Getting Started as a Den Leader

Den Leaders are one of the most important parts of a boy's scouting experience. Thank you for stepping up to be a part of their scouting adventure!

Steps to get started:

1. Complete your online training:

The online training site is: https://my.scouting.org

Create an account for yourself, then log in. From the 'Home' menu in the left corner choose "My Dashboard".

There are 4 tabs in "My Dashboard". They are "YPT", "Training Center", "Requirements", and "Completions"

All online courses are roughly 20 - 30 minutes long and you can do them from home at your convenience. You can even stop mid-course and restart if you don't have time to complete the whole course in one sitting, but be sure to play the training all the way to the end, otherwise, you may not get credit for it.

a. “YPT” (a.k.a. Youth Protection Training) (Must be completed before the first den meeting)

When you have completed your YPT training, please print your training validation page or email a pdf to pack462sunnyvale@gmail.com. It will need to be submitted with your volunteer application.

b. From “Training Center”, "Cub Scouts" -- Select “Den Leader Specific Training”

• This link will redirect you to "https://bsalearn.learn.taleo.net" (You may need to login again with the same username password as your my.scouting.org account)

• Select "Cub Scouting"

• Under "Den Leader Training", select the appropriate training. The options are:

  • "Tiger Den Leader"

  • "Assistant Tiger Den Leader"

  • "Den Leader"

  • "Assistant Den Leader"

  • "Webelos Leader"

  • "Assistant Webelos Leader"

• It will show you three learning plans with several lessons below each one.

• Start with "Before the First Meeting" and do the lessons marked red or yellow first.

c. (Optional) From “Training Center”, "Cub Scouts" -- Take "Weather Hazards"

• • This is not required training, but at least one adult must be "Weather Hazards" trained on any overnight trips

2. Fill out the BSA Adult Application. Other than YPT, you do not have to have completed your online training before filling out your BSA Application. You only need to fill in and sign the background check signature page and one of the three pages of the form which are identical, but it's important that all the questions be answered, otherwise your application will be returned. The application needs to printed out and signed by you, then reviewed by the Pack Committee Chair. The Pack Committee Chair will check your references and approve the application before taking it to the district office.

3. Optional: Check the Santa Clara Monterey Bay Council website for on-site Den Leader training and BALOO training schedules. The classes are held at the San Jose Boy Scouts of America office (970 W Julian, San Jose) or at the Monterey Bay office. Here is the link: http://svmbc.org/svmbc/training/training-calendar/. Please double check the class locations before signing up!

• The on-site Den Leader trainings are not required, but can be very helpful if you are a new leader.

• The BALOO training is required if your Den is planning any overnight trips. If your Den plans to do any camping overnighters, at least one BALOO trained adult must be in attendance.

You can also do your training through the Pacific Skyline Council which has offices in Palo Alto and Redwood City. Their training schedule is here: http://www.pacsky.org/Training/Adult/Courses-Required/NewCubLeader-Parent/.

4. Purchase your uniform. Uniforms are available at the Scout Store at 970 West Julian Street in San Jose. Hours are M-F 9-6 and Sat 9-5, or online through http://scoutstuff.org. If you are planning on going to onsite training, you can buy your uniform at the same time since it's the same location. Before you go, you should check our box of "retired" uniforms. If there's one in there, you can maybe change the patches and not have to buy a new one. You need the following:

• Den Leader shirt - $45.00

• Council Patch - $3.50

• Pack patch numbers (three patches, "4" "6" "2") - $4.50 for all three

• Den # patch - $1.50

• Den Leader patch - $2.60

• World Scout Crest Patch - $2.00

• Shoulder loops - $4.00 for two

• Our pack does not require anything other than the uniform shirt for leaders.

  • Optional - cap, neckerchief, neckerchief slide, pants

The Pack will pay for your registration fee, and guide book. Please let us know if you have any questions at all!