LEADER INFORMATION
LEADER TRAINING
As course supplies and materials are acquired early, there can be NO refunds given.
Youth Protection
Beginning on January 1st, Troop 87 scouts and leaders will begin working on several National scout awards. One of the awards is the BSA Ready and Prepared Award and it requires each and every leader that is registered in the troop to have gone through the youth protection training at least once in the past three years. We have to have at least three registered adults in the unit be trained in the safety afloat and safe swim defense. Two or more registered members, including at least one adult are trained in first aid and cpr by a recognozed agency. Please help the troop achieve this award by making sure that your training is up to date.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
INFORMATION ON TRAINED LEADERS
Having trained leaders is one of the ways to assure a quality program in your unit. Just as the youth appreciate recognition for their achievements, so do the adult leaders. Units should attempt to see that the adult leaders get their due recognition at such events as district dinners or Blue and Gold Banquets Requests for the Leader Training Awards can be handled most efficiently if the forms are filled out properly: All unit/district level signatures and dates completed, tenure and performance items marked to show compliance with requirements, and recipient's name and address complete. ALSO, the request should be received in the council office at least 2 weeks prior to the desired awarding date. While some lenience may be possible, late requests may have to wait for another appropriate time. Certificates and uniform knots for approved awards will be distributed through the district executives. Medals for the awards are available through the Scoutfitter Shop for those who wish to have one.
Our thanks are extended to all who attend our training programs as this can only improve the programs in the units. Special thanks go to those who accept the responsibility for putting on the training; they are devoted Scouters who willingly share their time and talents, not to mention financial resources. Let them know how much you appreciate their efforts and let's keep up the good work!
CHARTER ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVES TRAINING MATERIALS AVAILABLE
A Fast Start Training Video for Chartered Organization Representatives (COR's) and a COR basic training syllabus are now available to Districts. The video explains the COR's responsibilities and tasks. It should be viewed by a member of the District Training Team and a COR soon after the individual is appointed by the Chartered Organization.
The syllabus, titled, "Chartered Organization Representative" includes lesson plans to help your training team explain the mission of the BSA, the charter concept, the job of the COR, and how to select and recruit leadership. The new course is designed to be taken after a COR completes new Leader Essentials.
Texas Youth Camp Act Requirements for Adults Attending Camp
New State of Texas Ruling
2006 Texas Youth Camp Act Requirements for Adults Attending Camp
On April 16, 2006, the state of Texas passed into law new regulations that affect the Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health Act (Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Rule F265.12(f)(f1a)(f2)(g). This new rule affects all licensed youth camps in the state of Texas and becomes effective June 1, 2006. In order for the Boy Scouts of America and the South Texas Council to comply with the new state law on protecting our youth we regretfully must ask each unit to assist with providing the items listed below. Your understanding and assistance in this important matter is greatly appreciated. Each participant/unit must provide for every adult age 18 and older that is attending camp even for one day, or portion thereof, each of the following items:
1) Camp Adult Roster listing every adult attending camp, both registered and non-registered adults. The roster must be turned in to the South Texas Council Office as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours before attending camp. Give last minute changes to the camp director on arrival at camp. Roster must have addresses and DOB for all adults. It is the responsibility of the individual and/or unit to provide a printout of the results derived from an on-line search of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Sex Offender Registry…. https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/dps web/APP PORTAL/index.aspx
for each adult listed on the roster.
2) BSA Online Youth Protection Training Certification Card
The new state law requires that every adult attending camp must provide certification that they have successfully completed youth protection training and passed the related test. The Boy Scouts of America's online Youth Protection Training has been approved by the state of Texas and meets the new state requirement. Adult leaders who may have taken the group video discussion or on-line course previously must take the current (effective date May 16, 2006) online Youth Protection Training. (To take BSA's youth protection training, click on the following link for BSA's Online Learning Center: http://olc.scouting.org ) After completing the test print a copy of the test results page and the Certification Card and turn it in at camp during check in for each adult.
3) BSA Adult Applications- Criminal Background Checks
The new state law requires that criminal background checks be conducted and kept on file for every adult attending camp within the last twelve months or have a volunteer application asking for a history of criminal convictions, including a question such as "Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor".
The current BSA Adult Registration Application complies with this requirement because of the six questions on the bottom of the application.
