Training
Every Scout deserves a trained leader! Below you’ll find resources and tools to help you lead your Scouts to be Prepared. For Life.
Safeguarding Youth
Scouting America and the Grand Teton Council take youth safety seriously and work hard to create a safe, supportive environment for every child. This commitment includes thorough training for leaders, clear safety policies, and ongoing efforts to keep Scouting activities safe and age-appropriate.
Youth Protection Program
Scouting America has a strong Youth Protection program designed to protect youth and prevent abuse. This program provides training and clear guidelines for leaders, volunteers, and parents, helping everyone understand how to keep youth safe and what to do if concerns arise. Parents are encouraged to be informed and involved partners in this effort.
Safeguarding Youth Training
Scouting America’s updated Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) replaces the previous Youth Protection Training and focuses on practical, everyday safety. The training is built around the SAFE approach, which means:
Supervision: Youth are always supervised by trained, trusted adults
Assessment: Activities and locations are reviewed to identify and reduce risks
Fitness and Skill: Activities are matched to each child’s age, abilities, and readiness
Equipment and Environment: Proper equipment is used, and activities take place in safe, well-chosen settings
Together, these measures help ensure that Scouting is not only fun and educational, but also a place where parents can feel confident their children are cared for and protected.
Required Training
- Safeguarding Youth training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.
- Safeguarding Youth training must be taken every year. If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
- You do not have to be a registered member of Scouting America to take Youth Protection Training.
- The training is available in English and Spanish.
How to Take Safeguarding Youth Training
To take the training, go to My.Scouting.org and create an account (or login to your already existing My.Scouting.org account). You’ll receive an email notification with your account information, including a member ID/reference number.
From the My.Scouting.org portal, you can launch the Safeguarding Training from the home page. Upon completion, you may print a training certificate to submit with a volunteer application, or wait for an email with your certificate to be sent to your email address. Your training will automatically be updated in our system and associated with the member ID/reference number issued when you created the account.
Grand Teton Council Reporting
Report any good-faith suspicion to the Scout Executive, Clarke Farrer at 208-569-5845
Scouting America Youth Protection Reporting Policy
Scouting America’s mandatory reporting policy requires that all persons involved in Scouting report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that any youth participant is being, or has been, physically or sexually abused. This policy empowers all in the Scouting community to recognize, respond, and report abuse.
In addition to the mandatory reporting policy that removes perpetrators from Scouting and reports them to law enforcement, Scouting America has established a multi-layered process of safeguards, including the following, all of which help to act as barriers to abuse:
- Ongoing mandatory youth-protection training for all volunteers, along with educational materials for parents and Scouts that is prominently featured in handbooks and integrated into our programs;
- A formal leader selection process that includes criminal background checks and other screening efforts;
- A leadership policy that always requires at least two youth-protection trained adults be present with youth, and prohibits one-on-one situations where adults would have any interactions alone with children – either in person, online, or via text;
- A 24/7 Scouts First Helpline (1-844-SCOUTS1 or 1-844-726-8871) and email contact address to access counseling and help needed to report any suspected abuse or inappropriate behavior; and
- The Volunteer Screening Database, a tool the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for all youth-serving organizations, to prevent individuals that were removed from Scouting from reregistering.
Requirements to become a Trained Leader
To be a fully trained leader for Scouting America, adult leaders must complete the following:
Safeguarding Youth Training: This is a mandatory course for all registered adult leaders and must be completed every year
Position-Specific Training: Log into your My.Scouting.org profile, click on “My Training” and then select “My Required Training” to find a list of online courses customized to your particular Scouting position, such as Den Leader, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, or Committee Chair
Outdoor Skills Training: Required for leaders overseeing outdoor activities, such as Pack and Troop camping. This training is an in-person course offered by your Council or District. Cub Scout leaders need BALOO, and ScoutsBSA leaders require IOLS
Hazardous Weather Training: mandatory online course for all direct-contact leaders in Scouting America, designed to prepare them for managing weather-related risks during outdoor activities. The training is accessible at My.Scouting.org
- Wood Badge: Impactful five-day in-person advanced leadership training for Scouting volunteers and professionals.
Council Training Opportunities
University of Scouting
The University of Scouting is an annual one-day training event for Cub Scout, Scouts, BSA, Crew leaders, and parents from the entire council and takes place in a festive atmosphere. Classes are taught by experienced volunteers who share not just their knowledge, but their passion about their subject.
Wood Badge
Wood Badge has been developed for Cub Scouts, Scouts, BSA , and Venturing leaders, as well as council and district leaders. Its focus is on leadership, not out-of-door skills. The Grand Teton Council is proud to offer a two-weekend course in June of 2026!
