor about their goals for the YM program in the ward.  Also talk to the other scouting leaders including your Unit Commissioner and Troop Committee chairman, etc.  Since the purpose of the church program is to help the parents help their sons achieve their true potential, you will probably find it very useful to visit all of the young men and their parents in their homes prior to working with them at the church. Oh and one more thing, go buy a scout shirt and also the proper insignia (patches) to put on it.  You can't expect the young men to come in uniform if you don't. Then after doing all this stuff, if you want to magnify your calling….

Third: Get enough training to do the job well

Within a few months of starting in your new calling with the young men, you need to complete basic training courses:

1. New Leader Essentials and Position Specific Training (believe me, this is really helpful and well worth the time!)

2. Safe Swim Defense/Safety Afloat (required before doing any aquatic activities); Climb On (before climbing activities)

3. Also, whenever possible, start attending District Roundtable meetings for additional training and information.

Fourth: Do you want to do the job really well?

We've all seen people who do a job, and then people who do a job really well.  What separates the good workers from the craftsmen?  Time and experience?  Yes.  But also additional training. There are additional training courses available for scouters – for example Commissioner or Woodbadge training can really help you hone your skills to be the best adult leader that you can possibly be. Check with your district commissioner for information on additional training opportunities.

Ray Layton,  January 2005