Training is an important part of learning to become an effective leader. The important scouting position you hold will be easier and more effective once you develop the skills necessary to deliver a quality scouting program every Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Sea Scout, and Venturer desires. Every youth member of Scouting deserves a Trained Leader.

Trained leaders are critical to the success of Scouting. Every young person involved in the Scouting program needs and deserves a leader who understands the aims of the program and knows how to deliver it with enthusiasm and fun. Trained leaders are more effective at delivering the promise of Scouting because they understand their role, responsibilities, and the resources available to them.

WHAT MAKES A TRAINED LEADER?

Adult unit leaders are considered trained, and eligible to wear the official “Trained” emblem, once they have completed the basic training requirements outlined below. Supplemental and advanced training for adults and youth training opportunities are also listed below.

PLEASE NOTE:
Training Scholarship Applications are reviewed quarterly and must be submitted on the 1st of the Month (March, June, September, & December) to be reviewed later that same month. Scholarships will be awarded based on a portion of the total cost as posted on the registration website (the amount will vary based on event).

Questions about training?

Contact the MCC Training Chair at training@michiganscouting.org or your District Training Chair from the Training Contacts list.

Youth Protection and most Position Specific Training can be taken online at My.Scouting.  There are in-person options for many of these training courses as well – check the calendar or scroll down for in-person options.  

For the most up to date listing of courses required to be considered “Trained”, visit the Scouting America Position Specific Requirements page.

First Aid, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid

A leader is always prepared.  And part of being prepared is knowing how to respond to medical emergencies at meetings, outings, and high adventure events.  Even a simple cut can become infected and turn into a major medical event, so know how to treat all of the common injuries and conditions your Scouts and leaders may encounter on the trail.  These courses are recommended for adult leaders and older Scouts.

Wilderness first aid, or “WFA”, is a generic term that commonly refers to any training course that focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available, i.e.,  being an hour or more away from advanced care.  WFA courses are intended for anyone planning a remote high adventure, from lay responders to medical professionals.  Youth (14 years old and up) and adult Scout leaders are encouraged to take a 16-hour WFA course based on the specific curriculum developed by the BSA, which includes a management dimension that most course fail to address.   High adventure bases have requirements on the number of participants that must be current with their WFA training (which lasts for two years).

First Aid In-Person Training Courses

Cub Scout Dens/Packs can conduct their own campouts, but only with BALOO trained adults.

NOTE: The trainings below are sponsored by various districts.  Any MCC leader can attend any training regardless of their district.

BALOO (Cub Leader Outdoor training) In-Person Training Courses

* A district is listed, but anyone is welcome to attend any other district’s training

IOLS is required for Scoutmasters and Asst. Scoutmasters to be considered trained.  This is only offered as an in-person training.

NOTE: The trainings below are sponsored by various districts.  Any MCC leader can attend any training regardless of their district.

IOLS (Scouts BSA Leader Outdoor training) In-Person Training Courses

* A district is listed, but anyone is welcome to attend any other district’s training

Stay Tuned for 2026 Dates

OKPIK Winter Outdoor Training

OKPIK, which is Inuit for “Snowy Owl,” is the Cold Weather Camping Adventure program offered by the Boy Scouts of America.  OKPIK will give you the skills to go where few dare.

This two day and two night adventure develops confidence and skills in camping and living in the outdoors during extreme weather conditions. Receive training in physical preparation, cold weather dress, first aid and emergency procedures, food and water, equipment use while experiencing cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter shelter building.

OKPIK is state-of-the-art training to give leaders, (both youth and adult), confidence in taking groups into a cold environment and support a year-round camping program. Our cold weather training is appropriate only for those leaders and campers who already have basic Scouting skills and mild weather camping experience. Our training includes skills that can ensure a successful, fun and safe cold weather camping experience. These must know skills are important because cold weather camping mistakes can be serious and certainly are not something upon which to build young Scout’s experience.

Level 1: Participants learn basic winter camping skills and spend both nights indoors
Level 2: Participants put the skills learned in Level 1 into practice and spend 1 night indoors and 1 night outdoors in a shelter they build
Level 3: Participants learn advanced winter camping skills and spend both nights outdoors in a shelter they build
Veteran: Participants who have completed all 3 levels of OKPIK can come back as a Veteran, spending the whole weekend outdoors and learning how to become an OKPIK Staff member.

Ages 13 – Adult

Reflecting the best of nearly a century of Scouting experience, Wood Badge draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles and successful organizations throughout the country.

Wood Badge training was begun by Baden Powell in 1919 as a way to insure that the leaders of Scout troops were properly trained. Since then Wood Badge has been held worldwide, providing  advanced leadership training to thousands of Scout leaders. Wood Badge builds upon the best traditions and experiences of the Boy Scouts of America and also draws from a wide range of courses within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to present the latest in leadership theory and team development.

By taking Wood Badge, Scouters will acquire valuable tools such as listening, communicating, conflict management, project planning and leading change.  Participants will better learn to understand and appreciate diversity and differences in our society. They will learn skills that will make them a better Scout leader. Units with trained leaders are able to deliver an improved program and a more meaningful experience for the youth Scouting serves.

By attending Wood Badge, the participants will internalize the 5 themes of Wood Badge: Living the Values, Growing, Connecting, Guiding, Empowering.

Wood Badge is designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of all Scouters, particularly unit level Scouters, such as Cub leaders, Scoutmasters and
assistants, Venturing Crew Advisors, Committee Chairs and members. Additionally Scouters serving at the district and council levels can achieve greater effectiveness through Wood Badge.

To attend a Wood Badge course, individuals must:

1. Be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. (Youth 18 and older may attend as long as the appropriate Youth Protection guidelines are followed. They do not need to be registered in an adult leadership role.)
2. Have completed the basic training courses for their Scouting position.
3. Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record form.

Wood Badge Video

A Trained Leader is a Prepared Leader.  And those Prepared Leaders should be recognized.  Check out the Training Awards below for your level.

NOTE: Training Awards require multiple signatures, including the District Training Chair.  You can find your district’s chair on the Training Contacts List.

Search All Training Opportunities