To comply with this requirement: A completed BSA Adult Registration Application must be submitted for every adult attending camp regardless if an adult is already registered when the unit checks in at camp.
No registration fees or unit approval signatures are needed to comply with this rule. However, if needed, applications will be submitted for BSA registration and subsequently have a criminal background check conducted. Applications will be kept on file at camp and will be returned to the unit at the end of camp.
Please do not overlook any area of the application. In addition to the top half of the application, each of the six questions must be answered and then signed and dated by the applicant.
Adult applications are available online at http://www.scouting.org/forms/28-501.pdf (English) and http://www.scouting.org/forms/28-502.pdf (Spanish).
WOODBADGE
WOOD BADGE TRAINING
Purpose:
Wood Badge is Scouting advanced training course for all adult leaders: Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing leaders, district and council volunteers, and professional Scouters.
The object of a Wood Badge course is to demonstrate as practically as possible the aims and methods of Scouting. Six days in duration, the course is a multi-faceted presentation of leadership skills, organizational tools, and participatory activities based on the best of Scouting traditions and the latest in team-development theory. In addition, participants will enjoy the fellowship of learning alongside many other volunteer and professional Scouters, and along the way will have a great deal of fun.
Because of your commitment to Scouting, you may be a candidate to participate in Wood Badge. This will be a tremendous opportunity for you to:
Understand Scouting as a family of interrelated,values-based programs providing age-appropriate activities for youth.
Learn about contemporary leadership concepts and discover how those concepts are relevant to our values-based movement.
Apply the skills you learn from your participation as a member of a successful working team.
Revitalize your commitment to Scouting by sharing in an inspirational experience that helps to provide Scouting with renewed leadership to accomplish its mission.
Many Scouters consider Wood Badge to be a peak experience of their Scouting careers. Wood Badge has served as a source of training and inspiration to thousands. In return, Wood Badge participants have had a profound, positive influence on the lives of millions of America's youth.
Program. The Wood Badge program consists of two parts:
Practical Training and the Application Phase.
The Practical Training is a 6-day outdoor experience where the Scouter lives as a member of a den/patrol, practices skills of leadership, and learns how these skills apply in the role of the adult leader in developing youth through the Scouting program. Through living in this setting for this extended period of time, they develop a Scouting spirit and zeal for the program that motivates them to do a better job in the Scouting task they have accepted. During the Practical Training all participants develop a “Ticket". This Ticket is a written plan for how the Scouter intends to apply the skills and knowledge gained during the course in service to others, to specific goals and objectives in one's Scouting program, and to areas of personal growth. “ticket counselor" from your council is appointed to provide assistance and guidance as this “working of the ticket" is called the Application Phase of Wood Badge. Location and Time. The Practical Training portion of the course is given at Camp Karankawa or another Council run camp over two three-day weekends. Two mandatory den/patrol meetings will be held between the two weekends. The time and place of the meetings will be decided by your den/patrol on the first weekend.
The Application Phase is completed at home. Each participant has up to twenty-four months after the Practical Training to complete the Application Phase and meet the goals that were established in the “ticket".
Qualifications. Each Scouter who participates in Wood Badge training must be a registered adult leader and have completed the Leader Specific (Basic) training appropriate to their position in Scouting. Because of the advanced nature of the training, these requirements may not be waived. Living Arrangements & Equipment: Course participants will sleep indoors the first three days of the course and then move to an outdoor setting where they will sleep in their own tents. Meals for the first three days will be served in a Dining Hall. In the outdoor setting, each patrol will cook for themselves. Food and cooking gear will be provided as part of the course fee. An equipment list will be mailed to you after receipt of your application. Uniform. All participants should wear the uniform appropriate for their primary role in Scouting. Participants may wear long or short sleeve shirts and long or short pants, as desired. Female participants may also wear the B.S.A. uniform skirt or culottes.
Physical Requirements. There is a fair amount of strenuous physical activity in Wood Badge. If there is any question of your ability to take part, contact the Course Director before sending in an application. A current BSA Class 3 medical form is required for attendance.
Recognition. Upon successful completion of the ticket, the participant is entitled to receive recognition, which consists of the Wood Badge beads (two wooden beads on a leather thong), a tan neckerchief, a leather woggle (neckerchief slide), and a certificate. The recognition items not only identify a Scouter who has completed advanced training, but remind the wearer of an ongoing commitment to continued service to Scouting.
