Introduction to
Outdoor Leader Skills Training
Welcome to “Introduction to Outdoor
Leader Skills” training. This hands-on program gives
adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead
Scouts in the out-of-doors. Imagine having hands-on
knowledge setting up a campsite, pitching a tent, hiking,
outdoor cooking -- all the skills necessary to see the outdoor
program of the Boy Scouts of America come to life.
The skills sessions presented in Introduction to
Outdoor Leader Skills closely follow the Boy Scout Handbook and
are meant to serve as an adult training outline. By using
these skills sessions in conjunction with the Boy Scout
Handbook, trainers can be sure new leaders are proficient in the
basic outdoor skills through First Class rank. Each skills
session references specific chapters in the handbook.
Hands-on participation makes the best learning
tool, so participants should leave the training experience
knowing they can show their Scouts how to accomplish outdoor
skills while fulfilling rank requirements. Back home, we
want leaders to feel comfortable working with and instructing
their Scouts. From pitching a tent to starting a cooking
fire, they should feel confident in helping their youth leaders
plan and carry out their own unit campouts and exciting troop
programs using these skills. With that comes great
satisfaction.
Areas of Focus
Be aware that “Introduction to Outdoor Leader
Skills” focuses on outdoor camping skills and does not cover
all advancement requirements.
The program does not encompass practical
swimming skills (although it does briefly address Safe Swim
Defense and Safety Afloat). These procedures should be
covered in more detail separately and apart from this program by
certified and/or professionally trained instructors as
authorized or approved by the BSA.
In addition, unit leaders and troop committees
are responsible for encouraging positive citizenship and
physical fitness habits. In all cases, the Boy Scout
Handbook, 11th edition, serves as the primary resource for the
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training.
Training Techniques
Every Scout needs and deserves trained leaders.
Leaders should understand their responsibilities, the aims of
the program, and how to deliver it with enthusiasm and fun.
In short, a Scout's participation in the program should have a
positive influence on his life.
“Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills”
training helps leaders gain confidence in their ability-through
hands-on practical application of skills and proven methods of
influencing growth in positive ways to achieve the purposes of
the Boy Scouts of America. As leaders help their Scouts
grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and morally, they gain
satisfaction in knowing their efforts are truly worthwhile.
The program structures participation much like a
Boy Scout troop. From the buddy system (as explained in
the Boy Scout Handbook) to the patrol method, the course uses
familiar techniques to help convey the fun and fellowship of
Scouting and the knowledge leaders need to fulfill their roles
successfully and to reinforce safety issues properly.
Scouters delight in sharing their personal experiences, and each
individual benefits from the interaction and group enthusiasm.
Leaders feel reassured knowing that others have the same
interests, needs, and concerns in delivering the best possible
Scouting program to their units.
Leaders and trainers alike should understand
that "training" is a process that will continue as
long as you are active in Scouting. Trainers should also
be aware that adult learning takes place from experience.
Adults learn when there is a need to learn and when they see
that there is an application to their learning effort. A
leader's motivation for learning stems from wanting to become
good enough with "hands-on" practice to teach and set
an example for Scouts.
This program works best when implemented by
having participants pair off with a buddy to do each skill.
Since skills-training involves, among other things,
memorization, the buddy system allows you to teach (with
sufficient instructors to ensure learning and participation) and
have each participant practice the task with enough repetition
to learn the skill well. Adults have a fear of failure, so
working with a buddy teaches with positive reinforcement and
helps eliminate the possibility of nonparticipation or
embarrassment in a large group.
The focus on learning by doing makes the buddy
system approach the key difference between this course and
merely showing how to accomplish a skill.
Each participant must be able to complete and check each item
from a task list, just like a Scout does. It eliminates
superficial participation and truly builds confidence in leaders
through accomplishment. Leaders should also encourage this
method when instructing in their own units -- let the Scouts
work and learn together.
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